Wenger Must Show More Flexibility If We’re To Use Our Current Options Throughout by SO
We enter the final 10 days of the window and despite four new faces at Arsenal, the same concerns over weak positions remain. A defensive midfielder and centre forward are the two positions that have needed improvement since the summer of 2012 when both Song and RVP departed.
No doubt quality has certainly been added to the squad which we can’t complain about. however our team’s improvement is minimal. Debuchy was effectively Sagna’s replacement, whilst Ospina was Fabianski’s I’ll let you decide whether they are upgrades or not but further on I suppose you’d have to consider Chambers as Vermaelen’s replacement until a new defender is brought in.
Alexis does remain the luxury buy that has of course given us something extra in attack however even he is replacing Theo until the man himself returns. Our first XI hasn’t dramatically improved going off our recent selections but it most certainly can!.
Now while I’m keen for the club to bring in a new CF, a powerhouse of a midfielder and a new CB. These positions actually can be improved from within if Arsene was to decide on no more transfer activity. For me Arsene needs to start switching it up as soon as possible.
We don’t quite have a new identity, our sluggish play going forward is still occurring.
So what kind of changes am I talking about? Well maybe bringing our commanding defender Mertesacker back in to the line-up and pushing Chambers further forward. Arsene has already claimed he sees him being deployed there in future, but with Arteta out there’s not a better chance to do so.
Flamini is the obvious option but throughout a season we’ve seen it won’t be enough, Flamini is not top bracket in his position hence his role as Arteta’s back-up. Chambers has massive potential said by many before he even played a game for us, all he’s done is prove such statements correct.
His defensive awareness demonstrated whilst playing at the back would be beneficial in the holding role, he’s mobile, brave and smooth in possession which are good ingredients for the role.
In attack, it was hard watching Arsenal play with a severe lack of pace last season when Theo and The Ox were absent but I tell you what’s harder…… watching Arsenal play with a severe lack of pace when we actually have the option of pace in the squad.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit and has already made heavy impact in what I think you can round up to 30 mins of football so far this season. Joel Campbell is also sitting on our bench waiting to make his league debut for the club. This makes you wonder why we persist with Santi on the flank, he’s ineffective there and you would’ve thought he’d get the chance to play centrally before Ozil was ready to come back into the team but it hasn’t been the case.
Giroud needs to be relegated to a back-up role if we’re to really show serious intent for a title challenge but if we’re going to use him at least compliment him with what he thrives off…. pace and runners beyond,! We should stack both flanks with quick direct players to look more convincing going forward.
To conclude, I am in full agreement that we still have to strengthen in a few areas but until then Wenger should mix the team up using our options to full effect as I’m sure you’d witness a more dynamic team if Wenger utilised our more mobile options in weak positions.
The supporters are keen to see a new look Arsenal team and we have the personnel to do so! Who knows if we did use our suggestions some just might believe we’re good to go.
Subz55