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Football News: Is this finally Arsenal's year?

Is this finally Arsenal's year?
Image from: sportsleading.com

Every year this question seems to get asked and every year the Gunners flatter to deceive, falling away from the pace at the business end of the season. However could this season finally be different? Arsene Wenger has always hoarded money like Scrooge before the Christmas ghosts, but now he is spending it like he has seen the ghosts!

Finally he has addressed the longstanding issues within the team. They now have a top class goalkeeper in Petr Cech. They have a solid pair of centre backs, with defensive cover in front from the midfield. They even have strength in depth, with options (when not racked with injuries) in most positions. So could it be....?

With the exceptional pair of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez up front, Arsenal have the quality to unlock any defence, and have the option to change it up and bring on the big man Olivier Giroud if need be. Though that is a big problem as Sanchez is really needed on the left wing, where his prodigious workrate is badly missed, especially by first choice left back Nacho Monreal, who is exposed without Sanchez there.

 




That is their main weakness, with Sanchez up front they lack his creative input and defensive tracking out wide. With him wide left, they miss his ability to unlock defences, pace, skill and finishing up front. That is going to cost them in the long run, as the season goes on, as teams will notice the gap on the left and target it more and more. If Wenger reacts and puts him back on to the left, they will not get the goals to push for the league.

 

Once again, the transfer window is key for the Gooners' hopes of another league trophy. Will it be the usual disappointment which leads to the team losing their way, or will Arsene get it right and get that missing piece of the jigsaw? This could be his last chance at the trophy, so he needs to make it count, he needs to find the top striker or top left winger to complete his squad.

Written by Tris Burke November 29 2016 17:25:44