Arsenal completed their pre-season Austrian training camp with a comfortable 4-0 victory over SC Neusiedl, with Marouane Chamakh netting a second half penalty for his first goal in the famous red and white. Theo Walcott, Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Carlos Vela were also on the score-sheet in a game that despite the win, has given Arsene Wenger cause for concern at his lack of central defence options.

Fearless
With Sol Campbell destined to sign for Newcastle, Arsenal now have the very real problem of only three recognised centre backs. Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou and new signing Laurent Koscielny will not be sufficient in numbers if Arsenal are to sustain challenges on all fronts, and with Djourou having to come off within the first thirty minutes of this win in Austria, Wenger will need to act fast to try to shore up an area of defence that has been rich pickings for opposition strikers since the departure of those fearless stalwarts Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Steve Bould.

Act fast
Getting a centre back in the mould of those three will not be easy, but could Wenger tempt Everton to part with Phil Jagielka or Bolton to part with Gary Cahill? Whatever transpires, and with less than three weeks before the Gunners kick-off at Anfield, Wenger will need to act fast to cover the void at the heart of the Arsenal defence.

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