Gimme Gimme Gimme a Man after Midnight

On the night of the transfer window Arsene Wenger must have been all wrapped up from the snow listening to his beloved Abba records. Then suddenly he heard a song that changed his mind set, his train of thought as he realised he had to sign a player to get rid of those potential shadows that have been following him in Aston Villa shirts.
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away
Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day
Wenger signed Arshavin a long way past midnight in his quest for fourth spot and their objective for the rest of the season must be just to win enough games to get that ever-challenging Champions League position.
Wenger’s persistence must be running thin, when will he realise that signing the players of the calibre of Arshavin will not symbolise success or guarantee European football.
The Arsenal manager must be hoping this season finishing pretty quickly to get ready to prepare for next season, the break of the day.
It has been plainly obvious that this season debacle was caused by not replacing Mathieu Flamini. The Arshavin purchase only replaces the void left by Alexander Hleb. Wasn’t that void replaced when Arsenal signed Samir Nasri?
The Russian has an extraordinary wealth of talent and fits the mould of player that Wenger and Arsenal fans love. He’s mobile, skilful and very good technically but the underlying problem is that protection of the back four.
Claude Makelele was brought in to Chelsea to support the wealth of attacking presence at the clubs disposal and they subsequently won trophies. Javier Mascherano has given Liverpool that protection in front of that back four to give them a realistic title challenge. Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, alike, were brought in at Manchester United. Even Aston Villa have the talented Gareth Barry protecting their defence.
Wenger should have looked for a more commanding midfield player as his previous teams were built around such individuals. The Gilberto Silva’s, the Patrick Vieira’s, the Emmanuel Petit’s were the cornerstone of Arsenal’s success and now they are left wanting.
Arshavin was brought in to please those newly found Arsenal fans that demand success every season. Once again, Arsenal are in transition and this signing would be a welcomed success in a season that will not bring any trophies.
Arshavin maybe that player to get fourth but that won’t keep the shadows at bay for next season. A no nonsense midfielder is a must.