I wonder if there are simply not enough centre halves available to effectively play this style of football. When you commit your fullbacks you need centre halves who are smart, quick, mobile, and effective one v. one, who also, on the other hand, are tall and physical enough to handle crosses to defend against the slow build up strategy. The best of these are at Barca, Real, Bayern, PSG etc ... how many are left for the likes of us?
Just Koscielny. I'd like to see Holding given a chance, but Emery has undoubtedly been watching carefully hoping he'd be good enough and so far no.