The January transfer window has rolled around once more, and as usual, Arsenal require a few new faces. “In January it makes it even more difficult, because players are even less available than in June or July. But we will try to be creative and have one or two good ideas.” said manager Arsene Wenger, alluding to the fact that he is indeed looking to bring in players this winter. While this year’s squad is relatively complete, the need for a center back, defensive midfielder and forward has been evident throughout the season, leading many to question Wenger’s proactivity in last summer’s transfer market. Arsenal will have to fill these holes in the foreseeable future if they want to consistently challenge for trophies. How Wenger approaches this months transfer window could make or break the remainder of the season.
Arguably the side’s most pressing need is a defender, with center back the most likely position to be filled. When club captain Thomas Vermaelen was sold to Barcelona last year, most expected a replacement to be signed before the summer transfer window shut. While Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker had forged one of English football’s most solid defensive partnerships, the departure of Vermaelen meant that the Gunner’s only backup center back was 19 year old Southampton recruit Calum Chambers. Wenger however, stood firm, failing to bring in any players to fix Arsenal’s worrying lack of defensive numbers. While Chambers is a supremely talented prospect, he is too young and inexperienced to act as Arsenal’s main source of defensive depth. Because of this, Arsenal have been forced to field some glaringly stop gap options, with Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal being tasked to fill in at the unfamiliar center back position. It appears that Wenger need to buy this January, and there are a few approaches that he can take in the market.
The most likely scenario is bringing in a 3rd choice center back to cover for Koscielny and Mertesacker, acting mainly as a presence off the bench. Names that have been linked to the Gunners include Gabriel Paulista, Hector Moreno and Virgil van Dijk, all of whom would slot into the backup center back role quite well. Alternatively, Wenger could look to bring in a first choice defender, likely to replace aging German Per Mertescker. The “BFG” has looked to be in decline as of late, barely resembling the towering presence that dominated Premier League forwards last season. Should Wenger be willing to pay a substantial fee, players such as Mats Hummels or Diego Godin could be brought in to permanently partner Laurent Koscielny. Such would be a nearly impossible signing to pull of in the January transfer window however, and would likely be delayed until the summer months. Regardless, it appears that a new center back will be joining the Arsenal’s ranks imminently. Arsene Wenger will need to make sure that he choses the right option.
Additionally, a top class defensive midfielder is a necessity should Arsenal want to challenge for silverware in the future. A problem position for a while, Wenger has not had a top class holding midfielder since the days of Gilberto Silva. While Spaniard Mikel Arteta has performed admirably in the role since the departure of Alex Song, he does not represent the athletic, powerful controller the Gunners so desperately need shoring up the midfield. But who to sign? The most common name thrown around has been Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. The Frenchman possesses all the attributes necessary to thrive at Arsenal, representing the type of player the Gunners have been searching for for over half a decade. Other names such as William Carvalho and Sami Khedira have been mentioned as well, but Schneiderlin appears to be Arsene Wenger’s best bet.
While the addition of a defensive midfielder in January looked imperative during the early stages of the season, the emergence of Francis Coquelin has quelled such notions. The French battler has all but reappeared from the dead, returning from his loan spell at Charlton as a completely different player. His discipline, tenacity and defensive instincts have added much needed steal to the Gunner’s midfield, ensuring that a deal for a new holding midfielder can wait until the summer. It would be unrealistic to think that Coquelin is the answer to Arsenal’s defensive midfield issues, yet what he does prove is that a top class player in his mold is exactly what they need to take the next step in challenging for silverware. Wenger does need to fill this position at some point in the coming year, however the emergence of Francis Coquelin has made the matter just a little less pressing.
Lastly, Arsenal should be looking to bring in one more attacking player. While their current strike force of Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck is very solid, it pales in comparison to some of the strikers the Gunners have sported in the past. There are many indications that a world class center forward is the missing piece in Arsenal’s silverware jigsaw, with the need for a consistent source of goals from their strikers as critical as ever. To do so, there are a few role changes that will have to take place. For starters, Danny Welbeck would likely need to be moved to a more permanent wide position. While the lanky Englishman has occasionally impressed in his new central role, his finishing and technique have let him down more often than not. Due to the departure of Lukas Podolski, Welbeck seems more of use filling in for him out wide, utilizing his pace and work rate to torment opposing defenses.
Factoring this in, Olivier Giroud could finally be moved to a much needed supporting role. The Frenchman has had a mixed career in North London, with towering highs and stupendous lows in abundance. A main issue has been Arsenal’s reliance on the powerful striker without the necessary support or backup, often leaving him isolated and fatigued. Giroud is a very good player, and someone who has represented a loyal servant to the club for multiple years. If a world class forward such as Edinson Cavani or Karim Benzema were to be brought in, we may truly see him thrive. Doing so would lift the monumental weight of expectation he’s been hauling on his shoulders since he first signed in 2012, allowing him to act as an important squad player without the pressure he’s been forced to endure. Olivier Giroud has often been on the wrong end of some nasty criticism on the Arsenal fan base’s behalf, however switching to a lesser role could help his footballing talents finally receive the recognition they deserve.
While Arsene Wenger has a few transfer needs, this current squad the closest to being fully complete since the days of the Invincibles. Two or three additions could be the difference between emerging as title challengers or remaining 4th place contenders, a fact that the Frenchman seems well aware of. It certainly appears Arsenal are in the market for new signings, having already brought in Krystien Bielik, and with the capture of Gabriel Paulista reportedly quite close. The Gunners are within touching distance of glory, and are only a few pieces away from truly achieving their potential. Arsene Wenger may well be on the brink of something special.
