Arsenal were many peoples tip for the title here in the Football Transfer Tavern.
The signing of Petr Cech would earn the Gunners an extra 10 points minimum according to various experts, enough to see them mount a serious title challenge if they carry on from where they left off during the second half of last season.
Their opening day defeat to West Ham saw some alarm bells go off however, with the Gunners completely unconvincing in front of their home fans.
With another 10 days of the transfer window remaining, we have identified five players Arsene Wenger would be wise to try and sign to aid his team in their quest for a first Premier League title since 2004.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal 5 players Arsenal need to sign to aid their Premier League challenge
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Lucas Biglia
The general feeling is that Arsenal are another defensive midfield player short of the ideal squad. Mikel Arteta no longer has the legs, and Francis Coquelin is still inexperienced.
He was fortunate to survive the trip to Palace without getting sent off, a moment that will have reinforced the idea amongst Arsenal fans they are a player light in that area.
Argentine international Lucas Biglia has impressed in that role for Lazio and the national side, and is reportedly available for the right price this summer.
Manchester United have previously been linked.
Victor Wanywama
Alternatively, Southampton’s Victor Wanyama is another option to fill that defensive midfield void.
The Kenyan has been superb for Southampton over the past couple of seasons, and would not need any time to adapt to the Premier League.
North London rivals Tottenham are also said to be interested in the former Celtic star, yet Arsenal have the advantage of being able to offer Champions League football this season – a competition he impressed in during his time in Scotland.
Winston Reid
The New Zealand international has been a target for the Gunners previously, and his performance during the Hammers 2-0 win at the Emirates on the opening day proved just why.
Reid is a highly underrated Premier League defender, who would provide cover for the ageing Per Mertesacker. Unlike January signing Gabriel Paulista, Reid is proven in English football and would not need any time to adapt.
All the top sides nowadays are in need of four top class centre backs, so a move for Reid before the close of the transfer window would be shrewd – especially when you consider the Hammers are looking to fund a move for QPR’s Charlie Austin.
Karim Benzema
The jury is out as to whether Olivier Giroud is the striker to fire Arsenal to a Premier League title. Which is why the Gunners have been so heavily linked with France international teammate and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.
Madrid boss Rafa Benitez insists Benzema will be going nowhere, but stories linking him with a move to north London refuse to go away.
Were Arsene Wenger able to complete a deadline move for a Real Madrid star as he did two years ago with Mesut Ozil, it would certainly send out a powerful message to the rest of the Premier League.
Julian Draxler
The young German is linked with a move to Arsenal every transfer window.
And with the Gunners keen to add more firepower to their attack, surely now is the time to make a move for the highly rated attacker.
Schalke insist it would take an ‘astronomical offer’ to convince them to part with Draxler before the close of the window, but Arsenal have the money at their disposal.
It just depends on whether Wenger is willing to spend it.
