Tony Adams has called on Arsene Wenger to improve Arsenal’s defence if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.
The former captain made 669 appearances in his 19-year association with the club and was an integral part of the solid Arsenal back four that dominated English football in the 1990s.
Wenger has rotated his central defensive selections this season with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen as well as bringing in Nacho Monreal at left-back, but Adams wants further strengthening at the Emirates Stadium.
“The best players and the best teams win championships,” he told Sky Sports. “Lately Arsenal have become very solid and Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have gained confidence together but, defensively, I think they are still short – I’d like to see them sign another centre-back, a couple of full-backs and possibly a keeper.”
In his time at the club, Adams won four league titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup but the current squad have not won a trophy for eight years and Adams knows it is crucial that they get that winning feeling back.
“The fans are desperate for a trophy of some sort,” he added. “I would like the players to get used to winning; if you have never had that experience of crossing the line as a winner you don’t know what it is like to be a winner.
Robert Pires, a member of the ‘Invincibles’ team of 2003-04, agrees with Adams and has urged the club to develop a core of English players in their squad.
The Frenchman made 284 appearances for Arsenal from 2000 to 2006 in a side reliant on foreign imports but would like to see some more experienced home-grown players come into the side.
“Wenger built Arsenal so he is very important to the players and needs to stay,” he said. “In my opinion I think Arsenal need to buy English players.
“Wenger has changed the philosophy at the club, he brought in young players like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey; these players are very good for the future but now they need to buy some players with experience to give a good mix.”
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