Dear Wenger, things are not the same any more [Open Letter] by @Komptrolla
Arsenal came to life at the second half of the recently concluded season, they blossomed like the purple hibiscus under the sunshine of autumn, even though Alexis Sanchez faded a little under the lights, the return from injury and straight into terrific form of record signing, Mesut Ozil, the goal scoring heroics of Olivier Giroud and the unlikely fulcrum figure, Francis Coqueline played down Alexis' struggles.
Nine straight wins and Manchester City were left gasping for breath from behind, if not for the early season form of Chelsea, the title race would have been more open than it appeared, hopes for the new season arose and talks of 2016 title assault started filtering in, you must have read this line before at least for 10 straight seasons but you can't blame Arsenal fans for hoping... Like they've always done.
When it became obvious that Arsenal were going to sign Petr Cech from Chelsea, Arsenal fans took to social media to celebrate, it was Christmas too early for many reasons, a proven champion was shifting tents, more importantly from perennial nemesis, Chelsea, when the deal was announced, everyone praised Mr Wenger for his ruthlessness which was evident in the fact that Ospina seemingly won the first choice battle with his world class saves at the just concluded Copa America, and with the glimpses of brilliance that the long Pole, Szczesny often or sometimes show.
If Chelsea could have Cech on the bench as their back up goalkeeper then nothing stops Arsenal from keeping the Colombian and the Pole as back ups, great signs of ambition you must say, but so far, that's where it stops, several players have been linked to Arsenal.
The only difference from the happenings of the past is that they've been top class players, the likes of Auturo Vidal, William Carvalho, Kareem Benzema, Pedro, Suarez and of course Jackson Martinez who must be enjoying the summer breeze of Madrid following his switch to Athletico Madrid from Porto unlike the past when you hear names like Salomon Kalou, Michu and those one season wonders that are no where to be found at the moment.
Reality has dawned on Arsenal fans that Wenger isn't in any rush to sign any quality player as earlier hoped, and this necessitates this article - Is Mr Arsene seeing something we aren't seeing?
Does he not know that there are positions that need quality additions?
Are we going through the new season with only Coqueline as DM or CM as the formation wishes?
Are we challenging for the EPL title with Giroud and Welbeck upfront?
Are we adequately covered in defence?
Dear Arsene, if you would be truthful to yourself your answers to these questions must be a two letter word all through, NO
With due respect to these gallant men, truth must be said, the goalkeeping position and Central Midfield are the only positions we can see as being covered in the present squad.
Per Metersacker, the only real deal in the last minute black market shopping of that 8:2 season is too slow to be in a scientific Arsenal squad, the captain band on his arms must be only reason he started many games, yes he is very calculative, but no proper counter attacking team can have problems with him.
Monreal had a fantastic season, Gibbs and his injury woes made the left back position Monreal's for as long as possible, but in all honesty they are both average players, none is half as good as the right back that plays at left back for Chelsea, you wonder why they've been champions since January huh?
Arteta should be playing in the MLS, that extra one year deal for him is pointless, Flamini should be promoted as fitness coach, he can bark at players in training, that leaves Arsenal with Coq as the only proper DM, of a truth, if Coq were to be at Porto, Marseille or Swansea, Arsenal fans wouldn't mind paying £20m for his services, but he's no Matic, he needs competitions.
And then the strike force, Welbeck was sold by Van Gaal because the latter felt he wasn't prolific enough, he scored only 4 goals in the premier league at Arsenal, Van Gaal was right, and the only reason why his Twitter account is still active for Arsenal fans is obviously because of that winner at Old Trafford in the FA cup quarter finals, you don't win the league with such returns. No one does
When Wenger won the EPL unbeaten in 2003/2004 he had almost 3 players in every position, he had Gilberto and Viera in the middle of the pack with the likes of Edu on the bench, Kanu and Bergkamp are always on the bench while Henry, Pires and Wiltord damage opponents in spectacular fashion.
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Dear Arsene, if Arsenal doesn't sign key players in weak positions Arsenal will not challenge for the title, and third FA cup triumph will still not erase the failures of years past, it's pointless having Cech in goal and Per in front of him, Arteta in front of Per and Giroud in front of all of them, this team will concede and will never out score opponents.
When Chelsea needed to win EPL, they brought in key players in door hole positions, Curtois to pressure Cech, Fabregas to nail Ramires et al out of the first eleven and Costa to give a befitting burial to the ill fated career of £50m flop Fernando Torres, Etoo and Demba Ba, the result was the title bus parade of late May.
Manchester United have splashed the cash, and in key positions too, their ruthlessness was evident in the departure of the Dutch man with a lil inner boy, if the little man inside the left legged assassin wanted Fernabahce as much as he wanted Manchester United is RVP's headache.
However, Manchester United have done fantastic summer business with Darmian at right back, Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin in the middle of the pack and Memphis Depay either on the flanks or upfront, no excuse of any sort would be tenable by the philosophical one.
Manchester city have gotten their British jewel Raheem Sterling, maybe at a generous price, and compatriot, Delph from Aston Villa.
Look around Wenger you're the weakest of the top 4, by now we trust you that even if all you have are some 16 years old kids all season you would still finish fourth, notably above Spurs, but Arsenal fans want more, whether you want more too is what we need a Jack Bauer to decipher.
The league kicks off in another three weeks, we don't want another mauling to send you into the market, we need the players to hit the ground running, set early pace and sustain the momentum, you've been champions before, you didn't do it with rookies, it didn't work for ten years it won't work till thy kingdom come. Liverpool have strengthened, Spurs know where they buy their kind of players and they can be trusted to do so, Chelsea have the squad to beat, even a team B to beat... Come On Wenger!
Remember, things are not the same, those you thought were weaker have all strengthened, with the current Arsenal squad, it's same old story of "we showed we're progressing and we'll be back next season with a stronger spirit" ten years and counting... Stop the rot and grease your palms, we want the title next May.
Article written by @Komptrolla
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