I am sorry for alienating myself from my blog for sometime, but the truth is that with respect to Arsenal there is absolutely nothing to write about.
The below article is an impartial analysis of this Arsenal team, concentrating on those areas which I feel the club should look into.
As I said before, this summer is going to be huge for Arsenal. More importantly, it will be for Wenger, who just cannot afford to repeat another fuck up. Last year was a mess. I could recall days going by, one after another with me checking the internet for any news on transfers. And nothing, well not before the mauling at Manchester atleast.
In terms of improvement, what is to be done is well known by the manager. The thing is however, will he do it. This article may prove to be useless in 1 years time. Its happened in the past before, so why can’t it happen again. Knowing Wenger he may just do it again.
This is not abnormal for Wenger. He has shown his intent to do something on numerous occasions.
What has not changed at all is our policy that we will be as ambitious as ever and spend the money we have available, if possible in an intelligent and wise way.
We have always spent money because we are ambitious for top-class players and if you look at the history of our last 15 years, we have always had top-class players.
I am sure you have heard all this before. I have. This time again, I want the club to do the samething – Intelligently and wisely.
But what does that mean ?
Well for me, that means not paying extraordinary wages when not required to. And buying players worthy of the amount spent on them. And lastly, buying what you need, especially if you don’t have it.
This last segment is what bothers me about Wenger. He definitely does the first two – those 2 things are the reason why he is called more of a developer than a coach. But the third segment defines him as a coach. And so far, he has failed to deliver on that front.
The Champions League is prestigious and it is half league and half cup. That means that at the end, the teams who wins must show real quality.
Whatever be the outcome of this season it is crucial that Wenger gets these things done in order to COMPETE for a trophy next season.
However, one should be prepared for the worst, so if nothing is done at the end of the summer, it should not come as a surprise to an Arsenal fan.
GOAL-KEEPERS :
There is a reason Szczesny says he does not want to leave Arsenal. True, he loves the club, but also its because he is assured 100 % to start ever game. And can you really blame him. Who do we have as a back up ? Fabianski is Arsenal’s no 2.
Szczesny is no doubt a decent keeper, but its his arrogance and naivety may actually harm Arsenal. A few weeks back he gave most Arsenal fans a heart attack when he cleared the ball against a Norwich defender.
Wenger has to sign an experienced GK. Mark Schwarzer would be ideal. He not only can ensure Szczesny fights for his position, but also guide or train both these dunderheads to improve.
DEFENDERS :
Most people say that the Arsenal defense is shit. And they are right. However, individually speaking this defense is infact brilliant. BUT as logic dictates, a defense has no value if taken individually, its more about how well organised and disciplined the entire defense is.
A left back HAS to be signed. Not a big name, but a good left back. Leighton Baines is my choice for this section. He can compete with Gibbs and Santos for the left back spot. Gibbs is young, and injury prone, but he can defend. Santos on the other hand gives me the jitters while trying to defend.
As for the right back situation – Sagna is ideal. Also the youngsters in the team can help to fulfill this role, so its not necessary that Arsenal sign a right back right now. Also, if required Koscielny can move into this position, so this spot (RB) is manageable.
As for the centre back partnership. Vermalen has to be taught to be more of a leader and show a little more intelligence on the field. He is one of the best CB’s in the world, in my opinion, but he has to control himself and be composed in tough situations. A perfect example to follow would be Carlos Puyol, a man who is a leader. When his team conceded he began to motivate his players, as it can be seen in the first clasico this season held at the Bernabau. They won that match 1-3. Also he ensures that players don’t get carried away. This happened recently when he broke up Dani Alves and Thiago Alcantara’s celebration in a Liga match sometime back.
Koscielny is developing well. And Mertersacker is an ideal replacement for anyone of them but he has to work on his pace, given the tempo of the premier league.
MIDFIELDERS :
There is currently a surplus of unnecessary midfielders at Arsenal. I will first start off with Aaron Ramsey, who in my opinion should be loaned out to another club instead of being sold. Abou Diaby was a player who promised so much but has been hampered with constant injuries this season. Song is a good player but he too often forgets his duties and role on the pitch – leaving the defense horribly exposed in certain matches. Arteta covered up for him all this time, and without the Spaniard Song ends up in no mans land 60-70 % of the time.
Arsenal need a CDM to protect the back four. Yann M’Vila was supposed to come to Arsenal, but I guess for some unknown reason that saga has been put to bed with Rennes not willing to negotiate until after Euro 2012.
Vila can play the holding role and Song can do what he wants, if infact they both start together. A friend of mine recommended Fellaini from Everton. Not a bad idea given that the club will get a player who has played in the premier league and is cheaper than M’Vila.
The remaining midfielders including Jack Wilshere should remain at the club.
Emmanuel Frimpong should be loaned out to a premier league club and tracked properly. The lad is a combination of Viera and Scholes, and if groomed properly can turn out to be a world class player. Maybe an Essien also.
ATTACKERS :
Van Persie HAS to stay. If he signs a contract then good, but even if he doesn’t Arsenal cannot put him on the transfer list. Let me rephrase that – Arsenal cannot AFFORD to put him on the transfer list. It sounds disgusting given what Van Persie has given to us, but if Arsenal sell Van Persie, it will be impossible to get a striker even remotely comparable with the funds generated from his sale.
Podolski is a new recruit so we will have to see how he adapts to the English game. As for the wingers – Gervinho and Chamberlain are all good to go, but Arsenal have to get rid of Theo Walcott. He is a nimrod. Period.
FUND CREATION :
Funds can certainly be created by selling certain players from the club. Now I must clarify that when I say sale, this includes giving players on loan as this creates savings in terms of wages. I have written about this in a short article you can find here. A good 35 million can be generated by selling the dross at the club.
As I have said before Walcott has to be sold this summer. He is too inconsistent, and there is no use of a player who pulls in a decent performance in 2 out of every 5 matches played. Walcott dreams to play alongside Van Persie but he fails to understand for a player in that role one either has to be a poacher, like Hernandez, or a well built striker like Diego Milito.
Chelsea have ‘apparently’ signed Hazard, and are lining up bids for Hulk also. And City just need to flex a few muscles before they announce another ‘Mancinactico’ signing. Yeah, its a word I made up.
So, looking at the situation Arsenal have to respond fast to ensure they are atleast considered to challenge for honours next season.
Best,
DKD
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