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Arsenal Transfer News: Aly Cissokho Needs to Be First on Arsene Wenger's List

Gabe Zaldivar@gabezalX.com LogoPop Culture Lead WriterJanuary 4, 2012

LYON, FRANCE - AUGUST 13:  Aly Cissokho of Olympique Lyonnais in action during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Lyonnais and AC Ajaccio at Gerland Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Lyon, France.  (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Arsenal hit the January window with one legend in tow and a very dire need for some extra talent in defense. That is why Aly Cissokho is a must-have for the Gunners. 

It's clear the fast pace of the English Premier League is wearing on talented centre back Per Mertesacker. After dropping a heartbreaker to Fulham, the Gunners needs to shore up a defense that is at best shaky. 

Arsene Wenger is the first to admit such things. Injuries and malaise show a need for Mertesacker to be joined by depth in January. Wenger tells reporters the following, via Metro:

We lost Vermaelen for two or three weeks, so I have to look if I can find somebody, but only a loan. It would be stupid for us to drop points because we don't have a left-back. 

The report issues that French star Cissokho would love to make his way to England and Arsenal would be the perfect fit. 

The 24-year-old French defender is as quick as he is tough. He would translate very well in the EPL with burners that can get you off balance and power that most are not ready for when they hit the league. 

Cissokho has long been mentioned with a move to the Premiership, but this may be the time that the Olympique Lyonnais defender finally gets his wish. 

Arsenal is set to add Thierry Henry to answer for a depleted attack, but that hardly answers what has ailed this club most. Henry will no doubt invigorate and push the ball forward, but he won't do what is necessary on defense. 

Adding only Henry is putting a shiny new coat of paint on a clunker. Cissokho may not be the sexy pickup that Henry is, but he is the far more necessary one.