18 Yard Box has a look at the Gunners' season so far.
It has been a topsy turvy season for the Gunners as they find themselves in the 5th position with one game in hand. Arsene Wenger's men, who started their season poorly, have picked themselves up and have hit the ground on fire ever since they got knocked out by Bradford in the Capital One Cup.
18 Yard Box's Rishabh Ghai has a look at Arsenal's title chances and suggests the additions the Gunners can make to strengthen their squad in January.
Title Chances
Arsenal should realistically aim for the top 4 rather than the title at this point. Sitting on 5th place with a game in hand, Arsenal are the top contenders to grab the 4th spot this season. If the present run of performances continue, Arsenal have a great shot at the automatic qualification berth. 16 points behind with half the season gone is not a pretty sight for the Arsenal faithfuls.
As far as the other silverware is concerned a tough away fixture against Swansea might see them struggle in the FA Cup should they play their young squad. Champions League Round of 16 sees them face the mighty Bavarians (Bayern Munich). Munich, who have been involved in 2 of the last 3 Champions League finals, have set Bundesliga on fire with their stellar signings. They will be a tough nut to crack.
Realistically, the Gunners should be looking at the top 4 this season and build on again from the next. They still possess an outside chance of winning the FA Cup but their focus should be on playing the Champions League next season.
Woes
It comes as a great surprise that the Gunners' woes comes in their inconsistency in attack. Arsene Wenger's men have been known to play a great brand of attacking football over the years but have failed to live upto it this year. Although there have been scorelines like 6-1,5-2, 7-3 and 7-5 involving them this season, Arsenal's strike force hasnt performed upto the mark. The replacement of Robin Van Persie, Olivier Giroud, has taken a lot of time to adjust to the Premier League for the Gunner's liking. Podolski on the left wing has looked like a fish out of the water and Gervinho has been shambolic.
Another cause of concern is Arsenal's midfield. When they click, it is impossible to stop them but on their off days they look stagnant and stale. The one touch passing has vanished completely. They have looked have resorted to the easier way of playing the ball to the flanks rather than find those penetrating balls which the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri had done in their hay days at Arsenal. Arsenal's defence looks better than before but their captain Thomas Vermaelen seems to be less than happy to lead the team. Not taking charge of the team at times, the enjoyment of playing for Arsenal has vanished from his face. He needs to lead from the front if Arsenal aim for a silverware this season.
Tactical Overview
When Gervinho plays as the central striker forcing Podolski on the left, you can see that Arsenal have lacked tactically.
Arsenal's rigid 4-2-3-1 has seen them fail miserably at times this season. The midfield trio of Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere do not add a quality cover for the back four causing them to come deep and help each other out thereby wasting their attacking talent. Arsenal have lacked a Gilberto Silva-esque sort of a player who could sit back and allow the front two midfielders to wreck havoc without worrying about tracking back.
Podolski looks to be doing great when he operates a little centrally. His vision to pick out Gibbs' runs and his exchanges with Cazorla have been a treat to watch.
Wenger, who has criticised of playing players out of position, has worked wonders by playing Cazorla as one behind the striker. Traditionally a winger, Cazorla has been a revelation in the red and white for the Gunners and has filled the void left by the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Just as Cazorla is blooming in his new role, Theo Walcott too has done brilliantly in the new centre forward role which he has craved for so long.
With transfer window about to be opened, Wenger would surely be looking to add to his squad. 18 Yard Box has a few suggestions which the Gunners boss could consider to strengthen his current crop.
18YB Suggests
In this section 18 Yard Box suggests the players that could help Arsenal strengthen themselves. (These players need not be linked with the club and are purely suggestions)
Wilfried Zaha
Arsenal's wingmen have struggled to perform this season. Gervinho has not replicated his form which he showcased for Lille and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is still suffering from the second season syndrome. Although, the performances have been improving for the 19 year old former Southampton player, Arsenal will look to add in this department to improve their squad depth. One name which has been strongly linked with the Gunners is that of Wilfried Zaha.
The English international is being considered as one of the hottest properties in England and has showcased immense potential for Crystal Palace. Zaha, who alongiwith his direct play, knows where the net is, has announced publicaly that he is an Arsenal fan and is ready for a switch to the Premier League. This might be an indication that he will be the first player to be welcomed at the Emirates. Rated at 8 million, he would sit perfectly within Wenger's budget and considering the manager's liking towards young players, he would be an exciting addition.
David Villa
The Spanish sensation has been linked with a loan move to the Emirates. At 31 years of age, this seems to be the perfect opportunity for both, the club as well as the player, to grab. Arsenal are in need of a prolific goal scorer who can replace Robin Van Persie and also aide Giroud and Walcott considering the departure of Gervinho to the African Cup of Nations. David Villa seems to provide answers to all the Arsenal questions. Although, not a regular with the Barcelona side, his heading and finishing abilities is known to the world. The Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner still has it in him to lit the Premier League on fire.
David Villa had been previously linked with the Gunners and relishes an opportunity to play in the Premier League. This might be the train he might want to jump on.
Yann M'Villa
France's hottest property has gone down from being touted as the next Viera to being a flop. The 21 year old was strongly linked with a move to the Gunners in the summer but his behaviour in public seems to cold Wenger's interest in him. Although he is not the same player he was for Rennes last year, he could be the answer to Wenger's midfield woes. He could turn out to be a great buy if Wenger does consider him as an option as he would allow the likes of Cazorla and Wilshere to attack with more freedom.
It has been a topsy turvy season for the Gunners as they find themselves in the 5th position with one game in hand. Arsene Wenger's men, who started their season poorly, have picked themselves up and have hit the ground on fire ever since they got knocked out by Bradford in the Capital One Cup.
