The best of football action is returning after a long summer break. And the transfer activity in English football is reaching its peak as the Premier League is about to get underway in just 3 weeks.
What do Arsenal really need? – Big money signings or a fantastic Captain
Amongst this entire ‘run-run’ situation, one man looks in deep trouble. Well, he is not the top scorer of the Premier League, but has earned a similar reputation in recent years for his heroic work as a manager. You guessed it right! – We are talking about the ‘top Gunner’ – Mr. Arsene Wenger.
Wenger’s thoughts about the need to inject a few more experienced men in his Arsenal seem to be correct, and he has started doing that by bringing in Gervinho from France. Besides, he and Arsenal’s owner have promised their fans that they will definitely splash the cash in this transfer window.
That’s great news for Arsenal fans worldwide. It will definitely add experienced and make up a more balanced squad. But, the point is, will a few good signings solve Wenger’s problems which he has been facing in the last few years? Will it guarantee the end of the trophy drought which started after their FA Cup triumph in 2005?
No! – What Arsenal need badly at this moment is good leadership, an inspirational Captain – a kind of Steven Gerrard or John Terry? This is the key which has been missing recently, especially in the last couple of years. There’s no doubt at all regarding the ability of Cesc Fabregas as the skipper. But, how can you hand the responsibility of leading the team to a player who has his heart set on returning to his boyhood club?
Whether Fabregas stays or not, Wenger needs to take a step ahead and take the tough decision of giving a new leader to his players. Among the available options, he may look at Samir Nasri who has what it takes to be a captain, but is not sure of his Arsenal future. So, it’s not correct to give the captaincy to a player just to lure him to stay at the club. On the other hand, it would be better if he gives this opportunity to a player who is 100 percent committed to his side like Theo Walcott, who is ready to play in any position for the Gunners, or Aaron Ramsey, who has some experience of leading his national team at a young age.
For now, the transfer gossip says that Fabregas will join Barcelona this time. So, it’s a good opportunity for Wenger to put a good leader in his side, as he won’t have to strip off the armband from the Spaniard.
The Gunners have really missed a natural leader since the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry departed from the London club. It was none other than Vieira who brought them their last trophy – the FA Cup – in 2005 and it was Thierry Henry – Premier League’s best striker in his era, mostly at the Highbury – under whom Arsenal played their first ever UEFA Champions League final.
Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, English Football, EPL, Gunner, Premier League, UEFA Champions League
