Before their defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday, there was controversy and speculation surrounding Arsenal in regards to the players at the club and their transfer policy. Now, as we come ever closer to the transfer window closing, Arsene Wenger will be under even more pressure to deliver what the fans want.
Some people are saying that if Arsenal are to move forward, they need to do it without Wenger. You have to ask the question who would replace him and, after so long in control of the club, how would the club benefit in a difficult time by having someone new? Surely if they wanted a different approach to bringing in new players, they would have made changes nearer the start of the window. Wenger is certainly no stranger to being in difficult situations, with his many years experience, and knows his squad better than anyone else. The game against United only amplified his team’s difficult situation because of the lack of available players they have and the quality of the United team on display that day, with brilliant individual performances from the likes of Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney.
Now Arsenal need to put this recent form behind them, going into the next couple of League games, which they should win. Playing Swansea, Blackburn and Bolton next after the international break, this should be a time for the squad to regroup, settle down and become tactically organised. Any new players coming in now have some time to acclimatise themselves at the club and train together. As I have said before the start of the season, August was always going to be a tricky month for Arsenal, not only with injuries and a thin squad, but with fixtures. When they come back in a couple of weeks time to face Swansea in front of the home fans, they need to be ready to put in a confident and measured performance, which I am optimistic they can do with Wenger who has shown he can get the best out of his players many times before.
One thing which seemed noticeable recently is the lack of leaders at Arsenal. With the loss of Fabregas bringing about a change in captaincy, Robin van Persie seems like the only real figurehead at the moment. They need someone to coordinate the team and give them that bit of drive, as well as an experienced head to keep everything together and organised. The player who seemed most fired up and motivated against United was Theo Walcott. I think the rumoured move for Gary Cahill would be fantastic for Arsenal because of his commanding presence and leadership qualities on and off the field. Not only will he solidify the back-line and establish himself as a great defender in a position they need to re-enforce, but he can help instil the confidence into Arsenal’s game in the coming weeks.
In terms of other additions to the squad, I think it is clear that they do need some more quality in midfield, with a creative player who will look to instigate attacks after the loss of Nasri and Fabregas. There are a number of players who Arsenal could have gone after before now, but Wenger is obviously the only man who can get the right men to fit his plans for the season. I think versatility is a great quality to have in a player as it can mean the potential to provide cover for multiple players in the squad.
Someone like Werder Bremen’s Marko Marin who is skilful, fast and played effectively as a winger and attacking midfielder behind the striker, would seemingly be a good addition. Similar quality players are dotted around Europe, such as Yoann Gourcuff, Eden Hazard and Riccardo Montolivo. I just hope that any reluctance to spend money on an exciting creative player this season doesn’t detract from Arsenal’s style of play and ability to score goals. Not only do they need a talented and cohesive starting eleven, they need a decent size squad of quality players to compete in Europe.
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Wishful thinking. The Arse will still go out and buy kids on the cheap.