Arsenal FC: The Gunners' 5 Weakest Positions and Potential Replacements

An extremely disappointing loss at Craven Cottage saw Fulham highlighting the many weaknesses in Arsenal's squad. Up 1-0 going into halftime, the Gunners were cruising as well as dominating the match—and if they kept it up in the second half, they would have won.

They didn't.

As a result, Arsene Wenger's men are closer to falling out of contention for a top-four spot, that will qualify them for the Champions League.

The last three matches for Arsenal haven't been very impressive. First, a terrible 1-1 draw at home against Wolves. Then, a 1-0 win against QPR at the Emirates, in which the Gunners could have scored many more goals. And now, that against Fulham.

The offense is lacking spark and ruthlessness in front of goal, while the defense seems completely lost without Belgian center back Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger should spend money in the January transfer window, and here are the positions that he should look for, as well as some options for whom he can buy.

Wingers

In the case of wingers, Gervinho is fine.

He is one of the best opportunity-creators in the Premier League, and as a result has five assists already, tied at No. 7 in the EPL. (His numbers would probably be higher if others finished chances better.)

One flaw in Gervinho's game is that his finishing is surprisingly bad for someone who is so talented. If he works on that and gets his confidence up, he will be set and will be one of the best players in the league.

Theo Walcott, too, is a good player, and even though he is somewhat erratic, he is one of the most useful players on Arsenal. This isn't some sort of paradox; the fact is that though his passing, dribbling and shooting skills all need work, his pace is something that comes in handy for the Gunners.

When Robin van Persie broke Thierry Henry's record of most EPL goals in a calendar year, he mentioned Walcott when asked about the players who helped him achieve that feat. This is a result of Walcott's crazy pace, which allows him to beat defenders and set teammates up for goals.

The problem, in my opinion, lies in Andrei Arshavin. He is getting old, losing pace and not doing well at all.

Especially when Gervinho has to leave for the African Cup of Nations, the Gunners will need wingers, and I don't think the little Russian is the answer to replace him.

Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain and other backup wingers don't seem great options either.

Potential Replacements: Eden Hazard (maybe a bit expensive), Marco Reus (realistic), Lukas Podolski (realistic)

Goalkeepers

Wojciech Szczesny is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, if not in the top three. In fact, many people consider him to be massively underrated.

Despite the fact that he made a small blunder against Fulham—which led to the Cottagers' first goal—you can't really blame him, given the fact that he saved Arsenal time and time again.

At the age of just 21, he is playing the way that many goalkeepers reach only in their mid-20s. In addition to being a fabulous shot-stopper with quick reflexes, he doesn't lose his mind like some former Arsenal goalkeepers have been famous for (Lehmann, Almunia, etc.).

The issue is with both of the backup keepers, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone, who have both made blunders (luckily not in big games). The common view held by Arsenal fans is that they are not viable backups for this kind of high-quality team.

If Szczesny ever gets injured or is forced to miss a game, the consequences will be awful for the Gunners because neither backup is solid.

That's why Wenger must buy a backup goalie—he doesn't have to be some sort of superstar, but just someone who le Professeur is comfortable with in net.

Potential Replacements: Emiliano Viviano (realistic), Gianluigi Buffon (unlikely), Samir Handanovic (50/50)

Strikers

Again, it's a case of the starter being wonderful, but the backup not being capable of filling the void in the better player's absence.

Robin van Persie is debatably the English Premier League's best player. Scoring 35 Premier League goals in 2011, just one shy of Alan Shearer's record, he is Arsenal's record holder of most EPL goals scored in a calendar year.

Not only has he been the Gunners' most important player on offense, but he leads the entire squad very well. The Dutchman has been linked away from the Emirates, for example to Real Madrid or to Manchester City, and if either of those moves happen, the consequences would be devastating for Arsenal.

Marouane Chamakh arrived at Arsenal in 2010, but hasn't done a whole lot upon arriving in North London. Playing time has been scarce for the Moroccan international, and many Gunners fans consider him quite useless, despite the fact that he can be a threat in the air.

Let's not even discuss Chu-Young Park, because it's not like he can help Arsenal's challenge for a Champions League spot.

When van Persie is out, they will need another striker, but they might even need one to pair him up with up front.

Potential Replacements: Thierry Henry on Loan (almost official), Alexandre Pato (Wenger won't break the bank for him), Loic Remy (realistic), Roberto Soldado (unlikely)

Center Backs

As of this year, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny have formed a formidiable pairing at the back for the Gunners. True, it took Koscielny a while to adjust into the Premier League, but it seems a year has done the trick and the two center backs look set.

Now, Vermaelen is out for three weeks, which is a huge blow for the Gunners.

Even when he was fit, he was filling in at left back for the injured Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, which left Per Mertesacker at center back. The German international hasn't been awful, but he hasn't been great.

Mertesacker has proved to be very error-prone, and that is something that is absolutely not acceptable for Arsenal, who will need every little point they can get.

Next, Sebastien Squillaci is an absolute disaster, and anyone who tries to deny that fact will be harshly mocked by any Arsenal fan!

Johan Djourou is playing more at right back in the absence of Bacary Sagna, and he hasn't been doing too well there. In my opinion, he's a better center back than right back, but he's not good enough to be the third- or fourth-case center back.

Mertesacker should probably be the fourth-case halfback, which would leave Djourou at fifth. (As for Squillaci, it's called selling.)

The person who Wenger buys doesn't have to be a superstar, but he should be solid and comfortable playing there.

Potential Replacements: Gary Cahill (close to a Chelsea move), Christopher Samba (realistic), Phil Jagielka (realistic)

Left Backs

Left back may very well be the worst position on the Arsenal squad.

Kieran Gibbs was supposed to be a great up-and-comer a couple of years ago. This statement was reassurance for when Gael Clichy left for Manchester City on a £7 million deal.

However, the young Englishman didn't meet expectations, and he was a real disappointment, taking into consideration both the fact that he didn't play well and also the hype that surrounded Gibbs when he was younger.

Wenger thought he could solve the problem by purchasing 28-year-old Brazilian Andre Santos from Turkish side Fenerbache.

Unfortunately for Arsene Wenger's team, Santos has an odd habit of committing very early, a habit which essentially means you go for broke. He is surprisingly slow, and he gets beaten often as well.

The upside to Santos is the fact that he is good on offense, and when he has the ball, he has quick feet.

Currently, both of these men are injured, and Francis Coquelin filled in against Fulham. He was extremely impressive, one of the best players for Arsenal, but I would like to see him develop more at holding midfielder, where he is more comfortable.

One thing is for sure, the Gunners need a left back.

Potential Replacements: Leighton Baines (realistic), Wayne Bridge (not advisable), Taye Taiwo (unrealistic)

My Opinion

Here is what I think Arsenal should do:

Goalkeeper: Samir Handanovic for around £8 million

Center Back: Christopher Samba for around £10 million

Left Back: Leighton Baines for around £12 million

Winger: Lukas Podolski for around £10 million

Striker: Thierry Henry on loan

Total amount to be spent: £40 million

What Do You Think?

What do you think of each option?

Who do you think Arsene Wenger should sign in the transfer window?

Also, be sure to check out my article on a Thierry Henry move to Arsenal.

Please leave comments and feedback.