Arsene Wenger appeared to rule out any move for Joe Cole yesterday when ruling out a bid for Gourcuff. He said that Arsenal already has the offensive players that it needs. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Cole come in on a free, it would be a good bit of business and Eduardo and Rosicky haven’t set the place on fire, I think he is absolutely right on the priorities.
If they can get the right players I think Arsenal need three more defensive buys to mount a more sustained challenge for the title.
Priority number 1 is a better goalkeeper. Almunia and Fabianski are agile shot-stoppers but that isn’t enough. Both of them find the find themselves out of position too often and Arsenal concede as a result. Because of this neither dominates the box and that makes it harder for the defenders to know what they are doing.
Second priority has to be another central defender. Koscielny at a rumoured £10million is obviously supposed to play frequently, but Arsenal need three reliable options. We need to get back to the depth of ‘any two from Adams, Bould and Keown’.
Third priority is another holding midfielder. Alex Song is one of my favourites. He is repaying Wenger’s long-term faith in him. But he can’t always be fit and any other year he will depart for a month at the African Nations Cup. He needs cover and that doesn’t mean Denilson or Diaby.
This week could be the crunch after the World Cup ends and before the pre-season programme begins in ernest.
