So far Arsenal’s only piece of major transfer business has been the signing of Petr Cech, but should Arsene Wenger consider swooping for Chelsea’s team doctor Eva Carneiro?
Carneiro was unexplainably on the end of a Jose Mourinho rant following Chelsea’s 2-2 home draw with Swansea on the opening weekend of Premier League fixtures.
Having conducted her duty as club doctor by run onto the pitch whenever a player is down, following the referee calling her on, she has since come under scrutiny by Mourinho.
It was a bizarre situation all round, to say the least, and following the news she will not be present on the Chelsea bench for the match with Manchester City it poses the question as to whether she has a future at Stamford Bridge.
So why would Arsenal be interested in bringing in Carneiro?
Well, it isn’t exactly a secret Arsenal have struggled with injuries at key times over the last few seasons.
Looking at data from injuryleague.com the Gunners were the fifth-worst effected team last season in the Premier League with just Manchester United out of any top four side finishing above Arsenal.
'I want her at the Emirates!' Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro 'should quit Chelsea for Arsenal this month'
Arsenal have already signed Petr Cech from Chelsea this summer (Picture: Reuters)
If a title challenge is going to be mounted this season it will be imperative that key players are fit at key times.
Though players came back in numbers towards the end of last season the squad was heavily depleted around the busy Christmas fixture period.
In fact, it was the injury crisis in midfield that led to the recall of Francis Coquelin from Charlton Athletic.
Going forward though with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere all spending lengthy spells on the sideline the arrival of Carneiro could aid this.
Looking at the same league ranking for injuries last season, it isn’t surprising to see the team who finished bottom, with the least amount of injuries, was Chelsea.
Manchester City finished fourth from bottom.
With a lack of injuries to key players comes momentum where the side can gel together, build cohesion and therefore become more of a force.
'I want her at the Emirates!' Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro 'should quit Chelsea for Arsenal this month'
34-year-old John Terry played every minute as Chelsea won the title last season (Picture: Reuters)
Looking at Chelsea’s title winning side, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Eden Hazard all played in every single game, with Terry playing every minute.
That is no coincidence, especially with Terry at the age of 34 that he was able to play every minute of every game, Carneiro certainly would have had an effect on that.
Added to Terry, Ivanovic and Hazard not missing a game Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Willian all featured in 36 of the 38 fixtures meaning six of the Blues’ title winning team were either present for the whole campaign, or missed just two outings.
Former Arsenal man Cesc Fabregas also featured in the majority of the games, featuring 34 times.
As for the Gunners, only Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker played 35 times or more with the Spaniard missing just one game and Mertesacker playing 35 games.
The evidence is there, if a side can stick together and build momentum, especially around the key stages of seasons then success is all the more likely.
Despite not spending much in the transfer window, Wenger should certainly consider a move for Carneiro as it could work out to be a shrewd bit of business that could land the Gunners the title.
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