After flying high following victories over Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, the defeat to Manchester United will have brought Arsenal crashing back down to earth.
Whilst the Gunners looked worthy of a point, they didn’t create enough chances, or trouble the Manchester United defense enough.
What’s more, without their main man, Per Mertesacker, barking orders at the rest of the defense and providing the club with some aerial dominance, Arsenal didn’t look quite so effective.
Injuries and illnesses have revealed some key weaknesses within this Arsenal team. Top sides like Manchester United are built to exploit these weaknesses and that’s exactly what David Moyes’ team did.
It’s clear enough that Arsenal could use another top defender and a world-class striker. Fans will be hoping that Arsene Wenger is already drawing up a list of potential targets, so that he’s well prepared for when the January transfer window swings open.
Whilst there aren’t a great number of world-class strikers currently available, I can’t see the Gunners struggling to sign another defender. I’m flummoxed, for instance, that they haven’t gone in for Manchester City right-back, Micah Richards yet.
Richards has been criminally under-used by Manchester City over the years. Whilst Manuel Pellegrini is doing his best to right this wrong, Richards may well feel that there’ll be more opportunities available for him at the Emirates.
That’s particularly true given Bacary Sagna’s current contractual situation. The 30-year-old’s Arsenal contract will run out at the end of the season and it doesn’t look like there’s been much movement either way when it comes to him accepting new terms. This is a shame, as he’s a top talent, but perhaps the time’s right. He’s had his injury problems and, of course, he isn’t getting any younger.
It makes sense that Arsene Wenger would seek out someone younger and brighter. Who better in this regard than professed Arsenal fan, Micah Richards? He’s renowned for his bursts of pace, his strength and power and the way he joins in with attacks. In other words, he’s the kind of full-back that would fit in neatly within this Arsenal system.
There’s no talk about how much he’d cost, but he too has his own contractual situation he needs to work through. He has just 18 months left on his City contract. This puts him in a position of power when it comes to negotiations. As such it’s up to Arsene Wenger to make a deal happen. He has all the tools he needs.
Source: The Mirror.
What’s your take? Should the Gunners go in for Micah Richards?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.