5 things Arsenal need to do for a perfect summer

After the calamitous summer of 2011, Arsene Wenger will want to have a faultless summer in 2012. So let’s take a look at the 5 things he must do in order for Arsenal to have the ‘perfect summer.’

Extend van Persie’s and other key players’ contracts

Key players: RvP & Song.

This goes without saying – Robin van Persie, Alex Song and Theo Walcott are the key players for Arsenal and surely make up part of the spine of the team. With van Persie and Walcott’s contracts ending in 2013 while Song’s contract ends in 2014, it is an absolute must that Arsenal get these players’ contracts extended long term. Losing them this summer due to no extensions and forced sales would be an absolute disaster and would result in another rebuilding of the team which fans almost certainly won’t be ready for.

Sign quality players to stengthen the attack

Unofficial summer signing: Lukas Podolski

As you may have heard many times, Arsenal are dubbed a “one man team.” As stupid as this dig sounds, Arsenal are nonetheless reliant on van Persie to score the goals who has already scored 33 goals this season. The only other strikers to score are Chamakh and Park who both have a solitary goal. While he has remained injury free, Arsenal still need quality backup for van Persie to take off the load. With Wenger trying to find a player whom he can trust with rotation, Lukas Podolski which has yet to be announced [due to Podolski's club, Koln's relegation battle,] looks to be a perfect signing for the club. One more quality backup striker or the obtaining of a work permit for loan star, Joel Campbell, and Arsenal are set in the offensive department for next season.

Acquire a world class playmaker

Admired by Wenger: Yoann Gourcuff.

Many a time this season, Arsenal have been frustrated by managers who have put out teams with negative tactics – Bolton, Fulham and Wolves come to mind. Especially in away games, Arsenal have failed to unlock stubborn defenses ultimately leading to dropped points. Cesc Fabregas was world class with defense splitting passes or unlocking tight defenses but as of now, Arsenal don’t have a playmaker capable of doing that. Aaron Ramsey, while possessing great potential is still developing and to a point, quite inconsistent due to fatigue while Tomas Rosicky, having a recent run of good form, is 31 years old and can’t play every game nor can he seem to transfer his amazing performances at home in away games.

According to reports, Arsene Wenger is in the market for a playmaker and in recent times, has been linked with the likes of Younes Belhanda, Yoann Gourcuff, Gylfi Sigurðsson, Eden Hazard and Mario Gotze. Any one of these players, and Arsenal will certainly be strengthened immensely.

Sell the fringe players

Squillaci: one of Wenger's worst ever signings, still getting paid bucket loads of money.

As I stated in my article on possible Arsenal departures, fringe players in Squillaci, Chamakh, Almunia, Vela, Park, Bendtner, Denilson, Chamakh all cost Arsenal a whopping combined total of well over £400,000 a week. If Arsenal want to hand new contracts to the likes of van Persie, Song and Walcott as well as attract the big names across Europe, they simply have to initiate a summer clear out to free up the wage bill as a result of players who are just not up to the mark as of now/settled with Arsenal.

Sign the perfect replacement for Pat Rice

Steve Bould: one of Wenger's candidates.

Pat Rice’s contract was to expire in 2011, but Wenger convinced him to stay for one more season as the club was facing a crucial period in the summer – however, it looks like this will be Rice’s last season as assistant manager of Arsenal. Hence, Wenger needs to find a good replacement for the Arsenal legend who can offer Wenger fresh new ideas and a completely new approach. The Daily Expresshave linked former player and current Academy coach Steve Bould as a successor as well as one of Wenger’s former players, Dragan Stojkovic, who is currently in charge of Japanese side Grampus Eight, as well as Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams. Wenger was also considering current Bradford City manager, Phil Parkinson as a replacement for Rice last season. As of now, Bould looks the likely successor and would be a particularly good one at that as well.

Follow these 5 steps and come next season, Arsenal will be a real force to reckon with.

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