Some opined after the game at Old Trafford last weekend that it was the same old story. Arsenal, the great pretenders, flatter to deceive against weaker opposition before coming unstuck against the true title heavyweights.
But anyone who saw the game will have seen an Arsenal side dominating possession and territory but simply unable to find a way through on the day.
You might counter that Manchester United were happy to let Arsenal have possession in areas that posed no immediate threat. But Manchester United were on the ropes for much of the second half, desperately fire-fighting, to avoid conceding the equaliser.
In summary Arsenal are a better side this year and Manchester United are currently not quite as good.
Another point that the game highlighted was that Arsenal need strikers. Giroud gave his all but lacked the raw pace to really trouble Manchester United’s defence.
The Daily Mail today reports that Arsene Wneger is going to have a big splurge on strikers in the next 6-8 months.
Arsenal will step up their pursuit of Karim Benzema amid suggestions that the striker is ready for a new challenge away from Real Madrid, but manager Arsene Wenger will have to wait until the end of the season if he wants to buy Juventus’ £15million-rated Fernando Llorente.
The asking price is thought to be £27.5m for France international Benzema, who has played regularly under Carlo Ancelotti this season and scored in Saturday’s 5-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Benzema’s contract is up in 18 months and you wouldn’t be at all surprised if he moved on after a slightly underwhelming time amidst the daily chaos of Real Madrid.
Llorente reminds us a lot of Giroud but is a marginally better player with superior technique to the Arsenal striker.
We do feel that if Arsenal want to sustain a challenge this season they will have to buy a stellar forward in January.
Arsenal fans, do you agree?
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SAM
Nov 12, 2013 at 11:00 pm
True Arsenal since the hey days. I must congratulate Arsen Wenga for trusting and believing in the Club’s philosophy so far.Where the challenge has gotten to now,we definitely need 2 strikers with pedigree.A wing striker and another true Centre forward.Simply, Giroud is retire. He needs help.Fernando Llorente/Karim Benzema and Pato/Eduado Vargas-Chilean Striker will make our dream come true.
Wenger,we do not want this moment to pass us by. Please we need your intervention.
die4arsenal
Nov 13, 2013 at 4:51 am
ya i truely agree wit u but dzeko ll b more suitable than benzima as he got bpl experiences
ferro
Nov 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Id like to see us getting Hernandes. Im sure he’d play really well off Oli’s flicks, also very adept at finding space when we have all our attacking midfielders avail. Not too sure about him playing up top alone, but if our attackers stay within a correct distance [ulike manu first half] well then im sure annually he’d get some good [high] numbers.
Harry Barracuda
Nov 13, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Bring me the head (and the rest) of Diego Costa!
Norman kapere
Nov 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Arsenal need an out and out destroyer like costa diego. Who by himself can cause anxious moments for defenders.