I've been looking at Arsenal wrong


There is a lot of talk about Arsenal this transfer window. Is this the season they finally take back the title? Is this the best they have been in ten years? Will they sign another world class player?

After having a strong pre-season and adding Cech to their roster, many believe Arsenal are in a strong position to challenge for the title. This is definitely true but there are also a few additions that most believe still need to be made to the squad. They include, a defensive midfielder, a striker and possibly another central defender. I was one of those who thought this to begin with, however, I had an epiphany that made me think these aren't the players they need.

Firstly, Arsenal have a title winning squad providing all players are fit and on form. They are capable of winning it. Arsenal's problem recently seems to have been a lack of strength and power in midfield that Coquelin has partly nullified. The thing is Chelsea set the path for building the spine of your team, Matic, Costa, Fabregas & Courtois came into the Chelsea squad with a top defence and provided the backbone for Chelsea to go on an win the title. It seems that we all now agree this is the way to operate.  The difference is, Arsenal aren't Chelsea.

Chelsea, under Mourinho, play a very specific way, they are a tall powerful and structured side. They played some great football last season but also spent a lot of the season settling for a result over a performance. This is not Arsenal, this is not their way, Of course Arsenal need to focus on defence but with Coquelin they have a player who can shield their back four. If they were to buy another defensive midfielder, who would it be? Would they replace Coquelin? Probably not. Would they be his understudy? If so we can assume they aren't a top top player.  Would they rotate? Possibly but often players don't actually rotate on a regular basis for some one in their same position. So Arsenal need to stay true to who they are and that means improving their current squad.

So who should they buy? Well they could get another striker but I would try to keep Giroud if they can, He has done nothing wrong. Walcott is a great player but I think he falls short of the world class category. So a striker such a Benzema could be the difference, in fact apart from Aguero and Suarez he is the only striker who could possibly make a difference. Now, I think this is an unlikely signing so the other player they could buy is another attacking midfield. Yes another! Keep Giroud as the spear head and let him provide for Sanchez and his new partner in crime.

The fact of the matter is Walcott, Chamberlin, Giroud, Rosicky, Welbeck and arguably Wilshere fall short of the world class category or at least could be improved by the likes of Reus, Goetze or Pedro. Of course we can'y legislate for how these players adapt to the Premier League but a player like a Reus seems the type to adapt quickly. If one of these players came then Arsenal have an even bigger threat, perhaps a big enough threat to win the title. In most (excluding the 6-0) games against Chelsea it isn't the defence that was Arsenal's problem but their attack. Not many can break down Chelsea but another top attacker gives them another dimension to do it. When Suarez joined Barcelona, he took nothing from Messi and Neymar, he only added his own goals.

So, Walcott, Giroud and Welbeck in attack. Both Welbeck & Walcott available to move out wide. Reus, Sanchez and Ozil backing up the attack is powerful. Cazorla, Ramsey, Arteta & Coquelin in deeper midfield, Cazorla and Ramsey able to push up if needed too. It may be getting crowded but if you look at the impact Sanchez has had on Arsenal you can see that their is always room for improvement.

It's all very well trying to become a solid team like Chelsea but lets not act like Arsenal are the whipping boys, they may have been two years ago against the top teams but the top teams had very strong attacks and such is my point. Arsenal want possession, speed and class on the ball. They don't need someone better at tackling than passing. I think they are only one more top attacker away.

I believe this team, kept fit, could well win the title for Arsenal especially with the impact subs they will have available.

Ramsey does deserve to be in here. Rotation would be key.


P.S. Despite what I said, if Walcott and Chamberlin stay fit all season they can be those players but they haven't done it so far so why risk it again?

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