Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Radamel Falcao

With the transfer window officially open from today, it is probable that a number of teams will be active in the transfer market in the opening weeks of June. Arsenal have been linked with a host of players and though Wenger does not disclose much on transfers to the media, it is probable that the Gunners have been tracking a number of players in different countries.

With a number of players set to leave the club including the likes of Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner, Arsene Wenger will look to sign players who can provide quality depth to the squad. Thomas Bendtner, father and agent of Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, was of the opinion that the striker would command a transfer fee of around €11 million and that it was possible for him to find a club that would pay the transfer fee.

With Carlos Vela not impressing on the loan spell at West Bromwich Albion, there is a possibility that he could also be on his way out from Arsenal.Though Robin van Persie is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world, his injuries have meant that he has missed a number of games for the Gunners throughout his Arsenal career. Marouane Chamakh had an impressive start to the season but faded in the second half due to fatigue and the return of Robin van Persie.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players ranging from the relatively unknown Moussa Sow to Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Wenger will look to sign players who can provide quality to the Gunners and with the frustration mounting after their dismal performances towards the end of the season, the Arsenal manager could be prepared to spend the money he needs to bring in world class players.

Though Radamel Falcao cannot yet be classified as a world class player, he is certainly one of the most talented strikers in the world. He has been linked with the Gunners and their arch-rivals Spurs and he has an release clause in his clause for a value close to €30 million which could force the Portuguese Champions to sell the Colombian striker.

Though Arsene Wenger is not a manager who will divulge Arsenal's financial muscle in the transfer market, it is expected that the Arsenal manager will have enough funds to splash the cash. A recent article on Arsenal's transfer budget on The Swiss Ramble blog is a must read for all Arsenal fans. Falcao joined FC Porto from River Plate in 2009 and since then, he has attracted the interest of many clubs around Europe due to his impressive performances.

Advantages

The FC Porto striker has been very prolific in his two seasons in Portugal scoring 72 goals and he is a player who has an eye for goal.  Though he is not very tall at 5' 10", he is phenomenal in the air and a number of goals he has scored for the club have been through headers. He is athletic, provides intelligent movement and also has a good burst of pace.

He is good with both feet and also drops deep in midfield to drag defenders out of position though his movement in the box is what enables him to score many goals. His work rate is good and his anticipation  and reaction time is excellent which is why he has scored many goals. Arsenal have only Van Persie who is prolific but the Dutchman has had a number of injuries in his Arsenal career and cannot be relied upon to stay fit for the entire season.

Will Wenger splash the cash on Radamel Falcao?

Though Marouane Chamakh had a decent season in his first year at the club, he has not been prolific throughout his career. Since Falcao has played in Europe in both the seasons at Porto, he will know the demands of the Champions League in midweek which is an advantage. He is one of the strikers who has scored the most goals in Europe in the last two years and at the age of 25, he can go on to be one of the world's best strikers in the future.

Disadvantages

The FC Porto striker will not come at a bargain and the Gunners will have to meet the conditions of the release clause of €30 million, which means that this will break Arsenal's current transfer record fee for Andrei Arshavin by some distance. The South American striker will be expected to score goals from the outset and should he suffer an indifferent start to the season, Arsene Wenger and the striker himself will receive much criticism on the transfer fee despite his heroics in 2010-11 season for Porto.

Also, if the striker is signed by the Gunners for a record fee, it is likely that he should start every game if he is not injured. Falcao has played throughout his career as a centre forward where his poaching abilities as well as his aerial prowess has been important to the striker's success. However, Arsenal's current 4-2-3-1 formation employs the use of only one centre forward which has been occupied by Robin van Persie when fit.

Van Persie has been excellent in that role of a centre forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation, scoring 32 goals in 44 starts in the last two seasons. If Falcao is signed, Arsenal will have to change their formation or accommodate Van Persie in a different position since Falcao will play as the lone striker.

The Dutchman is comfortable playing behind the striker but when Cesc Fabregas is available, he is best suited for that role which means Van Persie could be moved to the wings where he has not been prolific. Wenger might also change the formation to resemble a 4-4-2 formation similar to that employed by Manchester United currently where Wayne Rooney plays just behind Javier Hernandez.

Though various factors must be considered when spending so much money on a single player, Arsenal need a striker who can be prolific as well as stay fit for most of the season. Falcao has certainly shown that he is a natural goalscorer and though he could cost a large chunk of Wenger's transfer budget, it is important that Wenger signs players who can improve the quality of the squad and Falcao is one player who fits the bill for the Gunners.



If interested, please also read my post on The Pros and Cons of Arsenal target Ricky Alvarez

Arsenal FC: Analysis of strikers Chamakh, Bendtner and Van Persie for Gunners

With only one game left in this disappointing season for Arsenal, Wenger will be looking to analyze where his team went wrong in a season which promised much. They were in the running in four competitions but in a space of two weeks, their hopes for three of the trophies were extinguished and it had a significant psychological impact on the rest of the games in the Premier League.

Arsenal supporters are frustrated with the current trophy drought and are desperate for the team to win titles in the next season. The increase in ticket prices along with the Gunners’ shambolic performances towards the end of the season has added to the pressure on Arsene Wenger, who has come under a lot of fire from lots of supporters.

He has said that the club will look to strengthen the team in every position if there are players available in the summer. In this article, the strikers’ performances are examined and the possibility of adding a new centre forward is discussed.

Robin Van Persie – 21 goals, 8 assists

 

Van Persie was benched for the first two games after returning late from the world cup and in his first start of the season against Blackburn, he sustained an ankle injury because of which he missed most part of the first half of the season. Since the turn of the year, he has been in magnificent form scoring 21 goals and also procuring 8 assists this season.