18 Yard Box's Rishabh Ghai has a look at Arsenal's title chances and suggests the additions the Gunners can make to strengthen their squad in January.
 |
| Fans would want their old Arsenal back |
Title Chances
Arsenal should realistically aim for the top 4 rather than the title at this point. Sitting on 5th place with a game in hand, Arsenal are the top contenders to grab the 4th spot this season. If the present run of performances continue, Arsenal have a great shot at the automatic qualification berth. 16 points behind with half the season gone is not a pretty sight for the Arsenal faithfuls.
As far as the other silverware is concerned a tough away fixture against Swansea might see them struggle in the FA Cup should they play their young squad. Champions League Round of 16 sees them face the mighty Bavarians (Bayern Munich). Munich, who have been involved in 2 of the last 3 Champions League finals, have set Bundesliga on fire with their stellar signings. They will be a tough nut to crack.
Realistically, the Gunners should be looking at the top 4 this season and build on again from the next. They still possess an outside chance of winning the FA Cup but their focus should be on playing the Champions League next season.
Woes
It comes as a great surprise that the Gunners' woes comes in their inconsistency in attack. Arsene Wenger's men have been known to play a great brand of attacking football over the years but have failed to live upto it this year. Although there have been scorelines like 6-1,5-2, 7-3 and 7-5 involving them this season, Arsenal's strike force hasnt performed upto the mark. The replacement of Robin Van Persie, Olivier Giroud, has taken a lot of time to adjust to the Premier League for the Gunner's liking. Podolski on the left wing has looked like a fish out of the water and Gervinho has been shambolic.
Another cause of concern is Arsenal's midfield. When they click, it is impossible to stop them but on their off days they look stagnant and stale. The one touch passing has vanished completely. They have looked have resorted to the easier way of playing the ball to the flanks rather than find those penetrating balls which the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri had done in their hay days at Arsenal. Arsenal's defence looks better than before but their captain Thomas Vermaelen seems to be less than happy to lead the team. Not taking charge of the team at times, the enjoyment of playing for Arsenal has vanished from his face. He needs to lead from the front if Arsenal aim for a silverware this season.
 |
| Gervinho has not been himself |
Tactical Overview
When Gervinho plays as the central striker forcing Podolski on the left, you can see that Arsenal have lacked tactically.
Arsenal's rigid 4-2-3-1 has seen them fail miserably at times this season. The midfield trio of Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere do not add a quality cover for the back four causing them to come deep and help each other out thereby wasting their attacking talent. Arsenal have lacked a Gilberto Silva-esque sort of a player who could sit back and allow the front two midfielders to wreck havoc without worrying about tracking back.
Podolski looks to be doing great when he operates a little centrally. His vision to pick out Gibbs' runs and his exchanges with Cazorla have been a treat to watch.
Wenger, who has criticised of playing players out of position, has worked wonders by playing Cazorla as one behind the striker. Traditionally a winger, Cazorla has been a revelation in the red and white for the Gunners and has filled the void left by the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Just as Cazorla is blooming in his new role, Theo Walcott too has done brilliantly in the new centre forward role which he has craved for so long.
With transfer window about to be opened, Wenger would surely be looking to add to his squad. 18 Yard Box has a few suggestions which the Gunners boss could consider to strengthen his current crop.
18YB Suggests
In this section 18 Yard Box suggests the players that could help Arsenal strengthen themselves. (These players need not be linked with the club and are purely suggestions)
Wilfried Zaha
 |
| Could he be the one Arsenal win? |
Arsenal's wingmen have struggled to perform this season. Gervinho has not replicated his form which he showcased for Lille and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is still suffering from the second season syndrome. Although, the performances have been improving for the 19 year old former Southampton player, Arsenal will look to add in this department to improve their squad depth. One name which has been strongly linked with the Gunners is that of Wilfried Zaha.
The English international is being considered as one of the hottest properties in England and has showcased immense potential for Crystal Palace. Zaha, who alongiwith his direct play, knows where the net is, has announced publicaly that he is an Arsenal fan and is ready for a switch to the Premier League. This might be an indication that he will be the first player to be welcomed at the Emirates. Rated at 8 million, he would sit perfectly within Wenger's budget and considering the manager's liking towards young players, he would be an exciting addition.
David Villa
 |
| Will he come? Looks unlikely |
The Spanish sensation has been linked with a loan move to the Emirates. At 31 years of age, this seems to be the perfect opportunity for both, the club as well as the player, to grab. Arsenal are in need of a prolific goal scorer who can replace Robin Van Persie and also aide Giroud and Walcott considering the departure of Gervinho to the African Cup of Nations. David Villa seems to provide answers to all the Arsenal questions. Although, not a regular with the Barcelona side, his heading and finishing abilities is known to the world. The Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner still has it in him to lit the Premier League on fire.
David Villa had been previously linked with the Gunners and relishes an opportunity to play in the Premier League. This might be the train he might want to jump on.
Yann M'Villa
 |
| Could the most unlikeliest of deals happen? |
France's hottest property has gone down from being touted as the next Viera to being a flop. The 21 year old was strongly linked with a move to the Gunners in the summer but his behaviour in public seems to cold Wenger's interest in him. Although he is not the same player he was for Rennes last year, he could be the answer to Wenger's midfield woes. He could turn out to be a great buy if Wenger does consider him as an option as he would allow the likes of Cazorla and Wilshere to attack with more freedom.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International (all English editions) and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box .
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International (all English editions) and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box .
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment