Arsenal defence concerns, buy and sell options (Part 1)
It has already been a disappointing start to the Barclays English Premier League season for the Gunners. Arsenal has played seven league matches up till now in which Arsene Wenger’s squad has achieved three win and two draws.
While Arsenal lost their two Premier League matches against buoyant West Bromwich Albion at home and against Chelsea in an away fixture. Currently, Gunners are on the fourth position of the Premier League table with 11 points to their name.
Arsenal’s start of this season is somewhat considered a worst start for the Gunners since Arsene Wenger took charge of this club. With such an unsatisfactory kick off to this season, there have been a number of errors occurring for Arsenal, predominantly
in the areas that the Gunners vowed to fortify in the summer. The goalkeeper and defensive ranks were set to be severely boosted thanks to an influx of spending money.
Even tough, Arsenal did manage to sign two French defenders. Arsene Wenger signed Laurent Koscielny for £10 million from French side Lorient FC, and, Sebastien Squillaci for £4.2 million from Sevilla FC. Wenger’s signing of Koscielny was confusing, as Koscielny
had played only one season in France’s top league and to sign him to play in the World’s most physical league was just illogical.
Moreover, Arsene Wenger also released Arsenal’s veteran and experienced defenders, William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre, who boasted a combined experience of over a thousand English Premier League matches.
But it was again the goalkeeping that was causing the most concern for Arsene Wenger. Arsenal has not boasted a quality presence between the goal posts since the departure of legendary Jens Lehmann in 2008.
Moreover, goalkeeping howlers cost Arsenal twenty-two points last season, which also in a way cost Gunners a Premier League title. Since Jens Lehmann departed from Emirates, his deputy Manuel Almunia has failed to win Gunners hearts.
Furthermore, both Arsenal keeper, Manuel Almunia, and, Lukasz Fabianski, have a tendency to make vital errors on many occasions, do poorly off set pieces, and, corners, and are inconsistent performers. This pair has made Wenger pay many times for not buying
a World class goalie.
Almunia, and his deputy, Lukasz, have both tried and failed to dominate the Gunners back line. This pair lacks the quality and calibre, which is required to become the first choice Arsenal goal keeper. Both endured a horrible last two seasons, which prompted
Arsenal’s boss to admit buying a new goalie but was severely necessary. Even this summer, Wenger showed his interest in Fulham’s number one goalkeeper as there was a huge need for a World class keeper at Emirates.
Despite a number of rumours during summer transfer window, no such deals materialized and Arsenal was forced to start their new season with its shaky goalkeeper pair. The pair, more specifically Almunia, continued his goalkeeping howlers even in this season.
Almunia’s performance was horrible at Emirate against the newly promoted West Bromwich Albion, which cost Arsenal their first home defeat by the newly promoted, West Brom, in over 20 years. So far, Almunia has already cost Arsenal five possible points this
season.
Moreover, Almunia’s deputy Lukasz also didn’t do any favours to Arsenal. He was given his first start of this season against fierce rival Tottenham Spurs in Carling Cup and he also failed to perform. Lukasz clearly lacked confidence and looked shaky between
the posts.
In the January transfer window, Arsene Wenger will be desperate to pour in some quality players into his line up. There are thousands of options on who to buy, but who should Arsene Wenger sell?
(To be continued in Part 2...)
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