Surely there is an argument that the key missing link IS a prolific world class striker

[Monty91]

and that we don't actually need any new defenders or midfielders as a matter of urgency?

[Billy Goat Sverige]

[Pat Vegas]

didn't we have the best defensive record for the last 10/15 games or something like that.

[Monty91]

will continue to be utilised (ostensibly) on the left?

[Monty91]

Or something

[Billy Goat Sverige]

[Monty91]

I like the Ox.

[redgunamo]

Taking on Spurs is a different kind of pressure.

[redgunamo]

Fantastic post though, all the same.

[Monty91]

they object to, which I can of course understand.

I doubt there'd be the same level of ambivalence if we spent £8 million less on Higuain (despite him being an inferior player, by all accounts)

[Classic Jorge]

The positions we're currently light on are centreback, Miquel isnt an option yet, and the most defensive centre midfield player, just Arteta isnt enough either.

[Rich]

United - Van Persie, Rooney, maybe that little spick Chiqarito too.

City - Where to start?

Chelsea - Torres, Schürrle, Ba, Lukaku

Arsenal - Giroud, Podolski

[Monty91]

play more defensively so it's just a matter of whether we need someone better than Arteta.

And if Wenger doesn't think so, then who on earth are we to argue?

[redgunamo]

the true bayonet tip is somehow surplus to requirements, a luxury even, in the modern game.

I blame coaches. Their role is far more prominent nowadays and strikers are by nature difficult to select and raise. Other types of player are far more amenable so obviously coaches prefer dealing with those.

Computer games are to blame too for encouraging everyone to try to think like coaches /rant

[Classic Jorge]

[Monty91]

[Classic Jorge]

[redgunamo]

[Monty91]

utilise Arteta further forward. It was inevitable that once he joined a big club he would drop back. We need better creative players than him dictating things in the final third.

It's like Gareth Bale. At Spurs they're trying to push him as far up the pitch as they can. If he joined Real Madrid, he would be playing left back within a month.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

But as an argument it would be based on a matter of personal opinion as opposed to a statement of fact.

I think we need all 3 with striker as the main requirement, but a striker alone, even a £40m one, will be nowhere near enough.

[Classic Jorge]

[Monty91]

I hate to break it to you but Arteta is creatively mediocre.

[Ashberto]

[Classic Jorge]

He's excellent at keeping the ball moving, using it intelligently and reading the game and reacting to it quickly. In short he's perfect for the middle midfield role, what Menotti wouldve called "The passer".

[redgunamo]