His injury problems have meant that he has never played enough games for the Gunners but when he is fit and firing, he is surely one of the best strikers in the world. He has thrived playing as a striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation and has scored a number of important goals for the Gunners. His anticipation is fantastic and he has an excellent understanding with Fabregas and the other midfielders which is very important to be successful in the role of a striker.

While many in the team have lacked mental strength towards the end of the season, Van Persie has shown his fighting qualities and has tried his best to inspire the Gunners. His form in the second half of the season makes Arsenal fans wonder what might have been the case had he been fit for the entire season.

Highs of the season

This is only the second time that he has scored 20 goals in a campaign and he has achieved it at an excellent rate this season. His first hat-trick in his Arsenal career will be cherished by the Arsenal striker but it will be his equalizer against Barcelona that set the Emirates alight and provided the impetus for the Gunners to snatch a victory in unexpected circumstances.

Lows of the Season

For such a talented striker, it will be hard to digest the fact that he has not won a trophy for the last six years. His fitness problems meant a nonexistent first half of the season for Van Persie and he will have to hope that he is fit for the entire campaign, next season. He will forever remember his extremely harsh red card which sparked the defeat of the Gunners by Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Marouane Chamakh – 11 goals, 4 assists

The Moroccan striker arrived from Bordeaux on a free transfer and was expected to bring in a more direct threat for the Gunners. Though he was expected to be the second striker behind Robin van Persie, the injury to the Dutchman provided the chance for Chamakh to start for the Gunners on a regular basis.

Though he started slowly, he became an integral part of the side and scored some decisive goals for Arsenal. He scored decisive goals against Wolves, Bolton, Partizan Belgrade, Bolton, Tottenham and Aston Villa but did not have good games against Manchester United and Chelsea.

He is a striker who has great aerial ability and has a excellent work rate which helps wear down defenders. His quick passing and movement creates chances for others but he has not finished well with his feet. He has to improve a lot on his shooting to be a regular striker and the way he faded off in the second half of the season due to fatigue is a concern.

Highs

Marouane Chamakh certainly had his moments in his debut season and he scored some very important goals for the Gunners. His best performance was undoubtedly against Wolves where he scored one seconds after the game started and one in the closing stages of the game to secure a 2-0 win in a difficult game. He brought in the aerial threat for the Gunners and made an impact with his aerial ability.

Lows

Though he had a good first half of the season, he would not have enjoyed being on the bench for most of the second part of the season in favour of the in-form Robin van Persie. Chamakh did admit that he was fatigued and that has contributed to his loss in form. He did not look confident in that period but will be looking to force his way into Wenger’s reckoning in the next season.

Nicklas Bendtner – 9 goals, 8 assists

Bendtner was injured early in the season and had to settle for a place on the bench when he returned to full fitness due to the good form of Marouane Chamakh. The confident Danish International was unhappy with his role at the club and rumours linked him to move to one of the Bundesliga clubs in January.

However, the striker stayed at Arsenal and played an important part in Arsenal’s run in the Carling Cup. Bendtner struck some important goals for Arsenal, none more so than his superb goal against Ipswich which was crucial in the tie. Bendtner also scored a hat-trick against Leyton Orient and has a decent tally of 9 goals this season considering he was not the preferred striker.

Though his favoured position is that of a centre forward, Wenger has often used the Dane on the wings much to the frustration of the player himself. His natural role is that of a striker but has not started many games in that role. With limited opportunities on offer for the Arsenal striker, there is a good chance that he will leave in the summer.

Highs

He scored the second hat-trick of his senior career in the game against Leyton Orient and did show his ability on some occasions like his second goal against Orient. He also scored a superb goal against Ipswich which was one of individual skill and talent and won the “Arsenal goal of the month” for January.

Lows

It was a season where he was expected to step up but has not received too much time due to injuries and the superb form of Robin van Persie.  Also, he has been played on the right wing where he has not been able to produce his best and has been frustrated because of playing out of position. However, the moment he will not want to remember this season will be his miss in the dying minutes of the Barcelona game at the Nou Camp where he had a great opportunity to eliminate the Catalans.

Carlos Vela

 

The Mexican has had a torrid season this year and has not enjoyed enough time on the pitch throughout the season. Though he scored some good goals coming on as a substitute early in the season, he did not receive opportunities to play an important role at any stage in the season.

Wenger retained the faith in Vela and did want to sell the striker instead opting to loan him to a Premier League club. Though Bolton were interested in him, his agent’s fee was too high and he eventually moved to West Bromwich Albion. However, even at West Brom, he has been benched for the majority of the games and his future at Arsenal is in doubt after playing very little throughout the season.

Though Vela is a talented player, he is a player who is not suited to the 4-2-3-1. He is a player who is effective in a central role complimenting another forward. If Wenger does not intend to change his tactics, then sadly Vela might never be able to fulfil his talent at Arsenal and might move to some other club.

Should Wenger Bring in a New Striker and Who are the Options?

Wenger will have some major decisions to make regarding his transfer policy which has come under scrutiny. Though Van Persie has been great in the second half, his injury record is quite poor and the Gunners cannot rely on him to last a full season. Though Chamakh had a decent first half of the season, he cannot be a first team option until he significantly improves his shooting with his feet.

Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela are good talents but have not enjoyed much playing time at the Emirates. Also, they are at a crucial time in their career where they need to play regularly in order to develop into fine players and more importantly, retain their places in their National sides. Bendtner has been warned by the Danish manager that he needs to play regularly and playing on the wing has only contributed to the frustration.

Chamakh has not been prolific throughout his career and the Gunners are craving for someone who could bang in more than 20 goals a season on a regular basis. Since the departure of Thierry Henry, only ex-Arsenal striker Adebayor and Van Persie have scored 20 goals in a season. It is likely that Wenger will target a striker who can score vital goals for the Gunners if as expected Nicklas Bendtner leaves the Emirates.

