Is Defensive Cover On The Way?

According to the Express and the Daily Mail, Arsenal may be looking to shore up its injury-plagued defense by looking to free agents with Premier League experience.

The Express has an interesting proposition -- Lassana Diarra, who played seven games for Arsenal during the 2007-08 season, has also played for Chelsea and Real Madrid, and is currently free to leave Lokomotiv Moscow due to a contract dispute. Diarra can play right back and defensive midfield positions, which might be of interest to some Arsenal fans.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail suggests that Diego Lugano and Joseph Yobo could be possible signings for Arsenal. Nigerian international player Yobo, who has played with Everton in past campaigns, featured for Norwich City in the latter half of last season's march toward relegation after being released from Fenerbahçe. Lugano, who has 95 caps for the Uruguayan national team as a central defender, played for West Brom last year, and was one of five players released by the team at season's end.

If Arsenal doesn't move for one of the players by tomorrow, the recovering-from-tonsillitis Calum Chambers could slot into the starting XI at right back for Saturday's match with second-place (!) Aston Villa, with Mathieu Flamini and Hector Bellerin other possibilities to deputize.