Actions that Arsenal desperately needs to do

With 3 consecutive losses and still no defenders recovering from the injury list, Arsenal is again looking at an uncertain future. After the 8-2 loss Arsenal had with Manchester United, Arsene Wenger went into panic mode and bought players on the very last day of the transfer window! With another loss (1-2) against Manchester United, Arsene Wenger might just be forced to make some changes and bring in new faces to strengthen the squad. But time is what he wished he had! If Arsenal were to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, FA cup and Champions League, reinforcements seem to be the only way forward. 

Following are some of the areas Arsenal should concentrate on - 

1. Buy a striker - On current form and the formation, RVP is the only person capable of scoring goals for Arsenal. In case of any injuries, Arsenal will have no one to replace RVP. BY buying a striker, Arsenal can have a suitable backup in case RVP considers leaving Arsenal - which seems to be a possibility considering the recent results and possibility of missing out on Champions League next season. Hence, one outright striker is what Arsenal needs - ASAP. Podolski could be an option. Kalou could have been another (as Arsene seems to be fan of him and could've been a steal at 3m). Thierry Henry is a temporary solution and will be supporting RVP. He will be used as a substitute for Chamberlain / Walcott / Arshavin. Gervinho has speed and skill, but hasn't exactly pleased Arsenal fans to the fullest. One of either Chamakh / Arshavin should be sold. Their presence on the bench is not adding any visible value to the team. Selling one of them will be a win-win situation for both the parties as Arsenal stands to gain monetarily and the sold player will have more options to impress with their new team. With the transfer deadline nearing and no concrete decisions made, all these changes might not see the light of the day in the winter transfer window.

2. Retain players - There's no doubt in anyone's mind that RVP should be retained. He is Arsenal's mainstay. Chamberlain should be considered as a long term prospect. Extend the contract of Walcott despite his current form and going by the latest information, Walcott himself seems to be ready to extend his contract. Extend Tomas Rosicky's contract – despite his age. He can be utilized in the midfield along with Arteta, Wilshire, Song, Ramsey, Benayoun. This way, Arsenal can rotate among the current crop of players to ensure everyone has match practice and are most importantly, fit to compete! Arsenal's defense will definitely improve once the injured players - Sagna, Santos, Gibbs and Jenkinson - return. Arsenal should persist with Mertesacker. He is slowly adapting himself in the premier league and despite his lack of speed, his height is a distinct advantage.

3. Arsene Wenger must regain the trust of Arsenal fans - "In Arsene we trust" is slowly losing its charm. It was clearly evident from the response he got when Chamberlain was substituted by Arshavin in the match against Manchester United. And now with reports of him being on the shortlist to replace Mourinho in Real Madrid, the trust factor isn't helping! With every passing day, Wenger leaving Arsenal is gaining momentum! Even a coach wouldn't want to continue with a team who hasn't qualified for the Champions League. His desires will be the same as that of his players, after all. With all these negativities against Arsene, he still is expected to lead his team to win the silverware. The mountain this season may be too much for a certain Arsene Wenger to climb.

In sport, it's only natural to climb the ladder of success and fall right back to where one originally started. What defines a successful team from the rest is how quickly they make the changes and adapt to the new set of opportunities that arise with every obstacles they face.