 

Arsenal have been linked to a few strikers and as expected, it is French! Karim Benzema who is an excellent talent might be interested in a move to Arsenal to link up with many of his French team mates including the likes of Nasri and Sagna. The Real Madrid striker has been amongst the goals this season but might stiff competition to start games next season.

Also, the Gunners have been linked with a move for Lorient’s Kevin Gameiro who is rated highly but has a small physique. He has shown that he can score goals in the France league and could be targeted by Wenger. Also, the aforementioned strikers are both versatile and can play as wing forwards or wingers.

Wenger is known for signing players who are very less known around the world and so, it would not be a shock if he did sign someone unknown to solve his striker problem. Also, whatever be the case with signings, it is imperative that Robin van Persie stays fit for most of the season as he is someone who can make a big difference for the Gunners.

Arsenal Transfer Revamp: How can Arsene Wenger build a World Class team

After encountering another trophy-less season for the Gunners, the manager Arsene Wenger will be under immense pressure to end this trophy drought. If reports are to be believed, Stan Kroenke, the new owner of the club, has promised the manager with a large transfer kitty of around 40 million. The manager has insisted that he only needs minor adjustments to the squad but with the Gunners enduring six years of frustration, he might be forced to bring in some experienced players.

Wenger admitted that he would have to meet a number of frustrated players in the Arsenal squad including the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner and would have to discuss their futures in the summer. There have also been a number of players who have been linked with Arsenal and the manager could be looking at some of them to bolster the squad in the summer.

This article discusses the potential transfers within the budget of the manager which could result in a world class team which can challenge for titles in the future.


1. Scott Parker- 8 million

The West Ham United midfielder has attracted a lot of interest from the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City but if Wenger is prepared to spend the required money, Parker might sign for Arsenal. His signing will be of great help for the Gunners as he will provide cover for the troublesome area of defensive midfield where there is no competition for Song.

Also, he is vastly experienced in the Premiership and plays alongside Wilshere in the National team. The midfielder can quite easily slot in the role of Wilshere if needed and can start attacks by driving in from midfield and more importantly, he has superb commitment on the pitch.

If the midfielder is signed, he can guide youngsters like Frimpong and Ramsey to have good mental strength
because the Englishman has faced a lot of disappointments in his career and has shown great mentality to establish a place in the England team at the age of 31.

2. Eden Hazard - 15 million

The Belgian winger has attracted the interest of a number of big clubs and Arsenal are amongst the clubs who have been monitoring his progress. Lille have established a healthy lead at the top of the table and Hazard has been an integral part of the side after suffering a slow start to the season.

Arsenal have been interested in signing the winger as the replacement for Andrei Arshavin who is likely to depart the Emirates after being benched for a number of games this season. If Arshavin does indeed leave as expected, Arsenal could make a move for the Lille winger who signed a new contract recently.

However, the new contract will not hamper him from making his move but the Gunners could be forced to spend around 15 million to secure his services in the summer.

3. Karim Benzema - 20 million / Kevin Gameiro - 10 million

Nicklas Bendtner is set to have showdown talks with Arsene Wenger regarding his future and Wenger could allow the Dane to leave. Robin van Persie is a striker of the highest quality but he has been injured for a number of matches in his Arsenal career and Wenger is expected to sign a new striker in the summer if Bendtner does leave.

Karim Benzema is a young French International who has the capability to do extremely well in the future. The striker has been prolific for Lyon and in this season, he has found his goalscoring for Real Madrid. However, if Madrid do sign a high profile striker like Didier Drogba or Carlos Tevez, then Benzema could be eager to leave the club in order to enhance his prospects of playing regularly.

However should Madrid opt not to sell the striker or price him out of a move to Arsenal, Wenger could look to sign Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro who has been superb this season for the French side. The versatile striker could be an excellent addition for the Gunners despite his small size, his movement and goalscoring ability enables him to be prolific.

Radamel Falcao is another striker whom Wenger could be looking at but it is likely that FC Porto will look to retain his services and after his record breaking exploits this season, he could be priced out of Arsenal's range and even if he is signed, he would demand a regular starting place at Arsenal, which cannot be guaranteed.

4. Per Mertesacker - 10 million

Though Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka have been rumored to be tracked by the Gunners, Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker could be a solid addition for Arsenal. The Gunners have a distinct lack of height in their team and have conceded a number of goals on set-pieces. Mertesacker is a very tall defender and is extremely good on set-pieces.

The only accusation labeled against him is his lack of pace but his positioning is immaculate and makes up for his limitations. Besides, Thomas Vermaelen is likely to start every game for Arsenal if he is fit but the Belgian centre back has a tendency to be caught too high up the pitch at times. The Germany International excels in the sweeper role alongside a more aggressive defender and could be the ideal fit for Arsenal.

5. Leighton Baines - 10 million

Arsenal will not need to sign a left back if Gael Clichy signs a new contract with the Gunners in the summer but if he does not, then the manager is likely to sign a new left back because Kieran Gibbs has not been impressive this season. However another option for the manager is to play Vermaelen or Eboue at left back but it is unlikely considering Eboue's poor form and Vermaelen's experience in the centre.

One option for Arsenal is to sign the Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, who is very capable of playing as a left back and allow Kieran Gibbs the time to develop by providing him time against lesser oppositions. Vertonghen would cost around 15 million but considering his versatility, it could be an intelligent buy by Wenger, who should target him if not Mertesacker.

Baines has been in superb form throughout the season for Everton and is experienced in the Premiership. He has great attacking qualities and though he has not got the burning pace of Clichy, he has good stamina and can be solid in defence as well as make marauding runs down the left flank.

How to generate the money required for these new signings?

1. Denilson - 4 million

The Brazilian midfielder is one of those Arsenal players who is most likely to move on after receiving extremely less playing time this season. He cannot be an effective substitute for Song and has not shown enough desire to be attacking.

