Football Update: The new season and Arsene Wenger's Problems
If there is any team in the premier league that needs to add fresh blood to their squad its Arsenal. It was their goalkeeping woes that let them down badly last season with Manuel Almunia, Lukas Fabianski and Vito Mannone, all playing their part in the downfall. Arsenal were in with a sniff at the title with just a few games left in the season but could not hold their own when it towards the end of the season.
It was speculated in the market that Wenger would be busy in the market in search of a new keeper with Manuel Neuer and Igor Akinfeev both been linked with a move to the Emirates lately but so far no signatures have been secured and with the increasing passage of time it seems even less likely.
Arsene Wenger just recently said that there is no value for money in the market right now due to the influx of crazy money at Clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea. He says that after looking long and hard at the prospects, he feels that there is nobody available in the market that is better than what his squad already has.
Arsenal desperately needs cover in the defensive department and by the look of things; they are not going to be spending big in the market. Frimpong is now being seen as a possible cover for Alexander Song, while Craig Eastmond and Denilson are also there but need to pull up their socks if Arsenal are to have any real chance of winning the title in such a competitive league.
Wenger secured the signature of Koscielny for 10 million pounds and he sure looks certain to start in their line up if he can out muscle Djorou. But with Gallas linked with a move and Sol Campbell already signing up for Newcastle United, their defence does not look in the best of shapes and Wenger can certainly do with reinforcements.,
For the goalkeeping position, Fabianski is set to be Wenger’s first choice keeper after some high profile errors by Almunia last season. The Problem with Arsenal is that Wenger has a little too much faith in his side and his love for youngsters is what is preventing him in spending big in the market for a big name.
Had it not been for injuries to their key players Arsenal would have been in with a chance but their injuries last season cost them dear. Arshavin, Gallas, Nasri, Gallas and Song all suffered knocks at crucial points in the season, and that had its toll on Arsenal’s season.
Arsenal has enough quality in their squad, no doubt about that but Wenger’s reluctance to spend big in the market is now a little over the top and the fans are now raising their voices. Wenger has his support deep rooted in the hearts of the fans but after five trophies less seasons, their patience is being put to ultimate test.
Wenger can certainly do with a new goal keeper and a defensive midfielder but with Wenger’s stubbornness on getting a bargain deal, it seems more and more likely that Wenger will go into the new season with the same squad as last season.
If Wenger brings Akinfeev or Neuer and offloads Almunia and Fabianski, it will be a great deal for the London club but as things stand, it is not likely to happen.
Arsenal are a big club in the Premier League and their fans expect them to challenge for the title and without a doubt they have the potential to challenge but without any reinforcements in defensive department its going to be one h**l of a task. One that even the professor, seems incapable of achieving such a feat.
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