Arsenal have now won six games in a row in the Barclays Premier League. They seem to have pulled together for the final part of the season and are now even considered to be in the title race. However I want to focus on how Arsenal can improve for the next season. What is Arsenal missing and who should they go out and buy during the summer transfer window. We’ve been linked with a number of players in the press, forwards, midfielders, defenders and even goalkeepers. But who does Arsenal need to bring in and what positions do they have to strengthen. Let’s take a look at each position individually.
GOALKEEPER:
Arsenal currently have 3 goalkeepers; David Ospina, Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez. Ospina has been in great form recently and has managed to keep Szczesny out of the starting XI. So do Arsenal need to strengthen this department in the summer? I think they don’t necessarily need to add a keeper. Ospina is doing the business in goal right now and as a backup there is Szczesny. Although a lot of people have criticised Szczesny I think he is a very good shot stopper and he is let down only by his decision making, and it is because of this that, although I don’t think Arsenal need another keeper, I would be open for a more experienced keeper like Cech to join the club. If Cech was to join Arsenal in the summer he could be a sort of mentor for the other keepers in the club. So in conclusion I do not think Arsenal are in need of a keeper but am open for an experienced good keeper (preferably Cech) to arrive at Arsenal in the summer.
DEFENCE:
Now as for Arsenal’s defence. I don’t think they really need to add anyone during the summer. In the right back position there are Debuchy, Bellerin and Jenkinson will be coming back as well. With these three all competing for a spot in the starting XI it should bring out the best in all of them. However if Wenger doesn’t fancy giving Jenkinson another chance at Arsenal and sells him off then Chambers is always there to provide a little extra competition, but I would much rather see Chambers compete for a centre back spot. Speaking of the centre back position we have Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Chambers and I’d also like to see Isaac Hayden thrown into the mix or maybe have him go out on loan. As for right back there are Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal. So from listing all our defensive players I would conclude that there is no need to bring in any defenders but focus on our defensive tactics more than anything.
MIDFIELD:
Now moving onto Arsenal’s midfield. This is the part of the team that all Arsenal fans agree needs one key addition, bring in a defensive midfielder. Francis Coquelin has been in fantastic form for Arsenal since coming back from his loan spell at Charlton (I don’t think he has played a bad game for us this season). However it would be nice to have another defensive midfielder alongside him. Currently at the club there are still Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, but I personally don’t think they have what it takes to be part of Arsenal’s plans for next season and the future. And let’s not forget we did sign Krystian Bielik this past January. Arsenal have been linked with plenty of defensive midfielders throughout last summer and this season. Players like Khedira, Schneiderlin, Pogba etc. Realistically I would prefer Schneiderlin out of all the rumoured players, he reads the game really well, is strong and can even score goals. I personally do not think Khedira is that great of a player as everyone says he is and he’s no spring chicken (turning 28 this year). As for Pogba, in order for Arsenal to get him they would have to fork up at least 60 million pounds in today’s market.
Now let’s move on to the more attacking central midfield players. There’s Wilshire, Ramsey, Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky and Diaby (but we all know what he’s like). What I see is great completion for a spot in the starting XI when everyone is fit. All skillful players that can bring something special to the team. So no need for new additions there.
As for the wingers at Arsenal… there might be a bit of a problem. Lately Arsenal have been linked with moves for the likes of Marco Reus and Raheem Sterling. However where would this leave Arsenal’s current wingers like Theo (who I know is rumoured to be part of a swap deal for Sterling), Ox and others? It may not seem that way but as of the end of the current season Arsenal will have an abundance of wingers. Already at the team are Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry and Alexis Sanchez. Also returning from loans will be Lukas Podolski, Joel Campbell and Wellington Silva (who has finally received a work permit). That’s 7 wingers in total. As far as I’m concerned there is no need or place for any extra players. With so many in the squad Wenger will have to look to offload a couple. Maybe sell Podolski or Joel Campbell and if it comes down to it Theo. The point is Arsenal possess plenty of talent in this area of the pitch already.
STRIKERS:
Now for the position that has so many Arsenal fans split. Does Arsenal need to add to their strike force? I personally think they do. Even though Giroud is having quite a good season (especially since returning from injury) I do not think he is that cut throat striker that Arsenal have had in the past. Giroud is also getting up there in age (29 this year). As for Danny Welbeck, he’s a talented player but for me he is just too inconsistent. His work rate is fantastic but sometimes his touch and his finishing can be a little off. Chuba Akpom will be a star but he’s still young and needs to gain more experience. I rate him so much that I believe he will be like Henry or even better but at the moment he isn’t ready yet. So in fact Arsenal do need to add a new name to their strike force. There have been a lot of links with Cavani but personally I think Cavani is overrated. He scored a lot of goals in Serie A but let’s face it, Serie A isn’t what it used to be and now that he’s moved to PSG he isn’t delivering like he used to. I would like to see Suarez come to Arsenal but he’s recently come out saying the only English team he would join would be Liverpool. So in my opinion Arsenal should try and go for Lacazette. He’s pacey good on and off the ball and scores goals. A lot!
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion Arsenal do not need a keeper but an experienced one would be welcomed. Defence is fine as is. Arsenal could use a defensive midfielder and a striker. In the end it all depends whether Arsene Wenger is willing to pay up. For my choices (Cech, Schneiderlin and Lacazette) Wenger would have to pay somewhere around the region of 70 million for all 3. However all Arsenal fans know that with Wenger you never know what might happen. Let me know who you think Arsenal should sign this summer in the comments below or via twitter. Do you agree with me?
