Paul Merson: Arsenal need two defenders, a midfielder and a centre forward

Written by Jeffrey on August 31, 2011 – 4:30

According to former midfielder Paul Merson, if Arsenal are to be competitive next season, they need to sign two defenders, a midfielder and a centre forward.

With Chu Young Park officially presented on Tuesday, it seems the Gunners still need three players if the Englishman is correct in his assessment as he also explained that the Club suffered after the departure of former vice-chairman David Dein, the one who was involved in the signings of Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

On the humiliating 8-2 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday, the 43-year old explained that manager Arsene Wenger should not be sacked as he’s still the best manager for the Gunners ahead of a very long season.

And on Carl Jenkinson, Merson concluded by saying that the 19-year old was unlucky to be sent off against the Red Devils as it is not easy for a youngster to go from non-league football to Premier League football and expect to perform without making any mistakes.

On Arsenal, Merson said:

They miss David Dein. Since he went out, it’s gone down. He was someone to do the signings, someone to talk to. David Dein was part of it when they signed the [Marc] Overmars, [Emmanuel] Petit, [Patrick] Vieira and [Thierry] Henry.

Since David Dein went, the players haven’t been like that. Arsenal is a saga, haggling over money for players, making it (deals) last three days. Sir Alex Ferguson will be sitting on a beach next week. Wenger will be in his office trying to sign a player.

[But] I would never get rid of Arsene Wenger. [The fans] have got to remember that if you get what you wish for it doesn’t always work. They have got to buy one or two centre-halves, a central midfielder and a centre forward. You win stuff through the middle.

[Carl Jenkinson?] One minute he was playing non-league football, today he’s playing at Old Trafford. The poor lad got sent off, he didn’t deserve it.

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Berk Face says:

August 31, 2011 at 10:08

Wilshere is creative enough – Wilshere, Frimpong & Ramsey are the future of the club

Reply to this comment »
- Berk Face says:
  
  August 31, 2011 at 14:40
  
  four thumbs down eh… Wilshere not creative enough and those 3 aren’t the future of the club? Yeah alright then, you mustn’t have kicked a ball in your life if you can’t see that these three have what it takes.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - robert says:
    
    August 31, 2011 at 15:34
    
    Wilshere and Ransey are good,not in the level as Nasri and Fabregas, we want replacements in Nasri/Fabregas class now. Wilshere and Ransey are the future.. And Mata is the closest to Nasri/Fabregas. Undestand..? And trust me i played football at the top level and i know what am talking about. !!
    
    Reply to this comment »

Simmer 10 says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:13

The departure of David Dein was a massive blow to the club, someone has to check there ego at the door and bring him back. The club also has to change the way they train, it is out dated and insufficient,ImHO.

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Hunter says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:21

Jenkinson deserved his sending off. He also deserves a kick on his a$$ for running hours mouth when Theo told him to get his act together. That scene was a symbol of what is wrong at Arsenal. None of these kids have ever been told they need to do better and when he was told by his team mate he lost his wrag. Send him back to league one until he can learn to defend property and fix his attitude.

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Rockyrocastle07 says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:23

Maybe if Walcott had bothered to track back and give Jenkinson a bit of help now and then, that scene wouldn’t have happened. Not a great example set by one of our “senior” players.

Reply to this comment »
- Berk Face says:
  
  August 31, 2011 at 10:13
  
  Walcott shouldn’t have to tell a right back to stay goal side of his man…
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Rockyrocastle07 says:
    
    August 31, 2011 at 10:19
    
    Agreed, but he knows the guy is a novice, so should be aware that mistakes are going to happen.
    
    Reply to this comment »
- robert says:
  
  August 31, 2011 at 15:54
  
  You guys must have watched a different game. Rockyrocasle07.,did you guys see the tracking back Van persie & Walcox put in for the team tracking back ? Rockyrocasle07 what Jenkinson did will never happen at Man U or durning the period of Ian Wright, Tony Adams, Bould,Kevin Cambell, Lee Dixon, Martin Keown,and Paul Merson they will kick his back side. the old players are their to keep the young one in line. Why are Arsenal fans and ex Arsenal players that knows a thing or two about football asking for a leader in the team. its people like you that destroys the players.
  
