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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Where have Arsenal's number 10s gone?

By 1970's Gooner

What has been glaringly obvious is that Arsenal's defence has been its Achilles heel not just this season but at least during the last 10 years of Wenger's reign. Wenger was incapable of correcting it either through new additions or by allowing others more adept than him to coach the defenders.

Emery has also done nothing of significance as yet, as Arsenal's defensive record is as bad as Wenger's! Its even starting to get worse but this may be due to injuries of key defenders.

Nevertheless the next transfer window should surely concentrate on getting at least two high quality defenders to give the team a strong backbone and a base on which to build a title winning team.

But another area that is crying out for reinforcements is in the creative position of a number 10. Please don't tell me that Ozil can play that role. He has failed miserably to justify the hype which followed him on his transfer to Arsenal (except perhaps in his first season) and of course he has failed to provide value for the exorbitant wages of 350,000 per week.

This season in particular he has been at best an average player not influencing games (with the exception against Leicester) and hiding in the big games. Surely Arsenal should get rid of him in any way they can. 

And they should keep Ramsey who can play that role with distinction. Alas he has been allowed to leave at the end of the season.

Which begs the question: Where have Arsenal's number 10s gone?

If its not Ramsey nor Ozil who will it be? 

Denis Suarez is coming in this transfer window. But he is a winger who likes to come infield and influence play. 

You may say that a change of system to a 4 3 3 may be appropriate but doesn't any team need at least one creative midfielder to pull the strings?

What I am trying to say is that the next transfer window for Arsenal will have to include defenders AND creative players.