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Is THIS clear evidence that Arsene Wenger has lost sight of what Arsenal need?

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At this stage in the development of Arsenal’s squad, nothing mystifies me more than Arsene Wenger’s persistent belief that the Gunner’s defence is not their Achilles heel. The statistics, however, paint a very different picture. Season after season Arsenal prove that scoring goals is not a problem. The problem, very clearly, is that they let more goals in than the other teams contesting towards the top of the Premier League.

Consider last season, for example. Arsenal conceded 43 goals, that’s 10 more than their rivals Manchester City and Chelsea. If Arsenal had conceded ten less goals last season, I’m certain that there’d be a great deal more positivity surrounding the club at the moment. As it is, however, the mood surrounding the Arsenal camp seems to be somewhat subdued.

In the midst of his team’s pre-season Arsene Wenger was questioned about his sides perceived defensive weaknesses. His answer may have some fans scratching their heads: “I don’t think we are weak defensively, but we are an offensive team, sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams.”

He went on to add “I believe we have quality defenders,” before noting that the return of Thomas Vermaelen from injury was like a new signing, a phrase that will offer scant optimism for success-hungry Arsenal fans.

My hope is that these comments are designed to improve Arsenal’s position in the transfer market. After all, if they represent his general vision of where the club is at, then I’d genuinely begin to worry about Arsenal’s future. Thomas Vermaelen may be a quality defender but he needs a quality defender to line up alongside him if Arsenal are going to recover any defensive stability next season. After the showings of Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou last year, I can’t help but feel that both are at best squad players. The less said about Sebastien Squillaci, the better.

There’s a chance that Arsene Wenger just doesn’t want to make Arsenal’s needs clear to the rest of the world. If he admits that signing a defender is paramount, then it could put Arsenal in a weaker position when it comes to negotiating with other clubs. In effect, it would be clear that Arsenal need to buy, whilst other teams don’t need to sell.

In addition to this, Arsene may well be attempting to renew the morale of the players he already has on his books. Even if he’s uncertain as to the effectiveness of one or two individuals, it does no good to come out and say that they don’t have what it takes to make it at Arsenal and that new players will have to be brought in. That’s not and it hasn’t ever been how Arsenal conduct themselves.

So whilst what we’re hearing from Arsene at the moment may be a source of great distress, there’s no doubt that there are multiple ways of interpreting what has been said. Whether or not he acts on Arsenal’s defensive frailties remains to be seen, but it could well be his making or undoing.

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0 comments

  • Moses Watasa says:

    Cummon people. By now, it is in black and white that Arsene Wenger and his Board are the masters of playing the “ostrich”. It’s only at Arsenal FC where the Manager and Board “sign” players using their mouths. Ricardo Alvarez, Radamel Falcao, Romelu Lukaku, Stewart Downing, Gary Cahill, Chris Samba and lately Shay Given. All these stars have been “signed” with words from Ivan Gazidis and/or Arsene Wenger. It happens all the time every summer since 2005. Meanwhile, the gunners’ better players, tired of this “rubish” are looking for trophies away from the Emirates. There can’t be enough adjectives to describe this bunch of “wise men” running Arsenal FC.

  • Manny D says:

    Moses – I think if you look back at tany comments made by Arsene and the Arsenal board you’ll find he has barely mentioned any names of players especially the ones you just listed. YOu need to focus on what is important if you are indeed a fan of the AFC

  • hen says:

    I agree with Manny D. This article is somewhat pleasing to me – an arsenal fan. However i can see what arsene wenger is saying, for one: i do not like clichy as a defender. He assists walcott and enjoys running up. (Thank god hes gone).
    Arsenal’s problem is wenger though. He has lost his touch and honestly he refuses to spend big money on big experienced players. This is a problem when our own big players want to leave in order to get trophies under their name.

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