The transfer market business isn’t going in the way Arsenal fans expected. Not only Arsene Wenger isn’t making any business but it appears that he categorically ruled out any more transfers until after his pre-season trials.
Petr Cech is the only notable addition to the senior squad; in fact he is the only addition. The other purchases so far have been of the kids who have potential to break into the first team sometime later. The expectations from the fans were that there would be more names added to the squad.
And so, when Wenger landed in Singapore for the pre-season tour, he spoke about the signings made by Manchester United and his views on Raheem Sterling. Apart from voicing his displeasure on how the transfer market is bloated, he spoke about being content with the squad.
There’s no definite answer to how the supporters will react to this news but most of them will be a tad disappointed. There surely is more than one area of improvement – definitely in the final third. For now it is between Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck – but Wenger knows that both of them are yet to prove themselves as truly world-class.
Giroud’s lack of goals has often been criticized for being the sole reason of Arsenal’s failure to challenge for the Premier League. Not just the supporters but even the club legends Thierry Henry and Ian Wright question his pedigree.
So, when the new season starts and the first ball is kicked, it would be a huge test of character and skill for Giroud. He would have to prove that he’s good enough to lead the line for this great club. There is never a question on his link-up play or the final passes; rather, the worry is on the lack of goals.
Last season he scored 14 goals in 27 Premier League matches which is definitely way below expectations. The general benchmark for a striker is 20 goals and Giroud failed to score more than 16 in any of the three seasons he’s been at the Emirates. No wonder then that the cries from all the supporters is to bring a proven goal scorer to the club.
In view of these, Giroud should be under pressure to prove his worth. He may well have the skill but does he have it in him to be consistent through the season? The constant rumours of strikers being linked to the club do not help in any way. But, if Giroud can keep finding the net regularly, these rumours will be put to rest. It will be a huge season for Giroud, to prove his doubters that Wenger’s faith is justified. Coul he really come good this season?
Sridhar