It's in vogue at the minute to slate Arsenal for their lack of defensive solidity, and even more fashionable to talk about their need for a defensive midfielder. But it definitely is true that Arsenal have an unbalanced squad.

Francis Coquelin came back into the team after Christmas and showed great form, helping the Gunners to beat Manchester City at the Etihad. A big feat in itself, but they way in which they did it was encouraging for Arsenal as they defended brilliantly and played in a pragmatic way we don't associate with Arsenal.

They've also signed Gabriel Paulista and Callum Chambers who - when Chambers is fit, and when Gabriel acclimatises to the Premier League - will provide good cover to Koscielny and Mertesacker. And they might even become the first choice starters themselves.

The defence looks sorted, certainly better than it was before the start of the season, and if they can stay injury-free - something that admittedly seems like a huge problem for Arsenal these days - it's really only the defensive side of the midfield that needs work for the Gunners, as it’s not clear that Coquelin is the right man long-term for Arsenal.

So who should Arsenal buy for the centre of midfield?

They have a host of central midfielders, but a lot of 'number 10s' and creative, attacking players who add little bite to the centre of the pitch, and do little to help the defence.

Then there's Wilshere and Ramsey, who are more adept at playing in the centre of the pitch, but still not defensive midfielders. Wilshere has played there for England and for Arsenal, and I do think that later in his career he could become a wonderful player in the 'quarterback' role, distributing passes to attacking players in good positions. He has wonderful vision and a great range of passing. He also likes to get forward, though, and against better teams, or teams with quick players who can hit Arsenal on the counter, he isn't an ideal man to have in front of the back four.

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Even if Wilshere is the first-choice defensive midfielder, Arsenal still need someone in the squad who can sit. Preferably, they'd have someone who could become first-choice, though.

There's been a lot of talk about Morgan Schneiderlin and Sami Khedira joining Arsenal this summer - and there was lots of talk about it last summer too.

Schneiderlin has been wonderful for Southampton and already knows the Premier League very well. He is also good in possession, though, and would fit quite well into the Arsenal mould. Of course, they'd face stiff competition for him, they'd need to pay a handsome sum of money to get him, but he'd certainly appease some of the fans calling for Wenger's head.

Then there's Khedira. A perennial bench-warmer at Real Madrid, he is expected to leave the club in the summer. He was wonderful in the World Cup, and alongside players like Schweinsteiger and Muller, Gotze and Ozil he looked just as comfortable in possession, and provided a little bit of steel in front of their formidable defence.

But Schneiderlin and Khedira are hardly physical, powerful players. More Rolls Royce than 4x4. This might suit Arsenal's current mould, but why would you go out and spend loads of money on something that isn't too different to what you have already? They'd certainly shore up the midfield more than they have already, but that's not saying much. Arsenal should go for some power. Someone more Viera-like than those two.

If Wenger does want this, then he should look no further than Josuha Guilavogui and Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Wolfsburg have been the Bundesliga revelation of the season, and while they probably won't challenge for the title now that Bayern are too far ahead, they more than likely will be playing Champions League football this season, and Guilavogui, who is on loan at Wolfsburg from Atletico Madrid has played well both in the league and the Europa League this season.

He is a powerful defensive midfielder and a French International, who brings steel and power to the midfield. He has a good eye for an interception and likes to drive his team forward.

Or perhaps Wenger was watching Kondogbia play well in front of the Monaco defence as the Monegasques knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League this season. Kondogbia is another powerful defensive midfielder who would help Arsenal's plethora of small, creative players in the middle of the park.

Both of these players are powerful defensive midfielders, and both are young, French internationals. They have some experience on the big stages, and they've been playing well of late.

With the Premier League becoming even more physical, and teams like Manchester City including players like Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando in the centre of their midfields, Arsenal's small, technical players risk being over run.

Adding someone like Schneiderlin or Khedira would certainly help, but perhaps, given the technical ability of the players already in the squad, a more powerful and physical player might be what Arsenal need. After all, having a squad is about having options, and bringing in a more powerful midfielder would certainly give them something very different to what they already have.

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