Could Arsenals Title Defence Depend on Signing Another Defender?This time last year, Spurs and Villarreal were beating Arsenal in friendlies.In the summer of 2003, we failed to defeat Peterborough, Barnet and Beveren. That didnt prevent the Invincibles from being born.So, for any of my peers, dont read too much into pre-season results, especially with players having their workloads individually managed depending on what stage they were knocked out of the World Cup.What you might be concerned by, though, are our performances defensively.Can Arsenal afford to be without Saliba?Our manager didnt need any evidence to already know that not having Saliba for the start of the season is a blow. Yet the very best bosses recognise when there is a problem, and if there is one positive to the goals his team has conceded in the last couple of weeks, it could be that they encourage Andrea Berta to be more aggressive in the search for a defender.Saliba has so far been able to avoid surgery on his back and instead been ordered to rest. Yet you tend to worry when our medical team doesnt give a timeframe.Our first-choice centre-back partnership cant be replaced. If it could, they wouldnt be so special.Our own boss has often said the difference between success and failure can be based on the smallest details.What was the difference between the champions and the rest last campaign?The ability to defend better than the rest of the division and how creative our set-piece routines were.You would assume Nicolas Jover has spent his holidays in the knowledge that opponents will be more prepared for our free-kicks and corners?(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Do Arsenal already have enough defensive cover?Mosquera should have spent this month proving he can be trusted to start every week. The opposite has happened.Thats not a reflection on the Spaniard. Theres zero disgrace for a 22-year-old not quite being at that level consistently.I would prefer Calafiori or Hincapie to come into the middle, which I know means a left-footed player on the right side, but neither would need their hand held. Gabriel is at his best focusing on his own game.White is an option as his partner once Timber is back, but hes injury-prone himself, and its not ideal to ask him to play every few days.John Stones as a free agent was a no-brainer for me. If hes good enough for the Italian champions, then hes good enough to do a job in North London.Is Konsa an option?Its been said earlier this window that our Director of Football simply doesnt agree with Aston Villas valuation of the England international. Yet various outlets are suggesting that the Italian has now accepted that they need to try and find a compromise on the asking price.If thats based on whats happened in pre-season, then those results have been worth it.If an upgrade in attack doesnt arrive, we are letting our foot off the throat of our rivals, yet it could be even more costly not to fix the Saliba-shaped hole in our back four.Have the club come to the conclusion that if they leave themselves light at the back, it could cost them their title?Dan SmithWhat do you think, Gooners? Is another defender now essential for Arsenal, or do Arteta and Berta already have enough options in the squad to cope without Saliba? Let us know in the comments._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow.You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, dont hesitate to get in touch with us through this linkMore Stories / Latest NewsCould Arsenals Title Defence Depend on Signing Another Defender? 14 August 2026, 23:00Steve Bruce names team to beat in the Premier League this season 14 August 2026, 22:00Fabregas opens door to sign youngsters from Arsenal 14 August 2026, 21:00