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We’ll never really know what’s going on inside Wenger’s head, and selling Samir Nasri on the day of one of our most season-defining games for years was a risky move, but now let’s hope some serious business in the transfer market can begin.
As long as Arsenal were not guaranteed Champions League football, it was always going to be harder to attract big names. It’s a shame to be leaving it so late in the transfer window, especially as it’s meant we’ve not won or scored in our opening two league games, but the season doesn’t have to be a write-off if the right players are brought in quickly.
Because despite two wins over Udinese, we were second best for the vast majority of this tie and that is a big worry. Still, finally having a good goalkeeper has helped us win ugly on this occasion, with match-winning saves in the first leg and a penalty save, that was as crucial as it was brilliant, tonight.
The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Carl Jenkinson and Gervinho showed some improvement tonight on their previous performances, but we really cannot use this game as a basis of their abilities. We looked Championship standard at home to Liverpool and will face better sides than Udinese in the Champions League group stages.
It’s depressing to go into what areas need strengthening, because we could be here all night. Realistically we need a bit of everything, starting with a left-back. Leighton Baines would be a big improvement on Gibbs, and can even take on some of the responsibility of providing the goals and assists we’ll be missing with Cesc’s departure.
A centre-back would be good, although arguably we’ve been a little unlucky with the injury to Laurent Koscielny, but that was always going to happen; Squillaci and Miquel should not be thought of as good enough backup.
A striker would be nice, because Bendtner will probably still leave, and Chamakh is completely useless, but with Ryo and Chamberlain likely to be involved in the first-team this year, that might be asking a lot.
The main thing of course, is a midfielder (or two) to replace the two who’ve left. We’re short of creativity and quality in the middle, and we’ll be short of goals; none of Song, Ramsey, Wilshere or Rosicky are the double figure players that Cesc and Nasri were. But who do we sign? Mata looked ideal, but we messed around and now he’s signing for Chelsea.
The sad thing about qualifying tonight is that it adds to Wenger’s belief that we’re good enough because we’re in the Champions League for the 14th year in a row. I’m glad we’re there, but I don’t want yet more complacency from this manager, and don’t want this terrible start to the season to be brushed over.
