A 1-0 victory against QPR will have done little to ease Arsenal fan nerves. Whilst the Gunners looked much improved from their recent performances against Schalke 04 and Norwich City, they weren’t exactly at their confident best.
Whilst players like Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla can spray the ball about nicely, Arsenal’s forward momentum seems to be curtailed when they face a team that’s keen to defend and hit them on the counter. There’s not enough space for them to move the ball into and as a result, play often breaks down.
It strikes me that Arsenal need a player who can actually beat their man. I’m talking about somebody who looks to take defenders on and get play moving. There are just too many place-holders in this Arsenal side. For instance, can you see Aaron Ramsey skipping past his man, riding a tackle and slotting the ball through to Olivier Giroud? It’s just not part of his armoury.
I’d argue that Abou Diaby, Gervinho and Jack Wilshere are the only players capable of offering this. But Abou Diaby is constantly injured, Gervinho is wildly inconsistent and Jack Wilshere is just finding his feet after a long time out of the game. It wouldn’t surprise me if Arsene Wenger looked for a player of this ilk in the transfer market this January.
Which brings me to ClubCall’s claim that Arsenal are interested in Newcastle’s ace young Frenchman, Hatem Ben Arfa. Whilst his nationality may play to his favour when it comes to Arsene Wenger scouring the transfer market, I can’t help but feel that he has all the attributes to help Arsenal find their feet in the Premier League once more.
Signing him may mean the end of the likes of Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky, but given that they both spent 90% of the season on the physio’s bench, that’s almost irrelevant.
We’ve all seen what Ben Arfa can offer. He’s got that spark of ingenuity that really makes him stand out at St James’ Park. His feet are so quick, he’s inventive and he’s confident. He’s a nightmare for defenders and loves to get forward and start attacks. He looks like an Arsenal player of old: French, technically gifted and attacking minded.
Newcastle wont want to sell, but Arsenal do now have the cash to tempt them. I can’t help but hope that Arsene Wenger makes it happen.
What’s your take? Would Hatem Ben Arfa be a smart addition at the Emirates?
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yap we do need him
God no. This buy, buy attitude makes the academy redundant. When will Yennaris et al. get a game, make a future for themselves? A good LB to cover Gibbs is greater priority I think.
@ Duc;… Are you Wenger’s brother or have shares in Arsenal? Cause u r reasoning like him and that attitude has killed this team. Wake up dude and go wake wenger.
Please lets make it happen before the likes of man city, chelsea & co snash him from our noses.
Surely we need a Gibbs like player to give support at the left back because it is clear that Santos is not made for that.