What do the English teams need to be competitive in the Champions League?

Arsenal

The addition of Petr Cech will greatly improve Arsenal, and will make them a much tougher opponent. What Arsenal really need now is a world class defensive midfielder and a striker, they have a great midfield but they lack is a real physical presence and a player with a defensive mentality. Tactically they also need a shake-up.

Olivier Giroud is a decent striker but to be competitive at the highest level they need someone with a better goal-scoring ratio. Lars Bender and Gonzalo Higuain would add the much needed quality Arsenal need but like Manchester City, Arsenal have also been very poor tactically at times in recent seasons, and something which Jose Mourinho has shown a penchant for is to set up defensively in big games. This is something Arsene Wenger should consider doing when necessary. Playing great passing football is great on the eye, but there’s more than one way to get a result.

Manchester United

Louis Van Gaal has bought very well this summer and the additions will make United a lot stronger, but what they need now is a world class centre-back and a good backup striker to Wayne Rooney now that the departure of Robin van Persie has been confirmed and Falcao moving onto Chelsea.

Mats Hummels and Nicholas Otamendi have both been linked with the Old Trafford side and they would really improve the back line. LVG needs to find his best back 4 and stick with it, at times last season he kept changing things and I don’t think he knew what his best lineup was at times.

With Robin Van Persie gone, a decent striker is needed to provide cover for Rooney. Alexandre Lacazette would be a good choice, he’d be available at the right price and at 24 he’s a good age. He has been prolific in Ligue 1 and now deserves a chance to shine on the big stage in either La Liga or the Premier League. Last season several formations were used by LVG and this didn’t help them out to be competitive in Europe and the team formation and selection needs to be more consistent.

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