Arsenal could have been a contender

Could Arsenal have won more trophies if Arsene Wenger had made the right defensive signings?

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has come in for heavy criticism for his team’s performances this season.

However, Gunners fans gave the Frenchman a vote of confidence during yesterday’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium by singing his name.

Arsenal produced a superb attacking display, with Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud both scoring braces against the Magpies.

Dangerous

Arsenal looked very dangerous going forward against the Magpies.

The likes of Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez all looking threatening for the Gunners.

The side from north London have one of the best attacking units in the Premier League.

On their day the Gunners can cause any team’s problems at the back. Even without the likes of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere Wenger’s team are extremely potent going forward, as yesterday’s win proved.

Defence

It may be being picky, but even in a 4-1 win the Gunners still did not look overly convincing in defence, which is an issue that has plagued Arsene Wenger’s side for nearly a decade. It is a much repeated complaint from Arsenal fans that their defence is not solid enough.

It is hard to argue with that considering that last season the Gunners threw away a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal got away with being poor defensively against some teams, but when they came up against their top five rivals their weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed.

The need for defensive reinforcements was obvious to everybody in the summer, except Arsene Wenger it seems. It has been stated many times, but it is a vital point that cannot be overstated.

Frustration

It must be frustrating for everybody connected with the Gunners that their team has so much fantastic attacking talent and could be just a few players away from challenging for the Premier League title, never mind the top four and the Champions League spots.

The problem is the situation has been the same for a long time. The Gunners always seem to be just a few players away from being real contenders. Wenger’s men may not have the same financial resources as Chelsea or Manchester City, but in truth they do not need that.

It appears all the Gunners need to be rivals for the two blues is two players a defensive midfielder and maybe a new centre-back, with their lack of defensive cover well-documented.

January

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had promised to look at his team’s defensive options in January, but it seems that the noises coming out of the Emirates Stadium suggest that they may not strengthen their squad, which would be yet more frustration for Gunners fans.

Strengthening their defensive options in the summer would have been a wise move. However, bringing in the right players in January would be the second best option. A few good defensive additions could make a massive difference to the Arsenal team.

Injuries

Even with a long injury list Arsenal still have a frightening amount of attacking talent. Arsenal are looking good going forward, even without the likes of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere, who would also add something to Arsenal’s attacking play.

When all Arsenal’s walking wounded return Arsene Wenger will have a very good selection headache. The Gunners now have a stockpile of attacking players, but yet they still do not have a midfield enforcer who would protect their vulnerable defence.

What If?

I am sure Arsenal fans will be wondering what if we would have signed the defensive players that we have lacked in recent years. Arsenal would no doubt have claimed far more trophies in the last decade.

Arsenal is a team that prior to the last nine years were considered genuine title candidates. Gunners fans have been made to rue the fact that Arsene Wenger’s stubbornness has prevented them from becoming title challengers again.

As a neutral, but a fan of the football that Arsenal plays it would be nice to see Gunners win the Premier League title, because on their day they are an absolute joy to watch, just as in yesterdays win.

However, with their current defensive options they are unlikely to ever be genuine Premier League title challengers. That will not change until Wenger changes his mind-set and as most Gunners fans know that is unlikely to happen in the near future.

Could Arsenal be Premier League title contenders with the right defensive additions?