If there is any negative message to take from Arsenal's impressive victory over Man City in the Community Shield last weekend, and their laboured victory over managerless Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, it's that the Gunners' summer spending should not be over. Though Calum Chambers had an impressive debut at centre-half - yellow card aside - winning a solid 70% of aerial duels, making 11 defensive actions and clocking in with a 92% passing average (as is perhaps to be expected of a graduate of Southampton's academy), the departure of Thomas Vermaelen has still left Arsenal week at centre-half. Adding to that the almost injury to Laurent Koscielny in the Community Shield match, which meant he was deputised by a full-back and the lack of depth in a crucial area is obvious. Yes, Wenger will welcome World Cup winner Per Mertesacker back once he is deemed to be fit once more, but if suggestions are correct, Chambers will move to a defensive midfield role, which again will limit the number of identified centre-backs at the club to just Mertesacker and Koscielny. Even allowing for the use of Chambers as a utility man, three centre-backs for four competitions is ludicrous, particularly considering the trend of Arsenal players picking up injuries in the second half of the season, and Arsene Wenger needs to get back into the market to bring in reinforcements. If Chambers is destined for a more advanced role, then Wenger needs to bring in two centre-backs, which might be somewhat worrying considering the fact that Man City have just had to invest more than £30m in one, and the market is somewhat tight for the position. So, who should Wenger sign? It's unlikely he's going to be able to spend another £40m plus in a pair of ready made centre-backs, unless Arsenal really have changed their agenda in the transfer market, so perhaps a youngster and a first-teamer to challenge Mertesacker and Koscielny? Or perhaps just a solitary figure destined to push for a first-team place, like Kostas Manolas - who has been linked with an £8m move from Olympiakos would be the best approach? Do you think Arsenal still need a centre-back or two? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