It is probable that Arsenal will sell the midfielder because he is considered excess to the requirements of Arsenal and it is likely that Emmanuel Frimpong will receive more playing time in the Carling Cup and other matches where Song and Parker are injured.

2. Abou Diaby - 6 million

The French International is a talented midfielder who has suffered ever since he sustained a broken ankle early in his Arsenal career. He has been troubled by injuries throughout his time at Arsenal and has only made 19 appearances this season and has been repeatedly injured after playing four or five games consecutively.

Though Wenger likes Diaby, the Frenchman is far too injury prone and is currently not needed in this Arsenal team which has the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere who are very capable of playing in his role alongside the defensive midfielder.

3. Andrei Arshavin - 8 million

Though Arshavin has very good statistics this season, the same cannot be said of his performances and there has been an alarming dip in his pace this season. He has struggled to recapture the form that made Wenger splash the cash to acquire his services. Arshavin is undoubtedly a quality player but he has not shown enough work rate to justify his place in the team.

Also, being the captain of Russia, he will want to play regularly which will not be the case at Arsenal and the fact that he has only one year on his contract would indicate that the player is likely to move.

4. Sebastien Squillaci - 4 million

The French International was signed for Sevilla for a fee close to 5 million and has struggled toform a successful partnership with Laurent Koscielny. The French centre back has not been impressive in his debut season with the club and it will be no surprise if Wenger conveys to the defender that he has no future at the club.

Though it will be unfortunate for Squillaci if Arsenal decide to sell him after only one season, the club needs to challenge for the highest honours and bring in quality players in order to win trophies.

5. Nicklas Bendtner - 8 million

The Danish striker believes that he is certainly one of the best strikers in the world and though he is talented, his performances on the pitch have not been impressive. He has hardly been a prolific striker and Wenger's decision to play him on the right wing has not gone down with the tall striker.

Bendtner is expected to have showdown talks with Wenger in the summer but with clubs interested in acquiring him, the Dane might opt to leave the club.

6. Gael Clichy - 10 million

The French left back has only one year of his contract remaining and should he not extend it, it is quite likely that Arsenal will be prepared to sell him to any club interested in meeting their valuation and signing him. If he does extend his contract, Arsene Wenger will persist with him and is likely to not make a move for any other left back.

Clichy has made mistakes this season but it is difficult to find quality left backs for the right price. Gibbs has been unimpressive this season and Wenger would like Clichy to stay at the Emirates and sign a new deal.

7. Tomas Rosicky - 6 million

Rosicky is a player who was expected to provide the creativity for Arsenal when he signed from Borussia Dortmund. However since recovering from his long term injury, he has not been able to capture his best form and has looked lacklustre in a number of games this season. Though he has been fit for most of the season, he has watched from the bench as he has not been preferred by Wenger.

For someone who promised so much early in his Arsenal career, his inability to recapture his best form has been a disappointment for Arsenal.

Transfers In:

Scott Parker – 8 million

Per Mertesacker-10 million

Kevin Gameiro – 10 million / Karim Benzema – 20 million

Leighton Baines – 8 million

Eden Hazard – 15 million

Total money to be spent- 51 million (or 61 million if Benzema is available)


Transfers Out:

Denilson – 4 million

Abou Diaby – 6 million

Andrei Arshavin – 8 million

Gael Clichy – 10 million

Tomas Rosicky – 6 million

Nicklas Bendtner – 8 million

Sebastien Squillaci – 4 million

Total Money which can be recouped- 46 million

(all the estimated transfer prices are in Pounds)


The Arsenal team after these transfers

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny/ Lukasz Fabianski/Vito Mannone

RB: Bacary Sagna/Emmanuel Eboue

LCB: Thomas Vermaelen/Laurent Koscielny/Kyle Bartley

RCB: Johan Djourou/Per Mertesacker(or) Jan Vertonghen

LB: Leighton Baines (or) Gael Clichy/Kieran Gibbs/Thomas Vermaelen

CDM: Alex Song/Scott Parker/Emmanuel Frimpong

CM: Jack Wilshere/ Scott Parker/Aaron Ramsey

CAM: Cesc Fabregas/Samir Nasri/Aaron Ramsey

RW: Samir Nasri/Theo Walcott/Jay Emmanuel Thomas

LW: Eden Hazard/Samir Nasri/ Kevin Gameiro

CF: Robin van Persie/ Kevin Gameiro/ Marouane Chamakh

Arsenal FC: Why Wenger Needs to Find a Selfish Striker Like Javier Hernandez

The difference between Manchester United and Arsenal has not been much in terms of points but the Red Devils have managed to secure the title is due to their mentality. Sir Alex Ferguson has instilled belief in his team that they can win any game until the final whistle is blown which ensures that they fight till the very end.

Manchester United were very dependent on Wayne Rooney in the previous season but he was in horrible form till he excelled in the second half of the season where he played behind Javier Hernandez on a number of occasions. Though the Red Devils did miss the superb skills of the English striker, the strike force of Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez ensured that the stayed in the title race.

Hernandez has been applauded by many experts and pundits and deserves all the plaudits that he is receiving. He has been prolific for United scoring 20 goals this season, which is more than the likes of Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres. The Mexican striker is undoubtedly a superb talent and under the tutelage of Sir Alex, he has developed into a fine player with a lot of confidence.

It is easy to see that he is generally not a player who will dribble past players to score sensational goals. He is an intelligent player who knows his limitations and uses his positioning sense and pace to superb effect. The Mexican striker has a good technique and has great composure in front of goal but what is more noticeable is that he has the selfishness required to be a superb striker for the future.

Though being selfish is not always considered a positive attribute, strikers should be selfish to a certain extent and that helps them play to the best of their abilities. Hernandez does not try outrageous shots but if there is an opportunity that he could score, he has not been afraid to shoot instead of trying to pass the ball. Chicharito seems to be an opportunist who desires to score more goals and that is exactly why he has played in many matches for United this season.

