Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 27, 2017. Liverpool won the game 4-0. / AFP PHOTO
Arsenal were embarrassed by Liverpool in the 4-0 drubbing on Sunday. Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Firmino ran riot as the Gunners looked listless and shell-shocked. Jurgen Klopp’s charges harried, pressed hard and were incisive on the counter. They showed up the several frailties in this Arsenal side. The Arsenal manager would not have imagined his side so comprehensively outplayed. This broken Arsenal side is in need of several fixes. Here are five thing Wenger should do:
Drop uncommitted players
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inclusion in the starting line-up had all the designs of a ploy to pacify the winger cum wing-back into extending his contract. The England international reportedly turned down a £180,000 pounds deal to extend his stay at the Emirates. Chief in his misgivings has been his injury spate and a lack of extended playing time in the side. The 24-year-old is said to be pushing for a move to either Liverpool or Chelsea and still Wenger put him in the starting line-up. Chamberlain looked half-hearted in some passages of play and Alexis Sanchez’s wry smile on the bench also suggested the Chilean’s heart may be set somewhere else.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inclusion in the starting line-up had all the designs of a ploy to pacify the winger cum wing-back into extending his contract. The England international reportedly turned down a £180,000 pounds deal to extend his stay at the Emirates. Chief in his misgivings has been his injury spate and a lack of extended playing time in the side. The 24-year-old is said to be pushing for a move to either Liverpool or Chelsea and still Wenger put him in the starting line-up. Chamberlain looked half-hearted in some passages of play and Alexis Sanchez’s wry smile on the bench also suggested the Chilean’s heart may be set somewhere else.
Sign a midfielder
Granit Xhaka looks very far off from a quality midfielder charged with putting an end to Arsenal’s struggles in midfield. The Swiss did a horrible job shielding the defence, he won no tackle and managed to be worse with the ball at his feet. He was easily pressed off the ball and turned over possession in dangerous areas. Xhaka wasn’t helped by his partner in the midfield, Aaron Ramsey, who was more interested in haring forward. Ramsey hardly availed himself to help build from the back and was derelict in the defensive phase. Wenger needs to deep into the market to get a quality midfielder in the ilk of the legendary Patrick Viera.
Granit Xhaka looks very far off from a quality midfielder charged with putting an end to Arsenal’s struggles in midfield. The Swiss did a horrible job shielding the defence, he won no tackle and managed to be worse with the ball at his feet. He was easily pressed off the ball and turned over possession in dangerous areas. Xhaka wasn’t helped by his partner in the midfield, Aaron Ramsey, who was more interested in haring forward. Ramsey hardly availed himself to help build from the back and was derelict in the defensive phase. Wenger needs to deep into the market to get a quality midfielder in the ilk of the legendary Patrick Viera.
Ditch three at the back
Playing with three at the back delivered measured success for Arsenal in the last nine games of last season, but this season, the tactic and its execution has been poor. Rob Holding looked lost in the right side of the back three, Nacho Monreal was not assuring on the left and returning Laurent Koscielny showed no leadership in the heart of the defence. With a formation that was supposed to guarantee security in the defence, the Gunner have shipped in eight goals in three games and it could get a lot worse if Wenger persists with three at the back.
Playing with three at the back delivered measured success for Arsenal in the last nine games of last season, but this season, the tactic and its execution has been poor. Rob Holding looked lost in the right side of the back three, Nacho Monreal was not assuring on the left and returning Laurent Koscielny showed no leadership in the heart of the defence. With a formation that was supposed to guarantee security in the defence, the Gunner have shipped in eight goals in three games and it could get a lot worse if Wenger persists with three at the back.
Improve selection choices
Hector Bellerin played as a left wing back, Chamberlain was the right wing back, specialist wing back, Sead Kolasinac was dropped to the bench. Alexander Lacazette, bought for £45.6 million with 28 goals last season was dropped to the bench for Danny Welbeck, whose highest goal return in a season is pegged at nine goals. Wenger really does need to improve his choices in selection of his team. Welbeck was presented a gilt-edged chance to put Arsenal ahead in the opening stages of the encounter against Liverpool but the forward skied it high, leaving all to question his inclusion in place of Lacazette.
Hector Bellerin played as a left wing back, Chamberlain was the right wing back, specialist wing back, Sead Kolasinac was dropped to the bench. Alexander Lacazette, bought for £45.6 million with 28 goals last season was dropped to the bench for Danny Welbeck, whose highest goal return in a season is pegged at nine goals. Wenger really does need to improve his choices in selection of his team. Welbeck was presented a gilt-edged chance to put Arsenal ahead in the opening stages of the encounter against Liverpool but the forward skied it high, leaving all to question his inclusion in place of Lacazette.
Leave the club
The ‘Wenger Out’ brigade has been around for a while but maybe it’s time the Frenchman heed the cry of the fans. The longer he stays at the helm, the more it feels he is chipping away whatever legacy there was to be celebrated. Wenger could have left on a high after the FA Cup victory but he chose to extend his contract by two years. He has held out hope for too long looking to win the League title, maybe it is time he takes that long, hard introspective look and then hand in his resignation.
The ‘Wenger Out’ brigade has been around for a while but maybe it’s time the Frenchman heed the cry of the fans. The longer he stays at the helm, the more it feels he is chipping away whatever legacy there was to be celebrated. Wenger could have left on a high after the FA Cup victory but he chose to extend his contract by two years. He has held out hope for too long looking to win the League title, maybe it is time he takes that long, hard introspective look and then hand in his resignation.
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