How Arsenal can win again

Arsenal are a great club. With a history as rich as any top club in Europe, Arsenal have always been a force to reckoned with.

But after a trophy drought of eight years, fans are as desperate as ever to see their club win silverware this season.

With manager Arsene Wenger at the helm for the 17th consecutive year and cash to splash after lucrative deals with Emirates and Puma, here is a look at the issues which the Gunners need to address to be a major title contender for the next season.

1. Retaining players
Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Alex Song. Arsenal have parted with big names during the past two years and have been criticised by being called a ‘feeder club’ to other European giants.

With the team having a settled look during the end of the last season, Wenger will look to retain the core of the squad and prevent players from leaving.

The core of Englishmen in Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gibbs, Walcott, Ramsey and Jenkinson are only going to get better by the day and with the likes of Arteta and Cazorla in the midfield, Arsenal would surely go uphill from here.

But for that to happen, the players need to be retained and not sold.

2. Consistency
To finish at the top of the table by the end of the new season, a team needs to be consistent throughout.

Giving sporadic performances and then losing easy matches in the first half of the season has not helped Arsenal’s cause.

The team gelled well together during the end of the season, with winning eight of its last 10 matches and managing draws against Everton and Manchester United.

As the side is expected to primarily remain the same with a few new big signings, expect Arsenal to finish stronger next season.

3. Strengthening defence
With right-back Bacary Sagna’s contract due to run out next summer, a long-term replacement is a necessity for Arsenal.

While Carl Jenkinson’s impressive run led to him earning his England cap at the age of 20, Wenger would know the importance of having more than one top quality right-back.

Also, with central defender Laurent Koscielny hinting at a transfer move and captain Thomas Vermaelen having a poor last season, the time has come for Wenger to make a major signing in this area to accompany Per Mertesacker.

4. Making a big-name signing in the form of a striker
With the departure of Van Persie, a hole had formed at the beginning of the season last year.

The Dutch international was replaced by Frenchman Giroud who has claimed that he had a better first season than Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba by finding the net 17 times in all competitions. But Giroud has not had the same impact as Van Persie as the latter has the ability to score out of nothing.

With a reported £70 million in the transfer kitty, Wenger would like make a big-name signing in the form of a centre forward.

Real Madrid star Higuain has been strongly linked with the club since what seems like ages but there has been no word in the finalisation of the reported £23 million deal.

The fans will be hoping to wrap up the deal as soon as possible and avoid any last minute excuses as the 25-year-old Argentine, who has been surplus to requirements at Bernabeu, will bring great skill and speed to Emirates.

Up until now, there has been only one confirmed signing by the Gunners. Wenger continues his penchant for French forwards by signing under-19 striker Yaya Sanogo as a free transfer.

Arsenal have built a strong base for a new, bright future ahead and need a few quality signings to propel them to the next level.

It is high time that Wenger delivers again and proves that Arsenal have it in them to be the best.