Unai Emery – one month in

Unai Emery agreed terms with Arsenal on May 23, 2018 on a two year term, and although it looked as if he wouldi be quick to bolster the sinking ship he was taking command of, to this point there is little to show.   The rumours have been rampant as always during the transfer window, but the main speaking points have surrounded the outgoing players.

The only actual additions have been the free transfer of Stephan Lichsteiner and Bernd Leno.  As for the veteran defender, he has performed admirably for Juventus, but the reality is at 34 he can really only be considered a bench player with it seeming exceedingly unlikely he could usurp Bellerin or Monreal as they have been among the more reliable players for Arsenal last season.  Bernd Leno on the other hand has been an astute signing!  Cech is at the twighlight of his career, and few anticipated David Ospina would be quite the quality to take the reigns.  Leno is young and has significant experience in one of the top leagues in Europe and will hopefully make a major impact immediately and for the future!    It does look likely Sokratis Papastathopulos will make his way from Dortmund to the English capital this summer, but this remains unconfirmed and we know anything can happen until it is official.  Although this will certainly help fill a hole (for a year or two), at 30 he will not be the longterm replacement the Gunners are in need of.  He may be what is so desperately needed in the short term however, while Calum Chambers and Rob Holding are given the next year or two to develop and declare themselves.

The other priority position needing strengthening is the holding midfield.  This has been a problem for countless years.  Francis Coquelin deputized admirably until Granit Xhaka was brought in from Borrussia Munchengladbach in 2016, but after two years in the premier league he has failed to live up to his billing.  Apparently Unai Emery rates Xhaka highly, and most of the rumours swirling around the summer transfer window seem to involve bringing in a more mobile defensive minded midfielder to partner with the immobile Xhaka.   Lucas Torreira from Sampodoria and Ever Banega from Sevilla have been the two names tossed around most, with both having reasonable reasons to be genuine possibilities.  Sampodoria president Massimo Ferrero virtually confirmed Torreira’s transfer to Arsenal was a done deal, however, given the World Cup it is understandable that negations over personal terms have been delayed.  With Banega there is the link of Emery having worked with the Argentine during his time at Sevilla.  With Banega being 30 and Torreira only 22, I would hope that the latter would be the true Arsenal target.  Although neither player would be the caliber anyone would expect to see signed by any of the top four premier league teams, they would add steel to a weak Arsenal midfield.

Although for years Arsenal have needed a quality defensive midfielder, it is by no means the only problem in the midfield.  Where to begin?  Arsenal has tried for years to pack players into the midfield without addressing the needed positioning.  Although Jack Wilshere was one or our own, and a fan favourite who we have all been patiently waiting to live up to his hype, most Arsenal fans are utterly understanding of Emery’s decision to move him along.  As well, despite Santi Cazorla’s proven potential, given his age and struggles with injuries it was time for him to leave as well.  But with Mesut Ozil, Henrik Mikhataryan, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Iwobi, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and possibly a true defensive midfielder to arrive, still all vying for a central midfield position, it is difficult to say how Emery will fit them all in.  As Wenger was forced to do in order to play all of these players, he slotted them into wide positions, at the expense of not having any true wingers.  And to this point Arsenal lacks true wingers – a position definitely needing strengthening but will not be taking priority on a minimalist transfer budget.  Emery has eluded to building around Ramsey, but certainly given Ozil’s new contract he will not be dropped to the bench.  And Ramsey is truly more of a box to box midfielder than a pure number 10 in any case.  Which leaves the reality of the situation, there is nowhere to slot in a player next to Xhaka to compensate for his weaknesses.  Xhaka should go and needs to be replaced with an all around player who can fulfill both he offensive and defensive duties of the position on his own.

It may still be important to bring in a true defensive midfielder and utilize Xhaka off the bench (although Elneny has done fairly well for us in this role), but if this does not occur I think everyone in North London is excited about the prospect of Maitland-Niles filling this role.  He has shown the maturity, skill, and leadership to suggest he is ready to play week in and week out for Arsenal.  He is the type of signing we would see at one of the top four clubs!  Arsenal fans will not want to hear what they have heard for years now, but perhaps the player we need is already in the squad!  In any case, it may be too Wengeresque for Emery to not sign a defensive midfielder yet again.