I can't help but think the gooners are indulging in a lot of wishful thinking about their central defence this season.
They're keen to remind everyone that Toure is a shadow of his former self and pretty much imply that his departure alone will have resulted in a stronger defence.
Vermaelen is being touted as the next Nemanja Vidic and the perfect partner for Gallas. Finally, they say, we've found a defender who will attack the ball, allowing Gallas to do what he does best.
As for Gallas, peterstorey would have us believe he's back to his very best and has been one of their two best players all season.
Finally, we've got this new formation. They're playing 433, with Song - who has also been singled out as being in outstanding form - anchoring midfield and providing the back four with the additional protection they lacked at times last season.
Bearing in mind that Arsenal are the only top four team who have had the luxury of having their first-choice central defenders available for selection in every game this season, you would expect all of the above to result in them being more or less impregnable at the back. Ok, impregnable might be taking things a bit far but
definitely better than last season, right? I mean, surely?
Here's the rub.
- In the league last season they played 38 games and conceded 37 goals.
- So far in the league this season they've played 12 games and conceded 15 goals.
- In the Champion's League group stages last season, they conceded 5 goals in 6 games.
- In the Champion's League group stages last season, they've already conceded 4 goals in 4 games.
Bearing in mind last season has been written off as a fairly disasterous showing all round, those stats must make uncomfortable reading for Arsenal fans. Methinks everything is not quite so rosy at the back as the gooners would have us believe...