MX23RW : Monday, November 25 08:33:49| >> :120:41423:41423:

Arsene Wenger: 'Top-class centre-backs are hard to come by'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that top-class centre-backs are hard to come by as he continues his search for defensive reinforcements.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that top-class centre-backs are hard to come by as he continues his search for defensive reinforcements.

The Gunners find themselves short at the back at the start of the new Premier League season, with long-term injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, in addition to Laurent Koscielny's extended break after Euro 2016, leaving Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as their only recognised centre-backs.

Wenger has repeatedly outlined his intention to sign another defender before the August 31 deadline, and revealed that there is no age limit to his search.

"We have no limit in age. If it is a guy of 32 and we think he has the quality then we will do it. If Mertesacker and Gabriel had not been injured in pre-season, we would have been less under pressure to sign a defender," he told reporters.

"But once you are under pressure, everybody knows you are so it makes you weaker. We have been in the market a long time but if you look around in Europe, all my friends I call are all looking for centre-backs but they cannot find them.

"That is why we also buy young centre-backs to develop, because when you have one or two of the quality to make it to the top it is fantastic because it is a position that is difficult to find, especially at the big clubs."

Arsenal have been linked with moves for Shkodran Mustafi and Jose Fonte in recent weeks.

ID:279365: cacheID:279365:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2894:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Valencia's German defender Shkodran Mustafi celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs Granada CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on September 25, 2015
Read Next:
Report: Arsenal refusing to meet Mustafi fee
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!