Clubs typically use the January Transfer Window as a time to supplement a side with the potential to win a trophy. Other clubs use it as a time to add quality as they look to stave off relegation. There are other clubs who use the period as a time to jettison unneeded squad players for a profit.
Arsenal uses it for none of the above.
Last week the manager had this to say about the transfer period: “It’s harder to do deals in January because, if you’re buying a player who is available because he isn’t playing, then in the Premier League the level is so high now it takes that player three, four months to adjust.”
That’s far from what Arsenal supporters were hoping to hear from the boss this January. But now, after losing three league games in a row, Arsene Wenger has to take a serious look at adding to the squad while he can.
Does Wenger not believe that January signings will help? Does he rely too much on injured players getting healthy? Is the truth really that the board will not allow the manager to add to the squad? All questions that need answered for the immediate and long-term success of the club.
Quite frankly, the benefit of the doubt has been extended far too long at this point.
Words without Action
On December 31st, Wenger said: “It would be stupid to drop points because we don’t have a left-back.”
Well, we are nearing the end of the window and Arsenal have not added a full-back, and consequently not won a league game since his statement. That would be nine dropped points if you’re counting.
The Gunners sit five points behind fifth place Chelsea. On December 31st, The Gunners were in fourth place, two points ahead of the Blues. That’s a seven point swing in three weeks.
Part of this drop in form is a result of The Gunners being exposed over and over on the flanks this month. Antonio Valencia’s goal for Manchester United on Sunday came after Ryan Giggs beat Johan Djourou (playing right back, which isn’t his natural position) to swing in a cross that was not dealt with by Thomas Vermaelen (who was also playing out of position). We can debate whether or not Vermaelen should have dealt with the cross anyway, but the situation was not aided by his lack of experience as a left-back.
The decisive goal in the Swansea match came when Danny Graham got in behind the Arsenal defense. With the full-back to nowhere to be found, Laurent Koscielny was left to chase down the striker (which he did), but Graham was still able to finish well.
At Craven Cottage, Djourou picked up a game changing red card, leaving Arsenal to play with 10 men against Fulham. Again, he was playing out of position. Arsenal went from leading 1-0, to a 2-1 defeat.
If Arsene Wenger thinks its “stupid” to drop points because we don’t have a fit left-back, then it would appear the club is stupid.
Is it Time for a Change?
I don’t need to tell you that Arsenal have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.
Wenger has said that most January signings are only looking out for themselves and not for the best interest of the club. The results of some of his signings have to have shaped this belief. In all of the seasons since that win, the boss has only saw fit mid-season to add four players: Reyes ’05, Adebayor ’06, Arshavin’09 and Campbell ’10. Henry was added this year, but since he doesn’t play full-back, we’ve still conceded needless goals.
If we learn from history, we can assume that no more reinforcements are coming this January either. This is incredibly unfortunate, as Arsenal may have already dropped enough points in January to cost them Champion’s League football for next season.
I hold out hope that the Professor will change and at least add a full-back. We’ve been rumoured to be connections with dozens of players, but nothing concrete seems to happen. If Arsenal misses out on the Champion’s League next year, that’s a loss of potentially £30 million pounds, as well as the prestige of playing in Europe’s biggest competition, making it harder to sign the players needed to compete for titles.
The squad needs reinforced now or the club risks finishing fifth or worse. If that happens, there is a legitimate crisis. If that happens, I will be forced to blame Arsene Wenger.
You can follow Jimmy Gossard on Twitter @JimmyGossard
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