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Could Wenger snap up Evans in time for Liverpool?

Here we are, 4 days before Arsenal's first day of the season and despite a good preseason Arsenal look as under-prepared as I can remember. The injuries to Gabriel and Mertesacker are unfortunate and sadly something it's hard to prepare for but the silver-lining is they happened whilst the window is still open so we have time to gather reinforcements. As it stands we will probably see a centre-back pairing of Holding and Chambers which is a concern as Klopp's pressing style will put them under pressure from the get go.

With an already ageing first choice centre-back pairing and two big injuries to manage, Wenger may look to bring in more than just one centre-back. His first choice is Mustafi but he could also look for a Premier League proven option. West Brom's ex-United stopper Jonny Evans could be Arsène's £15m solution and he is trying to get him signed quickly so he can be parachuted in for the first game.

Even without Evans or Mustafi joining in time to face Liverpool Smartbets shows Arsenal are favourites but you have to feel that Arsenal's chances would be significantly improved with an experienced centre-back to partner one of the promising youngsters. That said, if it's just experience Wenger is looking for to get through this first match then Nacho Monreal could shuffle across but the manager will want to avoid this.

Home advantage could play a part in defence but it is attack that worries most Arsenal fans. The squad is depleted and we're still short up top. Chuba Akpom looked solid in the friendly matches we played but it is doubtful that he is ready to spearhead an Arsenal attack. Unless something happens in the next 24hrs we will likely see Theo or Alexis play as our striker. Theo particularly seemed to pick up some sharpness as preseason went on but both manager and player are hinting his future is back on the right where he'll face competition from a hungrier and more dangerous looking Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal Twitter is awash with rumours of a "madness" that will surpass the Özil deal and we can only hope these rumours have some substance. For the moment, the need for a centre-back trumps the need for a striker. We may be short up top but we are not bereft of goals. Ramsey, Alexis, Iwobi, Campbell, Ox and Theo all have goals in them and there is still time to sign a top class striker. The need for a defender is most pressing because we only have two fit centre-backs, both of whom are incredibly green. Finger's crossed Wenger manages to close the deal on Evans or Mustafi in the next 24hrs so we can turn our full transfer attentions towards a new striker.

As things stand we could be looking at a starting XI like this one against Liverpool:

Cech, Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Theo, Iwobi.

Is that enough to get us three points? The bookies seem to think so but the fans aren't as confident. Whoever plays is going to need our backing and we'll rise to the challenge and not let that filter through in the stadium.

Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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Tags: Transfers, Arsenal vs Liverpool, Mustafi, Jonny Evans

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