For all Arsenal’s problems this season, they remain a class above the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea who have both struggled in their own way in recent times. Whilst big drubbings against the likes of Manchester United (the 8-2 drubbing will live forever in both fan’s memories) were a cause for alarm, they haven’t spent the same kind of money that Liverpool and Chelsea have and deserve to be judged on that basis.
It’s true that there’s much to applaud about this Arsenal side, but the fans and the players certainly wont be satisfied if they are competing for third place again next season. There has to be signs of improvement and the team have to show that they can keep up with Manchester United and Manchester City. Now that’s sure to be an extremely difficult task without the proper investment.
As such, some Arsenal fans may have been a little disappointed to read Arsene Wenger’s quotes about the club’s forecasted summer spending. The Frenchman has claimed that there will not be widespread changes when the transfer window re-opens: “We will not be a lot on the market, quantity-wise I mean. Quality-wise, certainly.”
A fairly typical Wenger quote and it’s typical that this kind of talk has been made public whilst Arsenal are currently performing well in the Premier League (7 wins on the trot speaks for itself). But is it a sensible policy or will fans be disappointed?
Whilst there’s widespread good feeling currently surrounding the club, I can’t help but feel that the Gunner’s good form is covering up a few problems within the squad. Let’s not forget that this is the same side who couldn’t cut it for another season in Europe yet again and crashed out of the English cup competitions much too early.
So I’m clearly not a blind optimist with no concern for the future of this club. Despite this, I still feel no need for widespread changes to the team. What’s been lacking from this side for so long is the right mentality. Arsenal’s first-team can compete with anybody and a few changes when it comes to squad-players could make all the difference.
The Gunners main priority should be shipping off the deadwood (Denilson, Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner, Maroaune Chamakh) and re-investing this in 2-3 quality signings. Lukas Podolski would make a good start, but I can’t help but feel that they need to bring in two top strikers to provide plenty of options and competition if Robin Van Persie picks up an injury or needs a rest.
It’s also important to get these signings wrapped up nice and early in the summer so the players can get involved in the pre-season and ingratiate themselves quickly within the team. If Wenger can avoid the mistakes of last summer, Arsenal can surely put themselves in the running for the Premier League title next season. That just goes to show how important this summer will be when it comes to the Gunner’s future.
What’s your take? Do Arsenal need to spend big this summer or do they have the quality already?
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We’ve won 7 out of 7 and still way behind the manchester clubs…Investment is a must!
Add Podolski, move Theo up front and our strikers are sorted with RVP plus AW has the versitility to play Theo or LP on the wings if needed.
Strikers- RVP, Theo, Podolski
Mid- arteta, song, wilshere, ox, Rosicky, Ramsey, gervinho, Ryo, Francis C
Def- sanga, tv5, LK6, PM4, Gibbs, jenkinson, santos
Looks like a pretty deep squad with quality at most if not all positions. I obvously listed players in their positions not my starting XI.
If we can add 1 striker and 1 mid I think we would challenge next year. People forgot we were integrating 7 new players to the squad at the start of the season. The 8-2 at ManU doesn’t concern me as we only played 3-4 regular starters and all “fringe/reserve” level players due to injuries.
No true Arsenal fan is in doubt of the tranformation that has taken place on the pitch.even @ that investments need be made for solid backup.Arsenal lost the UCL match against AC Milan cos of lean bench.3 good signings and we are home and dry next season.