Arsenal were very competitive this season and even managed to beat the Red Devils and Chelsea this season but they could not sustain their title challenge till the end. Robin van Persie to thank for his superb goalscoring form in the latter half of the season, scoring 20 goals having managed to play very less number of games this season due to injury.

However, the rest of the Arsenal team have not been prolific and for a team that creates as many chances as the Gunners, they should be scoring more goals regularly. The Gunners have developed a tendency to pass the ball in the box in order to find the perfect team-mate instead of one of the players taking an opportunistic shot.

Theo Walcott has developed this practice of shooting when he has the option and it has paid rich dividends for the winger who has had his best Arsenal season with regard to the number of goals that he has been involved in. The Gunners have many creative players like Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie and do create the opportunities.

As good as van Persie is, he is a player who will not stay in the penalty area for the majority of the time. He is sure to drift into wide areas and he enjoys creating opportunities as much as scoring goals. But when he does drift wide and provide useful balls, Arsenal do not have a player who can make the most of the opportunities created by Van Persie and the rest.

The Gunners signed Eduardo who seemed to be the perfect striker for Arsenal till his injury and it was because of his ability to get into excellent positions and ability to finish clinically. Similarly, Arsene Wenger needs to sign a player, with characteristics similar to Javier Hernandez, who will be selfish in front of goal and can be prolific for the Gunners.

Wenger will need to change his tactics to accommodate the striker but it will mean that Van Persie will be playing in his favoured role just behind the striker and can be integral to the team in the 4-4-2 formation. One of the problems that Arsenal have faced in the recent past has been that their opponents have worked out a way to counter their style of play and having fluid formations could be a tactic which could be used to counter this.

The signing of Javier Hernandez was arguably the best signing of the season and it is his goals which has given United a huge boost this season. Though Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh are talented, they have not been prolific throughout their career and with the Dane likely to move on this summer, Wenger should look to sign a prolific striker who will be opportunitistic when it comes to scoring goals.

Arsenal FC: Why Arsene Wenger Should Allow Nicklas Bendtner to Quit the Club

Will this miss cost Bendtner his Arsenal career?

Arsene Wenger is a manager who has been reluctant to discuss the futures of his Arsenal players in the media but he admitted that he could have important meetings with a number of disgruntled players. He could have a busy summer regarding transfers and he will be keen to sort out the futures of fringe players like Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky.

The manager has placed a lot of faith in his players and many players including the likes of Wojciech Szczesny and Barcary Sagna have admitted that they have let him down. Wenger has made it clear that he would like to keep Nicklas Bendtner at Arsenal and that he would have crunch talks with the Danish striker.

Robin van Persie's form in the second half of the season has practically meant that the best that Bendtner can hope for is playing time as a substitute when the Dutchman has been fit. The tall striker has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Hamburg being the clubs linked with a move to sign him.
The situation regarding the future of Nicklas Bendtner's future can be focused on looking at the possible transfer from the perspectives of Arsenal and the player himself.

Arsenal's Perspective

Arsene Wenger has believed that the Dane is a very talented player and he has improved his game in the last couple of years. He was immense in the latter part of the 2009-10 season where he scored a number of vital goals but he has been a peripheral part of the team this season with both Marouane Chamakh and Robin van Persie ahead of Bendtner.

The manager has accommodated the striker by using him on the right wing where he has been ineffective for large parts of the season. He is not ruthless in his finishing and has squandered a number of decent opportunities when provided the chance in the Arsenal first team. Most Arsenal supporters still remember the squandered opportunity to knock out Barcelona from the Champions League in the closing stages of the game and his profligacy has proved to be costly for Arsenal on a number of occasions.

Though the Dane is still young and can develop into a decent striker, he is certainly not going to be pleased to be playing second fiddle to Robin van Persie even if he gets the nod above Chamakh. The club will probably gain a sum of around £8 million from his possible transfer and can use it wisely to acquire a new striker.

Kevin Gameiro is an exciting young prospect, who has been impressive for Lorient this season. The French striker has scored over 20 goals in this season and he can play on either wing along with his favored role as a centre forward. Arsenal have good relations with the French club after their signing of Laurent Koscielny and could move for the youngster who will cost around £10 million.

Big Decisions to make for Arsene Wenger

There are some other exciting strikers who could be available at the right price and Wenger could be monitoring their progress.The club could sign a striker who could score vital goals in the absence of Robin van Persie, who has missed a number of games in his time at Arsenal due to various injuries.


Nicklas Bendtner's Perspective

From the point of view of the player, it is quite understandable that you do want more playing time at this stage in his career. He is a player who is confident of his abilities and believes that he needs to be starting regularly for the Gunners. However, the formation of 4-2-3-1 will mean that Robin van Persie will currently occupy that role and chances to start in the Premier League and the Champions League will be hard to come by if the Dutchman is fit.

He is a regular for the Denmark National team and has been decent for his country. However spending time on the Arsenal bench, which will be the case if van Persie is fit, will hamper his chances to play for his country. At the age of 23, it is important that he plays regularly because he can develop into a quality player only by playing more games.

It is good that he shows the ambition to play regularly but he has not done enough in the opportunities provided by the Arsene Wenger. Though Wenger believes in the talent of Bendtner, he will not be able to provide regular opportunities for him in the role of a centre forward. It will be a difficult decision to make for Bendtner given the fact that he has been at Arsenal from a very young age but he needs to move in order to develop as a quality striker.


What Is Most Likely To Happen In the Summer Transfer Window?

Though Wenger will try to convince the Danish International to stay at the Emirates, it is unlikely that the striker will be provided with the guarantee of a place in the first team. It might force him to look for a different club where he has a good chance of starting games on a regular basis. There is a good possibility that Bendtner will move on after making just three starts in the Premier League.

