Ever wondered how different the words challengers and contenders can be? They both chase the same piece of glory, but one wins and the other remains with the peloton, however close they can claim to be or really are. But it is a fine line. The finest of lines which can literally not be seen, the imaginary axis of success and failure, the one which Arsenal has failed to go past in the best part of the running decade. They can claim success off the pitch but these are similarly abstract as the aforementioned axis. The real prize is one where the players sweat their heart out, where they cover every inch of the grass for a last-ditch tackle or a sliding tap-in; this is the prize won to appease millions of hearts and set the rest broken, an occasion which reaches the eyes of people across the seven continents. The activities behind the scenes are so aptly named behind-the-scenes, they don’t seem to matter to the fans, the people who brave storm and cold to cheer their team in different terrains, they lose sleep not to find out what an agent has to say about a club president, for them trophies are the only tonic and not even the signing of a Maradona or Pele can better the ecstasy of winning a trophy, for this is something to keep for life, something to brag about to coming generations. Arsenal, for one, is a club who has been starved for success and this famine in the northern part of London is likely to resume course if we don’t see something unfathomable. Arsene Wenger’s déjà vu summers, summers where he claims to have the quid but ends up buying duds in search of bargains, look set to continue. Arsenal fans are right to get frustrated and the more this drought continues, the more the frustrations will grow, and it’s a matter of time before it reaches a tipping point. Professor Wenger can for now keep them waiting and even bring some of the lost smiles with a signing or two. Arsenal doesn’t look genuine contenders for the title, their team is shorn of some world class talent, spare Cazorla and a few others, and average teams seldom win wars. Arsenal seem to have been missing some key ingredients that could make them contenders from challengers and here we analyze five players who could be the answer from the gods, players who could end the drought, the five missing pieces of Wenger’s jigsaw.
- JULIO CESARThe Brazilian was the top custodian in the recently concluded Confederations Cup and he looks to have turned another corner in his illustrious career after last season’s disastrous campaign with QPR. He looked calm and assured as ever, leading his backline and marshaling the goal with aplomb. The experienced and wise-old head of Cesar is exactly what Arsenal needs at this stage. He has been linked to the club all summer but for his arrival to happen, a lot of work needs to be done. Wojciech Szczesny, the club number one, is 22-years-old and the presence of a stalwart in Cesar could greatly benefit him in the future. Wenger has always stressed that Szczesny won’t be replaced by another keeper, but his erratic displays last season may just have made Wenger rethink about this. A solid goalkeeper, Cesar could be the perfect fit for the Gunners.
- LARS BENDER
A make-the-world-stand-up-and-take-notice kind of signing if it were ever to be materialized, Bender is a man in demand. And the German wouldn’t come cheap either. Hefty price-tags make Wenger paranoid, and if somehow he manages to strike a deal and pay the top money, he could be one hell of a signing. A player from the topmost of brackets, Bender will make the Gunners squad stronger and will add some much needed stardust. Moreover Bender’s specialty in playing a number of different roles with frightening efficiency is something every club craves for, and if Wenger can land this dream signing, the stadium staff should ready themselves to dust the trophy cabinet once again. - ETIENNE CAPOUE
The Toulouse star has been tracked by Wenger’s army of scouts in France for ages. A bid was rejected for Etienne in January and Wenger still harbors an ambition of buying him. A combative midfielder, Etienne Capoue can be another attempt by Wenger to replace the irreplaceable Patrick Vieira in the center of the park. He could be relatively cheap, and given his development of potential at such a young age, Capoue looks a star of the future, and Wenger could do a lot worse than not snapping him up. He looks a player to deliver on the expectations, and with the likes of Rosicky and Diaby fading, Capoue has got all the credentials to be a top player for the Gunners, and maybe it won’t be long until we see an Arsenal assault on the title. - CESC FABREGAS
The former Arsenal captain looks unsettled in his boyhood club Barcelona, and Wenger will have one eye on the Spanish star. A good player always has space on the team sheet and Fabregas will not have any problem reintegrating with the present Arsenal side. Wenger doesn’t seem too keen on pulling off surprises but if Fabregas makes his much awaited return to North London, it could well be the signing of the season. Won’t be a steal though, as good players seldom come cheap. A signing for the overly optimistic and the fantasy lovers, this signing looks unlikely as ever, but if something materializes then we could well be seeing a master class of a team.
- LUIS SUAREZ
The Uruguayan was subject to a failed bid from the Gunners only a few days ago, as Wenger’s final requirement is definitely a striker. Suarez’s future is uncertain, and given Liverpool’s desire not to sell the want-a-way star to a fellow Premier League club, Arsenal’s hopes pin on the player. So far, he has hinted at departing Anfield and had good things to say about Arsenal. It’s only a matter of time before Suarez joins another club, but whether he comes to Arsenal is the biggest issue. But don’t count against it or suspend your bets.