This season, like the last few, has again collapsed and hear we are debating, arguing and in the case of some even fighting to find the answers and solutions that will make this great club achieve the success it deserves on the pitch. Let me start by pointing out that no one will waste their energy on such acts if they did not have the club at their hearts, however, I think some have gone over the top and it is time we as gooners come together on the eve of what will be one of the biggest North London derby in the recent years.
Like most of you out there I too have looked to find solutions and have pointed of few issues I think the needs changing, again saying that I do not think our issues are such straight forward and if most of us are that clever enough we will be real life football managers, not on PC. One argument that I will never stand for is Wenger out. It does not mean am saying he is blameless, of course he is, he put this team together, he sees them everyday, he should be able to motivate them and see who is good enough to put on the colours of our great club. At the same time, it is not easy for him to just break up this team he has natured for few years, like a father who gives his faltering kids chances to get things in order, Arsen too has given them opportunities to show that they are good enough for this club. The Carling Cup was always going to be the make or break for this team and sadly it ended in a disaster and I, now, fully expect Arsen to make some big judgment calls on some of the players in the squad. What changes I think he should make??? Well a few to be honest, which I will explain.
Backroom staff;- I think there needs to be changes in the coaching staff. We need to bring in one or two faces from our recent past, with whom the young players can learn from as well as look up to. Martin keown comes to mind, he was part of the coaching staff during our run to the CL final in Paris and will bring that never say die attitude to the team. I also would like us to add Viera and Lehman to our coaching staff as well. These are players with great attitude, fighters and have been part of our modern success. Young players will be able to relate to them more and look up to and learn from them.
Now let me go through the playing staff position by position,
Goal Keepers- We have one who will go onto become one of the finest in the league and a very good understudy in Fabianski, may be we could add the third choice.
Defence- Many have pointed out that we have issues at the back, especially Centre backs, however I disagree. I think Djourou has shown great promise since gaining full fitness second half of the season and looks like he might be overcoming his injuries too. Laurent Koscielny has shown a great deal of promise in his first season with the club and am of the view he will go on to become a top defender. AS for Vermaelan, he needs no introduction and hopefully with a full pre-season under his belt will be back to his best giving us three top centre backs. As for full backs, despite dividing opinions Clichy is a very good player and Gibbs will go onto become a top Left back, There is no better than Sagna in his position. So at best what we will need is a backup CB and RB, again one has to filter in the fact Kyle Bartley, who is having a great loan spell with Rangers.
Midfield- Our midfield options are as good as any club in PL, well most in Europe. What we lack is a direct replacement for Song, but in the last two games Diaby has been very impressive. We also have Frimpong and Ramsey available for next season, both with great levels of talent. Having said that Song will go to ANC, Dibay has a fitness issue and in all likelihood if Frimpong steps up as I expect him to, he too will be off to ANC. Since Arsen does not look to sign players in the January window I would like him to add a player in this area. Someone with experience and at the same time a leader, motivator and communicator, and we must keep Cesc at any cost.
Attack- For a club that’s philosophy is based on attack, I feel this is our weaker area. RVP aside none of the other two strikers can claim to be world class. I think with RVP’s injury record we must add another top striker, someone who can produce magic out of nothing, someone with reputation and someone who will strike fear in to the opposing defenders hearts.
These are the players I will like to see leave AFC in the summer-
Eboue
Alumunia
Rosiky
Denilson
Squillachi
Vela
Bendtner
And I will like them replaced with,
Frimpong
Ramsey
Sakho
Parker
Hazzard
Youssef El-Arabi
Well I would have liked an Augero or a Pato in all honesty, but simply do not see Arsen making such big investment on one single player. Again these are just changes I would like to see, does not mean the answer to the issues, well if I could find the Answers that simply I will not be sat in front of a PC typing this blog…
Now come on you mighty Arsenal lets go destroy the pricks of North London and prove why Monkey boy should not have been the PFA player of the year
First up, as another Sri Lankan gooner, I congratulate you on a fine blog.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the article, I wholeheartedly agree with the changes you want made, except I'd use the 35 million promised to buy an experienced midfielder, who is a true leader, along the lines of a Scott Parker, and also a defender, because counting on Squillaci for backup is not working.
Since we might be selling the so-called 'fringe' players, we'll obviously need proper replacements as well, specially since we can clearly see the fatigue settling into our squad od 19. So as you said, Eden Hazard might come in handy as well.
Good job with the blog! And congrats on becoming the new captain of the SL cricket team :D
hahaha...
ReplyDeleteI agree, changes must be mad, I d like us to sign scot parker too, specially as West Ham will go down this season and he could be a cheap option