I don't think we need many more players, our current first 11 should be doing better than struggling at 5th. Wenger's brought 2 very good signings and 1 outstanding one in Carzola. Walcott is playing better than ever, and we have all our injured players back - Sagna, Wilshere, Gibbs etc. We arguably have as good or better first 11 this season than last. But the main cause of concern is our defense again. We have all our main central defenders available yet we look too rickety. Maybe we need more patience with what Bould is doing behind the scenes. Either way, we should get better with Wilshere, Gibbs, Cheesy and Sagna back in the first 11. Cheesy Sagna Mertz Verm Gibbs Arteta Wilshere Carzola Walcott Giroud Pod Pretty strong lineup, a lineup that should be competing for the league.
I think it's a stretch to say that team should be competing for the league, Podolski and Giroud have done well so far, but they haven't been elite world class, they haven't proven themselves yet in the long term that their name and quality onto a pitch translates into being title contender quality.
I think our financial position is fine now, and in fact it's looking like it's going to get a lot better quite soon due to our new Emirates deal. But this is a recent phenomenon. Whilst City, Chelsea and the others were changing the financial landscape of football with astronomical transfers and wages and pouring a seemingly endless pot of cash, Arsenal were living a prudent lifestyle, paying for a new stadium and trying to develop a squad of unknown players. There was also a massive shake up at board level at this time and i think the uncertainty about our future, coupled with a lack of transfer spending, caused a few players to feel that their future's lay elsewhere. But I still maintain - and I'm glad that you recognise it too, that it is because of Wenger, not despite him that we're still challenging in the Top four. It's my firm belief that if we'd sacked Wenger when some were calling for it, then we would already be out of the Top four and champions league.
It is not the defense i think. It was another clean sheet yesterday. Arsenals problem to solve is the goals. The thing needed if it is only one is a good winger who can cross because then Arsenal could break down teams who defend and close the ball down very quick.
Cristiano Ronaldo!! Sales of shirts alone, all over the world would pay for the transfer fee and wages! Plus huge revenue streams from advertising! Alas such a thought is pie in the sky!!
To add to my previous reply, a dose of Jose Mourinho! It won't happen as the Board like to play things safe!!
It's upfront where we are lacking. You can't succeed with an attacking system without a World Class centre forward. Girouds good ...but not good enough. For me if you are to play such a high line with soo many players commited forward you HAVE to have genuine sharpness in and around the box. For me its back to the same problems we were having when RVP was injured. 2-3 Seasons ago. Obviously we are going to concede goals and can still improved our defensive side but the KEY to our system is goals. When You look at other TOP attacking sides.. Man United - RVP/Rooney/Wellback Real - Benzema/Ronaldo/Higuiane/DiMaria Bayern - Gomez/Ribery/Muller/Robben Barca - Messi/DavidVilla/Pedro/Sanchez ManCity - Aguero/Tevez/Balotelli/Dzeko its clear we lack firepower. Now i'm not saying we can afford the depth of those teams but a first choice WORLD CLASS centreforward is essential. An Arsene Wenger side without TOP QUALITY strikers is like an Italy side without Quality centrebacks.
