Buy, Sell and Slap competition

I now have to delve deep into my imagination and think like the Professor. WWWD? What Would Arsene Wenger Do?

Buying and selling is always the main talk come January - fans always begin to speculate about who the club should get. If you’re an Arsenal fan, you’d know by now that Wenger does it his way. I can’t remember the last big name signing Arsenal have made in recent years. Joe Antonio Reyes came with a reputation but was by no means a big name even in La Liga, Sylvain Wiltord had done well for France and Wenger snapped him up for Arsenal’s record fee, Francis Jeffers…well, let’s not go there.

'Diaby looks a bit lazy while Gilberto just looks like he slows everything down'


So who do I think Wenger should buy or sell?

Buying
Watching the last few games, I feel Arsenal could use a bit more width so I think a wide man should be the latest signing. Luca Modric has been linked but he really plays in the same role that Aleksandr Hleb and Tomas Rosicky play, in that hole behind the strikers. Nikolay Dimitrov, a left winger from Bulgaria has also been linked with Arsenal and apparently came over for a trial. Wenger has always liked wide men who could cut in like Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Marc Overmars and I think he will always stick with that tradition.

What I think should happen is Arsenal getting a direct wide player with pace like Simao or Joaquin who can fearlessly take on defences.

What would probably happen is that Wenger will not buy anyone during the transfer window unless he gets the 'bargain of the century' as he said. However, if I was to pick someone he would most likely sign, it would probably be Dimitrov. Modric coming over would be surprising.

Selling
There are too many central midfielders fighting it out. Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini are the obvious starters and I think they should be backed up by Lassana Diarra and Denilson.

That said, Diarra is apparently not happy with life at Arsenal and could be sold during the window. I’d be sad to see a player of his quality leave but his constant whinging is annoying. Abou Diaby was supposed the next Patrick Vieira but he is too relaxed in his style and not competitive enough so he might go. Gilberto Silva has not performed up to the standards he set last season.

What I think should happen is Wenger selling Gilberto and Jens Lehmann IF he brings in some fresh faces during the window, otherwise it would be safer to keep the two for squad depth. I’m inclined to give Diaby and Diarra a chance simply because they are young and have potential.

What would probably happen is Diarra leaving, there’s just too much speculation for it not to happen.

Slap
The main culprit for me is Emmanuel Eboue. I thought it was a brilliant idea bringing Bacary Sagna in to play at the back and pushing Eboue up to midfield with the tremendous amount of energy he has.

Eboue has the ability to run at players with skill and the pace to go with it. But his shooting leaves much to be desired. He’s inconsistent as well, I think I’ve seen him subbed almost every game - I don’t know why Wenger persists with him. The other obvious candidate for a word in the ear is Diarra.

Diaby and Gilberto need to step up as well. Both are not as combative as they were last year and Diaby looks a bit lazy while Gilberto just looks like he slows everything down.

All said, Arsenal have gone way beyond expectations this season and long may it continue.