Prior to the end of the preparation season, the team "Arsenal" can compete for the treble. After defeating the team "Everton" with a score of 3-1 and winning the title of "Premier League Asia Trophy," the "gunners" still have the Emirates Cup competitions and a meeting with the team "Chelsea" at Wembley Stadium for the "Community Shield" trophy, the website "bleacherreport.com" reported.
Despite the fact that none of these competitions are highly valued, victories can have positive reactions in Arsene Wenger's club: each award ceremony boosts the team's confidence and morale, and awakens the hopes of the team's players and fans that they will be serious contenders for titles during the season.
During the past few days, Wenger has fielded two different line-ups, showing the wide choice of players he can work with. At the moment, the coach has 27 healthy and ready players - a situation unheard of for a club with a history of player injuries.
Although it is difficult to draw significant conclusions after a friendly tournament, this is an excellent example that, considering the possibilities of player choices, Wenger probably has not had a stronger team.
In the match against "Everton," Petr Cech, who made his debut in the team, further strengthened the team's defensive potential. Although the team's defenders are not the first stars, the team's strategist has eight players whom he can freely rotate to choose the quartet for the start of the "Premier League."
The midfield has the most talent. Francis Coquelin currently appears as the guaranteed starter for the starting eleven, but choosing between Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, and Aaron Ramsey for the spot next to him is not an easy task. However, the opportunity to choose from such a deep and talented pool of players is an advantage that the coach has not had before. Up front, it seems that Mesut Ozil will continue to occupy the role of the "tenth player," in which he excelled at the end of last season.
The only unclear part where questions and doubts still arise is the attack. "Arsenal" most often chooses a mobile formation of three attackers, where two players occupy positions on the wings, and one player plays in the center forward position. When he returns from the holidays that the club gave him after the "Copa America" tournament, one place on the wing will be guaranteed for Alexis Sanchez. However, football specialists are skeptical about the other two attacking positions.
Looking at what Theo Walcott showed in Singapore, he could be a prominent detail in Arsenal's attacking line in pursuit of titles. The English national team member played from the beginning of the match against Everton club and scored his typical goal. When Santi Cazorla controlled the ball in the middle of the field, Walcott escaped his defender, sprinted towards the high pass from the Spaniard, and finished the attack with a goal into Joel Robles' net. This attack perfectly illustrated Walcott's best qualities.
The goal contributed to a positive impression from his performance. If the forward were a new signing and these were his first matches, Arsenal fans watching the game would be delighted. Walcott's movements were more dangerous than ever, his speed appeared undiminished from the cruciate ligament injury that had kept him out for years. However, most importantly, his teamwork looked much better than usual. Walcott looked like a man determined to make an impact on the game.
Despite this, his place in the team remains uncertain. The forward's contract with the team expires after this season, and despite the coach's and player's statements that they want to find a compromise, there has been no progress in the negotiations.
This is not the first time that talks with Walcott have stalled. In contract extension discussions, he always seemed like a player trying to get the highest possible salary. Given his place in the starting eleven for the FA Cup final, it is clear that Wenger believes in the player he acquired as a teenager from the Southampton club.
However, it seems that the coach's patience may once again be tested in long contract extension negotiations.
If Walcott were to sign a new contract, he would have the best chance of securing a starting spot in Arsenal's attacking trio. His pace should intimidate opponents' defenders just thinking about racing against him and Alexis Sanchez. However, if Walcott continues to find no compromise with the club, Wenger may have to choose - sell him now or risk losing the player for a pittance next summer.
If the coach decided to sell the player, a place in the starting lineup would open up for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, or even a new team purchase with the money received.
In the match against Everton, Olivier Giroud took the starting center forward position. It must be admitted that the Frenchman was the most disappointing figure in the Arsenal team that day. Although criticizing a player who played his first match in the preparation period may be too harsh, every aspect of Giroud's performance in the memorable match raises doubts about whether this player is of the right level for the Arsenal team aiming for trophies.
The center forward position is where the two teams that finished first and second in the Premier League - Chelsea and Manchester City - have the biggest advantage over last year's third-placed Arsenal team.
Their forwards - Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa - are well-known players worldwide, who are leaders both in clubs and national teams. Although Giroud's effectiveness in the Premier League is not bad (during the months of January to April last year, in 10 matches, the Frenchman scored 9 goals), it is not at the world-class level. This is also illustrated by the fact that Giroud is not the main forward of the French national team.
Perhaps this is the reason why the rumors about Arsenal and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema are still not going away. As Matt Barlow from the Daily Mail reports, Wenger still does not rule out the possibility of bringing the former Lyon forward to the club. However, the deal seems impossible for several reasons: Real Madrid does not seem willing to sell the player, and with the 2016 European Championships approaching, it is difficult to imagine Benzema and Giroud competing in the same club.
The fact that talks about a new forward in his position are not just rumors is confirmed by Olivier's words on the "arsenal.com" website:
"The question of whether I am necessary does not interest me. I am trying to focus on my preseason preparation. We look good together, and there is mutual understanding in the team. For me, the most important thing is that the team always improves. If there is a new forward, it will benefit the whole club because competition helps everyone."
Whatever events unfold, it seems that the talks will not end, and Wenger understands well that even in his most competitive team, he may still need to seek reinforcement in the attacking line to compete for the Premier League title.
J.McNicholasas, bleacherreport.com
