Arsenal: David Seaman so nearly a genius

David Seaman has stated that Arsenal need a new central midfielder and new centre-half. While the former is an accurate assessment, the latter is useless without Arsene Wenger changing his approach.

Arsenal have made two very astute signings this summer already. The free-agent acquisition of Sead Kolasinac adds an element of steel and solidarity that has been painfully absent for far too long, while Alexandre Lacazette, signed for a club-record £52 million, offers a ruthless, clinical streak in front of goal, with a reputation and calibre at the striking position that is required to inspire a genuine and sustained title challenge.

However, for a successful title challenge to be enjoyed, more additions must be made between now and the beginning of the season. At least that is the viewpoint of David Seaman, who, in an interview with Goal, stated his belief that he would like to see another central midfielder and central defender added to the squad before the Gunners can be seen as possible Premier League winners:

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"“I think they need a central midfield player – a holding midfielder – a Patrick Vieira type midfield player. One with a lot of presence and strength, with the ability to control games like Patrick used to. Then maybe a centre-half For Arsenal to win the league, I feel they’re a few players short, looking at other squads. I think they just need a couple. They’ve been there or there abouts for a long time now but never been in with a really good chance in the last few weeks of the season – so adding a couple of players might change that.”"

Half of Seaman’s assessment is spot on. The other half, less so. Firstly, Arsene Wenger does need to address the central midfield weaknesses of his side. There is a lack of physical presence to anchor the midfield — Granit Xhaka, while boasting the stature, falls short thanks to his immobility, poor agility and lengthened turning circle — and there is no one in the squad capable of fulfilling such a role.

Leon Goretzka has been linked with a possible move to North London and he would certainly provide an all-round, accomplished option to build the midfield around.

The second aspect of Seaman’s comments refers to his want for another centre-half. Although his intentions are correct — Arsenal need to sure up their defensive shortcomings –, adding another body is not the solution.

Arsenal’s defensive issues, their openness, especially against the counterattack, their ill-discipline, their lack of shape and structure, their poor communication and sub-standard positional understanding, particularly as a cohesive, collective unit, must be solved if they harbour any hopes of a title challenge.

But that will not come through signings. It must come through Wenger adapting his possession-orientated, attack-first approach that can leave his side exposed. There is a balance to be found and Wenger, for the most part, has swayed too far to his obsession with the attractive and the fluid, not the mechanical but successful.

Next: Arsenal: 5 potentially title-winning signings

Seaman’s overarching point, though, does carry some relevance and weight. Despite this being a successful summer window thus far, there is still much work to be done, particularly in central midfield.

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