By Boris Mellor
October 20 2008

It is good to see that we will now have more firepower on the bench as neither Ade or RvP looked that hot to me on Saturday. However, the bigger problem against Everton was the fragility of the defence. Sagna is more important to the team than Ade or Nick. Indeed last year it was during his absence that Arsenal's season disintegrated.  

The fragility of the defence at the weekend was due to two main reasons; one Song is not a right back, and two that the midfield do not shield the defence at all. Wenger's explanation that he thought we would be more secure with Song at RB and Eboue in midfield did not add up.

The moment Eboue went to right back, and Walcott was put on the wing the team had a better shape and played with pace. I hope that for the game in Istanbul Eboue stays at RB, Walcott on the wing and Song or Diaby in midfield, I am afraid that Denilson has a way to go; or maybe he would improve by playing alongside a more defensive midfielder.

Thankfully Nasri is back ok, although Fabregas might not have noticed him yet, he is player prepared to take responsibility when the team need it. Just like Pires, and not the shot shy Hleb, he scores very important goals. It is early days but there could be a lot to come from this player.

Can't afford a missing defence

Wenger cannot afford to mess up the defence again, he has to get it right first time. A win would be excellent, but a draw will be a very good result.

Arsenal squad:

Manuel Almunia
Lukasz Fabianski
Emmanuel Adebayor
Robin van Persie
Carlos Vela
Nicklas Bendtner
Aaron Ramsey
Abou Diaby
Theo Walcott
Cesc Fabregas
Denilson
Samir Nasri
Kieran Gibbs
Gael Clichy
Mikael Silvestre
Alex Song
Emmanuel Eboue
Johan Djourou

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