The news has again been released that Abou Diaby is set to be out of action for a lengthy period of time. This is disappointing but inevitable news, Diaby seems to be cursed with the constant injuries that look to ravage his promising career. It does seem an unfortunate occurrence that key players at Arsenal to either be consistently injured or under performing. This has left Arsenal with a skeleton selection of trustworthy players and often a floundering team. This may be part of the reason that Arsenal have struggled and suffer with periods of lacklustre performances. The news of Diaby’s 9 month lay off, comes on the same day that Arsenal reported Jack Wilshere would be fit to return in April. This sounds like good news but it just highlights the injury difficulties that Wilshere still can’t get over. Everyone hoped his return from his 17 months injury lay off would bring the renewed start of the rest of his career. Yet, already he is inactive in the Arsenal set up and on the pitch they dearly miss him. Even though there is very little in Arsenal’s power they can do about serious injuries, it is a shame and a bit unusual for two key midfielders to suffer this same fate.
It isn’t just long term injuries that have blighted Arsenals season. They seem to have a small group of players that are inconsistent who do not perform when the club really needs them. I don’t like placing blame but feel I should name names to illustrate who I think are contributing to Arsenal’s issues. These players include Sagna, Mertesacker and Gervinho. All three players have great reputations from internationals and previous clubs and although they haven’t been a huge let down for the club, their inconsistency and often casual performances have an effect. Arsenal need players that really perform, who have grit and want to win. Gunner’s players have been criticised for lack of effort in the past and seeing Jack Wilshere screaming on the pitch for action has been a familiar site since his return. Arsenal need a fighting spirit and too many of the Arsenal core aren’t showing that.
Arsene could do with yielding to fan pressure and attempting to sign some star players. First though, he would need a clear out, there are many players out on loan that aren’t part of Arsenes plans including Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh Nicklas Bendtner. Other bit players could face the chop too. Arshavin and Rosicky have seen less and less football and are not the players Arsenal need to really progress forward.
Arsenal need to hold onto their better players and can’t let players like Wilshere, Walcott, Vermaelen and Oxlade-chamberlain go if they want to avoid being a selling club. They need to bring in some world class players or at least spend money on players of the calibre who can challenge for the title. They rely too much on their injured players and if Diaby can not play they need to find a replacement who can.
Every team looks stronger with a very solid defensive midfielder holding the line and Arteta is not the answer. They need that midfielder who can allow Cazorla and Wilshere to move forward without leaving the team vulnerable. A player like Yann M’Villa, who they were linked with before his move to Rubin Kazan. Arsene needs to get his scouts out searching.
Although Arsenal have scored a lot of goals, they score in fits and starts, scoring 5 or more in over 4 games. They havn’t really replaced Van Persie and need an out and out goalscorer, a match winner. Players like Stevan Jovetic or Loic Remy would win them games. Raiding QPR could really help Arsenal if they could steal Samba as well to strengthen that often leaky defence.
If Arsenal can steer themselves away from being a selling club and bring in players of a better calibre then maybe Arsenal will concrete themselves as a top 4 team again. Even though Arsene Wenger has come under pressure I think it will be on the players where the axe will drop and maybe that’s the best course of action.
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