Arsenal FC Opinion: Why Arsenal Will Not Win Trophies Unless Arsene Wenger Spends in the Transfer Window

The Arsenal supporters have been treated to another week of transfer rumors regarding the uncertain futures of Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy, three important players for the Gunners. Gael Clichy signed for Manchester City yesterday after passing a medical earlier and the "Invincibles" of 2003-04 have officially been dismantled and it is important for the Arsenal manager to build a strong team capable of winning trophies.

Samir Nasri has only one year left on his contract and it is uncertain whether he will sign a new contract to stay at the club, next year. However, if he does not sign a new contract, it is expected that Arsenal will sell the midfielder in the summer and hopefully, use them to sign the replacement for the midfielder. According to the Telegraph, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in the French midfielder and there is a good possibility that Arsenal will probably get a sizable fee despite him having only one year on his contract because of his impressive performances in the first half of the season.

Also, it seems like Cesc Fabregas could finally complete his move to FC Barcelona as he is set to hold important talks with Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis regarding his move to the Spanish clubs, according to the Mirror. The Spanish International is arguably Arsenal's most important player and it will be extremely hard to replace the midfielder considering that the team has been built around him and him leaving the club couldn't have come at a worse time with Arsenal still looking to end their six year trophy drought.


Also according to the Metro, it seems like Arsenal have missed out on their target Ricky Alvarez, who will apparently sign for Inter Milan, due to their inability to reach an agreement with Velez Sarsfield due to their unwillingness to pay the £11 million they demanded. Though a number of supporters are decided on whether Ricky Alvarez will be a good signing or not, the fact remains that Arsene Wenger will have missed out on yet another transfer target due to their stubbornness to pay the ideal price for the player.

The transfer market has been undeniably inflated due to some clubs willing to pay over the odds to get their player and it has come to a situation where clubs are willing to wait till they extract the maximum possible money from another club. Wenger will understand that the resentment from Arsenal fans are at an all-time high and he will understand that his job will be on the line if Arsenal fail to end their trophy drought.

The summer couldn't have got to a worse start with some important players wanting to leave the club while the club yet to find buyers for players, who are not important to the club. There is still a little less than two months left to go in the transfer market but with the Gunners having a tough fixture list in August, it is imperative that the players who come in have established a relationship with their team mates.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of centre backs in the summer after failing to be solid in defence in the last few seasons. However, the Gunners are yet to reach an agreement regarding their transfer targets and as a result, there have been no new additions to the first team despite the team starting its training for the next season yesterday.


According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are interested in signing Bolton defender Gary Cahill but apparently, Chelsea have joined in the race after appointing Andre Villas Boas as the new manager of the club. The reason why fans are getting frustrated in the summer is that the clubs cannot close a deal quickly which shows their lack of ruthlessness in the summer window, especially when the Champions Manchester United have already signed three talented players - Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea - for the future.

The Bolton defender has only a year left on his contract and has a release clause of £17 million on his contract. The club knows that it is highly unlikely that he will extend his contract with Bolton and that is why they are prepared to sell him if the clubs can meet the release clause. Arsenal have been tracking the deal for sometime now but their inability to complete the deal within a few weeks has given Chelsea a good chance of landing the centre back though the Blues have strong defenders in John Terry, Brainslav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Alex.

If Arsenal do miss out on the defender, it will be because they failed to pay the required amount to get the player and Wenger and Gazidis will understand that Bolton would not have been prepared to sell the defender for anything less than £15 million. It is understandable that Arsenal do not want to pay over the odds for a player but a more pragmatic approach needs to be taken by Wenger and the board.

The Gunners are playing in the same league as Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United and though it is admirable that they can compete with them without spending much, they have not been able to win trophies, which is one of the reasons that their quality players might depart. The point is that if Arsenal do not show intent in the summer and sign quality players for the Gunners, the sad fact is that the quality players at the club are bound to get disillusioned with the direction of the club.



Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie are quality players, who are bound to attract the interests of many successful clubs but the problem is that they have not won trophies to show and at the end of the day, it is trophies which determine how successful a player has been in his career. Arsene Wenger's policies in the transfer market in the last few years have been questionable and it is inevitable that fans will protest again it in the future.