GOALKEEPER:
Arsenal currently have 3 goalkeepers; David Ospina, Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez. Ospina has been in great form recently and has managed to keep Szczesny out of the starting XI. So do Arsenal need to strengthen this department in the summer? I think they don’t necessarily need to add a keeper. Ospina is doing the business in goal right now and as a backup there is Szczesny. Although a lot of people have criticised Szczesny I think he is a very good shot stopper and he is let down only by his decision making, and it is because of this that, although I don’t think Arsenal need another keeper, I would be open for a more experienced keeper like Cech to join the club. If Cech was to join Arsenal in the summer he could be a sort of mentor for the other keepers in the club. So in conclusion I do not think Arsenal are in need of a keeper but am open for an experienced good keeper (preferably Cech) to arrive at Arsenal in the summer.
DEFENCE:
Now as for Arsenal’s defence. I don’t think they really need to add anyone during the summer. In the right back position there are Debuchy, Bellerin and Jenkinson will be coming back as well. With these three all competing for a spot in the starting XI it should bring out the best in all of them. However if Wenger doesn’t fancy giving Jenkinson another chance at Arsenal and sells him off then Chambers is always there to provide a little extra competition, but I would much rather see Chambers compete for a centre back spot. Speaking of the centre back position we have Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Chambers and I’d also like to see Isaac Hayden thrown into the mix or maybe have him go out on loan. As for right back there are Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal. So from listing all our defensive players I would conclude that there is no need to bring in any defenders but focus on our defensive tactics more than anything.
MIDFIELD:
Now moving onto Arsenal’s midfield. This is the part of the team that all Arsenal fans agree needs one key addition, bring in a defensive midfielder. Francis Coquelin has been in fantastic form for Arsenal since coming back from his loan spell at Charlton (I don’t think he has played a bad game for us this season). However it would be nice to have another defensive midfielder alongside him. Currently at the club there are still Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, but I personally don’t think they have what it takes to be part of Arsenal’s plans for next season and the future. And let’s not forget we did sign Krystian Bielik this past January. Arsenal have been linked with plenty of defensive midfielders throughout last summer and this season. Players like Khedira, Schneiderlin, Pogba etc. Realistically I would prefer Schneiderlin out of all the rumoured players, he reads the game really well, is strong and can even score goals. I personally do not think Khedira is that great of a player as everyone says he is and he’s no spring chicken (turning 28 this year). As for Pogba, in order for Arsenal to get him they would have to fork up at least 60 million pounds in today’s market.
Now let’s move on to the more attacking central midfield players. There’s Wilshire, Ramsey, Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky and Diaby (but we all know what he’s like). What I see is great completion for a spot in the starting XI when everyone is fit. All skillful players that can bring something special to the team. So no need for new additions there.
As for the wingers at Arsenal… there might be a bit of a problem. Lately Arsenal have been linked with moves for the likes of Marco Reus and Raheem Sterling. However where would this leave Arsenal’s current wingers like Theo (who I know is rumoured to be part of a swap deal for Sterling), Ox and others? It may not seem that way but as of the end of the current season Arsenal will have an abundance of wingers. Already at the team are Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry and Alexis Sanchez. Also returning from loans will be Lukas Podolski, Joel Campbell and Wellington Silva (who has finally received a work permit). That’s 7 wingers in total. As far as I’m concerned there is no need or place for any extra players. With so many in the squad Wenger will have to look to offload a couple. Maybe sell Podolski or Joel Campbell and if it comes down to it Theo. The point is Arsenal possess plenty of talent in this area of the pitch already.
STRIKERS:
Now for the position that has so many Arsenal fans split. Does Arsenal need to add to their strike force? I personally think they do. Even though Giroud is having quite a good season (especially since returning from injury) I do not think he is that cut throat striker that Arsenal have had in the past. Giroud is also getting up there in age (29 this year). As for Danny Welbeck, he’s a talented player but for me he is just too inconsistent. His work rate is fantastic but sometimes his touch and his finishing can be a little off. Chuba Akpom will be a star but he’s still young and needs to gain more experience. I rate him so much that I believe he will be like Henry or even better but at the moment he isn’t ready yet. So in fact Arsenal do need to add a new name to their strike force. There have been a lot of links with Cavani but personally I think Cavani is overrated. He scored a lot of goals in Serie A but let’s face it, Serie A isn’t what it used to be and now that he’s moved to PSG he isn’t delivering like he used to. I would like to see Suarez come to Arsenal but he’s recently come out saying the only English team he would join would be Liverpool. So in my opinion Arsenal should try and go for Lacazette. He’s pacey good on and off the ball and scores goals. A lot!
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion Arsenal do not need a keeper but an experienced one would be welcomed. Defence is fine as is. Arsenal could use a defensive midfielder and a striker. In the end it all depends whether Arsene Wenger is willing to pay up. For my choices (Cech, Schneiderlin and Lacazette) Wenger would have to pay somewhere around the region of 70 million for all 3. However all Arsenal fans know that with Wenger you never know what might happen. Let me know who you think Arsenal should sign this summer in the comments below or via twitter. Do you agree with me?