Since the retirement of Sol Campbell Arsenal have failed to acquire a central defender that exhibits the leadership qualities required to earn a Premier League title.
Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal in 1996 and has never been one to splash the cash.
In total the Frenchman has spent roughly £520 million with less than a third of that sum being used to strengthen his back four.
For countless years pundits and fans have beckoned the call for Wenger to empty his pockets and sign a ‘world class’ central defender.
Wenger's transfer policy is all wrong
Callum Chambers transfer from Southampton in 2014 was the most the 66-year-old has spent on a centre-back - £16 million.
The signing of Chambers was labelled as a “gamble” by Wenger, but the same can be said for the additions of Gabriel Paulista and current first team choice Per Mertesacker.
Paulista like Chambers has been given sparse opportunity to develop his game. The Brazilians transfer to The Gunners raises questions over Wenger’s transfer policy, as the Frenchman opted to purchase a 25-year-old who was second fiddle to Mateo Musacchio at Villarreal.
Unlike Paulista’s transfer Per Mertesacker’s raised little to be scrutinised, however year upon year more cracks begin to surface. Despite having experience and towering above most opponents at the height of 6ft 6’ Mertesacker lacks in one key aspect, agility. His lack of pace has been exploited on several occasions in English football due to its high tempo, but whilst playing previously for Germany or in the Bundesliga this was not an issue.
Arsene Wenger recently hailed Mertesaker as a leader in the dressing room but the statement seems questionable to many fans.
Despite being Arsenal’s captain the side’s leadership and defensive organisation originates not from the lips and mind of the German but from those of keeper Peter Cech, who has won four Premier League titles to his name.
In order to earn their first league title since the 2003-2004 season Arsenal need to recruit a ‘world class’ central defender.
Hector Bellerin offers pace, Nacho Monreal offers discipline and Lauren Koscielny offers experience.
Wenger nearly has all the pieces to his jigsaw and with the collection of the final piece comes the Premier League title.