A chorus of boos rang out after Arsenals first game of the season as the Gunners slumped to an embarrasing 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa. Arsene Wengers team is error prone and the Frenchmans defence is a real weaklink in the chink of the Arsenal armour. The Gunners are also short of a dominant goalkeeper, a classy midfielder and a striker. The squad has no depth, and if Arsene Wenger wants to guide his club to a top-four finish or end his sides barren trophyless spell, he will need to make four new signings to strengthen the core of the North London side. Here is a look at the four departments the Frenchman needs.
Goalkeeper:
Arsenal have not had a dependable keeper since David Seaman, and at the minute two error prone Poles are slugging it out to become Arsenals number one. Wojciech Szczesny conceded three goals and received a yellow card as Arsenal fell to Aston Villa in Saturday's season opener. To put it quite frankly he and fellow countryman Lukas Fabianski are liabilities. QPR's Julio Cesar would fit the bill perfectly. The move suits both parties, Arsenal are in need of a keeper' and he needs first team football in the top flight whilst in a World Cup year.
Defence:
Towards the end of last season Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker were solid and formed a great centre-half partnership, but their defensive frialties came to light once again in Saturdays 3-1 defeat. Belgian Thomas Vermaelan is constantly injured and hasn't redisovered his form of old, so a new face in the defence is neccessary. Swanseas Ashley Williams has been linked with a move to North London, but I believe they should make a move for Man Citys Micah Richards instead. A more versatile option, Richards can operate at right-back or centre-half. A classy player who is unlucky not to start for City, due to Pablo Zabaletas performances at right back. At 25 he is a good age and he has plenty of Premier League experience, if he got the games he could thrive at the Emirates and push for an England place this summer.
Midfield:
The North London club are in need of a dominant midfielder, a player who can complement Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, giving them the freedom to attack. Top target Luiz Gustavo joined Wolfsburg from Bayern Munich, and a move for Evertons Maroane Fellaini now seems unlikely too. But the Gunners have made a ?10million bid for Newcastles Yohan Cabaye, the sum of ?10million is not enough, but Wenger should bid again for the Frenchman. Altough he is more attacking minded than Luiz Gustavo, he'd be a good signing. Best described as a ''box-to-box'' midfielder, the 27 year old has excellent vision, and could be a huge asset to Arsenal. French moneybags Monaco and PSG are also said to be interested.
Forwards:
Olivier Giroud will score for Arsenal, but apart from his 6th minute strike against Villa at the weekend, the Frenchman was non existant, and even the 26 year old striker beleives the Gunners need reinforcements up-front. Giroud told reporters in France: "In my opinion, it is important that the club sign another striker but it takes time, especially if it is a big-name player.'' Gonzalo Higuian moved to Napoli, and a move for Liverpools Luis Suarez has fizzled out. Arsene Wenger has had to realign his sight in an attempt to bring in a striker, and seems to have turned to Swansea, at attempt to bring in Michu. He scored 18 league goals in 35 games in his first season for Swansea. Wenger needs someone but has missed out on his top targets. He might be forced to pay ?25million for the hitman, who cost a paltry sum of ?2million one year previous. But he will score goals in abundance, I believe, if he does make the move to North London.
The bottom line is Arsenal need to bolster their threadbare squad. With top-four rivals Tottenham and Liverpool, who both won at the weekend, splashing the cash, what does Arsenals transfer inactivity say about their ambitions?
SOURCES:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-paper-round-arsenal-want-michu-admitting-061453126.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10252371/Yohan-Cabaye-approach-rejected-as-Arsenal-launch-derisory-12m-transfer-bid-for-Newcastle-midfielder.html
http://www.winnersports.co.uk/arsenal-fc-interested-in-micah-richards-19983
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/333447/Arsenal-fans-plead-with-Arsene-Wenger-to-sign-up-Julio-Cesar
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/08/19/4197611/arsenal-need-to-sign-players-admits-giroud
Source: DSG
Source: DSG