Opinion: The attacking options open to Arsene Wenger are slim

by Segun Ake

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With games coming thick and fast in both international and club football, December approaching  in the English Premier League, Arsene Wenger will need to ensure he manages Oliver Giroud’s form and fitness and give Nicklas Bendtner chances to prove himself. 

After the long international break that was looking like it would not come to an end, club football is back this weekend all over Europe and we are all excited.

In the English Premier League, Arsenal is on top and in great form as their star man Ozil continues to impress.

Taking a look at Arsenal’s title challenge as they are looking like real contenders this season, with a fantastic unbeaten run since their opening day loss at home to Aston Villa, Wenger have been able to lift the team with the signing of Ozil which is looking like a real bargain.

But the Gunners are short in attack which led to the forgotten Nicklas Bendtner who spent last year on loan on the bench at Juventus returning to the team.

During the transfer window, Wenger signed French U-21 striker Yaya Sanogo but the young French player have been sidelines through injury which means Wenger only have two options in the centre striker role – Oliver Giroud and controversial Nicklas Bendtner.

With 2 goals last Friday from Nicklas Bendtner in the World cup qualifying match against Italy which ended 2-2 as Aquilani scored an injury time goal to put the game on level terms.

The draw was not enough to see Denmark make the play-offs despite finishing second in their group behind the Azzuris; they have the lowest points of all the 2nd positioned teams.

As a result of this, Denmark Coach Morten Olsen decided to give younger players a chance against Luxembourg in their last game giving much needed rest to Bendtner and other top players in the team; they won the game 6-0.

Oliver Giroud on the other hand is in fine form scoring twice against Australia last Friday in an international friendly game and also scoring the second goal in the world cup qualifying game against Finland in France ensuring that the French will play in the World cup qualifying play-offs which proves that the Arsenal striker club form is no fluke and justifying Coach Deschamps trust by including him in the starting line up in the last 2 games ahead of Karim Benzema.

With games coming thick and fast in both international and club football, December approaching  in the English Premier League, Arsene Wenger will need to ensure he manages Oliver Giroud’s form and fitness and give Nicklas Bendtner chances to prove himself.

This for sure will make gunners’ supporters worried as most of them do not trust Bendtner to lead the line.

Will this be the only shortcoming of the current Arsenal team?  Will it affect their title challenge in the long run?

There are rumours and reports that Arsenal are looking to bring Fernando Llorente on loan from Juventus to the Emirates in January, as the Spanish striker is struggling to get into the Italian champions starting lineup.

And with one eye on the 2014 world cup, the former Athletic Bilbao striker needs to make a move to another club but only if he is promised playing time.

Fernando Llorente will be a super addition after the acquisition of Mesut Ozil, Llorente will also work a deadly partnership upfront and he will come with a plan B as he is tall and very good in the air.

Also, Barcelona’s Alex song is not also ruling out a return to his former club Arsenal in the summer with his lack of consistent playing time at Camp nou.

Maybe Wenger will want him back just the way he brought Flamini back and Flamini has been the steel that is breaking up opponents play in the midfield.

But with Wenger you expect the unexpected.

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Read this article on www.footballnus.com

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

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