A Balanced Arsenal Squad – How Much Wenger Should Spend In January To Achieve That?

Arsenal have lacked a balance in their squad depth this season. Players who should have been cut loose a long time ago are still clinging to straws, as they try to salvage what is left of their Arsenal tenures before they are cut loose. There are positions at which there has been a huge arsenal of players, of which some are discontent with their bit-part roles, on seeing that undeserving players are getting extended runs in the team owing to the lack of depth in those positions. Arsenal’s defence has looked pithy, and their defensive midfield has been crying for replacements who can reinvigorate the team, for a long time.

Arsene Wenger

For all that was promised, one move that has worked out is the addition of a striker. Danny Welbeck adds experience and strength to a strike-force of Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell, who seems to have faded away, even after his performances for Costa Rica in the recently-concluded World Cup. The attacking midfield looks insulated against injuries, with a number of players who can play in various places. Lukas Podolski is not wrong in asking for a move, seeing that his appearances have been limited, due to his lack of ability to cover his defender in the midst of his attacking performances, which has left Kieran Gibbs or Nacho Monreal woefully exposed at the back.

Thus, three players who need to be added to this Arsenal line-up are two centre-backs, who could play on the flanks, if required, and a defensive midfielder. Arsenal will have to get one big name for the position of the defensive midfielder, where they have been struggling, and should be willing to pay up to €20m to sign the player they need. The names that spring to mind are Cheick Tiote, Geoffrey Kondogbia or Lars Bender, for a January buy, as their main target, Sami Khedira may not be sold by Real Madrid, and may be allowed to go on a free transfer at the end of the season.

For the place of the central defender, they would do well to buy Matija Nastasic from Manchester City, where he has not got the opportunities he deserves, and would be good in the third-choice role that Arsenal need to fulfill. A talented young player could also land up at Arsenal, with emphasis on John Stones from Everton, who might seek a move, after witnessing Calum Chambers’ massive transformation since his move to Arsenal a little more than four months ago. a deal within €10m per defender would be good for Arsenal.

Arsenal need to offload players who are being a burden on the club, to make space for the players they actually need. They may need to spend around €40m on buying players who will lead the team forward and shore up the back, achieving balanced squad in the process.  If it means that they need to offload players who are good, but who are not performing to their potential, Wenger has to be willing to make tough decisions and sell the under-performing players, as the team in its current state will not be able to compete against the might of the other clubs for trophies.