Arsene Wenger will search the transfer market for a full-back suitable for Arsenal this January in light of the injuries which have blighted the club in that position so far this season.
Injuries to Bacary Sagna, Andres Santos, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkisnon - all full-backs - as well as an injury to Johan Djourou, a centre back whose versatility has been utilized in the full-back position, has forced Wenger's hand.
The Arsenal manager confirmed that if the situation with Kieran Gibbs worsens or does not improve, the likelihood of him delving into the market will increase, confirming that he has already started looking for new recruits, saying on Tuesday:
"It depends now on Gibbs. He sees a specialist again today and if something happens there that he has had a real setback then possibly, yes. It is not a shop, you just take a good opportunity that is on the market when you can. Overall that's what we are doing at the moment. We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back."
Already there are reports that Arsenal have their eye on former Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, who currently plays very sparingly - if not at all - for Manchester City. Arsenal are reportedly lining up a loan move for the 31 year-old English defender who recently had a spell out on loan with Championship side, West Ham United.
Bridge is hardly in the form of his life; he rarely plays with the City first team, having been restricted to only 1 first team appearance in the Carling Cup this season, and he trains with the youngsters rather than the actual squad. While any move for Bridge may be questioned by Arsenal fans, it is an understandably cheap and short term option which takes into account the possible return of the other Arsenal full-backs coming close to recovery.
However, at the present moment, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and perhaps Sebastian Squillaci will be forced to play out of position, with the young midfielder Francis Coquelin, who has been complaining about his lack of use in the first team, also a possibility for Arsenal, but this is a huge inconveniance for the side tactically. Wenger explained:
"It's difficult because first of all we have centre-backs who do not like to play at full-back. We are a team who likes to go forward through the full-backs, so of course, they are in a position where they have to produce different games. That is much more demanding physically."
"That exposes us even more to injuries, so I try to rotate people – one time right-back, one time centre-back. I can use Sebastien Squillaci, I can use Ignasi Miquel, I can use Francis Coquelin. Let's be frank and honest, no solution will be ideal because whatever we do, two players will have to play out of position."
Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Wednesday evening, and a weaker defensive line is likely to be sent out, but because of injuries, and until the January transfer window, it is the only solution.
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