It amazes me sometimes that even in the midst of a fantastic run of results, Arsenal fansâmyself includedâcontinue to clamor for new signings. The past few weeks have seen the Gunners surge from 17th to 7th in the League table, reach the League Cup quarter finals for the ninth year running and sit atop of their UEFA Champions League group. And still, we're not satisfied. On the subject of new signings, Arsene Wenger has often said that he will only buy a player if he's available at the right price and, more importantly, if he makes the team better, and it is this second point that deserves reiteration. Almost every player in world football is available at a price, but how many of those players will really make Arsenal a better team? Let's take a quick look at each position, see who the incumbents are, decide whether we need reinforcements and then toss about a few names. Goalkeeping Ever since he broke into the Arsenal first XI, Wojciech Szczesny's stock has risen at a ridiculous rate. His talent, physical attributes and mental strength have combined to give him an aura that is fairly unprecedented for someone so young. Compare his presence to that of David De Gea and you'll see what I'm talking about. As impressed as I have been with Szczesny, I am growing more concerned by the day with one fairly apparent weakness. In fact, it is becoming so conspicuous that I am surprised that the "experts" have not picked up on it. It is his susceptibility to long-distance shooting that I am referring to. Juan Mata's goal for Chelsea last Saturday was the seventh goal that Szczesny has conceded from outside the box from only 13 shots faced, in 10 Premier League games. All things considered though, this is an area where we do not need a new signing in January, unless one Lukasz Fabianski decides that he needs more playing time. Defense Before we dissect and dismantle our defensive performances this season, let us get a couple of facts straight. Arsenal have thus far played 17 competitive games this season. Three of our first choice defenders, Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna have started five, eight and ten games respectively. That's a combined 23 out of a possible 51 games between them. Even if we remove a combined six possible Carling Cup starts, that's 23 out of 46, or 50 percent. Over the course of this season, there isn't another team in the Premiership that have played without three of their first choice back four in 50 percent of the games. That does put our performances into some perspective. Fact number two: In our last nine games, Arsenal have conceded 10 goals. Over their past nine games, Chelsea and Manchester United have conceded 10 and 11 respectively. Surprised? Don't be, it's the nature of the league this year. That being said, we do need defensive cover. Left to me, I would sign a strong central defender, definitely someone with Premier League experience. My first two choices are Phil Jagielka and Christopher Samba, with Rio Ferdinand (if fit) as my wild card. I have never been a big fan of Gary Cahill, and his performances this season have just strengthened my belief. Midfield I'm talking about the three central midfielders here, and in this position, Arsenal currently have Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Atreta, Abou Diaby (yes, he's still at the club), Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin. Andrey Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun can also attack through the middle. I'm really liking the way Ramsey is shaping up. He's finally getting back to full fitness, and I believe he still has some way to go. Some of his passes in the last two games have been truly Cesc-like, and while he stresses that he would like to be his own man, the comparisons to our former skipper are inevitable. And as for Wilshere, I think the experts have forgotten how good he really is. To borrow an occasionally irritating Wenger cliche, when Jack returns, he will be like a "new signing." Can't wait to see him and Rambo feature regularly in the center. Bottom line: Nothing needed here. Attack Incumbents: Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin, Ju Young Park, Marouane Chamakh, Yossi Benayoun and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I'm half-tempted to say that we're ok in this department too, but I'll resist. I do feel that if someone really good is available, Wenger should dip into his treasure trove and make a move in the market. And by really good, I'm talking Kaka, Mario Gotze or Eden Hazard. I think Wenger may just have a chance to sign Hazard or Gotze, because as things stand, their respective teamsâLille and Dortmundâwill not make it past the Champions League group stage. Kaka was the subject of some serious transfer rumors during pre-season, but his recent return to fitness and form have shown Jose Mourinho and the Real Madrid fans just how good he really is. I understand the fears surrounding RvP's fitness, and our supposed lack of depth in the target man position. However, I believe that Park will score a few goals this season. In fact, I'm going to stick my neck out and predict double figures for the South Korean. In conclusion, I think Arsenal will get stronger as the season progresses. In terms of fixtures, Manchester City (away in the League) looks like the only truly difficult game before the new year, by which time Wilshere, Sagna and Diaby will be back. And hopefully we won't make our mid-season signings at 10 p.m. on the Jan. 31. Thankfully, the clouds of doom and panic have lifted, partially at least, and we're focusing on the footballâand the goalsâyet again. On the subject of transfers, here's a link that will bring smiles and frowns in equal numbers from the Arsenal faithful. Repeat after me: "One Arsene Wenger, there's only one Arsene Wenger..."
Gervi, Song etc all going to ACON. I think signing Goetze or Hazard would be a real signal of intent to the fans that the board actually gives a **** about us. We do need at least one defensive singing too, I would say a very versatile defender (One who can play LB, RB and CB, there are a few good ones knocking about).
