On Saturday, it was all brilliant after the win in the North London derby. We played some breathtaking football without a real striker in our ranks. We were fluid and our midfield play was really sublime. It was what every Arsenal fan would have wished for only until later in the match when Theo Walcott stuck his boot into the turf trying to rob the ball off from Rose. It never seemed serious and the layman prognosis was that Theo would only miss a couple of games for a maximum of four weeks. He even smiled and he made some rather bemusing gestures to the Spurs crowd who pelted him with varying objects as he apprehensively reminded them of the score line.
Come Monday, we got the news that Theo would miss the rest of the season due to the anterior cruciate ligament. It was the kind of injury that also ruled out Sami Khedira for the rest of the season after the injury he suffered after clattering with Andrea Pirlo in the friendly against Italy. Everybody started sending their messages out to Theo except for the deluded Spuds who really actually enjoyed the sad news pertaining to Theo’s injury. It’s understandable though as Theo’s injury is the best chance of a trophy for the Spuds this season. We therefore presume that they are within their rights to express their joy in such an uncouth manner especially spawning from the health and well being of specie being.
Personally I feel bad for Theo. He is the kind of player who had really started to act like one of our many leaders in the squad. It’s also a very bad coincidence that Oxlade Chamberlain comes back and Theo goes out. We could have done much better with both in the squad but it is not our call to make. Theo had commenced to win us games and his desire upfront had really started to make us very threatening especially with Gnabry playing on the right. He will be sorely missed.
We are fortunate that we have the whole of the January transfer window to rescue our situation upfront in such an inopportune moment. Everyone knew that we needed a striker even before Theo’s injury hence his injury now only implies that Arsene has no option but to get one and more so the pursuit should be done with unyielding resolve. This year is our best chance to secure a trophy hence we should not be oblivious of that fact and therefore any excuses about the rigours of the January transfer window are not welcome.
It is only imperative and plausible that we get a striker in order to solidify our position in the league and as well attacks the other trophies from all fronts. Jackson Martinez would be a terrific purchase. He is really yearning for a transfer to Arsenal Football Club as evidenced by his musings in the daily tabloids and his statistics buck his goal scoring trends or potential. He is also a regular scorer in the champion’s league hence he is a relatively good performer in the top echelons of European Football. He is ambidextrous, a goal poacher and his physique and technique on the ball is that of a typical South American. He makes good runs, he can run with the ball and he has an insatiable desire to get the ball into the net. He is an archetypal Wenger signing. Many would question his ability to cope with the English Premier League and its rather insalubrious conditions but all other available striker are not yet tested in the English Premier League hence such an argument would be utopian. He would be a great capture in a really stretched transfer market.
I therefore surmise that we need to sign Jackson Martinez. This is because he is arguably the only available January striker and his desire to join us is an added advantage. Every Arsenal fan would like Diego Costa to join us but it’s really tough for him to leave Atletico Madrid especially considering the phenomenal season that they are having over there in Madrid. He would be a very commendable summer target but at the moment we need that emergency signing that will strengthen and give us more options upfront.
I hope Theo comes back strong and that he recuperates well and very soon. Do you remember how strong Robert Pires came back after his knee ligament damage in 2002? I hope Theo follows that similar path.
I hope that Wenger won’t ruin our best chance of getting a trophy this season by negating every fans call for a centre forward this winter window. Until I churn out the next article Gooners, bye.
the thing is I can see wenger hoping that one of these will fill the goal scoring void left by Walcott – chamberlain, gnabry, ryo, ozil, Wilshire, ramsey, giroud, eisfeld, podolski, cazorla, rosicky, bendtner, sanogo, park, afobe, akpom. not like we don’t have any players!!!
Wenger is now forced to plunge in the transfer market to find cover at the striker and/or winger position. The problem is that the best players will most likely be ineligible for the UEFA Champions League…So the conundrum for Wenger is the following:
– Do I buy one of the best players around now and just use him for domestic competitions? This would be the case for players like Jackson Martinez, Diego Costa, Hulk, Balotelli, Draxler…
or
– Do I buy good players that will add depth to my squad for both domestic and european competitions? This would be the case for players like Rémy, Berbatov, Kalou, Morata, Cabella…
I believe that, unfortunately, Wenger will go for the second option and give Gnabry and Ox a chance to shine at right wing…As a result, I could see Wenger making a move for a player like Rémy (he can play right wing and striker) join us. However and most likely, we will get either Berbatov or Kalou :-(… Unless Wenger decides to go crazy and splash the cash and rip Monaco of its two best assets: Falcao (60 Mln EUR) and James Rodriguez (45 Mln EUR)
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Podolski can play left winger but he is much better playing behind a striker or as the main striker so I do not see him fill in the void left by Walcott.
Gnabry has showed that he is very capable but does he have the capacity to perform day in, day out at the same level produved vs Tottenham? The potential is there but I believe that he is better suited in the “super-sub” role at the moment.
Ox is coming back and again, he is a player who excels in the middle of the park and not as much on the wing. However, he is hungry and is ready to roar and shall he come back to match fitness soo, he could be the one player in our ranks who could lead the right wing. His work rate is first class and if he adds some assists and goals, Walcott’s abscence will not be so hard felt…The question is: When will OX be match-fit?
Miyachi, Akpom – not ready to fill Walcott’s shoes yet. This is a fact.
Ramsey, Rosicky and Wilshere are all central players and if the play on the wing, we will lose some creativity and penetration impact in the middle of the park so let us keep them in the midfield rather than on the wing.
Cazorla and Ozil are also better in the middle of the park but their speed, quick feet and wizardry allow them to play on the wing although Cazorla has lost some impact since playing on the wing. He was his best all season against the Spurs when he played in a more central role and both Ozil and him feel more confident coming from the left wing…
Last but not least, Monreal, Gibbs and Jenkinson can also play Winger and Gibbs is very well suited for this role so Wenger might mix things up and give Gibbs or Monreal a try at the right wing position.
If we do not get any recruits, here is the potential starting XI once OX is match-fit:
Most likely:
Scezesny – Sagna, Per, Kos, Gibbs – Ramsey, Flamini, Wilshere or Arteta – OX, Giroud, Ozil
Probable:
Scezesny – Sagna, Per, Kos, Gibbs – Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere – Ramsey, Giroud, Ozil
Arsenal fan from Bermuda, we need pat,he is still young talented and not cup tied. And the price is right. Pato at arsenal . Is a good buy