Another reason why Arsenal need to be faster than other clubs regarding their transfer targets is that they will not be able to compete with Manchester City or Chelsea on transfer targets with regard to wages or transfer fee and the selling club will always look to sell to the highest bidder. In other words, Chelsea and City can afford to play the waiting game and move in to steal targets if they wish to, not that it will be preferred by either club.

The last home game of the season against Aston Villa had one of the worst atmospheres at the Emirates due to the fans being unsatisfied with the team's commitment and performances and also, chanting to express their displeasure at the rise in ticket prices, which has caused some groups of supporters to protest against it.

Also, Stan Kroenke, who is nicknamed "Silent Stan" by some, has taken control of Arsenal and has been ratified by the Premier League as the Arsenal owner though Alisher Usmanov is refusing to give in without a fight as he is unwilling to sell his shares. However, being the main owner, Kroenke's deafening silence is not going down too well with the supporters, who want to be certain of the direction in which he wants the club to move in.


After their sensational collapse towards the end of the season, it was expected that they would seal the signings of a few established players early in the summer, especially to create more positive and optimistic thoughts going into the new season. However, it has not been the case and it could be another summer of Déjà vu for the Gunners as they fight to hold on to Fabregas while they continue to be parsimonious when it comes to sealing new signings.

Last summer, the Gunners were linked with a number of defenders, who were experienced in the Premiership but Wenger dithered in the market and it led them to finally sign Sebastien Squillaci, who has been unimpressive to say the least. Arsene Wenger knew that it was a key area to strengthen and yet only brought in Laurent Koscielny, who he later admitted that he was intended to play only around 20 games this season, and Sebastien Squillaci, who was never good enough.

In the summer of 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure were both sold by the Gunners to Manchester City for a healthy transfer fee but failed to reinvest in the squad with only Thomas Vermaelen signed by Wenger. Though Vermaelen is one of Wenger's best acquisitions, the failure to replace Adebayor was crucial as Robin van Persie was injured for a long time while Eduardo never really recovered from his horrific ankle injury.

Though fans are the only ones who are faithful to the club at all times, the recent statements from Samir Nasri will not go down well with them though they understand that lack of trophies is always bound to influence players. According to Skysports News, Nasri told the News of the World: "Money has never been my motivation. I have always taken decisions from a football point of view.


"With no titles under your belt, you can't be in the list for the Ballon D'Or. I came to England to get trophies because I haven't won anything in my career, apart from an U17 European Championship in 2004. We all need to get out of our comfort zone, to grow up and test ourselves." added the French winger.

Nasri managed only a solitary goal since February and was as culpable as anyone else for Arsenal's slump towards the end of the season. It is not only the manager's responsibility to win things; players also should shoulder the responsibility and it is not likely to go down well with Arsenal fans. If there are players who are not satisfied with the team, it is better to sell them rather than keeping unsatisfied players at the club.

However, it is not the players who will be going that are going to help Arsenal win trophies and the players who stay and the new signings should step up and help Wenger and the club to win trophies once again. Though it may sound far-fetched, Arsenal need a fresh start after their sufferings in the last few seasons and with some players coming in to replace some outgoing players, however experienced or important they might be, it could be a fresh start for the Gunners and they must show the fighting spirit in order to help the Gunners have a successful season next year.

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Arsenal Transfer News: 5 Reasons Why Arsene Wenger Should Retain Samir Nasri

Arsene Wenger will be under immense pressure in the summer and by all reports, it is likely that this summer will be busy for the Gunners. There are a number of players who could leave the club while some sections of the media report that Arsenal are tracking a number of players in the summer. It is certain that the manager and his team are desperate to end this frustrating trophy drought and he will try to add quality players to the squad.

With Manchester United and Liverpool already active in the transfer market with the signings of Phil Jones and Jordan Henderson respectively, it is important that the Gunners strengthen in this summer. It is certain that Liverpool and Tottenham will try to break into the Champions League spots in the next season, which will make it more competitive next year.

Arsenal's manager should not only ensure that they keep their place in the top four but also challenge for the title and win trophies in the next season. It will be one of the most important seasons in Wenger's Arsenal career and being an intelligent man, he will understand and analyze where his team went wrong in the last season.

