Sol Campbell Urges Arsenal to Sign Veteran Centre-Back in January: Necessary Backup or a Step Backwards?

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has urged his former club to enter the transfer market in January and bring in an experienced centre-back on a short-term deal, warning that the Gunners cannot afford an injury crisis at the heart of their defence.

The former England international believes Arsenal’s impressive first-choice pairing, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, have set a standard that the club’s other defenders cannot currently match.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Campbell said:

“Maybe an older centre-half who wants a six-month contract. You can’t afford both of them [Gabriel and Saliba] out — you need at least one fit and playing now.”

He added that while Arsenal’s backup defenders are “top players,” they lack the presence and reliability that Saliba and Gabriel bring to the team.

“Arsenal can lose two players elsewhere on the pitch, but in defence, they miss Saliba and Gabriel’s experience.”

Opinion: Campbell Is Right — Arsenal’s Title Ambitions Depend on Defensive Insurance

Sol Campbell might be speaking as a former captain, but he’s also speaking like a man who understands the scars of defensive instability. And truthfully, he has a point that Arsenal fans might not want to hear: without Saliba and Gabriel, Arsenal’s entire tactical identity changes.

Mikel Arteta has built his system on defensive composure, controlled build-up, and the confidence to hold a high line. Remove one of the pillars, and the structure wobbles. Remove both, and the castle collapses.

The idea of signing an older, short-term defender may not sound glamorous — especially for a club that prides itself on long-term planning — but it may be exactly what Arsenal needs for a title push or a deep Champions League run. Not a superstar, not a long project, but a reliable stopgap with experience in high-pressure football.

Clubs like Manchester City have won titles by thinking this way: depth isn’t luxury — it’s survival.

While Arteta trusts his squad, the margins in elite football are brutally thin. One injury to Saliba or Gabriel could derail months of hard work.

Campbell’s advice may be old-school, but sometimes old-school is what keeps your season alive.