Arsenal

Nigel Winterburn calls for new Arsenal defender

By Shane Callaghan, ReporterPublished: 20 December 2014 12:12 AM

Nigel Winterburn has called on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to utilise the January transfer window by adding much-needed defensive cover to his squad.

Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has backed manager Arsene Wenger to bolster his defence with an additional centre-back in January.

The Gunners went into the season with only two recognised centre-halves, with left-back Nacho Monreal forced to partner Per Mertesacker there for much of the campaign in Laurent Koscielny's absence.

Consequently, Wenger's side have suffered with their makeshift defence in recent weeks, with fans' frustrations reaching boiling point in the 3-2 defeat at Stoke City earlier this month.

Winterburn believes that the Frenchman's failure to add the necessary cover has undermined the team's efforts this season.

"My understanding is they tried to get in a centre-half in the summer and it didn't work out," the 51-year-old told The Express. "You know Arsene Wenger. He won't buy for a short-term fix. He is a manager who is all about long-term vision.

"People will be saying again they need to buy a defender in January. If he doesn't think one is out there, we may have to wait until August.

"Maybe Arsene thought, 'I've got Calum Chambers and we can rotate rather than have a quick fix'. But they've picked up injuries to Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy and it left them short."

The legendary left-back played 440 times for Arsenal and spent four years under Wenger.