Tag Archives: Arsenal

What do Arsenal need to do in January?

Leave a reply

Sign a reinforcement

We have to be realistic when it comes to the January transfer window.

History shows that not much business is done in January. That sides will not go out and buy 5 it 6 players. Arsenal have notoriously done little business in January, and I do not expect that to change.

I would be surprised if Arsene Wenger signed more than a single player.

We recently conducted a poll on Twitter about what you, the fans, would like to see us sign in January:

Over 1,200 participated and the vote was fairly evenly split between a centre back, a defensive midfielder, and a replacement for Ozil or Sanchez.

For me it depends what play comes available – often in January you are governed by an individual wanting to make a move rather.

This means that if someone like Virgil van Dyke does agitate for a move away once more, we should go for him. But we should not settle for someone inferior just for the sake of getting in a centre back.

Likewise if Thomas Lemar or Julian Draxler want a January move, the doors to the Marble Halls should be open.

Once player looking like he wants a move is former Blackburn central midfielder Steven Nzonzi.

Currently at Sevilla, the 28-year-old has reportedly fallen out with manager Eduardo Berizzo. With a ÂŁ35m release clause, it is a deal which could be tied up quite quickly. Whether he is the right player for Arsenal, however, is another debate.

What is for certain is Arsenal need to buy someone in January to keep the squad moving and fresh. With us fighting for 3 trophies, and in the race for 4th place, we need reinforcements.

Keep Sanchez and Ozil

Over the summer, arsenal stood firm over Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. They mad it clear, they would rather let both run their contracts down and leave for nothing rather than sell them.

Towards the end of the window, Arsenal looked set to let Sanchez leave to Manchester City, with Thomas Lemar set to come in. Lemar decided to turn Arsenal down causing the Sanchez deal feel through.

This lead to both Sanchez and Ozil staying.

4 months on and I imagine Arsenal’s position has not changed.

Despite the poor form of Alexis Sanchez, I would be surprised if the club let either him or Ozil go in January without having signed a replacement.

If we do let them go without signing a replacement, you then have to question why we did not just do so in the summer when both players value would have been twice as much – Sanchez to Manchester City was reportedly a ÂŁ60m deal.

With the club still fighting for 3 trophies, as well as in the hunt for a Top 4 finish, it would be odd for the club to sell either without replacing.

Arsenal need to keep both Sanchez and Ozil until the end of the season, unless a replacement is bought in January.

Secure Leon Goretzka

I have been a fan of Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka for some time. The 22 year old German midfielder is a terrific all-round midfielder. There is a whole host of players available on a free transfer this summer, and Leon Goretzka is the best of the bunch.

Arsenal are able to do a deal for the German in January to join in the summer, and should make the move and secure his signature.

Whilst Goretzka would not be a direct replacement for Ozil and Sanchez, he would go some way to replacing them.

I believe his future is playing deeper than he does for Schalke. Like Kevin de Bruyne does for Manchester City – dictating play from deep but also joining in the attack.

Playing Goretzka deeper would then free up to push Aaron Ramsey further forward – his more natural position.

Getting in Goretzka will be a big statement for next season that we are already making top quality signings.

Keenos

10 Arsene Wenger Statistics

2 Replies

  1. The victory of BATE Borisov was Arsene Wenger’s 700th in all competitions as Arsenal manager
  2. His first win came back on October 12th A 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Ian Wright scored twice
  3. The manager with the next most wins for Arsenal is Bertie Mee, with 241.
  4. The wins have come in the Premier League (466), Champions League (96), FA Cup (78), League Cup (43), Uefa Cup/Europa League (10), Community Shield (7).
  5. The side he has beaten most often is Everton (31). He has also overseen 23 victories over Tottenham
  6. His biggest win is 7-0, recorded three times (against Everton in 2005, Middlesbrough in 2006 and Slavia Prage in 2007)
  7. The most common winning scoreline is 2-1 (126)
  8. 216 of the wins came at Emirates Stadium.
  9. His most wins in a season is 39 in 2001/02
  10. The 700 wins came from 1,199 games at a rate of 58.4%.

Keenos

Arsenal fans get the result they deserve

Leave a reply

I did not go last night.

It had nothing to do with it being a dead rubber in Europe’s second tier competition. Instead I went to see an Oasis tribute act at Alexandra Palace. They were average.

Looking at the result and reading some reports, Arsenal were well worth their 6 goals to nothing result. The fans who turned up to watch the Arsenal got the victory and performance they deserved.

I imagine a lot will be written today by the media about the missing Arsenal fans last night.

The club released an official attendance figure of 54,648. As everyone knows, this is the figure of sold tickets, rather than fans through the turnstiles. Fans like myself, with a season ticket who had pre-paid for yesterdays game but did not turn up, are included in that figure of 54,648.

Anyone who has seen any pictures of the game yesterday – or watched on TV, will see that the figure was no where near the 54,648 mark. The ground was barely half full.

The media will use this to bash Arsenal. Like always they will ignore that Spurs, who won the Record Premier League Attendance Trophy earlier this season, played in front of a half full Wembley on Wednesday for their dead rubber in the Champions League.

But enough about attendances.

I have not seen the game last night, so I do not know about the performance, but at 6-0, the fans who did get themselves out on a cold Thursday night in a meaningless game at least got a decent result to cheer on.

Unlike the bore-draw against Belgrade a few weeks ago, Arsenal stuck 6 past BATE Borisov.

Reading through social media, Jack Wilshere comes in for a lot of praise, and everyone seems to be back on the Wilshere needs to start bandwagon.

As I discussed last time we beat BATE back in September, there is a big difference between performing against the likes of the Belarusian farmers, Doncaster and Norwich, and being Premier League ready.

Wilshere has blown hot and cold in the performances this season, and a 2nd start in 3 days against Southampton will be premature for the wannabe figure skater.

We are more likely to see him start in the consecutive mid week games against West Ham – one in the league, one in the Copacabana Cup.

With Arsenal set to play 7 games between now and New Years Eve, the squad will need to be used to its fullest and Jack will get his chance to show that he is Premier League ready.

I am off to hide in the meeting room after just 3 hours sleep last night. Have a good one

Keenos