Wenger will also attempt to bring in a replacement for Bendtner which is likely to be a forward like Kevin Gameiro who could be available at a price of around £10 million. If the manager cannot find any centre forward in that range, he is likely to use youngsters Carlos Vela and Jay Emmanuel Thomas to make up the squad though Chamakh will be the second striker behind Robin van Persie.

In an ideal scenario, if Wenger can sign a striker like Gameiro or Falcao, it is expected that he will let Bendtner move on to another club in order to gain playing time and it will be beneficial to both the club and the player.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez: The Striker That Wenger Should Have Signed for Arsenal

 Liverpool were languishing in mid-table and even the faithful Anfield supporters had thought that this season was destined for another huge failure. However, with the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as manager, it has reinvigorated the club who have enjoyed an excellent run in the Premiership which includes wins over Chelsea and arch-rivals Manchester United.

Even if the club does not secure an Europa league place, the season will be considered a success if Dalglish is appointed as the permanent manager and they fight till the end of the season. One of the new manager's huge decisions was the decision to sell Fernando Torres and bring on board, two quality strikers in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Carroll had an injury which led to a delay in beginning his Liverpool career but Suarez has already been hugely influential for the club. He has had a hand in five goals in as many league matches which shows the impact he has had. Before the signing of Suarez, Liverpool did not have movement in their attacking half due to the lackadaisical performances of Torres and the general inability of some of the players to make creative runs.

However, Suarez has dropped deep and spread the ball well and has provided movement to Liverpool. He has enjoyed an excellent partnership with Kuyt and importantly, established an excellent understanding with Raul Meireles, who has arguably been Liverpool's best player since Dalglish took over at the club.

There will always be questions asked of a striker from  the Dutch league as to whether they can cope with the physicality and pace of the English Premier League. Suarez has dispelled these doubts in his short time at the club and seems destined for a bright career in the Premiership. Damien Comolli and other Liverpool officials should be applauded for their persistent efforts to sign the striker from Ajax while the new owners have provided the necessary funds and support to Liverpool FC.

But one manager, who could be looking at Luis Suarez as a lost opportunity is Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger, who considers players above £20 million as above the budget for Arsenal. However, the performances of Suarez have highlighted that the gamble would be worth it. Wenger spent close to £10 million for Thierry Henry, which was quite high at that time and the value that they obtained is measured in the trophies that the Gunners won.

Though Arsenal have a quality centre forward in Robin van Persie, the Dutchman has frustratingly missed a number of matches for Arsenal due to unfortunate injuries. Suarez can play as a replacement for Van Persie in times he is injured which is a huge advantage for the Gunners. The problem with signing a quality forward is that he needs to play regularly but with the versatility of Suarez, he could be eased into the team and can play regularly.

Andrei Arshavin has been inconsistent for some parts of the season but is finally capturing his best form. Suarez could have replaced the Russian and could have provided the impetus to the Gunners. With pace, strength, skill and great shooting ability, he is the finished product who could have brought success to the Gunners.

Wenger has commented that he is unable to find players though he has the money but Suarez is one of those players that he should have invested in. Though Liverpool FC is traditionally a great club with a brilliant history, Arsenal FC have a better chance to win trophies in the near future and can offer Champions League football from the outset.

Arsenal could have offloaded the likes of Nicklas Bendtner or Carlos Vela to reduce the cash spent on the transfer since the duo have not been integral to the Gunners this season. While Chamakh has been an excellent signing for the Gunners, he does not possess the quality of Van Persie or Suarez which is why signing Suarez would have been a master-stroke by Wenger.

Tottenham was also interested in signing Suarez but with all due respect to the Spurs, they cannot be called a big club alongside the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal which is one of the reasons why Suarez declined the move. However, Arsenal could have attracted the Uruguayan and they also have former Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen who could have helped him settle at the club.

Despite his recent struggles, Fernando Torres was a great striker for Liverpool but his departure has provided the Anfield faithful with another superb player in Suarez. The moment he jinxed past three Manchester United defenders to set up the goal for Kuyt, a new star had arrived for Liverpool; one that could take them back to the greatness.

While Suarez has influenced Liverpool's surge to the top six, Arsene Wenger will be pondering over a decision which could have brought trophies to the empty trophy cabinet at the Emirates.

Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh Could Be the Key Factor in the Gunner's Title Chase

Arsenal supporters were distraught by the defeat against Birmingham City at Wembley in the Carling Cup final and it was further bad news that their best striker Robin van Persie was injured in the game. The Dutchman has had a long history of injury woes and though the initial prognosis rules him out for only around three to four weeks, supporters will be anxious with regard to his recovery considering that it could turn out to be longer than that for the talented striker.

However, the Gunners were handed a morale boost in the title boost due to the defeat of Manchester United against a rejuvenated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal proved that they can cope without the imposing presence of Van Persie against Leyton Orient, whose golden run was halted by the Gunners at the Emirates.

With the game against Sunderland on Saturday, it could prove to be extremely important as to which decision Wenger takes regarding his strikers. Marouane Chamakh scored for the first time for the Gunners in around three months while Nicklas Bendtner scored a well taken hat-trick which proved that he has the calibre to be a top class striker in the future.

Wenger has shown a tendency towards favoring the Dane striker ahead of the Moroccan for the role of the lead striker in the recent past and Bendtner is looking completely fit and on form. It is likely that Bendtner will get the nod for the game against Sunderland while Chamakh continues his wait to recover his superb form at the start of the season.

It is surprising that Chamakh has endured a lot of criticism for his current loss in form which has been mainly due to a combination of fatigue and loss in confidence. He started in plenty of games for the Gunners this season and is one of the main reasons why Arsenal are still in the race for the Premier League title.

