Which defender should Arsenal buy before the end of January?

Arsenal are entering the second half of the season in a very strong position, still competing for all four trophies. However Arsenal are lacking numbers in the centre back position and are currently relying on Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny to play in every match. Both of these players are in good form, but an injury to either and Arsenal will be forced into using Alex Song in defence or promoting reserve team captain Ignasi Miquel. 


Thomas Vermaelen has been out for the majority of the season and may still not be back by the time we take on Barcelona in the Champions Leauge. Sebastien Squillaci is also injured at the moment, he will be back soon but he has looked unconvincing and has dropped down the pecking order due to the good form of Djourou and Koscielny. Therefore Arsene Wenger has admitted he is in the market for a new defender and Arsenal have been linked with many defenders and I am going to decide who the best option is for the Arsenal. 

Gary Cahill

1. Gary Cahill

  The Bolton and England centre half has been the player linked the most with Arsenal throughout January. He has been in impressive form for a number of years and is now regularly in contention to play for England. This is a plus point for many Arsenal fans who believe the club needs more English players and Gary Cahill seems the ideal signing for the club. He is still only 25 and is therefore just entering his prime and would be a strong performer for many years to come. 

  Price: £10-15 Million

2. Matthew Upson

Matthew Upson

 The West Ham defender would be an inexpensive option and Wenger obviously knows Matthew well due to his previous stint at the club as a youngster.  Along with Cahill, Upson is a proven Premiership defender and would provide a reliable solution to Arsenal's defensive troubles. Unlike Cahill he is 31 years old and therefore realistically has a couple of years left at the top level, but this would allow playing time in the future for Djourou and Koscielny who would struggle for playing time with Vermaelen and Cahill at the club. Upson is out of contract in the Summer and would therefore be very cheap fitting in with many of Wenger's signings.

 Price £2-4 Million

3. Christopher Samba 

Christopher Samba

   

  The Blackburn defender is supposedly the type of defender Arsenal have been lacking since the days of Campbell and Adams at the back. He is very strong in the air and physical in the tackle. Blackburn have recentely been taken over and Samba made his views clear when Sam Allardyce was sacked as Blackburn boss. He said he wanted to leave the club and hinted that he would like to sign for the Arsenal. 

 Price £7-10 Million

4. Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos

 The majority of Arsenal fans can't see this deal happening due to Wenger's reluctance to spend big on world class talent. Sergio would be the perfect solution for the Arsenal, he is a World Cup winner and a top class Defender. Reports coming out of Spain reveal he isn't happy at the Bernabeu and has been involved in arguments with star forward Christiano Ronaldo. It seems an unlikely signing but would prove to be a popular signing and would signal a strong message of intent to Manchester United in the race for the title. 

 Price £20-25 Million

5. Jan Vertonghen 

Jan Vertonghen

 

 The Belgian and Ajax centre half would clearly fit in well at the Arsenal, due to playing regularly with his compatriot Thomas Vermaelen who used also be at Ajax. He has been a consistent performer for Ajax and Belgium and looks to be on his way to becoming a top class defender. The main advantage is that he would not need to form a partnership with Thomas Vermaelen, unlike Cahill and others. He would be a typical Wenger signing as he is young and relatively unheard of like Thomas Vermaelen who is now Arsenal's best defender.

 Price £10-12 Million

Verdict: Gary Cahill

  In my opinion the Englishman would be the best signing both in the short and long term for Arsenal. He could come into the team straight away and perform at a consistent level which would add much needed stability to Arsenal's defence. There is a week left in the January window and Bolton have recentely signed Wheater who may well be the replacement for Gary Cahill. Hopefully Wenger will be able to pull the transfer off in time and improve our title winning credentials.