I can’t understand the earlier rumours about Arsenal looking to sell our captain, Thomas Vermaelen.
Admittedly, the Belgian centre-back didn’t have his most productive season and perhaps wasn’t the best choice for captaincy, as it looked as if he wasn’t even the one giving out the orders from the back. That duty fell to our BFG (Per Mertesacker) which judging by our defensive record last season, especially away from home, Arsene Wenger was right to drop Vermaelen.
I don’t know why we are being linked with every defensive midfielder going. Yes we need replacements and competition for the position as sick note Abou Diaby isn’t capable of stringing more than 15 games in a season, which is such a shame as he showed last season, most notably against Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta was in desperate need of a rest towards the end of the season. But why didn’t we try TV5 in that position though? He is both tenacious in the tackle as well as commanding in the air. It would’ve enabled him to lead the team by example rather than having to run everything past the BFG. Vermaelen is also very capable when it comes to his distribution and has the wicked shooting ability in his left foot as we saw in his first season.
I know several fans are crying out for major signings this summer but I don’t think that is what we really require.
We are having a big clear-out this summer, freeing up much needed space for wages to allow our very rigid structure to progress and update to more a more competitive level. Hopefully we can get rid of the fringe players i.e. Gervinho, Vito Mannone, Johan Djourou, Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young and Marouane Chamakh.
We also need to get rid of players that aren’t interested in getting silverware with us next season, i.e. Bacary Sagna – you’ve been great for us but we could all see you thinking about that last big contract calling, which is a shame because you have been there for us through this barren season and it would’ve been nice to see you rewarded.
I would like to see us reignite our interest in the following players as they have the quality in the positions we need to strengthen, but also they still have something to prove if they haven’t become comfortable sitting on the bench:
Mamadou Sakho – The French centre-back would be great cover for defence as he has played in various positions across the back four and was captain of PSG until the Money Revolution. We know he is capable of leading and also has a depth of experience of competing for silverware.
Secondly I would like to see us contact City regarding the availability of Micah Richards, as I think he would provide good competition for Carl Jenkinson.
I’m not sure about upfront as no one has really caught my eye of late that wouldn’t demand a huge transfer fee or wages for that matter. I would like to think we would go in for Robert Lewandowski as he is real quality and apparently has a cheaper release clause than Stevan Jovetic.
Just a passionate fan wanting to get his thoughts out.
Agree, in the main, with all your thoughts above. In addition, the deep cull of “scholars” was excellent. Suggestions of “major” transfer and also(?)wage monies seem due and are promising. Signings of young prospects keep the future bright. Where are some of our own young prospects relative to first team action, such as Campbell (looked very good in World Cup qualifier the other evening) and Bellerin?? I would like to think that The Ox will have an excellent next season. Lastly, I think that our main area of need is that of Center Back. Kos is excellent. BFG has limitations. TV4 is ???. Not much after that. Practice needs, cup competitions, injuries, cardings dictate at least 3 if not 4 top players here. Cheers.
Do you by any chance work for Arsene Wenger? Yes, we have had better defensive record latter part of the season! But only when we crushed out from all meaningful competitions (Silverware) unless you consider 4th place trophy. Believe me, i don’t hate Arsene i love AFC but years of selling quality players to our (direct competitors)and experimenting with youngsters/injury prone players makes me reject anymore mad scientist blind faith. I want practical solutions a Striker direct competition with giroud, DMF who can actually play 30+ matches and nt just learning his trade. A keeper who doesn’t come in by defualt but pushes Woj to greatness ala (Shay given) pushed JH to greatness! or take his job. TV as a DM worth trying but not to be trusted enough to exclude other to come in.
I can see your point in the main, but I do believe that we need to make a statement to the existing players and fans that we are serious about competing for the title. I would immediately be offering Everton the buy-out clause value for Fellaini. Much as I like Arteta, asv a defensive midfielder he lacks the bite and passion we need (remember Fellaini bullying Shawcross mercilessly last season?)
I would also do all I could to persuade Cesc to come home! Fellaini at the base of the three in the middle, with Wilshere and Fabregas in front. This would then free up Santi to take up the troublesome left attacking role.
Not sure we need a striker – I was quite happy with Giroud (if only we could train him to be a little more ruthless). Maybe Higuain chasing his spot would do the trick?
Finally, we must remember it was a successful season. We are still better that Spurs!
I like this article, and I think you have some great thoughts as to what the team needs and what it doesn’t need. Also, TV5 at DCM is a good shout out. However, I think you’re missing out on the fact that Arsene Wenger does in fact have a 70 mil war chest (assuming all those rumors are true, which they seem like they are), and many Arsenal fans including myself would like to see it be used. Someone like Fellaini who prefers playing defensive-mid is a proven great player shown through this season, and only has more potential! However, Wenger apparently wasn’t pleased with his 25 mil release clause, which I think is pretty ridiculous. Wenger HAS the money to spend, and we are in desperate need of some great players if we want to compete for the title! Arsenal can continue doing what they’re doing, spending minimum cash on great young players, developing them, and then shipping them off and remaining a club that can’t break that can’t fully compete for the title, OR they can spend the money on players that they can afford like Rooney, Higuain, Wayanama, Cesar, Williams, Fellaini, etc. and once again after 8 years emerge as one of the world’s top clubs! I love this article and you have some great points, but I don’t want Arsenal to be stuck in the past. Unfortunately, he time is over where you can spend 25m for one of the world’s greatest players. Arsenal need to take a stand and spend big this summer on the appropriate players.
A quick point on this common suggestion of using TV5 as a DM: he’s not very capable at all when it comes to distribution.
Watch him when he’s played left back. He is very limited in the range of angles in which he can play a controlled pass. He rarely succeeds in playing round the corner when under pressure. And he’s not securely two footed enough to play under pressure and make a telling pass up the pitch or through traffic. Nor does he show he could contol the ball tightly with his back to goal, with a man on him, and move safely away with it to turn and play. I think our attack would become far worse, especially in transitions, if TV was our DM.
all the top four teams have changed their managers, I think next season would be our season bcoz all new managers would have to put in their new styles of play…. Our last 10 games in the EPL, we were unbeaten so I think if non of our stars would be leaving this summer we have a great chance of winning the EPL as mourinho said… What we need here is a consistent strike who can turn the game around every wEek…
A lack of competition breeds complacency. Arsene should narrow the gap between first team and the reserves, young and upcoming footballers will start to think that they can dislodge the established stars. The starting 11 will also start playing while looking over their backs. That alone will improve us a lot. Next season, i would like Arsene bring out competition between Coquelin, Ramsey and Rosicky. Arteta should be rotated with Jack Wilshire, we will need a striker and a defender. That’s all. Sagna can go, but instead of signing another one, i would like Yennalis come into the first team.
There are those who think, winning trophies is alla about buying players; but I have a different view.If Arsenal can improve their record over the weak and midtable teams, stop losing to beatable teams, that alone can push us towards the title. There was a time when we beat most of the big teams in the EPL and still finished 4th because we kept losing to the supposedly weaker teams.
We need to sign messi. It’s as simple as that. We have the money for him according to gazidis. Don’t see why we don’t put in a bid. He’s a wicked player.