I imagine that Arsene Wenger has different priorities than most other people this Christmas. He won’t be hoping that he finds a PlayStation, or an iPod, or some other gizmo at the bottom of his stocking. He eats, sleeps and breathes football. What Wenger wants for Christmas, no doubt, is for his side to fight their way to their first piece of silverware in five years.
This Arsenal side has its problems. Recent defeats have exposed a fragility that must be dealt with if this Arsenal side are to be title-challengers this season. Certain areas of the squad are stronger than others, whilst other areas need slightly increased competition. I understand that Wenger is not one to go out and splash the cash and that the January transfer window is likely to be pretty quiet for the Gunners. Nonetheless we can dream. Here are three players that I believe would bolster and boost this Arsenal side.
The first port of call must be the defensive midfield position. Alex Song is a good player, but he’s been disappointing on a number of occasions this season (not least his poor showing against Manchester United on Monday evening). A defensive midfielder should not be a box-to-box player. He has to be the anchor in front of the back four and Song simply doesn’t provide Arsenal with this basic protection. With this in mind, I’d love to see Arsenal swing for West Ham’s Scott Parker. He’s feisty, his competitive and he’s English. Not only is a he as hard worker and a tough-tackler, but he’s organised and could excel in the centre of the park for Arsenal. He could provide Arsenal with the backbone they appear to have been missing this season.
The next port of call is to assess the situation with the strikers at the club. Maroaune Chamakh has started well and I’m sure will continue to excel. Robin Van Persie is a slightly more worrying case. Talent to burn, but constantly either injured or lacking fitness – is it time the Gunners gave up on the Dutchman? Nicklas Bendtner doesn’t appear to have the quality necessary to make it at the club. With this in mind, Arsenal need a strike partner for Chamakh who can perform week in and week out. Given that it’s Christmas and it’s the season of wish fulfilment, I’d like to see Arsenal go after Karim Benzema who isn’t getting a look in at Real Madrid. Yes, he’d be pricey, but Arsene might be able to appeal to the Gunner’s French connection by means of enticement. He’s a proven goal-scorer and might fancy himself in the Premier League.
Finally, a look needs to be had at the goalkeepers within the club. Almunia isn’t up to scratch and Fabianski is dodgy. I wouldn’t be too sad to see the back of either of them at the Emirates. Wojciech Szczesney looks like a genuine prospect, but at just 20 years of age, he might not be fully ready for the rough and tumble of the Premier League just yet. With that in mind, I’d like to see the Gunners get back on the trail of out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given. We all know that Given is a quality goalkeeper who has already proven himself in the Premier League. City don’t need him and Arsenal desperately need an experienced keeper. It should be a no-brainer.
Those would be my picks. Who would you like to see join Arsenal this January? Feel free to leave a comment or follow me on Twitter: @ThePerfectPass
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