A number of former Arsenal players have been in the news recently, speaking on the state of Arsene Wenger's squad and what type of improvements may be needed for the Gunners to re-emerge as title threats in the Barclays Premier League.Arsenal have gone five seasons without capturing the league crown, falling to fourth spot this past season while seeing Manchester United claim its third straight Premier League trophy.
But ex-Gunner Perry Groves believes that despite the North London side's slip below Liverpool and Chelsea in the standings, Arsenal is better equipped than any club to topple Manchester United next season.Speaking to arsenal.com's Chris Harris, Groves said, "When you lose players like Flamini, Lehmann, Gilberto and Hleb—four senior players—it does create a hole because younger players who come into the side haven't been in that situation before.
That's what happened last season but the youngsters matured during the campaign and they will be better for the experience.""United have a maturity about them, they are physically mature," added the former Gunner, who played at Highbury from 1986 to 1992.
"They have been together for a number of years now and this is their third title in a row so they know how to win championships. They have players who know how to perform in the big games. "If you look at the age of our squad it's very young and sometimes as a youngster you need a few experienced players around you when things aren't going well to galvanise everybody," continued Groves.
"But I actually think as a squad we're closer to challenging Manchester United than Liverpool or Chelsea because I think we are only two players away."The squad looks strong and they are all excellent players technically. I think if we make the right signings we'll be up there challenging again."Another former Gunner, Alan Smith, agrees that a few shrewd buys will make the difference for Wenger's men in the upcoming season.
Smith, who helped lead Arsenal to league championships in 1989 and 1991 during his playing days in North London, told arsenal.com's Harris that some "astute signings can turn Arsenal's potential into tangible reward. "There were periods last season in which they produced some outstanding football, but they never looked like a title-winning team in my book," stated Smith. "I suppose that was hammered home in the games against Manchester United in the Champions League and then Chelsea.
They were just a bit short."Smith added that "there is so much talent, so much potential, but the mix isn't quite right at the moment. Everybody is telling Arsene Wenger that so I think it will be interesting to see who arrives in the summer, I think one or two will come in to give the squad a better balance."As far as the types of players offering such a boost to the squad, Smith would like to see "a commanding stopper brought in.
He doesn't need to be technically brilliant, but someone who can head balls away and command the box. It would be nice to see a holding midfielder too, someone to work alongside Cesc Fabregas when we need someone to sit there and break up the play."
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