Thus, Arsenal have yet to address the defensive midfielder role, a role that was overrun against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea on three occasions last year. Nemanja Matic is an outstanding player for Chelsea, while the partnership between Fernandinho and Yaya Toure holds that team together. Arsenal need someone in the mold of that, like William Carvalho. In reality, we haven’t a clue what Wenger is thinking in the transfer market but that’s the nature of the business.
Calum Chambers was a pleasant surprise. He looks like he could be that safety blanket over the cracks that Arsenal didn’t consistently have last season. He has experience at right back in the premier league, and captained England’s U-19 team as a central defender. Wenger liked Chambers as a “player for the future,” but given his poise and control on the ball he showed last weekend, don’t be surprised if he makes a big impact on the squad this year, both in training and in games.
If Arsenal want to win the league, they must off, acquire an established defensive midfielder. It may not be one we were linked with days before, but that’s the nature of Arsene when he “maybe has a good surprise for you”. Not having that enforcer cost the Gunners not just in landslide defeats to the title contenders, but also in games against mid to low-table clubs.
Arsenal were overrun by Southampton, outplayed for most of a game against Everton, and teams like Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Swansea caught Arsenal playing indisciplined, not tracking back, and missing brass in the defensive midfield. Mesut Ozil was a different player in the latter stages of the World Cup; he was pressing high, tracking back to help Lahm, and even going in for the occasional tackle. Arsenal fans watching can only hope this 1-2 week trip to Vegas he's taken with his girlfriend to Las Vegas won't affect him on the field!
Joel Campbell has a high work rate and offers pace on the counter, and Yaya Sanogo doesn’t have to convince Arsenal fans of his work rate. For that matter, if Sanogo continues to show signs he showed against Benfica, the second striker Wenger was supposed to be looking for was signed for free last summer. Aaron Ramsey has to re-capture his form of last season, and the defensive partnership of Mertesacker and Koscielny must remain sturdy and have good reinforcements in case of injury or loss of form.
Lastly, Arsenal have to compete better against the top teams. Last season against City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, Arsenal only took 5 points out of 18. Arsenal have the mentality and definitely the talent to fend off the lower clubs, but that’s only half the battle to be Champions. Arsenal dominated the first half of the season thanks to some excellent form from just about everyone, but their depth was exposed as player after player got hurt. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, and Santi Cazorla have to step up their games against the top clubs.
On a final note, I cannot wait to see what Alexis Sanchez can do in the premier league, and I would feel that way about him if he played for any other club. His goals from Barcelona come in all shapes and sizes, and proved to the world how intelligent of a player he is. I don’t expect Alexis to make the transition easily, it just depends on how long he takes to learn the way of the league. Erik Lamela failed to do so last season, and is having an excellent preseason. However, premier league games are tough and it takes time to adapt.
No comments:
Post a Comment