Wenger needs to get busy this January

The wait for silverware seems longer than ever before as Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team bid farewell to another disappointing year. A third place finish in the 2011-12 campaign was followed by a summer transfer window which again saw the exit of marquee players like Alex Song and the greedy Dutchman. The arrival of Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud has certainly strengthened the squad, but it is still nowhere close to the likes of the Manchester clubs or Chelsea, both in terms of quality and numbers. Arsenal kicked off their 2013 campaign on a promising note – with solid defensive performances and impressive displays at Anfield and the Etihad. But just as the season showed some promise, the same old problems have come back to bite Arsene and his men. Goalkeeping problems, defensive fragility and a lack of spine in the midfield have been the problems plaguing Arsenal in recent seasons. A lot of these problems can actually be attributed to the rather stubborn attitude adopted by Arsenal in the transfer windows. Will Wenger breathe fresh air into the Arsenal squad come the January transfer window or will it be another usual, quiet January window for the Gunners?

Goalkeeping woes

Wojciech Szczesny has done a decent job for Arsenal between the sticks in the last couple of seasons. The young Pole commands his box well in set plays, isn’t afraid to play sweeper when called upon, has good reflexes and can pull off some incredible close range saves. Saving long range shots has been Szczesny’s Achilles heel and has been troubled by it on a few occasions in recent times. Overall, Szczesny is a fantastic prospect for Arsenal and the Pole certainly has a big future as Arsenal’s No. 1. The biggest problem for Szczesny is the lack of competition for the goalkeeper position which could lead to complacency creeping in.

In the past seasons, Arsenal have experimented with Alumnia, Fabianski and Mannone; none of whom have actually put in performances worthy of a goalkeeper in a top European club. They may have shown flashes of brilliance on the odd occasion, but have been shambolic or mediocre by and large. Why Wenger hasn’t ventured into the transfer window for a top class goalkeeper to replace Jens Lehmann is anybody’s guess. Arsenal mustn’t fall prey to the goalkeeping woes again as they have in the past. The winter transfer window presents them an ideal opportunity to get a goalkeeper who will keep vigil over Szczesny and will fight for the No. 1 jersey. Asmir Begovic, Simon Mignolet, Michael Vorm, Pepe Reina are some of the names doing the rounds. With Szczesny also being plagued by injuries recently, any one of the above keepers will be a meaningful addition to the Arsenal squad.

The Left Back Quandary

It’s amazing how the Left Back position at Arsenal, which was well stocked and covered a couple of seasons ago, has actually turned out to be their biggest concern today. With Gael Clichy, Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore in their ranks, one got the feeling Arsene was spoilt for choice. But with the departures of Clichy and Traore, Gibbs still unable to put his injury problems behind him and Andre Santos’ poor showing this season, Arsene would do well to get a solid left back in the transfer window. Andre Santos doesn’t inspire confidence; he is constantly caught out of position, his lack of pace makes it difficult for him to track back on the counters. His recent shirt swapping antics haven’t gone down well with the fans and the coaching staff. All things considered, the Brazilian doesn’t seem to have much of a future in North London.

Another promising Arsenal academy product, Kieran Gibbs, is still very much work in progress. He has shown a lot of promise with his attacking play but is not as solid as defensively as his predecessors like Ashley Cole or Nigel Winterburn. Also, niggles and injuries have constantly plagued the 23 year old’s time at Arsenal. Arsenal’s problems at left back were heavily exposed last season when they had to play for large spells using makeshift players like Vermaelen, Coquelin, Ignasi Miquel and Koscielny at left back. Arsenal can’t risk repeating the same mistakes this season given how tight the race is for the third and fourth spots. Ideally, Wenger should buy an experienced left back like Leighton Baines, to whom Gibbs can be an understudy. In the worst scenario, a specialist left back at a cut price who can play second fiddle to Kieran Gibbs would ensure mistakes from last season are not repeated.

The man for the Makelele role

The departure of Alex Song to Barcelona was a rude shock to Arsenal fans around the world. He was one of Arsenal’s better players the previous season and still had a couple of years in his contract left. That Abou Diaby would take over from Song in that position was even more of a shock to the Arsenal faithful. Diaby, touted as the next Patrick Vieira, has spent more time with the Arsenal medicos than on the pitch. It’s saddening to see a player in the mould of Yaya Toure and Vieira be plagued by injuries constantly. Mikel Arteta has done a good job for Arsenal in a defensive position, which is new for him. Francis Coquelin is still developing and Frimpong has been constantly loaned out or has suffered long term injuries. The lack of depth in the defensive midfield role has meant no player rotation and a jaded Arteta playing week in week out. Yann M’Vila, Lewis Holtby are being scouted. A tough tackling midfield general to do the dirty work in front of the defensive line will add some spine to the current Arsenal midfield.

A new winger, Mr. Wenger?

With Arsenal switching to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation in recent seasons, the role of wide men in the attacking third has become crucial for Arsenal to score goals. Currently, Wenger has options in Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Gervinho, Arshavin, Ramsey to play out wide. Arshavin is nowhere close to the sensation he was when he moved to North London and is in the autumn of his career; Ramsey is not a natural wide player and with a lack of pace to play out wide, his performances can be best described as mediocre; the enigmatic Gervinho has been wasteful in the final third and doesn’t seem to inspire confidence; and finally Theo Walcott has constantly reiterated his desire to play through the middle. All things considered, Arsenal do have a dearth of quality players in the wide areas. Wilfried Zaha would be a wonderful addition to the squad. Adel Turan is another player linked with the Gunners. Though these additions will serve Arsenal in good stead in the run up to race for Champions League places, it does seem unlikely the French gaffer will splash the cash over a wide man.

Arsenal have traditionally had very quiet winter transfer windows. Will a poor start to the season, increasing frustration from the fans at the lack of silverware and a tough fight for the third and fourth spots force Arsene to mend his ways and invest in the squad this January? Wenger has reiterated he will not buy unless he comes across an exceptional talent. Gooners around the world have grown used to this rhetoric from Arsene. I am not trying to play fantasy manager here, but it is absolutely essential Wenger invests in these areas to mount a serious challenge for a top 4 finish and good cup runs in Europe and in the domestic FA Cup. With money sitting in the bank, will Arsene secure these signings to provide the impetus for a strong run in the second half of the season? Questions that need to answered quickly and answers which we will know only in May.