Currently our strongest team would be: Chesney, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Song, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, RVP.
I think that team is more than capable of mounting a serious challenge for the Premier League and Champion’s League. But all that is lacking is quality squad depth. The game against Udinese saw more injuries to our defenders and this should now press Arsene Wenger into buying the players we desperately need.
We go in to the Liverpool game with no left back because both Gibbs and Traore are injured. We may be forced to play Vermaelen at LB and the woeful Squillaci in defence against Suarez and Carroll.
The main problem with Arsenal’s defending was the defending of the whole team not just individuals. I know its early season but the new way the team has been defending set pieces looks more solid than last season. Remember last season Koscielny and Djourou had a formidable partnership before the collapse at the end.
The Udinese match exposed how Arsenal lacks quality squad depth. Chamakh and Joel Campbell are simply not good enough to be backup’s for Robin van Persie. We know RVP struggles to stay fit throughout an entire campaign and I dread seeing Chamakh or Campbell leading the line for long periods of the season.
In DM, with Alex Song banned for 3 games, all we have is Emmanuel Frimpong who has never played a full premier league season, and he now has to step up against Manchester United and Liverpool. Scott Parker would be an ideal purchase but knowing Wenger, he probably values the progress of Frimpong more highly than short term gains and I don’t think he will buy him or any other DM so that Frimpong can continue improving.
With Rosicky now playing in the deep lying playmaker position, we now have 5 wingers and only Walcott and Arshavin have Premier League experience and I don’t think either are good enough to be first team starters but because of our situation one of them has to start on the opposite wing to our new signing Gervinho. Walcott gets the nod ahead of Arshavin because of his pace and his ability to help out in defence.
In conclusion Arsene has a difficult two weeks ahead of him. On top of buying new players, he has to prepare the team for crucial matches against Liverpool, Udinese and Manchester United. I know it would be difficult to buy a LB, DM, CB, Striker and a winger in 10 days but the priority should be defenders first then possibly a striker.
Submitted by DBSFootball
