Arsenal are by far one the most attractive soccer teams to grace the beautiful game since the dawn of the Wenger era. Last year was a close call and any one of the major trophies could have been glittering in Arsenals trophy cabinet if it wasn't for bad luck and lack of experience. This year even though Wenger has bought in some very talented youngsters, most notably Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey the departure of Flamini and Hleb has hurt the team a lot in both the attacking as well as the defensive departments.
This current crop of youngsters mixed with already established senior players is still not a very consistent winning combination. Arsenal lack strength in depth and experience. Yes, there are glimpses of a great team but the current squad of players may not have enough in them to win the Premier League or the Champions League.
To compete at the highest level every great team requires a stringent, uncompromising, tactically sound and consistent defensive unit along with a goalkeeper having a safe pair of hands.
The starting back four (Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Sagna) have, power, skill and competence to rival any other top class team in the defensive department but sadly the replacements arent good as any of these.
Not just the defensive department but considering the whole team there just isn't enough players who can step up to the class of The Arsenal.
Strength in depth is a major aspect that is lacking in this current Arsenal team.
Cesc Fabregas, the most influential player as well as the captain of this team has an injury and wont be back in action for almost 4 months. Being the creative engine of the team Arsenal will most surely miss his pin point passing and vision to create chances.
Injury problems are besetting this team but doesn't every team have some sort of injury problems. Hence every team has a backup or some other player in the current first team who can play in the same position as the injured player. It has to be seen how Diaby and Ramsey will fare as direct replacements for Cesc Fabregas.
Another deficiency most worth noting is the lack of a free scoring striker besides Adebayor. Adebayor scores goals regularly for this team but other strikers just cant seem to score. Bendtner, Vela, Van Persie are all skill full, intelligent players but their scoring ratio is very low and just isn't enough for a team of Arsenals calibre.
Arsenal are lacking good wingers. Nasri, Walcott and Rosicky are all excellent players but since they get injured most of the time well it again comes down to replacements doesn't it.
Arsene Wenger is a top class manager but this January he has to buy some kind of cover for at least Fabregas and Walcott. There can be no excuses for not winning any trophies this year. By strengthening the squad with players of proven talent Mr. Wenger can at least have a strong shout for the FA cup and the Champions League.