Arsenal Transfer News: Defender The 'Perfect Partner' For Vermaelen

As Arsenal continue to look for defensive back up during the transfer window, former Gunners star George Graham has touted the possibility of signing Chris Samba.

Samba is desperate to leave Blackburn in the transfer window, and despite signing for the club in January last year, the 27 year old told L'Equipe that he feels the club have broken promises to deliver on their ambitions.

Tottenham were widely believed to be favourites to land Samba, with Harry Redknapp admitting he finds the star an interesting player.

But Graham believes that Samba would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal, as the side continue to struggle with their back four.

"You look at the Arsenal back four and they keep changing," Graham told Talksport.

"Both of the full-backs are injured and they're playing centre-halves there. There was a young Frenchman playing against Swansea [Ignasi Miquel] who was completely out of his depth.

"I'd be in for Samba [to help out in defence.] Thomas Vermaelen is one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League and they need to get him back as quickly as possible.

"They need a strong defensive centre-half to play alongside him though and Samba would make the perfect partner."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League table, and are four points adrift from fourth placed Chelsea.

The north London side have suffered from lacklustre results since the turn of the new year, losing to Fulham and Swansea 2-1 and 3-2 respectively.

While the club have been able to stay on the scoring trail, courtesy of Robin van Persie, their defensive line up has been faltering, and Arsene Wenger has admitted that a left-back is on the Gunners' agenda for January.

"I don't want a permanent solution," Wenger said regarding his defensive problems. "I will do it [a loan deal] if I can."

But the Frenchman has admitted that a top left-back will be difficult to find mid-season, with the only players available on loan often suffering from limited playing time.

Blackburn are fighting hard to keep hold of Samba, and in response to the interview the star gave to L'Equipe, Kean insisted that nothing had changed over his long-term contract.

"I know there has been an article in L'Equipe, but I haven't seen it myself," Kean said.

"All I can say is that I have been told that Chris has done an interview.

"What is definite is that there were two bids from one club which were refused.

"We put out a club statement which was quite strong, saying that Chris was not for sale and as far as I am concerned, there is a line drawn under it."

But after Samba didn't feature against Fulham at the weekend, his exit from the club is looking more likely.