Transfer Twilight Time at Arsenal

With less than two weeks until the close of the transfer window, many teams in Europe are still in the market for first team players.  Manchester United are definitely in the market, and Liverpool could still be too.  In London, Arsenal are in a similar predicament to that of United, but not as severe.  

With the injury to Mikel Arteta who could be sidelined for months, as well as Aaron Ramseys looming UEFA suspension, Arsenal are now desperately in need of an excellent defensive midfielder.  When fit, Arteta lacks the steel and energy to hang with premier league attacks.  Also, on for the pitch just five minutes, Mathieu Flamini picked up a yellow card today as well.  

Not that that’s anything new from Flamini; it only reaffirms that he cannot consistently play and not be booked.  Thus, Arsenal need to act fast and secure at least one more big signing before the window closes.  Arsene Wenger hinted that the North London club is still in the market for a player at that position, while many are speculating that Arsenal’s top target is center back Kostas Manolas.  

However, Arsenal need the most help at defensive midfield.  Calum Chambers is proving to be a phenomenal addition along the back line, and Per Mertesacker is close to reuniting with Laurent Koscielny.  Nacho Monreal is currently providing exceptional cover for the injured Kieran Gibbs, while Hector Bellerin could be a surprise feature in the first team this season.  Even so, Arsenal could still yet add a center back, but that's not what they need most desperately. 

Aaron Ramsey isn’t a true defensive midfielder, as he grows more and more confident going forward.  Jack Wilshere is in a similar mold, but hasn’t shown form anywhere near the level of Ramsey.  Arsenal would have a much more balanced midfield if they could add a defensive midfielder with positional discipline and consistency.  

William Carvalho is a name that has surfaced from time to time, with reports that a bid from Arsenal was turned down a month ago.  Sami Khedira could still be an option as his exit from Real Madrid seems imminent.  Daley Blind, a Manchester United target, would be a surprise signing, as would Lars Bender.  

Even Cheick Tiote has emerged as a possible target, but I wouldn’t expect Wenger to go for a player so rambunctious.  Chambers did captain the U-19 English team as a defensive midfielder, but he’s more of a holding type player and less of a physical one at this stage in his career.  

With that being said, there’s really no telling how Arsene Wenger will finish the transfer window because that's always the nature of things.  In January, it seemed a formality that Arsenal would strengthen their side with an attacking player.  Instead, they ended up with Kim Kallstrom, an already injured defensive midfielder.  

Wenger already has secured several signings, but hasn’t addressed his squad needs as well as Liverpool or Chelsea have.  Another striker would be nice for the Gunners, however even if Arteta didn't pick up an injury today Wenger would still need a defensive midfielder.  

Arsenal's Turkish Test

Arsenal face an early season test in Turkey tomorrow, as they face Besiktas in the UEFA Champions League playoff which leads into the group draw.  Arsenal handled Fenerbahce nicely last year in the same playoff, but this year will likely be more difficult.  

Arsenal were far from a polished product on Saturday, albeit they won the game against a scrappy Crystal Palace side.  Arsene Wenger will take no chances in this game, since departing the competition at such an early stage would set an awful for the season.  

I expect the Frenchman to name a strong starting XI for this tie, regardless of the fact that the squad is still recuperating from World Cup duty.  None of the German trio will feature for the Gunners, while Kieran Gibbs picked up an injury against Crystal Palace and could miss several weeks.  

Nacho Monreal could help the Gunners approach, since at times Gibbs and Debuchy would both be caught well up the field.  Monreal, more of a defensive fullback than Gibbs, is a very capable deputy while the young Englishman recovers. 

Laurent Koscielny appears to have recovered from the achilles injury he picked up in training last week, but with Mertesacker still regaining fitness and Thomas Vermaelen now in Barcelona, Wenger will again turn to Calum Chambers who has proved himself to be an excellent acquisition early on.   

Mathieu Flamini should feature in the middle of the park, his tireless work ethic and energy being the reason.  Mathieu Debuchy will likely feature again, but don’t sleep on Wenger throwing Hector Bellerin into the mix in a big game, as he did with Yaya Sanogo against Bayern last year.  

Mikel Arteta’s leadership would be missed if Flamini were to start, but Aaron Ramsey is taking it upon himself to adopt a more significant leadership role and that shouldn’t be a problem.  Ramsey will likely get the nod ahead of Jack Wilshere in midfield, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain possibly earning the start. 

Olivier Giroud should be guaranteed a start after watching the first 60 minutes from the bench Saturday, while Santi Cazorla could be one of the players who won’t start consecutive games for Arsenal.  Cazorla looked rusty on Saturday, definitely not at his sharpest and lacking fitness.  To add insult to injury, the referee’s malfunctioning vanishing spray can decided to erupt like a fireman's hose in the Spaniards face.  

Alexis will likely feature in this big game for Arsenal, and although I’m not nearly as harsh as Steve Nicol in my criticisms of the Chilean after Saturday, there is definitely room for improvement from the new boy.  Alexis needs to get on a better wavelength with his new teammates, while surely the German reinforcements on their way are encouraging to the winger.  

Away from home, Arsenal were very good in the Champions League last year, but also the year before when they beat trebel-winners Bayern 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.  Mentally, Arsene Wenger will have his men ready for the early season test. 

It all seems rather routine that Arsenal would advance, but in Europe there are never such guarantees.  An away game in the Champions League is never easy, let alone in the hostile Besiktas environment.  It will be an intense contest, but I still see Arsenal earning a similar victory to last years 3-0 win at Fenerbahce.  2-0 Arsenal here.