How can Arsenal transform into a title winning team this summer!! by RPK
Hello fellow gunners, what do you think will differentiate between a good and an excellent transfer window for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
First let us think about the areas where we need to strengthen and the players that are available.
Let’s start off with the Goal Keepers. I think Ospina has been pretty good and at 26 years, he is very young in terms of goal keepers. Szczesny, yes he had a poor season, but lets not forget he was playing with a makeshift defense in front of him and also without Coquelin who has done a brilliant job since he came into the side. Moreover, this lad has kept 16 clean sheets in the season before. He definitely has the attributes but also has the knack of losing focus. With Cech available, it might be an option to get Cech and send out Szczesny on loan to a Premier league team and let him gain more experience in the top flight. I really feel Szczesny has a long future at Arsenal and he also comes under the home grown category. I don’t want to lose such a player if I am the manager.
Coming to the defense, I really feel bringing in Chambers and Gabriel has really made the defense look more stable. I am sure all of us might be wondering how the season might have been if Gabriel was brought in the summer. With Jenkinson’s loan being a successful one, and the boss making his intentions clear that he wants to keep him or send him out for loan, I don’t think he is currently planning to bring in any defensive recruitment’s.
The midfield though, is one area where there looks to be too many players but it still needs some players to complete. Let’s start with players who are out of contract or who might leave this summer. I think Flamini will be leaving, Rosicky might not be joining him but will he get more playing time? But I think we should definitely keep Arteta. Not just for creating competition but also for his experience and calmness. In most of the interviews from players we keep hearing about Per and Arteta helping the players settle in.
Coming to the players whom we can bring in, I feel there are two to three players who we can get. First let’s start with the players in the Premier league – Milner will be an awesome addition as he has the experience, he has been a part of a team who has won the league twice in last 3 seasons, he has that don’t give up attitude as he keeps chasing the ball, and on top of all that he will be available for free. And then there is Schneiderlin, who many fans want the manager to get. I for one don’t feel he can replace Coquelin in the playing XI because he is more of a box to box player rather than the one who screens the defense.
There are a few players whose names are being mentioned like Kondogbia and Imbula who might be available in the market. However, the most interesting rumor though is Sanchez’s Chilean team-mate Arturo Vidal, who may be available. If he is really available, I think he might be the candidate who ticks all the boxes. He is strong in the tackle, he can attack, he can play as a box to box or even sit in front of the defense – and like Sanchez has that will to not give up. At 28 he is at the peak of his prowess and has experience of playing for big clubs and won various trophies. Fingers crossed!
Further up the field, in the attacking midfield we have very good quality along with the wide players. Until and unless an opportunity provides I don’t think we might be really looking into this area.
Then comes the most crucial part which I think is going to dictate how far we might go next season mainly in the Champions league or target the League title. Out of the last 5-6 seasons, half of the time we were eliminated through away goals and playing pretty poorly at home. We have missed sitters in front of goal, we have missed penalties and we never took our chances at home. And although some of the losses are not just because of these, but at least the last season or two have been down to us not taking our chances in the home matches. In the Premier league as well it is similar story with no one to really replace Giroud up front. Giroud is good, but he needs competition as well as a back up. The current options, Welbeck, Walcott and Sanogo haven’t really proved themselves or the manager isn’t willing to play them in that position. There are many names flying across – Benzema, Benteke, Lacazette, Martinez, Cavani among many others. If we want to continue the trend of making a marquee signing this season like we did in the last two, I guess this should be the area which we should target this season. Personally I would go for either Benteke or Lacazette because of their age, but anyone in the list would be a great signing.
Ins: Cech, Milner/, Striker (marquee player)
Outs: Flamini, Rosicky, Podolski, Diaby
Loans: Campbell, Sanogo, Szczesny, Zelalem, Jenkinson
by Rajesh Prasad K
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