It is important to strengthen in the summer but it is even more important to retain the best players of the team for the next season. It is uncertain whether Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas will be in an Arsenal jersey next season because they are integral members of this young squad. Nasri, in particular, had an excellent season last year and can progress to reach further heights in the next season.

However, he has only one year on his contract and he has not renewed his deal due to a financial disagreement according to Wenger. He is certainly going to attract various clubs from Europe but his agent has made it clear that the contract negotiations have not stalled and that talks are still ongoing. Here is five reasons why Arsenal should give in to Nasri's demands in order to keep him at the Emirates.

1. Uncertain Future of Cesc Fabregas

Though Fabregas is arguably the best player in the current Arsenal squad, he has always been linked with a move to Barcelona and has not quashed the possibility of moving in the near future. Fabregas has been frustrated by the lack of trophies during his time at Arsenal and Barcelona will try to sign their former youth player.

Samir Nasri is amongst the best talents at Arsenal and it will be a huge blow if he does leave the club. He has shown that he is immensely talented but he will have to be more consistent to be regarded as a world class player. However, if Arsenal does lose him, it could also result in some senior players like Fabregas being unhappy with the club because in the recent past, they have sold a large number of their best players.

Though Nasri staying does not guarantee Fabregas will stay, it ensures that the mood in the camp is optimistic and that the team has a better chance of winning trophies. Also, Nasri's role could be enhanced if Fabregas leaves the club because he is a player who can create goals from nothing. When Fabregas and Van Persie were injured for large parts of the first half of the season, it was the Frenchman who took on the responsibility of scoring goals and ensuring that the Gunners stayed in the title race till the duo returned to fitness.


2. Versatility and Possible Replacement for Fabregas in the Future

Arsenal have had problems with injuries and it has been one of the reasons for Arsenal's six year long trophy drought. However, during the course of the season, every single team in the Premiership will encounter injuries but having quality depth in the side helps to cope with injuries. Versatile players do play an important role in the team because they can cover for another position as well if needed.

Arsenal's Samir Nasri is amongst the most versatile players at the club and can play on both wings, central midfielder and also as a central attacking midfielder. The current squad has Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott as wingers and all the three are quality players though Arshavin has come under some criticism despite possessing impressive statistics. Nasri can provide quality depth and could be integral to the squad next season.

If Fabregas does leave in the summer, Arsene Wenger could utilize Nasri as the attacking midfielder and ease Ramsey into the role with further appearances from the bench and in the cup ties. Arsenal have been linked with both Gervinho and Hazard and if the Gunners do sign one of the wingers, the manager can choose two wingers from the three.

3. The Best of Nasri is Yet to Come

why Wenger would not want to lose Nasri

Though many supporters feel that Nasri's demands could be unreasonable especially only after half a season of superb performances, it is undeniable that he is amongst the most talented youngsters in the world. At the age of 23, he is set to move to the next stage of his career and it is likely that he will continue to improve.

Also, Nasri has taken his time to adjust to the demands of the Premiership but now, looks accustomed to the pace and the physicality of the league and has had his best season for Arsenal since he joined in 2008. The tricky midfielder was rated as one of the brightest products in the French league at a young age and was touted to be the next "Zizou" by some sections of the media and supporters.

He has also established himself as a starter for the France National team and will look to improve to become a world class player. He has come a long way since he joined Arsenal and it is expected that he will only get better with experience.

4. Ashley Young to be given £130k per week!

According to the Mirror, Ashley Young will be paid a sum of £130k per week if he signs for Manchester United. However, at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, who is the highest paid player at the club, is reportedly paid 110k per week. However, Fabregas is arguably more talented and has proven himself to be a world class player. This is not about criticizing the wages earned by other club's footballers; it is about the inflated wages earned by modern day footballers.

Arsenal will soon having to increase the wages of their best players in order to keep them at the Emirates. Though fans expect their club's players to be loyal, it is difficult not to accept a huge pay-rise from a club which is just as ambitious as the current club. Some players are loyal to their clubs like Paul Scholes but there are many who will swap their clubs if they get more wages and a shot at winning trophies like Sol Campbell.

