Filed under: Arsenal, Champions League, Premier League, Football
Whats-his-face has gone, so we won't mention him. But now that he has finally gone back to his boyhood love, we can at last now focus on the rest of the Arsenal team. And after Tuesday's Champions League win over Udinese, some of it ain't pretty.First the positives. Theo Walcott scored to give them a lead ahead of the second leg and Aaron Ramsey showed he has potential to be the fulcrum of the team just as ... that Spanish bloke was. Plus the Gunners kept a clean sheet.
But there are some worries. And manager Arsene Wenger will have probably heard them before. Namely he needs a couple of defenders. Kieran Gibbs and his substitute Johan Djourou both hobbled off with hamstring injuries within ten minutes, bringing Wenger's back problems into even starker focus.
But even before their evenings ended on Tuesday, most knew that you can't go through a whole season relying on Sebastian Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny - or, possibly 20-year-old Carl Jenkinson - for consistent performances.
Fans complained for the best part of last season that there is pressing need to strengthen in defence. And the complaints are growing ever-louder now that Wenger has money to spend and the likes of Gary Cahill are available at the right price.
Then there are the problems up front. Robin van Persie was suspended last night, leaving Marouane Chamakh to lead the line. And given his showing against Udinese, he should consider himself one of the luckiest players around, being understudy to van Persie.
Chamakh looked more Championship than Champions League on Tuesday night with his aimless runs and again, showed nervous fans that another striker should also be on the list for a last-minute transfer spree.
Because time is running out. At the beginning of August Wenger commented that "some other clubs", namely Liverpool and Manchester United, did transfer business early but he would take his time, as the international market is not a simple one to work in.
But there is taking your time and there is dragging your feet. Wenger knows that van Persie - as good as he is - is prone to the odd injury and the men to replace him are not of the calibre becoming that of a top four team. Plus, to north London society's severe loss, Nicklas Bendtner is also gone.
And now Wenger has £30 million more, or at least will have by next month - with money soon to follow from Samir Nasri's exit - he should have cash to spend. So the only question remains is whether he will actually get a chance to, before the end of August.
Because if he doesn't, then this season will be the most forgettable in Wenger's time in charge. And the top four will be the most fans can hope for.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/17/arsenal-udinese-problems-arsene-wenger/
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