Graham Perry
Dear Fellow Gunners
As we approach the end of 2015 and the four week transfer window the issue in the minds of many of us is whether Wenger will buy.
Let’s take stock – we are second, five points behind Leicester with a game in hand.
We are in with a shout – we are on everyone’s shortlist of possible title winners – we have conceded fewer goals than any other team – we are scoring as well.
Things can still go wrong – we could fail to cash in – we could drop points, suffer injuries, lose confidence. We still do not quite believe – every defeat/every draw sets off further re-examination of our credentials.
Do we have the resources? – do we have enough confidence?
This is what we turn over twenty times day.
We want it – we can sniff it – we can do it. But will we?
So as Arsene looks at the matches to come up to the FA Cup match against Sunderland he is asking himself the same questions.
Is the mental resolve there? When he looks into the whites of the players eyes does he see winners? – just as Bertie Mee called his squad together in February 1971 and said the Double is on and wondered out aloud whether each and every player has the singularity of purpose to stay focused for every second of every game so Wenger wonders the same.
As I recall the Thursday after the Olympiakos defeat and before the home match against United the squad met on their own and had a no-holds barred meeting. From that session I sense there was a recognition that they had played short of their ability and owed the fans, the manager and their own self-respect a determined challenge. The mind set is there. They want it.
Does the squad need strengthening? – are the players available that can strengthen the squad?
Those are key questions but there is another and this focuses on Wenger – some think he is stubborn and looks to tick too many boxes before bringing in a new player.
Make no mistake – and I am going to upset some who read this 115th Arsenal Circular – we do not know – we have never been coaches or managers. None of us have ever been entrusted with £50m to spend on players. We have opinions but we do not have responsibilities. We are not accountable. We do not know the issues of personality and character and wage levels. We do not have to weigh up the impact of a big new signing on the existing squad and on the youth players who have chosen Arsenal in the belief that they will have a chance to break into the first team squad.
That said in Wenger we do have a coach with the experience to know the market and to know his squad. He is a big man and has lived many challenging situations.
Some will argue he has players coming back from injuries and a motivated squad and a settled dressing room. Or will he say he needs something new – like a Draaxler for example.
A big signing bounces both ways – he helps the club to strengthen the run-in but at the same time his arrival creates jealousies – someone drops down the pecking order.
At the same time Wenger has three players who are close to the end of their Arsenal careers – Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini.
There must be a question mark about Wilshere and his body’s ability to withstand the physical challenge. Coquelin cannot be rushed back – Cazorla, too, is out in effect for the season.
The juniors who are on the fringe – Adeleye and Bielik to name two – will have their chance next season and can’t be expected to shoulder the responsibility of the Champions League, the Premier title and the FA Cup.
So there are conditions to justify addition(s) to the staff.
I know what I don’t know. I have no idea as I have said above which players might fit – that is for Wenger and not for any of us.
He has got us to starting line –we are in with a shout.
Instinctively and emotionally I want to see a big name in defensive midfield – someone who will release Ozil and Ramsey and Theo – not to mention the Ox and Giroud and Sanchez.
Memory Lane – Saturday 17 April 1971 – the Double Year and we are at home to Newcastle United. We had won seven out of seven. Six matches to go. We have beaten Stoke city in the semi-final. Spring sunshine – a cold wind and we want the two points – yes two in those days. Charlie has a dust up with a Newcastle player called Dyson. Hands on throats. Skirmishes all round. We are all shouting. We want blood. It is red raw. No one is going to stand in the way. We want the Double. At the North Bank end the ball is bouncing in the D outside the penalty area – Charlie catches it and blasts it into the net on the half volley. A dramatic goal. Total celebration. Thank you Charlie – you gave us some great moments and the goal against the Geordies was one of them. So powerful – so decisive – so important. Was it Liam McFaul in the Newcastle goal?
All the best
* You can follow my tweets @arsenalcircular
