Source: Team_Talk
Pressure on Wenger to spend
Arsene Wenger was unhappy with the tactics Blackburn used to beat Arsenal but TEAMtalk's Mark Holmes says blame should lie with the Frenchman.[LNB] It is no secret on TEAMtalk that I am not Wenger's biggest fan so I can forgive readers for seeing this blog as another chance for me to slate the Arsenal manager.[LNB]But I've actually been quite full of praise for the Gunners this season and you can hear me on a number of earlier Podcasts (incorrectly) backing them to take the title race to the wire.[LNB]In many ways they've impressed me more than Chelsea or Manchester United but ultimately they've fallen short and, like it or not, the buck has to stop with Wenger.[LNB]I actually believe he deserves praise overall for this season - he spent decent money on a centre-half that has improved them no end and I can't shake the feeling that it could have been Arsenal's year had it not been for injuries.[LNB]However, football is a squad game these days and this season proves that Wenger's faith in his fringe players is simply misplaced.[LNB]A starting XI of Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelan, Gallas, Clichy; Nasri, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin; Bendtner & Van Persie could win things but even that side contains one or two weak links and this summer should in my opinion be Wenger's final chance to finally address the problem areas.[LNB]Goalkeeper[LNB]His absolute top priority should be a goalkeeper but the worrying thing is that Gunners fans have been saying that for years and yet nothing has been done. And there is not really any excuse when you consider the stoppers that have made moves in recent years. [LNB]Brad Friedel or Mark Schwarzer could have been signed on free transfers, more recently Shay Given went for less than £6million and even David James has been available for a pittance.[LNB]Unfortunately there will not be such cut-price options available this summer and there have already been calls for Wenger to splash out on Gianluigi Buffon, who fancies a move to England.[LNB]Stoke's Thomas Sorensen is another who may interest the Gunners chief - he tried to sign him on deadline day on February 1 - but it doesn't really matter who he targets as long as he gets someone.[LNB]Someone that will not be bullied in his six-yard box the way Lucasz Fabianski was at Ewood Park on Monday. Someone with experience, that commands his area, puts confidence in his defence and isn't likely to make a mistake every other game. Just someone![LNB]Defence[LNB]Thomas Vermaelen was a good and much-needed purchase by Wenger last summer and he and William Gallas looked a fairly solid partnership before the latter's injury.[LNB]Bacary Sagna is arguably the Premier League's best right-back and both Kieran Gibbs and Gael Clichy, the latter very poor at times this season, have got potential.[LNB]However, the back four still lacks a dominant leader and Sol Campbell's surprise success since returning says it all - what Wenger would give for a 10-years younger version of him.[LNB]Vermaelen has been hugely impressive, particularly in the first half of the season, but he needs a player alongside him that can dominate the likes of Kevin Davies and Kenwyne Jones. A player that would not have allowed Blackburn to bully Fabianski on Monday.[LNB]It is crucial Wenger looks to the Premier League for this player because, as with the goalkeeper, experience of what this league about is key. Gary Cahill is the obvious choice providing the money is right but, seriously, even someone like Chris Samba at Blackburn would make a difference.[LNB]Wenger likes players he can improve and mould into what he wants but maybe it's time for him to bite the bullet and go for someone that proven that does the job and doesn't care how.[LNB]Midfield[LNB]Arsenal have plenty of options in this area but perhaps the time has come for a clearout. Abou Diaby, Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Eboue, Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin - all good players on their day but all ones whose day does not come often enough.[LNB]Cesc Fabregas is the obvious jewel in the crown Arsenal must hold onto and I'm a huge fan of Alex Song alongside him. It is well known Wenger does not like 'spoilers' in midfield but Song is more than capable of suffocating the opposition when played in the holding role.[LNB]Unfortunately neither Diaby nor Denilson have the same impact in that position and Wenger needs to find one that does. I wonder if, deep down, he has a begrudging respect for the role Darren Fletcher plays for Manchester United?[LNB]Arsenal have similar problems filling the other midfield positions. None of Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin or Rosicky are consistent enough and it speaks volumes that the injury to Aaron Ramsey upset things so much.[LNB]The Welshman is already a key player for the Gunners but few tears would be shed in north London if any of the above four players were moved on this summer. [LNB]Nasri has improved as the season has gone on to be fair, and let's not forget he started it injured, but my opinion is that Wenger should ship out Arshavin and Rosicky at least, possibly Eboue too, and spend on a left-sided player that can do the business on a weekly basis.[LNB]Attack[LNB]Robin van Persie is Arsenal's other crown jewel along with Fabregas and I'm one of the small but growing army of Nicklas Bendtner fans. Throw in Marouane Chamakh - he is set to join the club in the summer - and there isn't a great deal of work left to do.[LNB]Eduardo hasn't developed into the player people had hoped, though, so one more addition is needed to give Wenger the four options most other top clubs boast.[LNB]And that fourth option should be an out-and-out goalscorer - 'the fox in the box' that Francis Jeffers never was, but that Arsenal still need. Hugo Rodallega is a possibility but he's still very raw and Wenger can ill-afford an expensive mistake. The pressure is very much on the Frenchman. [LNB]Last chance[LNB]I feel some of the criticism aimed at Wenger is a tad harsh because he has undoubtedly suffered a lot of bad luck this season.[LNB]However, the bottom line is that the wait for a trophy goes on because the Gunners' fringe players - all bought in by Wenger - have not been good enough.[LNB]Now he must separate the wheat from the chaff and finally spend some money to make sure I'm not writing a similar blog in 12 months' time.
