Arsenal left their fans frustrated for one more year as they finished runner-ups behind Leicester City. Wenger missed a brilliant chance to win that much awaited domestic title, after all, the other big teams failed to find any consistency all year along. What disturbed the fans, even more, was Wenger’s inability to find players last summer, as he became the only manager in the top five leagues in Europe not to sign an outfield player. Wenger is desperately working this summer in order to get the necessary reinforcements in as another unsuccessful season could spell the end Frenchman’s reign at the Emirates.
Although many players have been linked with the Gunners this summer, only Granit Xhaka and TakumaAsano have been the only two notable arrivals. Though a striker is the top most priority right now, Wenger will do well to get in another centre-back, after another shaky season from Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. Koscielny has been the leader at the back for a few years now but he needs an able partner who can complement him and take some pressure off his back. The latest player to be linked with Arsenal is 20-year-old Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding.
It’s good that Wenger is looking to strengthen the youth ranks, especially given the fact that he might not be here for much longer. However at this point, we feel a more accomplished and experienced defender is what Arsenal needs. Calum Chamber was brought in similar circumstances but after a few encouraging performances, he has gone off the boil over the past 1 year. Although Rob only played 30 games for Bolton last season, in which they also got relegated from the Championship, he was one of the standout players for the Whites.
Holding is a versatile defender, who plays as a center back and right back with equal effectiveness. He is strong in the air, something that attracts every manager. He is a no-nonsense defender, who will not fool around the box and clear his lines at the first opportunity. He is an extremely talented player, who is a bright prospect for the future but isn’t the player Arsenal need. There are still doubts regarding the game time he will get at the Emirates. Picking him above Mertesacker and Gabriel might just tip them over the edge and push them out of the exit door.
Wenger has always promoted youngsters and given them a chance to shine on the big stage, however with no Premier League trophy in the last 12 years, time has come for him to put his ideologies to a side and put all his effort into getting The Gunners back competing for the title. It won’t be easy for the Frenchman this season, given the league is going to see world’s top managers competing against each other.