Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger reveals Gunners do not need strengthening in defence because he has already done so

Wenger has signed Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista within the last year and does not believe he needs any more cover at the back

Matt McGeehan
Monday 11 May 2015 08:34 BST
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Arsene Wenger believes he doesn't need to sign another defender this summer
Arsene Wenger believes he doesn't need to sign another defender this summer (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger believes he has solved Arsenal's soft defensive core and that the Gunners can win the Premier League title playing free-flowing football.

Wenger has Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers and Gabriel as central defensive options and he is not in the market for another defender.

"Four is enough," Wenger said.

"(Mathieu) Debuchy can play there, (Nacho) Monreal can play there, so you can say we are not out to buy a central defender.

"And Gabriel will be a great central defender, believe me."

Arsenal have won nine of their games in an unbeaten 10-match run ahead of Monday's clash with Swansea.

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers (Getty Images)

The exception was a goalless draw with champions Chelsea, whose approach became more pragmatic as they neared the title.

Wenger insists Arsenal's attractive style can deliver a first title since 2003/04, but knows his side must show more steel and win when not at their best.

"We can win (the title), of course we can win," Wenger added.

"We have done it before. Manchester United have done it. Plenty of teams have done it.

"It is how well you play, the kind of game you play. For example, you don't question Barcelona about the way they play football.

"But if they start to lose games you will question 'Are they not too naive?'. But when they win you don't question it of course.

"You cannot play 38 games in the same convincing style. You need to have a balance in your team so that if you are not at a level of fluency you can still win the game.

"Then most of the time it is the individual talent of the players.

"You have to accept that at some level - unfortunately - the game becomes an individual sport."

Gabriel Paulista joined Arsenal in January (Getty Images)

One of the games when the Gunners' defensive failings were exposed this season was at Swansea on November 9, when Jefferson Montero gave Chambers, operating at right-back, a torrid time.

The then 19-year-old had made an impressive start to the season after a summer switch from Southampton and been rewarded with his first three England appearances.

Wenger says Chambers has developed since the Swansea performance, although he has been in and out of the starting XI.

"He had some difficult games, but that's part of gaining experience and the learning process. Everybody goes through that," Wenger added.

"When they come out of it, they are stronger. He analyses well what happens and I think he will learn and come out stronger."

PA

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