Nasri will demand higher wages to stay at the Emirates and also put pressure on the board and Arsene Wenger to sign players who can help them win trophies. The Board and Arsene Wenger (if he is involved) should take responsibility in allowing this sort of a situation to happen with two of the most important players for Arsenal (Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri). It is time that Arsenal cut down the wages on some of their less important players, sell youngsters who are not going to make it at Arsenal and increase the wages of their best players.

5. Losing Promising Players Will Not Help the Club Move Forward


Arsenal are in the midst of a frustrating trophy drought and it is certainly important to retain the best players at the club. The Gunners are uncertain about the futures of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas who are very important for the club and also, Ivan Gazidis confirmed that there will be a "turnover" of the squad in the summer at the Q&A session.

The Gunners could not win the title last season and it is important that they build on the positives of the season but if they lose Samir Nasri due to wrangling over contract issues, it will mean that they would have to sign his replacement and it is likely that any possible replacement would take time to adjust at the club.

With the fans frustrated by the lack of trophies, it is important that they win trophies in the next season and losing their best players is not going to help them. Nasri is certainly one of the players who is important to Arsenal in the long term and is one of the few world class talents at the Emirates. Though his demands might seem unreasonable to some, it is important for the club to retain him in order to win trophies because if they do not win trophies, they will have to encounter the exodus of several other players as well.

Arsenal Transfers: To Sell Cesc Fabregas or Not to Sell Him, That Is the Question

There are still around 80 days of transfer madness left in this summer but some Arsenal fans are already negative regarding the transfers for the Gunners in the summer. It is understandable that most fans are frustrated with this six year long trophy drought but if ever Arsene Wenger deserves the trust of the fans, it is at this time of the summer where supporters should place their faith in the long serving Arsenal manager.

"In Arsene, We Trust" has been one of the most frequently used quotes by Arsenal fans in the last decade but many have been disillusioned by the frugal policies of the Frenchman and a section of fans do not want Wenger as the manager for Arsenal. This summer could be crucial for both Wenger and his young team because if they do fail to win anything next season, the backlash could cause some serious problems for the Arsenal board, Arsene Wenger and the current squad.

In this current scenario, it is important that the under-pressure manager can retain the services of his best players. Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy have only one year left on their current deals and Wenger has said that he will not allow the players to run down their contracts like Mathieu Flamini did when he was at Arsenal. In that case, the Gunners potentially face the realistic scenario of selling the two players at a bargain due to their contracts running out.

Wenger is probably one of the most experienced managers in the world and will need all of that in dealing with the current situation this summer. In addition to this, it is no surprise that Barcelona are once again linked with club captain Cesc Fabregas who stayed at the Emirates last season despite a lot of interest from Barcelona.

Fabregas has said in the past that he would like to play for Barcelona someday and his friends Gerard Pique and David Villa have been reported to welcome the arrival of the Arsenal captain. With Nasri and Clichy not yet committing to the Gunners, it is likely that the departure of Fabregas will not help them being motivated about Arsenal's prospects in the 2011-12 season.

Barca-Bound?

Though Fabregas has missed a number of games in the last two seasons due to injuries, he is the most creative player for the Gunners and one of the few world class players in the squad. He is the most important player on the pitch whenever he plays for Arsenal because he sets the tempo of the play and also is more or less bound to create chances even when he is not at his best.

Many supporters feel that Fabregas is going to suffer from his recurring hamstring injuries in the future and that this is the summer where Arsenal can cash in on the Spaniard. Though he has suffered a lot of injuries in the last two seasons, one would have to remember that Wenger is also at blame for this situation regarding Fabregas. The Spaniard has played when not fully fit and some blame must be attached to the manager and his medical team for giving him the green signal to play.

Also, the Spanish midfielder has not had a summer off for the last three seasons and having played a lot for Arsenal over the past few season, it is possible that this could be a primary reason for his injuries. Most of his injuries in the past year or so have been muscular injuries which could happen because of not having had enough rest for his body.

The emergence of Jack Wilshere has taken some pressure off the captain and helped Fabregas move deeper to avoid being marked out of the game and Wilshere has the ability to become one of the world's best midfielders in the near future. However, the young England International looks suited to the deeper role alongside Song than playing in the attacking midfield role.