Injuries to Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner could have ruined Arsenal's season but the Moroccan's full efforts ensured that the Gunners will have a physical presence upfront. He said that he had lost his edge due to the number of games he played and that he would be rejuvenated by March. As it turns out, Van Persie will be injured for the whole of March and it is up to Marouane Chamakh to lead the Gunners in this tricky month of fixtures.

Bendtner has also done extremely well since making his comeback but his versatility could be utilized by Wenger considering that Tomas Rosicky has not been at his best this season. Though critics have questioned Chamakh's abilities,  a striker who is able to score 11 goals by the end of November in his debut season in the Premiership is a quality player and if he is given a run of games, Chamakh can regain his form and confidence.

Nicklas Bendtner's goals and assists towards the end of the last season proved to be extremely vital but ultimately in vain as the rest of the team could not step up to the title run-in due to plenty of injuries. However, with the Dane in good form and Marouane Chamakh to support him, Arsenal have two strikers who are capable of leading the Gunners to victories in the absence of the influential Robin van Persie.

Arsenal Future Strikers: Can Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner shine for the Gunners?

Arsene Wenger has confirmed there are as many as ten clubs interested in acquiring the services of Carlos Vela on a loan deal but it is still unclear which would be his destination by the end of January. The French tactician has indicated that he would like the youngster to stay in England but admitted that the Mexican International's opinion would also be important.

The Mexican International was again on the bench for the recently concluded FA Cup tie and will surely be loaned out for the rest of the season. The tricky attacker has tried hard to break into the first team but has not been able to establish himself and with three quality players ahead of him in the pecking order, it will be difficult for Wenger to provide him with many opportunities to prove his undoubted talent.

The Frenchman has said that he is not willing to sell a player of his quality and will only loan him out. But only time will tell if Vela can adjust successfully to the rigours of the Premiership and establish himself in the Arsenal first team. The versatile Mexican International is an excellent squad player to have but at his age, he deserves to be playing regularly and sitting on the bench will not help him realise his potential.

However Wenger has a proven track record of developing youngsters with immense potential into world class players and has the capability to develop him into an excellent player. But for that to happen, Vela would have to be patient and when the chance arrives, he will have to grab the opportunity. He can take inspiration from the progress of Theo Walcott who has been an impact substitute for a lot of matches but is getting his chances to start matches this season.

Nicklas Bendtner is another striker who has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities due to Marouane Chamakh's impressive form at the start of the season. Also, with Robin van Persie fully fit, his opportunities will further reduce as the Dutchman is easily the best striker that Arsenal have when he is fit. Bendtner has been affected by a number of injuries in the recent past which has also been a factor in his reduced playing time.

The big Dane had an excellent second half of the previous season when he scored numerous vital goals and looked set for a bigger role this season. However injuries and the form of Chamakh has kept him out of the starting 11 in a number of games and he is understandably frustrated by the lack of games at Arsenal.

He has been linked with a number of clubs but the fact is that Wenger rates the Dane very highly and has a lot of faith in his ability. However Bendtner's profligacy in front of goal has meant that he has not come close to scoring 20 goals in a season which is what Arsenal need from the striker in the future. He has shown that he has a lot of potential but has not utilized it too much and needs to work harder on his game.

However the big question is whether Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner do have a bright future at Arsenal because they are currently not getting too many opportunities. They are behind Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh in the pecking order which is why the duo are not getting many opportunities to prove their calibre.

Robin van Persie is one of the most injury-prone players and has missed a number of games due to injuries in the past. However most of his injuries are impact injuries and though he has missed some playing time, he has not lost his impeccable ball control and his creativity. His game is not reliant on pace and at the age of 27, he still has a long future with Arsenal.

Marouane Chamakh was signed on a free transfer this season from FC Bordeaux and has turned out to be a great signing for the Gunners. He is one of the fittest players in the squad and his experience is invaluable to the club. Besides, he has a good first touch and a knack of scoring important goals which has helped him score 11 goals this season. The Moroccan International has been preferred over the likes of Bendtner and Vela.

Arsenal are a club which bring through many young talents and in that regard, England youth International Benik Afobe on loan to Huddersfield is also a highly rated talented and by the time the duo of Van Persie and Chamakh turn 30, Afobe could become an important player for the squad. The Gunners have also been linked with teenage sensation Connor Wickham and could bring him to the Emirates in order to develop him into a fine young English striker.

The Gunners have good attacking options in Van Persie and Chamakh but because of the lack of enough playing time, Vela and Bendtner could both depart the club. Arsene Wenger is trying his best to shuffle his squad to provide opportunities to the two talented youngsters. There will be opportunities for both the youngsters but it depends on how they perform when they are provided with a chance to prove their credentials for a first team place.

Both Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner are rated highly by Wenger who has a lot of faith in the lads. However their determination and hard work will determine whether they can establish themselves in the Arsenal first team in the future. But as long as Wenger is there at the helm, Arsenal FC will continue to produce and develop talented youngsters who can be great for the future.

The French tactician is someone who always backs a youngster if he can see the quality in the player. He has huge belief in the quality of Vela and Bendtner and can guide them to attain more success with the Gunners in the future.

Arsenal Player Ratings for 2010-11 season, so far; Samir Nasri bags Star performer Award

Arsenal go into the new year at third position but they will feel confident about lifting a trophy this year considering they are in a decent position in all competitions and the FA Cup is yet to start for the Gunners. With half the season gone, let us find how the players performed in the first half of the 2010-11 season.

1. Manuel Almunia: 4.5

Almunia was given a reprieve when Arsene Wenger trusted him to do the job this season. However after two or three solid performances, notably against Blackburn, he was miserable against West Bromwich which cost three points. He has since been injured and is nearing the end of his Arsenal career.

2. Abou Diaby: 6

Diaby has played decently when he has been fit. He started the season and looked like he would make good progress this season. However injuries have meant he has missed a number of weeks and it has been frustrating for the French International.

