Arsenal have found themselves back in fourth position before the New Year after losing two games in a row in the Premier League
The Gunners have won only 5 of their last 10 games, losing 2 and drawing 3, which has seen them erratically move around the table before finally settling into 4th place, 2 points behind Manchester City and 9 points behind league leaders Chelsea.
Many had heralded November as the month that would truly test Wenger’s men but December has proven to be an even worse month for the Gunners thus far.
An injury to Shkodran Mustafi coincided with two losses but make no mistake – this is no coincidence. Ozil’s sudden drop in form has also contributed to their lack of creativity going forward and despite Alexis Sanchez’s best efforts, the Gunners are quickly losing steam in the title race.
With the spectre of Bayern Munich looming in the Champions League, Arsene Wenger’s men need to turn things around and make sure they head into their Champions League fixtures full of confidence.
Many have blamed Arsene Wenger’s tactics for the losses against Everton and Manchester City. While there is obviously an element of truth to that, it is also Wenger’s undying and, at times, frustrating loyalty to certain players that is holding Arsenal back.
In the past, Wenger has persisted with players who are not of the required standard for a club of Arsenal’s stature, and this has hurt Arsenal. Denilson, Andre Santos and Sebstien Squillaci are just some of the names that come to mind when you think of players who have played far too many games for Arsenal.
There are still a few players in the squad that need to be improved on before Arsenal truly have a strength in depth.
Gabriel Paulista
Affectionately dubbed the “new Martin Keown” by Arsenal fans not too long ago, things have not gone to plan for Gabriel. The defender has not exactly been squarely to blame for the Gunners’ woes in the last two games, but it is clear that he is a liability in central defence.
Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi had formed a solid partnership for the Gunners and the injury to Mustafi had Arsenal fans in jitters.
Too often, Gabriel is caught out of position and unaware of danger. His concentration is also still a big issue. His defending in the lead-up to Manchester City’s first goal was poor as he completely failed to track Leroy Sane’s run, allowing the German a free path into Arsenal’s penalty area, which the German duly capitalised on with an equaliser.
It is mistakes like this – especially in big games – that Arsenal cannot afford and the Brazilian is always capable of committing errors like this.
Arsenal cannot afford to be one injury away from playing a sub-standard centre-back, and while Gabriel may be fine as 4th choice, they definitely need an upgrade on him as an alternative to Koscielny and Mustafi, especially with Per Mertesacker nearing an Arsenal exit.
Carl Jenkinson
Arsene Wenger surprisingly retained Carl Jenkinson in his squad this season, while many thought that the right-back would finally be sold. Jenkinson featured 5 times for Arsenal this season, after the injury to Hector Bellerin but his poor showings led to him being dropped by Arsene Wenger.
Mathieu Debuchy was injured in the first game he played before Jenkinson deputised. After the Englishman was dropped, it was Gabriel who had to fill in at right-back.
At 31, Debuchy is likely to be sold in any case and it is bewildering how he is still at the club given his loan spell and comments from both Wenger and Debuchy himself.
However, Carl Jenkinson is still only 24 and has years ahead of him. Jenkinson’s poor showings when he got the chance have proven one thing – he is a good right-back but only that. He is far too erratic defensively and while he is energetic and athletic, he doesn’t have the same kind of quality on the ball that top right-backs do.
Jenkinson has already been linked with moves away from the club and Wenger would do well to quickly improve on that right-back position before another injury to Hector Bellerin completely disrupts his team.
Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud polarises opinions like none other for Arsenal fans. Many think that he is good enough for Arsenal and good enough to lead them to a title, while others feel that he is fine as a substitute but nothing more.
On evidence, it would seem that the latter of the two are correct. Giroud has made some great cameos this season, scoring important goals after coming off the bench. He has been relegated to a role on the bench only because of a discovery through necessity.
The Frenchman’s late return from the Euros and subsequent injury meant that Wenger was forced to play Alexis Sanchez as a forward, and Sanchez has been so brilliant that Giroud has not had a chance to take his spot back and will not unless the Chilean is rested or injured.
It is difficult to fault Giroud, who always puts in an effort and is willing to fight for the team. But, the Frenchman is prone to long goal droughts – he went 12 games without scoring last season as Arsenal’s title challenge wilted.
His finishing is often questionable and his lack of pace has been a huge source of frustration to Gunners fans. The Frenchman’s best strength is his link up play, but as anything other than a substitute Giroud is not good enough for Arsenal. At 31, he is also not going to get any better.
A striker such as Robert Lewandowski, who offers everything Giroud does yet has pace and finishing ability would be a perfect fit at Arsenal, even if it means Alexis Sanchez would have to revert to his original position at left wing.
The one thing Arsenal have lacked ever since selling Robin van Persie is a truly brilliant forward, and while Sanchez has filled that role this season, it could make a world of difference if Wenger manages to sign someone who could take some of the pressure off the Chilean.
