If, as expected, Belgian starlet Eden Hazard does decide to leave Lille in the summer then there would seem to be no shortage of top European clubs battling it for his signature. Having been linked with Arsenal for a long time, I would like to ask the question the following question – is it a necessity for Arsenal to sign him?
In terms of wingers/attacking midfielders currently at the club and what they bring to the table we have:
Theo Walcott – though often criticised for his composure both in front of goal and with his final ball, the England international has blistering pace which worries any defender and, on his day, is unplayable. His assists this season have been top drawer, it may seem better given Robin van Persie’s goal record but he has improved and he needed to.
Gervinho – like Theo has a tendency to panic in front of goal, but works very hard down the flank. Of course he is still adjusting to the pace and power of English football but all in all he looks like a good player.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – the boy getting all the headlines at the moment after his impressive performance against Blackburn on Saturday. Now becoming a first-choice in Arsene’s XI with Gervinho away, ‘The Ox’ is quick, strong and can finish. He’s not afraid to hit one from 30-yards which is something we lack at times. Arsene will probably rest him when Gervinho returns to take pressure off him, but I say play the Ox!
Andrey Arshavin – the most likely of these players to leave after a sub-standard couple of years. The Russian seems to have lost a yard of pace and a lot of the time his eye for a pass is not good as it once was. Received a lot of attention after the Man Utd game, not in a good way either as we all know! He still has a bit of fan support, maybe living off that night at Anfield and his strike to beat Barca?!
Tomas Rosicky – unfortunate with injuries since signing from Dortmund back in 2005. A lack of goals is clear for all to see and has recently been played in the central trio in midfield. Will he stay or will he go? Personally, I hope for the former.
Yossi Benayoun – on loan from Chelsea and I’ve been surprised at how little he’s featured, so I think we may see him leave rather than look to sign him on a permanent deal.
So now we come to Eden Hazard. Personally, I would like to see him become a Gunner, whether we get out priced for him is another matter altogether.
Do we need him? I’d say maybe. It may be the kind of big name signing that fans want and be what players like Van Persie want to see come in in order to show the club mean business. This may also help persuade RVP to sign a new deal, but where would Eden play? He will want first-team assurances, but what about Gervinho, Walcott and the Ox?
I personally would love for Arsenal to sign him, but I think we would be better off strengthening in areas we lack. We desperately need a world class striker and a reliable backup keeper to come in!
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We need another winger. It’s actully quite clear.
At the moment we have only Gervinho and Chamberlain that are “true” wingers. Walcott doesn’t have the technical ability to be effective unless he has a left back that is slow or loves “diving in” or is given a shitload of space. Arshavin isn’t suited to play on the wings at all and has contributed to making him an awful player at the present.
That brings me back to my main point: We only have Gervinho and Chamberlain that can cut it at the highest level and Chamberlain is only 18 years old. We need a starter (Hazard, Willian etc) so that Chamberlain doesn’t get burnt out like Fabregas, Vermaelen and Wilshere. It’s like with Ramsey being on the edge for several months after being run to the ground.
Also a player like Hazard og Willian would be able to play centrally as offensive/attacking midfielders and rotating with Chamberlain.
I’d love to see Hazard wearing and Arsenal shirt. Do I believe i’ll ever see it? NO! But it is a piece of business that would definitely be good for the club. Arsene is always saying. “It’s difficult to find players better than we already have” Hazard is surely better than what we have now. Eden on one wing, the OX or Gervinho on the other would allow Theo to go up top when RVP needs a rest or is injured. Hazard would improve the squad without doubt.
Hazard isn’t just a winger, he’s an attacking midfielder, a position where we are currently lacking in serverly, rosicky doesn’t have that spark any more and ramsey is struggling without cesc next to him this year. Wilsheres pre season form was AMAZING but after such time off will he be able to pick back up? Ramsey still hasn’t, time will tell for wilshere…
Hazard isn’t wanted in Arsenal, the OX, Jack, Theo, Gervinho and Ryo will be amazing when all fit. We are yet to seen Jack-OX-Gervinho partnering. We haven’t witnessed Sagna-Vermaelen-Koscielny-Santos in defence. We are yet to be treated to a Song-Coquelin defensive midfield. We should cry to see a complete Arsenal before demanding for signing and it won’t be a surprise to learn the OX will be far better than Hazard.
Our problem is the attacking midfield,ramsey cant give that exquisite pass like fabregas or score goals,while rosicky cant hit the barn door even from two yards. From the way arsenal play,a good playmaker can score or assist more than 30 goals a season. Why not buy alcantara or marvin martin instead