First 3 weeks of Premier League: Arsenal and Chelsea - two extremes of squad planning

After the first three weeks of the Premier League, it is clear Chelsea are the team to beat. Man City and Liverpool have both dropped points. In the second tier, Spurs and Everton have shown a lot of promise and Swansea look all set to challenge them in a big way. Teams like Stoke, Southampton continue to perform strongly while newly promoted Leicester are the reason why EPL is the most competitive league in the world.  

That brings me to my team, The Gunners. I can bring out all the excuses in the world on how we had two really physical and demanding games against Besiktas, our key players are injured, our major players have not had enough practice etc. etc. but the fact remains we have not looked or played like title contenders in first five competitive games of the season.
This transfer window was going to be an opportunity for the Club to build on last season’s equity.  Yes we finished fourth yet again but we had the momentum after winning the FA cup. Champions League football, a storied history and London location should have been enough to lure quality players to build a squad that can compete for all the titles. We have clear gaps in the squad – a world class striker, a top defensive mid fielder and reinforcements at the center back position.

We bought well in Chambers and Debuchy – they are emerging stars and add to the depth of the squad.  Alexis is an expensive buy but promising – he however does not fill the gap at striker position and we have enough wingers who could be the false number nine. Alexis costing more than Diego Costa however still beats all the sense that’s left in the football world. Of course, one can justify that by pointing me to David Luiz transfer price but then that was plain and pure insanity.

I am writing this with a few hours still to go and if rumors are to be believed, we have Danny Welbeck coming to the Emirates – quite a revenge on United after they took away RVP and won the league!

While I still fully subscribe to Wenger’s philosophy of keeping the transfer market sane and keeping players inflated wages and egos in check but that does not take away the fact we have a problem in how the squad is being built every year. It just does not seem like we are building the squad to be serious contenders. We start every year with gaps in the squad, be it for the top 11 on the pitch or for maintaining the depth. Giroud and Sonogo are not the strikers who, even if they remain fully fit throughout the season, can win you the league. Similarly, you cannot go into a season where you are competing in Champions League with defensive midfield pair of Arteta and Flamini. They are both past their primes and at best make good squad players to add depth and rotation.

Chelsea on the other hand provide a perfect template of planning for a title contenders’ squad. You don’t have a goal scorer – buy Diego Costa early in the transfer window. You need to revamp your game and make it more fluid and creative – buy Fabregas. Need a quality back up to Costa – loan out Torres and buy Remy. You need to manage financial restrictions imposed by governing authority – sell luxury players like Luiz and Mata. In a year’s time, Mourinho has not only built a serious title contender squad but also revamped the playing style to make it more fluid, creative and attractive. A squad that can not only win but also get the love of fans all over the world for the playing style and philosophy.

We on the other hand seem to be either stuck in the past or owned by a management that is looking to squeeze out as much dividends as possible until the fans run out of patience. It is too early to call the season though - there are still four hours to go and of course the promise of Alexis and Ozil that combined with the grit of Ramsey and work ethic of Carzola can reignite hopes.