Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News » Looking forward to next season already.
Looking forward to next season already.
Walter Broeckx
This year the league is almost over and I think it still is a bit early to look back at the current season. We can leave this after the last game has been played to draw our final conclusions.
But what we can do is see how we can improve and what is needed for next year.
We need more players. That is something we can all agree I think. I’m not saying we need to buy X players. I leave it up to the manager to decide how to look for new players. If he wants to bring new players in from other clubs, fine with me. If he wants to bring in players who we have already and who could be are ready to step up next year also fine with me.
I think it is fair to say that Jack Wilshere has gained a lot of valuable experience with his loan spell at Bolton. I think he has done well if you see that he has started all the last games for Bolton and I really don’t think that Coyle just puts him on the field because Arsène Wenger would have liked him to do so. No I think this has to down to the hard work that Jack has delivered over there. As HG Wells said, “in the country of the blind, the one eyed man is king” and in a team that is based on kicking other players Jack is like a breath of fresh air for players and supporters.
Meanwhile Jack has learnt that football is not all about doing fancy tricks and beating as many players as you want, but it is about teamwork. He now knows he doesn’t have to beat everyone else on the pitch before releasing the ball to another team mate any more.
We know he can do it on occasion but for now it is important for him to have learnt that football is a team sport. Oh, and he can on occasion dribble them all and score or give a goal to a team mate at times. We know he can do this but just like one of the old masters we have had and who he reminds me of most of the time, (Dennis Bergkamp of course), the only thing he has to learn is when to dribble and when to pass.
Chamack: does he come or not? If not it will be a big surprise. We all know the way arsenal.com handles rumours and transfers: they don’t say a word until it’s finished. The article a few weeks ago that Chamack could come to Arsenal on arsenal.com was a novelty and might mean that the deal is done. In the same article was mentioned that Arsenal will let us know the deals at the end of the season. Notice the S after the word deal.
So this could mean one striker more and one midfielder-striker more already. And if the word deals was not an error but written with intent and knowledge we could have other players coming in.
What will happen in defence is not that clear to see for the moment. Gallas, Campbell and Silvestre are all at the end of their contract. Gallas had a great season till he got injured. If he stays, you’re welcome William, but I think we have to be sure we have another player to fill in if he gets injured. Yes Gallas has some problems mostly at the end of a season. But I think with more backup he could be rested more. We can all hope that Djourou will be completely fit next season and I think that he could be the one that could change with Gallas and give the old soldier more rest during the season.
The way Campbell has been performing at late is amazing. His attacking play is only half the way Gallas can still run forward but when it comes to his main task, defending, he still is a master class. So I think it could be important to keep him also in the squad. He knows he will not play much but with his character he will be ready if needed.
The same goes for Silvestre. I know many fans dislike him for his past but he also is a player who is willing to stay in the shadow without complaining about a lack of games. As a left footed player he is for the moment the only backup we have for Vermaelen so I think if we would buy another centre back it should be a left footed player.
With also Nordtveit and Bartley coming back from their loan spells, (both right footed if I’m correct), I think we have enough cover in right footed players.
If the three old players, Gallas – Campbell – Silvestre, should all go we will need extra players and at least one ready and experienced and one left footed defender to give cover for Vermaelen.
Do we need another goalkeeper? Many fans would say yes but the problem is who is available and will they be better than the ones we have? When I saw Szczesny playing in pre season he gave a very good impression. The few times I have seen him in games at Brentford he also gave a good impression.
The fact that he played there almost all the games is also a good indication that he has been doing well over there. And to stay in goal in a professional team at the age of 19-20 for a whole season is very promising. Again I really don’t think the manager in Brentford puts Szczesny in goal to please Wenger. But will he be strong enough to do it for Arsenal in the EPL? I really can not answer that question. But he could be an option.
Because for the rest there are a lot of goalkeepers but will they be better than the one we have? Yes there are better goalkeepers in the world but will they be available, do they want to come to Arsenal, are they affordable? Just a few questions that none of us can really answer.
I think we will see a few new faces this summer coming to the Arsenal. We have, as it seems, more money available for the first time in 5 or 6 years. If Arsène Wenger wants to spend it wisely then fine but you don’t will hear me asking to buy just for the sake of buying.
The players that we buy should be value added on to our already good squad. After all, being in the position in the league we are is not a coincidence. We are there, coming closer to the top because our squad is already very strong and can compete with Chelsea and Manchester United for the title. If we can handle our injury crisis a bit better next year our young team will be up to it, and one year older and starting the best years of their football careers.
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