Arsene Wenger faces centre-back dilemma

Per Mertesacker (L), Thomas Vermaelen (R) and Laurent Koscielny will battle for two centre-back spots at Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger admits it is difficult for him to decide which of his three centre-backs to leave out when they are all fully fit, much like the dilemma he faced when he joined the club and he had to pick two out of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Steve Bould.

Thomas Vermaelen made his return from injury on Saturday at Sunderland when he came on as a second half substitute and will be competing with Laurent Koscielny and the in-form Per Mertesacker for a starting spot.

“Yes, it is a bit like that [having Bould, Adams and Keown fighting for two spots],” he told Arsenal Player. “The one who didn’t play [the decision] was not justifiable.

“In the end we played the three together in some games, but when I moved to a back four we were always in a position where you had to make a choice.

“I rotated and at some stage every time I made a decision [about who] was left out, I thought ‘it is not right’.”

Wenger is pleased to have Vermaelen back in contention, and believes the captain offers a fresh alternative at the back.

“He is naturally a left-sided player, more than anybody else,” he said. “His natural position is there and I like to have a central defence where you have a right-footed player and a left-footed player. That is why I always build around Thomas.

“For the rest, he has all the attributes of a good centre back because he has the physical qualities and the technical qualities and the experience to read the game.

“He is a natural player, but sometimes you cannot be too complicated. It worked until now and we have another candidate as well in Sagna. Every game he has played there, he has done extremely well. So we have four good centre backs.”