Arsenal’s season has been something of a typical ‘Arsenal campaign’, as numerous issues that occur year after year have come to the fore in recent weeks.
The club continue to be undermined by the riches of other teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea, but all is not lost at the Emirates Stadium, despite what many would have you believe.
With the January window approaching, where can Arsenal improve?
The Gunners currently sit in fourth place but find themselves a huge nine points off bitter rivals Chelsea. There are positives, however, as the Gunners topped their Champions League group and face Bayern Munich in the next round of the competition.
As the north Londoners go in pursuit of the table-toppers Chelsea, Arsene Wenger faces the arduous task of attempting to overturn some long-standing issues that have seen the Gunners’ Premier League title drought last longer than he would have expected at the end of 2003/04.
Here are THREE problems that must be addressed in January…
Take the emphasis away from Alexis Sanchez
It’s difficult to overlook the impact Alexis Sanchez has had on Arsenal season. The Chile international is the club’s top scorer and the team is almost incapable of playing well when he doesn’t function at his very best.
When you compare this to Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, all three teams have numerous stars to turn to under pressure – Arsene Wenger must change that this winter.
Sell and replace Gabriel Paulista
Brazil defender Gabriel Paulista is simply not good enough for the Gunners. The defender is too regularly at fault for goals the London club concede too often when he plays.
Paulista may not be a first choice defender, but when injuries occur to key players, Wenger must be able to call upon reliable options, and Paulista is certainly not one.
Sign a top class left-back
With Kieran Gibbs linked with a move to Crystal Palace, and Nacho Monreal getting older, Arsene Wenger must identify another left-back to continue the club’s defensive progression.
According to Daily Mirror, Valencia defender Jose Gaya is being targeted by Arsenal, and he must be a priority this winter before one of the Spanish giants attempt to prise away from the Mestalla.
