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Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Arsenal will have to splash money on impact players to bridge the gap between them and the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
He said: “Arsenal will be hoping to move forward and get to the front runners, in the way they haven’t in recent seasons. If they kept the same squad they have now then they’d be treading water.
“As an ex-Arsenal man I hope they can make inroads into that gap between themselves and the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
“Arsenal have got money to spend and it would be silly not to spend it if they could spend it on the right people.”
He expects that the recent managerial changes at the top clubs in Premier league will take time to come good and that could help Arsenal win the crown this season.
He added: “Manager changes at United, City and Chelsea could be an advantage for Arsenal, who are a very stable club with one of the best managers around.
“Obviously Mourinho going back to Chelsea isn’t a huge change for them because he knows the ropes there but Pellegrini, who is a very experienced manager, will need time to adjust to a new way of playing in the Premier League and the atmosphere at City, as might David Moyes, who has made a huge step up to United and you couldn’t blame him for feeling daunted by that.”
On Arsene Wenger’s interest in players like Luis Suarez and Marouane Fellaini, he said: “Two years ago Wenger wouldn’t have gone near Suarez with a barge pole.
“That’s nothing to do with his ability on the pitch because he’s one of the best strikers around, but the bid marks a sea change in Arsenal’s policy. The fact they are going for these types of characters – proven talent who can produce straight away but also introduce a bit more of an edge to the side.
“Arsenal have also been linked with Marouane Fellaini who can also be in your face and aggressive, so perhaps Wenger feels his team needs that character now because that kind of edge hasn’t always been there in the past.”
On what else Arsenal needs to do to win a trophy after 8 years, he said: “However, as well as the striker situation, which they are trying to address, I’d like to see a different sort of midfielder in there to compliment Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, someone with a physical stature in the middle of the park.
“I’d also like to see another centre-back and, in goal, is Wojciech Szczesny ready to be keeping goal for Arsenal week-in, week-out? An experienced keeper could be needed as well.”
Source: Skysports.com
