The equations facing Arsene Wenger and Arsenal this summer are pretty simple:
Fabregas and/or Nasri + big-money signings = SUCCESS
Low-key signings = No Fabregas and/or Nasri = FAILURE
The solution is equally simple – Wenger must spend money – but as we all know it’s never quite that simple with the Ebenezer Scrooge of Premier League football. If the price ain’t right, the Frenchman won’t pay. ‘Panic buy’ is not a phrase that will ever enter the Doctor’s vocabulary; you’ve got more chance of him ‘seeing’ one of his players’ on-field misdemeanours, or praising Stoke’s aggressive style of play.
However, don’t give up hope, Arsenal fans. No manager can rival Wenger’s record when it comes to shrewd buying. And when you think about it, the requirements are blindingly obvious; marquee signings with experience and winning mentalities.
Goalkeeper – Manuel Almunia cannot be relied upon and Wojciech Szczesny is too young for a full season as Arsenal’s Number One. The Polish keeper does, however, have a lot of potential, and so I would recommend a dependable, experienced stopper coming to the end of his career. Brad Friedel has gone to Tottenham, but Mark Schwarzer and Shay Given are available and would be ideal stop-gaps/mentors.
Centre-back – The return of Thomas Vermaelen will make a massive difference, but the Gunners are still one quality centre-back short, in my opinion. There is talent for the future - Johan Djourou is improving and Laurent Koscielny will be all the better for last season’s education – but the signing of Sebastien Squillaci to provide much-needed composure backfired badly. I’m not convinced that younger options such as Gary Cahill or Scott Dann are the immediate answer; what Arsenal need is a leader. Ricardo Carvalho would have been absolutely perfect, but what about Walter Samuel, Philippe Mexes or Cristian Chivu?
Defensive midfielder – This is not to undermine the massive progress that Alex Song made last season, but Arsenal do require more steel and determination in the middle of the park, especially for those bottom-half battles. Scott Parker is the obvious and best choice for the job but other candidates could include Gennaro Gattuso, long-term target Felipe Melo and even former Gunner Lassana Diarra. Definitely a position worth spending money on.
Striker – If Nicklas Bendtner does go through with his plan to leave – which would, to be perfectly honest, be no great shame – then Arsenal will need to invest in a striker. Robin Van Persie and the perma-tired Marouane Chamakh are both tall, skilful forwards, so a natural poacher would be an ideal Plan B, as Wenger must have thought watching Javier Hernandez excel at Manchester United last season. Lille’s Gervinho would seem to be Arsenal’s first-choice, but in my opinion a player more in the mould of Peter Odemwingie – a small, nippy finisher – would represent a better signing. Samuel Eto’o, or even Diego Milito, would be great additions, but if Fabregas is truly intent on leaving, why not try to orchestrate a deal involving David Villa?
Left-back – This will only be an issue if Gael Clichy does decide to leave, which would, I believe, be a real shame. Last season wasn’t his best in an Arsenal shirt, but Clichy is quick and a real threat going forward. Jose Enrique is the leading choice to replace him, but I don’t really see him as an improvement on the Frenchman. How to keep Clichy? Wenger will be tired of hearing it – buy, and buy big. But does the boss know the meaning of those all-important words?
Matt Oldfield
No comments:
Post a Comment