[photo by Tim Boyd]

• by Carlos Casias, writing from Los Alamos, NM

It’s been awhile since I wrote a posting but that is mainly because Silly Season has arrived and I need to separate myself from the madness. As usual, the rumors about Cesc leaving have kicked up. Add want-away players Denilson, Bendtner, and out-of-favor Clichy and Arsenal could have a very busy summer.

But will Arsenal really have a busy transfer season?

In first is some young kid from League One named Jenkinson. I mentioned him, that’s enough. He’ll deputize behind the regular defenders and will probably get a few run-outs throughout the season. As a defender it’s hard to see him breaking in as a starting regular this season, and probably the next. One for the future.

Rumors flying about a double-swoop for Gervinho and Hazard. I admit, I know absolutely nothing about Gervinho except that he is a striker who has scored some nice goals and also had some assists. I think of him as a mix between Vela and Eduardo. And we all know how that has worked out. An immediate issue is this guy is from Ivory Coast and would miss the January period for African Cup of Nations. Another Kanu, another Toure. When will Wenger learn to just leave Africa alone? Good players but in the most competitive league in the world you need your players available for the whole season.

For many years fans have talked about attaining a holding mid. Of all the positions that must be addressed this summer it has to be this void in the middle. Song has improved but is not world class. Add Diaby in that position and you’re guaranteed an injury; Jack will play himself ragged, needs rotation; Denilson will be in Siberia; Ramsey may be too affected by his injury to really get stuck in on challenges. And let’s be honest, all mentioned above don’t have a bit of crazy in them. And that is what is needed most.

[photo by Tsutomu Takasu]

The truth is that Wenger should never have let Flamini’s contract dwindle down. Losing Flamini has hurt the team for many years and like so many in year’s past he has never been replaced. Flamini could not only tackle but also distribute the ball; he was an offensive threat, maybe not so much from scoring but from setting up players. Song is not that guy. And, more distinctly, Flamini is a nutter. Many a player were scythed and learned quickly that if they dribbled into the middle he was there waiting crazily and ready to tackle. Arsenal simply do not have that guy. Song’s demeanor is all too gentle and Jack has shown glimpses of madness but has not snapped…yet. Jack is on the cusp of getting frustrated and becoming a Scholes-like nut and I would prefer if he did not. In order to really challenge for any major trophy haul Arsenal need some crazy.

So, who? Who is good enough and does not demand outrageous wages? There aren’t that many. Of course, Wenger looks to youth but in youth one lacks experience. And, once again, this team of youngsters showed their lack of experience and bottled the term. Arsenal need an older holding mid with some desperation, and that man is Felipe Melo.

Felipe Melo has had a wild ride at Juventus and most recently stated that he thinks the Club has been using him to prop up other transfer adventures. That must get old. Melo is now 27, nearly at his peak of 28 and I believe he would provide an immediate spark to the team. Imagine the guy getting a start with Jack…both of these two busy bodies blitzing the opposition. Plus, Arsenal would finally get their replacement for Gilberto, another Brazilian. I really do feel that Melo has learned to control his temper and outrageous tackles. I think the guy needs a challenge and with some guidance by Wenger could be our answer to our holding mid debacle. Let’s be honest, Song needs some competition for further improvement and he is not getting that from Denilson, Diaby, or Ramsey. Melo is a blend of decent wages, experience, and desire to win for Club and country. I know he wants to be a Brazil regular but he needs to exhibit control of his temper as well as perform in the best league in the world. Melo also needs this move.

In addition to Melo, Arsenal should consider some low-wage back-up such as Michael Bradley or Jermaine Jones. Both are full American internationals and could surely provide decent back-up for the inevitable loss of holding mid, Denilson. Not only would having a few Americans boost the Arsenal profile in the States but also allow the players to learn from Wenger, ultimately helping their national team influence. And both are better than Denilson. Again, better than Denilson.

At the end of the day, buying a holding mid and/or CB is always a pressing need that Wenger may or may not address. Fortunately, I don’t think he has a choice to ignore this buy this summer as next summer the Financial Fair Play rules go into effect and many won’t be able to break bank for top talent. I really do think Wenger will make some buys but the purchases of new talent are only a small piece to the bigger problems at the Arsenal.

[photo by Ronnie Macdonald]

For me, I’d go ahead and offload Cesc as he is not Captain material nor does he want to be at Arsenal. Surely Arsenal can fetch at least 40m for him. I would immediately appoint Vermaelen as Captain. I know most want Robin to be leading the squad but rarely does a striker make a good Captain; Vermaelen can command more from his position looking at the entire field instead of Robin with his back turned to the run of play. Plus, Vermaelen has captained his former Club Ajax and his country.

I would also release Almunia, Denilson, & Bendtner. All can be sold for decent transfer funds. These funds, plus Cesc’s transfer, could potentially be used to buy Hazard, Gervinho, Melo, Sakho, Jones, or Bradley. I would allow for Rosicky, Arshavin, & Eboue to stay and simply see their contracts dwindle down and then try to sell them off before they can leave for free. Either that route or just let them expire. I don’t think the fans would complain if they were sold straight-up, though.

So, my idea for what has to be done involves, well, a lot of crazy. And Arsenal need crazy to move Forward. It’s crazy to think about selling our “best player” Cesc, but it’s also crazy to keep a want-away Captain in place. It’s crazy to continue to think that Song is a top, world class player when he is not. Sure, he is much improved but not the top player a team like Arsenal require. And, ultimately, it’s crazy to rely on so many young players to perform without a leader or experience in the side. So, let’s get crazy! Wenger needs to make some very hard decisions about the future of the Club and needs to do this immediately. As supporters we lack any sort of influence on his decision so let’s hope he shows some creativity to lift the Arsenal out of this rut and deliver trophies season 2011-12. It’s completely mad to think Arsenal have gone this long without winning anything but this summer and subsequent season will tell us where this Club is headed. Forward.

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Also found on: arse505.footballunited.com

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