Club Focus – Arsenal – Is Wenger’s loyalty neglecting the Gunners’ need to reinforce?
With deadline day looming ever closer, the prospect of a January signing appears remote. Arsene Wenger seems content with his current crop, but will a lack of action in January harm his side’s chances at the business end of the season?
Certainly there is evidence to suggest that he should be happy with his current plight. This week Wenger’s men reached the Carling Cup final, maintaining their assault on all four of the major competitions entered this season and his side lie a mere five points adrift of the Premiership summit with a favourable run of fixtures to come. The much-maligned defence has worked quietly and effectively to secure four consecutive clean sheets in the league and this newfound impenetrability is boosted by the return of Sebastien Squillaci and positive news on Thomas Vermaelen’s recovery. Admittedly, the present looks very promising but it is the future that appears to be lacking the necessary attention. Whilst Wenger has been accused of suffering from myopia on the touchline, a lack of foresight is an accusation rarely levelled at Le Professeur.
Almost inevitably, Wenger is planning for the club’s long-term future, with his admitted interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Eden Hazard providing a positive outlook in prospect. It is in the mid-term where concern and doubt lies. Arsenal have done remarkably well to come through a demanding schedule using only two centre-backs, but the fear is that similar reliance after the transfer window has closed could ultimately cost them silverware. When questioned during the week as to how close the club are to completing a signing in the defensive third, the manager commented: “At the moment we are nowhere because I’m first of all happy with what I have and I do not want to harm the progress of Koscielny and Djourou.” The latter is clearly significant to the manager as he appears to struggle with the notion of bringing in another defender who would effectively end the Arsenal career of one of the current crop.
The last time there was such a clamour for a new arrival, Wenger dabbled in buying for the present with his approach for Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer. The protracted saga eventually concluded with the manager sticking with what he had and has seen him rewarded by the emergence of Wojciech Szczesny. Until recently, defensive fragility has been a concern, yet amidst the injury crisis it is interesting to note that central defence has a higher ratio of first-team players available than the goalkeeping department, yet there has not been the same focus on signing a new keeper. This is testament to the development of the Pole and it is this kind of success story that is inhibiting Wenger and he will hope for a similar reward with both Djourou and Koscielny.
Only time will show the prudence of Wenger’s judgment, but if his previous transfer dealings are anything to go by, Le Professeur is likely to continue to merit his moniker.
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