According to the Telegraph, Lille winger Gervinho has completed a medical ahead of his move to Arsenal and is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player in the upcoming days though delay in finishing the deal could cause him to miss the pre-season tour to Asia. It will be an important signing for the Gunners, who are still uncertain regarding the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who has been stalling in signing a new contract at the Emirates.The winger has had a positive impact in France where he is regarded as one of the most efficient players in the league and he could be a player who could provide some much needed unpredictability to the Gunners considering he is capable of dribbling past players and uses his trickery to good effect. It seems like Gervinho could be a signing who could turn out to be one of our better signings in the long term.
Arsenal have many important priorities in the summer and with Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin not performing to expected levels, signing a talented and experienced winger was a need and signing Gervinho is a step in the right direction for the Gunners. However, with both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas still not sure of staying with the Gunners, it is important that Arsene Wenger uses his transfer budget intelligently especially as they seek depth in a number of positions.
This summer transfer window is probably Arsene Wenger's most important one in his Arsenal career considering that his senior players could leave while the fans are desperate for the club to win trophies in the next season. Many of the supporters are calling for the manager to spend money and at the Q&A session attended by Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis, he was confronted by a number of questions regarding the manager and his transfer policies by members of the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST).
Though the youth policy has produced a number of talented youngsters like Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere, it is trophies which is going to bring long term stability to the club. Many supporters are calling for the manager to spend money on experienced players and abandon this youth policy. However, it is important to have talented youngsters in the team but the manager needs to bring in some experienced players who can guide the players to perform well under pressure.
However, according to the Daily Star, Arsenal have had a bid of around £6 million + add-ons rejected by Southampton, who reportedly want £12 million for midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is only 17 years old. Though the winger is extremely talented and is arguably more advanced than Theo Walcott, when he was at the same stage in his career, it must be questioned whether Arsenal should be interested in the Saints' starlet.
It is undeniable that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the most exciting prospects in English football but still only 17 years of age, it is unlikely that he will make a big impact in his first season in the Premiership if he is signed by Arsenal. While signing long term prospects are a part of the strategy of Wenger, this summer should be about signing quality players who could help the Gunners win the Premiership.
There is a good chance that Arsenal could miss out on the youngster if they fail to seal a deal for the winger in this summer but the Gunners cannot afford to spend a chunk of their transfer budget on an unproven 17-year-old when their best players could leave due to lack of ambition. If they do miss the Southampton winger, it will be hard for Arsenal having scouted him for a long time but the Gunners already have a wealth of youth talent.
In the long term, both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are certain to play regularly considering they are already established at Arsenal though Ramsey is currently a squad player following his horrific injury following a lunge by Ryan Shawcross. With Alex Song still very young and Emmanuel Frimpong developing at Arsenal, the Gunners will have an excellent midfield.
Theo Walcott is a player who has the faith of the Arsenal manager and despite the criticism he has had regarding his decision making, it is undeniable that he is a player who has progressed immensely in the last season. The England International scored 13 goals and made eight assists including performing well in important games like Chelsea and Tottenham. He is certain to be one of the most important players in the future.
On the Arsenal official website, it was stated that the signing of Gervinho was imminent and it does seem like the Gunners have added the winger to their squad for the next season. He is another player who is very talented and though he can develop further at Arsenal, he is a player with a lot of potential and at the age of 24, he can also be an important player for the Gunners.
If Wenger has belief in the abilities of Gervinho and especially Walcott, then these two can be part of the team in the long term. Also, even if Nasri does leave the club, it is highly likely that Wenger will bring in another winger to supplement the team because he will know that an untested 17-year-old will be a huge gamble.
Also, it must be remembered that Arsenal have talented youngsters, Ryo Miyaichi and Wellington Silva in the squad who are exciting prospects as well. Though Wellington has not had a good spell at Levante on loan due to disciplinary issues, he is very talented and with proper guidance, he could be successful in the future.
Ryo Miyaichi is a youngster who needs no introduction for most Arsenal fans as they eagerly wait to see him in the Arsenal's tour of Asia and Wenger confirmed that the Japanese youngster will make the trip. He has undoubted potential and with his successful loan spell with Feyenoord, he has already taken a step closer to the first team though he is unlikely to get a work permit to play in this season.
The Japanese winger still has a long way to go but with talent and the right attitude, Miyaichi is a player who could be destined for the Arsenal first team in the future. He is capable of trickery but needs to work on his end product and with time, his decision making will improve as well.
Also, Arsenal have signed two Barcelona youngsters Jon Miquel Toral and Hector Bellerin, who are also interesting prospects. Bellerin, in particular, is a player who is very exciting with the winger boasting of excellent pace and good end product. With the team so strong in this area especially with a number of versatile youngsters, the question is whether Arsenal need to spend another £6 million on a youngster.
Wenger should understand their priorities in this season and should plan accordingly to strengthen it. It is clear that Arsenal need another strong Centre Back, preferably experienced in the Premiership and also, if Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri or both of them leave, Arsenal will need to make high quality signings like bringing in Juan Mata of Valencia.
It is clear that the Gunners have good depth regarding youngsters in midfield and though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an excellent young prospect, the Gunners should not spend the money on him especially in this transfer window when they have more pressing concerns.
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