Okay, I normally don’t make outlandish comments such as the title of today’s article, but I think we all need to look at the squad and all need to understand that at this time, for the sake of our team, we need to buy. Rosicky is out for 3 months and add to that the major injuries we’ve had and you’re now looking a very think squad.
A lot of people may think – Dev – you’re losing it! You’re not normally one to think transfers, especially so early on in December… And to that I reply – Yes you are right, but something Arsene said today really hit home. He talked about the injury to Rosicky and how it was always on the cards as the player has been out for so long. The statement that got to me was this one:
“I think it is a vicious circle when you have been out for a long time, like Eduardo has for example. He had not played for 18 months, Tomas had not played for 18 months, then you come back and suddenly your body has to get used to producing the energy level and at that level, to repeat the games, it is difficult and nobody masters that enough.”
And it’s struck fear into my belly – I am worried now that Eduardo and Robin Van Persie will not recover until really next year. Based on the statement above regarding Tomas, can we really rely on Eduardo? He’s also pulled a muscle or too and also missed the last game.
Actually our injuries at the moment look like this:
Djourou, Clichy, Gibbs, Walcott, Diaby, Rosicky, Eduardo, Bendtner and Robin Van Persie
Now that’s a long list of injuries. In fact if you add to the list the players whom have missed more than three games in a row due to injury this season, then you can add in Nasri and Denilson not to mention Almunia and Fabianski, and bingo, you’ve got a starting XI of some sort…
So, that what prompts me to say let’s add some quality – the transfer window opens in 3 weeks. We need to add a big strong striker. With Adebayor plying his trade at City and Robin out for the rest of the season – with Rosicky injured again and Eduardo only able to play a bit part role this season (will the boy ever really recover?)… the need to buy a striker with some sort of stature is paramount now.
Arsene admitted that he was devastated at the recent injury to Rosicky:
“Tomas is devastated and I am as well. Before today I thought ‘he has played the whole game Wednesday night [at Manchester City], do I take the gamble or not?’ Because it was such an important game I took the gamble and at half-time it backfired so it is very disappointing. The first impression is that it will not be long term. It is a groin problem and we have to see with the scan whether it is grade one, grade two or grade three. If it is grade one it is 10 days, if it is grade three it is three weeks at least. At the moment I cannot tell you.”
So this season, I think we all need to think about Rosicky, Eduardo and Robin Van Persie as players who we can’t rely on to be fit. If they are then it’s a bonus. We may see Eduardo soon – if he recovers before the weekend, but with so many injuries, he will struggle to find form and fitness.
Arsene continued talking about the recent injuries:
“I want to see what happens now [with injuries]. We are in the beginning of December and I will see if we are in the same situation in January. But let’s not dream too much in January that we can find a world-class player – that is what is needed to strengthen our team – who is not cup-tied in the Champions League and who is free. You need a good Father Christmas for that!”
And asked whether a replacement for Alex Song was required, the gaffer said:
“He is not a striker and I don’t think we suffered too much in midfield even when we had Song and Diaby out against Stoke. I don’t believe we are especially short in midfield, I just believe we are short up front.”
Speculation, speculation, speculation and something evident is that the “world cup player who is free to purchase” doesn’t have to play in the Champions League – remember when we bought Adebayor. He could play in League games but couldn’t play in the Champions League. It definitely added something to the squad… but when Arsene says free does he mean “available” or “zero cost”…
Interesting… time for the kids to take on the mighty Olympiakos!
