Wenger eyes Yobo to plug holes in defence

Arsenal are considering making a move for free agent Joseph Yobo, as Arsene Wenger looks for a short-term solution in defence after a disastrous 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

According to the Daily Mail, Wenger is ready to push the panic button after his team were run ragged by Dortmund and is now looking at signing former Everton defender Yobo or former West Brom centre half Diego Lugano.

Arsenal are short of defensive cover at centre half and both players would provide Premier League experience to a depleted Arsenal back line.

Yobo, 34, is a free agent and can join the Gunners outside of the transfer window. So could Diego Lugano.

With Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker supported only by tonsillitis-suffering Calum Chambers at centre back, Wenger started rookie Hector Bellerin at right back in Dortmund.

Nacho Monreal is sidelined, while Mathieu Debuchy is facing three months out with an ankle injury.

Another option is Lassana Diarra, who spent about six months at Arsenal in 2007-08 before leaving for Portsmouth.

Lugano only spent one season at West Brom but struggled with the pace of the Premier League. Before coming to England, he captained Uruguay to an impressive fourth place at the 2010 World Cup; and at club level, he enjoyed a hugely successful five-year spell at Turkish side Fenerbache.

Yobo, the retired Super Eagles captain, could be the better option though.

The 34-year-old has vast experience at England’s top flight after spending eight seasons with the Toffees.

The Nigerian spent the latter half of last season on loan at Norwich, making eight appearances but could not prevent the club from being relegated to the Championship.