Why Sead Kolasinac's improved form does not solve Arsenal's problems

Having regained their place in the Premier League top four, as well as a Europa League quarter-final berth, Arsenal’s 5-1 defeat to Liverpool, two days before the dawn of the new year, feels like an awfully long time ago. For Arsenal, it was a day to be forgotten, evoking painful memories of the latter years of Arsene Wenger’s reign, where Arsenal, to their peril, would throw caution to the wind when playing away against the big boys.

That evening, few were more culpable for Arsenal’s defensive shortcomings than Bosnian left-back Sead Kolasinac. Playing in a back four, he was consistently guilty of pushing too far forward, vacating his position and allowing Liverpool to break on their right wing with ease.

It was one of the many times that Kolasinac has struggled in a back four. After the defeat to Liverpool, it seemed inevitable that he would be replaced in the summer. However, in the last two months, Unai Emery has adjusted his system to a back five, protecting Kolasinac by showcasing his offensive strengths rather than his defensive weaknesses. Gradually, “the tank,” as he is nicknamed by Arsenal supporters, has been silencing the calls for a new left-back.

Kolasinac should be commended for his upturn in form, but his frailties should not be forgotten. One of the most positive things that Emery has brought to Arsenal this season is his tactical versatility, something that Kolasinac’s inability to play in a back four stifles. Signing a left-back, therefore, should remain one of Arsenal’s top priorities.

While Kolasinac may be a reasonably good left wing-back, Emery’s tactical set-up when playing with five at the back serves to exaggerate his ability. Arsenal’s second-leg victory against Rennes, a game in which both Kolasinac and the right wing-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles looked outstanding, perfectly encapsulated this. Arsenal played without wingers, with both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette up front. As a result, Arsenal’s eight central players squeezed into the middle of the pitch, pulling the opposition infield, allowing both Kolasniac and Maitland-Niles to freely maraud up and down the flanks before picking out a target in the crowded centre.

Still, if Emery is to continue his Arsenal revolution, he needs a left-back who is competent on both sides of the ball and can adapt to his tactical versatility. Kolasinac’s poor performances in a back four have proven that he is not this player.

Arsenal’s other left-back, Nacho Monreal, is much more reliable in defence. However, at the age of 33, he no longer has the legs to fulfil the all-action role that Emery demands from his full-backs. Therefore, he is more often deployed on the left side of a centre-back trio and is another limitation to Arsenal’s versatility.

The abundance of potentially available, exciting young left-backs in European football should make the signing of a new left-back all the more pressing. Kieran Tierney, for example, is reportedly more likely to leave Celtic now Brendan Rodgers has departed. Arsenal need only look to Liverpool, their 5-1 conquerors, for evidence of ex-Celtic players excelling in the Premier League, or, for that matter, young Scottish left-backs.

Another potential player of interest is Nicolas Tagliafico, whose stock has skyrocketed since moving to Ajax in January 2018. His contribution to Ajax’s 4-1 demolition of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu was outstanding, enhancing his reputation further. Recent media reports claim that Tagliafico’s price tag is as low as £15 million, which would certainly conform to Arsenal’s prudent spending habits.

Arsenal, however, will not be alone in the market for a new left-back. Real Madrid’s Marcelo lost his starting spot this season, and, before Zinedine Zidane’s return, looked certain to move on. Zidane may be back, but Real Madrid may still look to cash in for a younger replacement. Furthermore, Atletico’s Felipe Luis is no longer amongst La Liga’s best full-backs and will surely be replaced. Another club to keep an eye on is Chelsea, who face a similar dilemma to Arsenal in that Marcos Alonso looks a far weaker player in Mauricio Sarri’s four-man defence. In short, Arsenal should act fast, or risk losing out on the best players on the market.

Purchasing a new left-back does not necessarily need to be a case of replacing Kolasinac, rather it would be a case of strengthening their options. Next season, Emery is sure to continue to alternate between formations, and when he uses a back five, Kolasinac will remain a potent threat. But if this Arsenal squad is to continue to evolve, it needs a player that can reliably play as a full-back, solidifying Arsenal’s defence and maximising Emery’s versatility.

(Photo By Chensiyuan - Via Wikimedia Commons)