3. Bacary Sagna: 7

Sagna is back to his best this season and has been quite solid at the back. He has always been good defensively but in this season, he has made marauding forward runs and his crossing has also improved. He has provided good support to Samir Nasri and has been one of the consisitent performers this season.

4. Cesc Fabregas: 6.5

Cesc Fabregas deserves a 9 for his performances against Chelsea and even against Manchester City, he was very good. But he has been hampered by injuries and had some poor games as well. But he is back to form after the game against Chelsea and will be a key member for Arsenal in 2011.

5. Thomas Vermaelen: 6

It is hard to rate Vermaelen because he played very less number of games this season because of the Achilles injury. Arsenal would love to have him back as soon as possible.

6. Laurent Koscielny: 6

It is evident that Laurent Koscielny is a talented defender and his strength lies in understanding the game and making crucial interceptions. He has made errors this season but will develop into a quality defender with experience and when Vermaelen returns, Koscielny will benefit from his presence.

7. Tomas Rosicky: 6.5

Tomas Rosicky has been fit for almost the whole of the season so far which is great for the Gunners. He has been extremely determined to make an impact and has contributed immensely with his effort and work rate. He is certainly not back to his best but is a great player to have in the squad.

8. Samir Nasri: 8.5 – Star Player

Arsenal have lost Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie due to injuries for a lot of weeks but Samir Nasri has stepped up and performed brilliantly. He has been quite consistent and has been sensational in a number of games. His versatility has given Wenger more options and he needs to maintain his form if Arsenal needs to win the Premiership.

10. Robin Van Persie: 6

The Dutch Striker has shown flashes of his brilliance but has yet to play a run of consecutive games in what is another injury hit season. He has been eased back to full fitness and Arsenal supporters will hope he can remain injury free for the rest of the season.

11. Carlos Vela: 6

The Mexican striker started the season strongly with three goals to his name in no time but has not been given too much playing time. He has started only in the Carling Cup ties and is likely to be loaned out in January.

14. Theo Walcott: 7

Walcott started the season brightly as he scored a hat-trick against Blackpool and followed it up with a goal against Blackburn. He was subsequently injured and struggled to find enough playing time. However, he impressed against Chelsea and is starting to realize his immense potential. he has scored 9 goals so far which is the best ever for him at Arsenal.

15. Denilson: 5.5

Denilson has been solid in some games but has not shown much improvement this season. He has slipped behind Jack Wilshere and has been on the bench for many Premiership games. The Samba star is a talented youngster but cannot get enough playing time at the Emirates and has not done much to show why he must be selected ahead of Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere.

17. Alex Song: 7.5

He has been one of the best performers this season and has developed into an excellent midfielder. He is yet to find the correct balance between attack and defence but has shown he will be a world class player in the near future. He has also scored very important goals and has developed the attacking side of his game.

18. Sebastien Squillaci: 5.5

Squillaci was signed as the fourth choice defender but has played in a number of games because of injuries and suspensions. His experience is good for the Gunners but is at best a squad player. The French International does not dominate and is not great in the air as well. He also lacks pace and is not capable of being a first choice defender for the team.

19. Jack Wilshere: 7.5

He has enjoyed large amount of playing time this season and he has retained his place in the team because of his excellent performances. There were questions on whether he would be loaned at the start of the season but he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in the team. The England International will be a player to watch in the years to come.

20. Johan Djourou: 7

There were doubts as to how Djourou would perform after recovering from a year long injury. But he has shown this season that he is a quality defender who could play in the first team regularly. He has the physical presence and the intelligence required of a defender. It is a pity Wenger cannot use him twice a week because of his previous injuries.

21. Lukasz Fabianski: 7

Fabianski had a horrible time in the previous season but has shown tremendous mental resilience to silence his critics with excellent performances. He has made one or two errors but on the whole, he has been very good and should be praised for his consistency. The Polish International should be persisted with and is winning over his doubters with his performances.

22. Gael Clichy: 6

Clichy is a quality player who has shown that he has the talent to be the no. 1 left back for Arsenal. However he suffers occasional lapses in concentration and he has been unfortunate that most of his errors have resulted in goals for the opposition. He is still a quality player and will benefit with more support from the winger.

23. Andrei Arshavin: 6

The dynamic Russian winger has not been at his best this season and has looked off the pace sometimes. He has been very inconsistent but retains the ability to create opportunities. His statistics are impressive for a player out of form but he needs to work harder and help out his team mates ( Clichy, in particular ).

27. Emmanuel Eboue: 6

Arsene Wenger recently said that the Ivorian had signed a new long term contract with Arsenal. Emmanuel Eboue. He is an excellent squad player and can play in a number of positions. He has provided good cover for Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy (in the absence of Kieran Gibbs). The defender has not committed any costly errors and has not been spectacular either.

28. Kieran Gibbs: 6.5

The England International is one of the most unfortunate players this season getting injured too many times. When he did play, he looked good and showed why he is so highly rates. Gibbs is surely one of the best youngsters at Arsenal and has a bright future ahead of him.

29. Marouane Chamakh: 7

The Moroccan striker has been an integral player for the Gunners and has made a number of appearances. He has already scored 11 goals this season and has adjusted to the Premiership in quick time. However, the striker does not shoot too often which he should improve on but on the whole, he has been great for the Gunners.

52. Nicklas Bendtner: 6

Bendtner has not had a good start to the season and is currently behind Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh in the pecking order and has not started as many games as he would have liked to. But Wenger has huge faith in the lad and the Danish striker could have an important role to play in the second half of the season.

53. Wojciech Szczesny: 7

The young Pole has played only three times this season but has showed that he is a quality keeper for the future. His save in the game against Newcastle was brilliant as was his point blank range block off Anderson on his premier league debut against Manchester United. The youngster is expected to be the no.1 keeper for Arsenal in the future.