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dan says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:55

Absolutely cannot agree with you on this one Hunter, Theo is extremely weak on defense to the point that he is a distinct liability when we don’t have the ball, as he proved in giving up a pen in the same game. There are ways to guide younger players, but Theo is no authority here and was clearly out of order.

As for Paul, spot on.

Reply to this comment »
- Berk Face says:
  
  August 31, 2011 at 10:48
  
  If anybody the centre backs should be pulling an inexperienced right back into position – but they have enough problems of their own!
  
  Like Gary Neville said, these are the utter basics of defending – you don’t get caught with space in behind if your man is faster than you it’s criminal stuff and Walcott couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe it either.
  
  That said, Jenkinson needed help from the rest of the defence – I reckon they didn’t say one word to him. It’s all too much too soon and it’s not his fault it’s the fault of the management, as usual. Ill-prepared.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - Rockyrocastle07 says:
    
    August 31, 2011 at 11:54
    
    Agreed. Djourou is simply not good enough to lead a back line, especially when he seems completely unable to do his own job.
    
    Reply to this comment »
robert says:

August 31, 2011 at 15:42

You are very right Hunter, would he have talked back to Roy Kean, Tony Adams or Martin Keown, what he did to Theo Walcox will never happen in Man U with Giggs, Gary Neville or Paul Scholes thats why Man U have the die hard and discipline they have in that team every season.We need that at Arsenal.

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- dan says:
  
  August 31, 2011 at 20:25
  
  Theo is our Keane, Giggs or Scholes, you’re having a larf mate! Theo preaching defense at all is the height of comedy.
  
  Reply to this comment »
  - jason says:
    
    August 31, 2011 at 21:43
    
    Your going over board Theo was just struggling and needed him to do his defensive dutys better its just he was so young so people think its harsh.
    
    Reply to this comment »

Aussie Jack says:

August 31, 2011 at 7:42

Agreed, Dein should be reinstated as CEO. Wenger needs a trusted friend. Player selection and purchase should not end with the close of the summer window but plans made for additional strengthening in January, this is an on going thing. A home needs to be found for the `deadwood` to ease the wages bill and Pat Rice needs to move over.

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wengers straightjacket says:

August 31, 2011 at 11:44

theo was at fault as arsha usually is…man utd ’s full-backs had a field day because theo for example wasnt covering jenkinson. The whole defensive strategy is hopeless as wenger cannot coach defending…thats common knowledge i know.
Merse is correct……spot on..2 centre backs a midfielder with creativity and a 20+ goals a season striker.
We will get a centre back and a 10 goals a season striker with park…and a left back………and who else???who knows!..dont bank on it!
Bring back dein and use usamanovs money and we will become a powerhouse again..even with wenger at the helm!

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Bouba says:

August 31, 2011 at 12:40

Merson knows what he is talking about, obviously…

I like to address another concern: It is another player who said that our training session and physical preparation are too light.
Adebayor, Clichy, Nasri and even Fabregas have all said it…!!

If it was one or may be 2 players talking about it, I would have thought it was just speculation, but it seems that we have a problem in that sector too… It might be the causes of so many injuries…!!

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pacman says:

August 31, 2011 at 12:56

Agree. But we need a left winger to.. Arshavin kan go to anzi

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Bouba says:

August 31, 2011 at 15:16

Yes I agree, Arshavin can leave if he wants… He has become a burden more than anything else. May try Ryo as left winger… He has proven himself at Feyenoord.

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HP says:

August 31, 2011 at 19:16

I agree with Merson.

We have Park so that’s one striker. I don’t know if Park is good enough though, but we don’t have the time to find another striker.

I think that Mertesacker is going to complete his switch to Arsenal. That’s one defender and with Vermealen injuried a lot I still think it’s important to another central defender. This is where I’m begging that we get Cahill. I have wanted him all summer and I wouldn’t like to see him go to spurs (or any other club).

For a midfielder I don’t know who we are going to buy. Right now there’s a lot of rumors that Arsenal is going after Arteta. Since I don’t really know him that well I was hoping some of you guys could tell me if he is any good and if it’s a good or bad buy in your opinion?

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Paul Merson: Arsenal need two defenders, a midfielder and a centre forward

Written by Jeffrey on August 31, 2011 – 4:30

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