The need for Wenger to strengthen Arsenal squad

Having led the Premier League standings for 128 days this season, Arsenal witnessed their title challenge collapse following a series of humiliating performances on the road and as a result of untimely injuries to Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Ozil.

A comeback FA Cup victory over Hull City showed the squad have some fight in them, but changes are still required. So, what does Wenger need to do in order to close the gap on their rivals and end Arsenal’s 11-year wait for the league title?

Striking the balance
“To be completely honest, a team like Manchester City has scored 100 goals. So you have to say their offensive potential has been absolutely brutal and fantastic,” said Wenger, speaking before the final league game of the season. “Liverpool as well. We have scored 66 at the moment and that is certainly where we have room for improvement.”

Arsenal’s lack of striking options have been well documented this season, with Olivier Giroud carrying the burden for Wenger’s failure to add another established forward to his ranks. While the Frenchman’s record against the top sides is anything but spectacular — he had three goals in 23 league games against the current top seven — he is a key part of Arsenal’s system with his intelligent linkup play and aerial prowess.

Replacing Giroud is not the solution for Wenger; rather, he needs to consider who he can buy to give Arsenal more depth and an extra dimension in attack. From the current squad, the options are limited: The raw Yaya Sanogo has shown promise but little else, and with Nicklas Bendtner sure to depart this summer, at least another body is needed.

While Wenger was unsuccessful in bids for Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain last summer, Arsenal fans can take some comfort from the fact that their manager at least recognised the need for a prolific, natural finisher. Arsenal’s lack of pace in the second half of the season made it easier for teams to deploy a high line and press them into errors high up the pitch. Signing a pacey striker who can play off the shoulder of the last defender would force opposition teams to rethink their tactics while also giving the Gunners a different form of ammunition in attack.

With Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Serge Gnabry likely to contest a place on the right wing next season and Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski on the left, another wide forward appears an unlikely addition.

However, Wenger could be enticed by the four million-euro clause to bring Mexican Carlos Vela back to the club after yet another prosperous campaign for Real Sociedad. The La Liga club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could even tempt Wenger to make a move for Vela’s teammate, French international Antoine Griezmann, who has been receiving rave reviews.

Right track at the back
The probable departure of Bacary Sagna on a free transfer serves up another conundrum. With Arsenal’s reluctance to offer the player the wage he feels he deserves, even though they are reported to have put a three-year deal on the table, Sagna is tempted by a big payday elsewhere and may choose to leave on a high after picking up his first trophy in North London.

Carl Jenkinson has shown encouraging signs of improvement over the past year, but it would represent an unpopular gamble on Wenger’s part should the 22-year-old be handed the starting right-back slot next season.

Defensive core in midfield
However, perhaps the most urgent position for Wenger to address in the summer is defensive midfield, where Arsenal were ruthlessly exposed on their trips to the Etihad, Anfield and Stamford Bridge. Mikel Arteta has proved a fine servant over the years but question marks are beginning to arise over his mobility and long-term fitness. Wenger’s capture of free agent Mathieu Flamini last summer also proved an astute swoop, but the Frenchman’s quality on the ball unfortunately does not parallel his tenacity and admirable work rate.

Goalkeeper backup
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is another player who looks set for the Emirates exit after a season where he has finally justified Wenger’s long-held and oft-criticised faith. The Polish goalkeeper has been inspirational in Arsenal’s FA Cup run and, despite conceding twice, helped his side to glory, but has announced his intention to leave the club when his contract runs out in the summer.

Szczesny has enjoyed a flawless season between the sticks to establish himself as the No. 1, but Wenger now needs a reliable deputy. The loan signing of Emiliano Viviano from Palermo has been one of the most obscure in Wenger’s era, with club mascot Gunnersaurus seeing more time on the pitch than the Italian stopper.

Need to sign players quickly
One thing is for certain: Wenger cannot afford to dawdle in the transfer market as he has done in the past. Wenger’s determination to drive a hard bargain often means his new signings miss the crucial adaptation and team-building period during preseason, making their eventual easing into the side all the more difficult.

While the Frenchman is bound to give his customary offseason smirk and welcome back Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby as “new signings,” there is a desperate need for Arsenal to strengthen this summer, and quickly, too, as the push for the title next season could prove to be their most competitive in the last decade.