Could Kolo be our Answer?

Arsenal’s defence was breached for the 28th time in 37 games this season against Blackburn on Saturday, as the Gunners back four was again torn apart from a simple counter attack.

It was another utterly frustrating performance, where the Emirates played host to a siege on the opposition box that we simply could not penetrate. At the other end, all Blackburn needed was one chance and our formless defence certainly helped their cause.

As usual one stinging ball cut the defence open and Blackburn’s Colin Kazin-Richards had so much time and space to tap into an empty net he even tried to miss the chance with a lucky spooned effort.

The holes at the back are a real concern for fans of online football betting; Arsene Wenger must sort out his defensive pairing over next summer. Laurent Koscielny just does not have the single-minded drive and concentration needed for the Premier League while Per Mertesacker switches off at vital moments.

We fans have been calling for an experienced voice at the back, and maybe there is one about to come on the market. For Kolo Toure revealed he will leave Manchester City in the summer, but wants to stay in England.

Now, we all know Kolo is past his best – we could see that during his final season in 2009 – but the defender does have the brain capacity to shore up a defence against lower opposition.

If Wenger continues to select inexperienced youngsters for cup games like these, he must have someone on the park orchestrating the whole thing, providing a bit of structure in a chaos of nervous excitement.

Although Kolo is not the answer to our league problems, Betfair football pundits have suggested that he could do a solid job as an instructor during domestic cup games.

Arsenal have fallen all too often over the years due to lapses in concentration, and, with Kolo on a free transfer, he could be just what Wenger needs to eradicate embarrassing results like Saturday’s.

Indians Sign Bourn

In the past, the Cleveland Indians have been heavily criticised by MLB betting news pundits, and probably rightly so, for their spend on free agents, but the times they are a changin’ in Cleveland. 

Earlier this week, the Indians splashed out on another star as they agreed terms with outfielder, Michael Bourn, on a four-year, $48 million contract. It's the second major deal this winter for the Indians, who signed free agent, Nick Swisher, to a four-year, $56 million contract in January.

Bourn still has to complete a medical later in the week to ratify the deal, but he was an All-Star player with Atlanta last season batting .274 with nine homers, 57 RBIs, and 42 steals. 

The 30 year-old Bourn has been on the market all winter and he will go straight into the Indians starting line-up. The Indians have been looking to boost their franchise and both Bourn and Swisher will provide that boost. 

The Mets were chasing Bourn's services as well, offering the same four-year, $48 million deal as Cleveland; however, it was thought that the Mets were unwilling to give up the 11th overall pick in the draft as a penalty for signing the free agent and Bourn has landed in Cleveland.

There is a small price to pay by Cleveland for the acquisition of Bourn in the form of picks in June’s amateur draft but the upside for the Indians will come in the likely form of a player who will help them score more runs, improve their attendance, and maybe close the gap on Detroit in the AL Central.

New Indians manager, Terry Francona, will enjoy starting Bourn and Swisher and it must also be remembered that Cleveland acquired center fielder, Drew Stubbs, in a trade with Cincinnati, giving Francona options and depth. It is possible Swisher could be moved to first or even be used as the club's designated hitter.

The Indians collapsed in the second half last season, a fall that cost manager Manny Acta his job and one that annoyed fans betting MLB World Series. Perhaps spending on some big free agent signings will reverse their fortunes and put them on the up again.

Wales Must be Bold

Stand-in Wales captain, Ryan Jones, has issued a rallying call ahead of Saturday's do-or-die clash with France in Paris, stating his team must be bold as they aim to keep their Six Nations dream alive.

Wales dominated their European rivals last year on their way to a third Grand Slam in eight years. Jones played a role in all three triumphs and was part of the squad that cruelly missed a place in the 2011 World Cup final.

Wales were forced to play much of their semi-final against France with 14 men after influential skipper Sam Warburton was sent off. They battled gamely but ultimately fell to an agonising 9-8 defeat.

This weekend will see Wales meet rugby odds favourites, France, in a repeat of that dramatic World Cup match. They will once again have to do without Warburton, who was ruled out of the clash at the Stade de France with a shoulder injury.

Jones will captain his country for a record 30th time and has the task of lifting a side that has endured a horror run since winning the 2012 Six Nations.

Wales have lost their last eight Tests, the latest defeat coming at home to Ireland last Saturday. Their title bid is in danger ahead of their trip to France.

Jones is one of three survivors from Wales' last away win over Les Bleus in 2005. He will call on all of his experience as he bids to drive his team to glory.

"Paris is a wonderful place to go - it's a great rugby arena. There is nothing quite like playing France in Paris. It's loud, it's noisy," said the Ospreys flanker.

"Something we have tried to instil in the guys this week is to look forward to it, be bold and let's have a real good crack."

Fans betting Six Nations should be aware that Wales are 12/1 for the title in the betting Six Nations, compared to France at 7/1.