Arsenal Transfer News: January Window Crucial for Arsene Wenger's Future

Arsene Wenger continues to take criticism for his apparent failures in the transfer market, and the upcoming January window could be crucial for his future with the club.

As reported by the Daily Mail's Nicholas Godden, former Gunner Alan Smith became the latest to take a shot at the French manager when he found out Mathieu Debuchy, a natural full-back, would be starting at centre-back against Newcastle United. Appearing on Sky Sports, he said:

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They knew Koscielny had a problem with his achilles, that has flared up several times already.

They knew Vermaelen was leaving. So why haven't they brought someone in? I think the recruitment is something they need to look at because they are not decisive enough. Arsene tends to change his mind a lot.

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Pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp added some fuel to the fire, saying:

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He just keeps proving the critics right unfortunately. That's what he's doing week in week out. 

A defensive midfield player, every Arsenal fan that is in here probably says the same thing, "we're crying out for somebody that can do that role", because it's not always the defenders that are at fault, it's that protection that they need.

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The debate on Wenger's transfer dealings is a polarising one, and with the next window opening up in a matter of weeks, pundits like the Daily Telegraph's Jason Burt are already guaranteeing plenty of movement at the Emirates.

During the summer, Wenger brought in Alexis Sanchez, who has been nothing short of a smash hit for the club. Danny Welbeck has been at least as good as advertised, while youngster Calum Chambers looks like a future star in the back four. Hector Bellerin was retained after a loan spell, and he too looks promising for the future.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

He replaced Bacary Sagna with Mathieu Debuchy, and due to the latter's injury early in the campaign, it's too early to properly grade the move. But he also failed to adequately replace former captain Thomas Vermaelen at centre-back, and the position of holding midfielder was never addressed.

What should have been hailed as a very solid window quickly turned into a disappointment once the injuries started to arrive: the Gunners were lacking in depth, particularly in the defensive department, and 16 matches into the Premier League campaign, the title is all but lost.

And then this happened in a train station after the 3-2 loss against Stoke City (warning: video contains strong language):

Let's make one thing clear: the handful of fans that heckled the long-time manager after the loss represent a small minority of Arsenal fans. In general, Gooners have the utmost respect for what Wenger has done for the club—they just wonder whether it's time for a new direction.

They're also tired of slow transfer windows, where clear areas of need are not addressed. Which is why it was big news to hear Wenger specifically say he will sign a new defender in January, via Squawka Football:

It's fantastic news for the fans, but the tactic doesn't come without its risks. By announcing to the world he is committed to bringing in reinforcements, Wenger is essentially building the pressure on whoever the signing becomes.

The fans might be disappointed if he opts for a younger, cheaper option over an immediate-impact starter, especially given they'll be spending the next three weeks speculating who will join the club.

Regardless of what happens, Wenger will always be a club icon, and as the Premier League's longest-serving manager at this time, it's difficult to see the club break up his deal which runs until 2017, via Arsenal's official website.

But he needs to start rebuilding some of the faith at least part of the fans have lost in order to make sure his job remains secure. TV personality Piers Morgan will likely never become his biggest fan, but even he would have to acknowledge Wenger if things started to move in a positive direction again:

No, Wenger likely won't be sacked before 2017, barring some kind of major slump. But he's been with the club since 1996 and will likely wish to continue his career past the 2016-17 season, at which time he'll be 67.

If he wishes to remain the manager of the Gunners after that, things will have to change. And that change will have to start in a couple of weeks, during the January window. Addressing the squad's biggest needs is the road to success, not just on the pitch, but with the fans as well.

Another six months of mediocrity and inconsistency could be fatal—the time is now for Wenger to abandon his transfer window struggles and come through in January.

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