The hole that Gilberto left at Arsenal
October 30, 2008
Goal.com runs an article about the midfield hole at Arsenal.
Wenger: I Don’t Need A New Midfielder
Arsenal gaffer Arsene Wenger has surprisingly played down the need to sign a new midfield battler…The Gunners fans are generally of the opinion that, following the departures of midfield trio Gilberto Silva, Mathieu Flamini and Lassana Diarra, Arsene Wenger must bid big for a new central presence in January.
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is perhaps the most high-profile player linked with an Emirates switch in the New Year, where he would link up with Ivory Coast team-mate and brother Kolo.
However, despite watching his side implode and throw away a two goal lead in the dying stages of the thrilling North London derby on Wednesday, en route to a 4-4 draw, Wenger remains bullish over the need to bolster his midfield.
The Frenchman said: “Another midfielder? I don’t know, because I feel that Denilson had another outstanding game today.
“In fact, when we conceded the [first] goal, we had our defensive midfielders on the pitch. We had [Alex] Song on the pitch, who is a defender and midfielder, when we conceded the two goals [late on].”
Instead, the boss just hopes that his young side can start to shape up quickly, before another shot at the Premiership title slips away. “The maturity problem will improve with intelligence,” he insisted. “They will learn from their mistakes.”