Window of opportunity fading fast as Arsene Wenger's search stalls

11 April 2012

In the same way Arsenal's truncated summer dealings contributed to a disastrous start, the club's stalling in the January transfer window is threatening a fresh slump from which they may not recover.

The Gunners have been unfortunate to be struck by an injury crisis so acutely localised in their defence.

Arsene Wenger is also sensible in his assertion that acquiring new players is often a rash solution when patience with what you have should win out; it is a policy he appears increasingly likely to adopt this month as the Frenchman gradually abandons his plan to sign defensive cover.

Having begun the month intent on adding a player to offset the depletion at full-back, Wenger has, by his own admission, embarked upon a chase with a criteria that makes success virtually impossible. The advert is specific. 'Wanted: An experienced left-back able to slot in straight away on a temporary basis. Young players requiring time to bed in or those looking for a permanent deal need not apply.'

Few players fit the bill, especially in the winter window when individuals have selfish interests to reinvigorate their careers rather than choose the right club. Wenger has already called for the abolition of the dual window system and his consternation only enhances the likelihood there will no new arrivals this month. But while his search stagnates, so does his team. The damage done while Wenger waits for his injured players to return continues to increase at an alarming rate.

Arsenal are 10 points behind Tottenham in the race for north London bragging rights but of more importance is the four-point gap that has suddenly opened up between Chelsea in fourth place and the Gunners in fifth.

With Champions League football paramount for the club, the precarious nature of Arsenal's situation would force many clubs into expenditure as insurance against failure.

Not Arsenal. The debate continues as to whether Wenger has his hands tied by the board or the Frenchman's own stubbornness creates a myopia that does not allow him to address his team's obvious shortcomings.

It is hard to believe Wenger is blind to such frailty but, whoever is responsible, the club are playing a dangerous game in risking their top-four status through their inactivity. Enquiries have been made regarding Barcelona's Eric Abidal and Lyon's Aly Cissokho but both appear non-starters as loan moves have been ruled out.

Arsenal must find a solution and their scouting network is under pressure, as is the club's medical department to bolster an ailing back four. Manchester United visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Arsenal centre-half Thomas Vermaelen hoping to return from a calf problem - his inclusion cannot come soon enough. The panic that seemed to spread throughout Arsenal's defence yesterday - eventually contributing to the otherwise excellent Laurent Koscielny erring for Swansea's winning goal - is an alarming trait compounded by constant stopgap solutions in an ever-changing back four.

"It is difficult to understand what is going on," said Wenger. "We are a bit too nervous. We cannot panic every time they have the ball in the final third of the pitch. We have to show more composure and ambition."

Wenger answered one question in post-match press conference before getting up to leave but there are many imponderables regarding his team that the Frenchman cannot walk away from.

At the Liberty Stadium, the Gunners were outfought and outmanoeuvred. Arsenal led through Robin van Persie's fifth-minute opener and appeared in command until Aaron Ramsey was judged to have fouled Nathan Dyer in the box - the penalty was "complete imagination", according to Wenger, and Scott Sinclair dispatched the spot-kick.

Dyer then put the hosts in front before Theo Walcott equalised. But within a minute, Koscielny lost Danny Graham and the striker beat Wojciech Szczesny to seal the points.

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