Look at the squad: GK: Szczesny, Fabianski. Solid GK duo RB: Sagna, Jenkinson. Very weak right now, but will be okay come January when Sagna returns CB: Vermaelen(Injury prone), Koscielny, Mertesacker, Djourou LB: Santos, Gibbs(Injury prone). A potential problem area but I can't see how we could justify buying another. DM: Song, Frimpong, Coquelin. Good enough CM: Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky, Benayoun, Arshavin(just kidding, I wish it was so) Perhaps missing the spark right now, but Wilshere and Ramsey are STILL the best you could hope for, Ramsey's getting back. RM: Walcott, AOC LM: Gervinho, Arshavin, Miyaichi ST: RVP, Park, Chamakh I think we could justify getting another winger. Particularly one "who can play on either wing" as it wouldn't appear that we're pushing anybody out. Perhaps ship out Diaby if he can never play again, as seems to be the case. That would justify us buying M'Vila and would be a handy buy.
A RB who can play all down the right, like Andre Santos and Gareth bale, but on the other side. And VAN PERSIE TO SIGN A NEW DEAL!
Maicon maybe? There have been noises that he may be available recently too. I appreciate that he is a bit on the old side, but still a class act.
im trying to tone it down a little, big fella upstairs has been having a word with me. the bell ringer..
I think we need at least 3 new players, firstly we need at least 1 new creative midfielder as we have no creativity in the middle. We also need a DF mid as Song tends to drift out of position alot leaving space for teams to take advantage. I new centre back would be ideal as Vermaelen is often injured and i don’t trust the Mert/Kos pairing, Kos is good but mert is not mobile enough. Finally a new striker as Van Persie is carrying us at the mo and if he gets injured then were in real trouble.
GK - Lets hope the #1 stays healthy. I don't think we will get anyone better than Fab to sign as backup. CB - Vermaelen, Koscielney and Per, probably make up the best CB trio in the league. Add Djourou as incredibly #4 and I can't see how anyone wants another CB. RB - Djourou didnt do badly and Jenks is pretty good too. Given Sagna is coming back soon, I cant say I am too worried. LB - If there were more decent LB around I would say sign one. But there aren't and I think both of hese two will get better. DM - Song and a few youngsters. I'd clone Song in a heartbeat. AM - Well, Arteta and Benny are temporary measures. But Wilshere is coming back. If we can get a dead cert grade A+ CM I would get him but otherwise, Wilshere/Ramsey/Song, Who you gonna drop? RW/LW - I think we have enough with Arshavin, Walcott and Gervinio, plus our prospects, a couple of them will come good. CF - This is the spot for me. We need a genuine goalscorer to back up RVP. For a team of our stature to have only one A-list striker is a tragedy. Please stop with the defence stuff - You are not going play a top team and get no shots on target, no chances and no near misses against you, which seems to be what some of you seem to want.
@ALTBOULI - Vermaelen isn't often out injured - he had one bad injury which has kept him out for a season - that doesn't make him an injury prone player or a player you have to worry about his fitness. Kosc/Verm/Mert are 3 very good CB's to have in the side. Djourou is good as well but hasn't looked as good as he did at times early on last season. If we where to bring in another CB i'd hope for Vertonghen who can cover other positions as well as we have good first choices at CB. I think as far as a striker goes we have to wait and see how Park does if he gets a few more games before making a decision on whether he is adequate back-up for RVP. Obviously no-one is gonna say no to another top striker in the team though, but if RVP is injured we have Park, Chamakh, Walcott and Gervinho who can all play there. So again i'd give a little time to see how Park gets on in his next couple of appearances.
I agree with may of the above points about the defenders, I think we have a good array now. The Verm and 1 of Kos or Mert depending on who we are playing is absolutely fine. Mert for the slower physical long ball teams and Kos for the better teams. I'd personally like a top class creative midfielder to play alongside Wilshere and Song. I'd also like to ship out Arshavin and get a goal scorer. Arshavin and Walcott are often hit or miss, but Walcott at least has pace and is much younger. I doubt Park will be good enough (even after he has settled in) and I worry where goals will come from if VP is out. Cham is OK, but we need more central options. NB52 would have done well for us this season, when VP doesn't play...
Are Senegal through to the African Cup of Nations? if there not I would like Wenger to put in a bid for Demba Ba. Very doubtful I know but he's doing really well for Newcastle and also did well for West Ham which proves he can handle playing in this league. He’s strong and most importantly he's a good finisher he’s scored 8 goals in 9 for Newcastle and 7 in 12 for West Ham. The only issue is he probably wouldn’t come cheap given the fact that Newcastle signed him Fairley recently
