Arsenal need a ‘miracle’ to win a trophy…well apparently

Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin always has something to say. His words are certainly never dull, whether it’s talking about how women can’t drive or how Arsenal need to improve, it is always a good read when there is an interview with Arshavin in the papers. So what has he said now? The Russian international has expressed that to win either the Premier League or the Champions League this season, Arsenal will need a miracle. Quoted in the Daily Mirror, Arshavin said:

My greatest dream is to win a title with my club. Naturally, it would be better if we won the Premier League or the Champions League. But to do this we need a miracle – which is to start playing finally with our optimal line up. I do not think we have had it once so far this season. . . I have a feeling that Arsenal are not going to buy any new players in the winter transfer window. Or if we do, it will be at the very last moment.

It is quite a surprising statement considering Arsenal lie third in the table, only 3 points behind leaders Chelsea, with under half a season remaining, but Arshavin is known for his outspoken views. So does the Russian have a point at all?

When you look at what he actually said, the reasons he feel the Gunners need a ‘miracle’ are because of the lack of luck Arsenal seem to have with injuries, and the lack of movement in the transfer market to replace injured players with new signings. No doubt, Arshavin is correct in saying that Arsenal never quite seem to be able to pick their strongest team. With Denilson getting injured just as Tomas Rosicky returns to full fitness and with injuries to Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy, all players in key positions, it does seem as though Arsenal are finding it very difficult to get their best eleven onto the pitch.

Especially after the strange injury to Denilson against Everton at the weekend, Arshavin obviously feels that Arsenal may never have their ‘optimum line-up’ out on the pitch this season. With important players such as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie still out, you could hardly blame the midfielder for bemoaning his luck but with Fabregas set to return soon there is room for optimism.

Arshavin’s pessimism over the lack of new signings this season does however have some traction. With van Persie out for most of the season, Arsene Wenger will be relying on Eduardo and the returning Nicklas Bendtner to be the lone striker. It is situation that Arshavin, going by what he said, feels unhappy about for he feels that important players, such as the injured van Persie, need to be replaced in January to continue Arsenal’s title challenge.

Maybe Arshavin used the wrong word when he said Arsenal need a ‘miracle,’ the Gunners’ position in the league demonstrates clearly this is not the case, but I do understand what he says in the sense that to win the league, Arsenal need all their best players fit, something which has not happened often enough this season. For me, Arsene Wenger really needs to consider buying another striker in January to supplement both Bendtner and Eduardo. I do not want to see a situation where the Gunners have to play Arshavin as a lone frontman again. For me it simply doesn’t work away from home and although the January market is not the best place to find decent, quality, value for money players, Wenger did buy Arshavin in last year’s window after all, why can’t Arsene find another gem to play up front so Arsenal have a greater chance of challenging for the title?