Aaron Ramsey has recovered completely from his horrific injury and he was originally touted to be the long term Fabregas replacement for Arsenal. Though he is a different player to Fabregas in the sense that he distributes play faster and also his movement off the ball is considerable, he has shown in many games that with time, he can be effective in the advanced midfield role.

However, with the Welsh International only making a handful number of starts for the Gunners this season, it could prove to be a huge gamble if Cesc Fabregas was to go. It is almost impossible to find a proper replacement for the Arsenal captain and many of them could be beyond the reach of the Gunners due to wages or transfer fees.

Wenger will be faced with a tricky problem regarding Cesc Fabregas, a problem for which none can find an answer that satisfies all Arsenal fans. However, the Arsenal manager would have to deal with it in such a way that they have a realistic possibility to win trophies next season which is probably the only way to quell their frustration.

Barcelona have to meet Arsenal's valuation of the player, which is likely to be on the higher side in this inflated transfer market. According to the Mirror, they could offer one of their youth players, Thiago Alcantara along with cash in order to sign Fabregas but Wenger will weigh the pros and cons of any possible deal and will only enter negotiations if the player makes it clear that he would want to move to the Spanish club.

Selling Cesc Fabregas would undoubtedly impact the team in a huge way but making intelligent signings to deal with the departure is the way ahead if Fabregas is to leave for Barcelona. Arsenal will be armed with cash to buy some excellent players should the deal happen and Wenger could alter the formation to a 4-4-1-1 if Fabregas does leave.

However, selling both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the same summer is something which Arsene Wenger would not like to do. It is more likely that he will offer the Frenchman an improved contract if Fabregas does indeed leave for Barcelona because it will be very difficult to replace two quality players in a team in one summer. Though Nasri has incurred the wrath of some Arsenal fans over his contract negotiations, it is undenaible that he is someone who has the quality to make a difference and Wenger will not like to see him leave.

If Fabregas leaves, then Wenger could make a move for a big name signing like Karim Benzema whose future could be in question should Real Madrid sign Sergio Aguero. Wenger has said that a deal is not impossible for Benzema and signing someone of his calibre will provide a much needed boost for Arsenal. However, Wenger will probably make some defensive signings as well in this summer considering that it has been their achilles' heel in the last few seasons.

Fabregas has been frustrated by the lack of trophies at Arsenal and could be interested in a move to his hometown club. Also, Wenger will understand that keeping a player against his wishes, especially if the player is the captain of the team, could backfire and result in negative vibrations in the dressing room.

If Fabregas has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, Wenger should allow the move to happen but negotiate smartly in order to utilize the best possible deal from the Catalan giants. It is preferable that Wenger does not sign any youth players of the Barcelona team including talented youngsters like Thiago Alcantara and Bojan Krkic because the Gunners need established players in their squad and already have many talented players in the squad.

Arsenal will look for a cash only deal as it will allow them to spend on established players as opposed to signing someone like Bojan for whom it could be difficult to adjust to the physicality of the league. With Sergio Aguero's situation not yet clear, there is still a possibility that he will join Real Madrid and in that case, it is likely that Benzema could move if there is a good offer on the table for him.

Though the Gunners' are amongst the elite clubs in the world, they do not have the spending power of Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City, which is why it is important that they make the right deals. Arsene Wenger will try to do what Liverpool did with Fernando Torres in January and look to strengthen with a couple of important signings. With the financial fair play regulations implemented from the next year, this could be the summer which is crucial for the Gunners.

Cesc Fabregas' future remains uncertain but it is more likely to depend on his decision on whether to stay at the club. He is still hugely respected by Arsenal fans and should he move to Barcelona, it must be done quickly in order for Arsenal to have time to sign their targets.


If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Jan Vertonghen, Falcao, Ricky Alvarez, Scott Parker and Gervinho in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects 

Arsenal Transfer Opinions: Why Cesc Fabregas' Future Holds the Key to Arsene Wenger's Summer

Arsenal FC endured a horrendous run towards the end of the season which increased frustration amongst the Gunners' supporters who want the Arsenal manager to spend the money to bring in established players. Arsene Wenger has been notorious for his frugality and some of his recent signings have not gone too well with the fans who are desperate for the Gunners to win trophies soon.

Wenger has probably never had a more tricky summer in his tenure at Arsenal with immense pressure on him to make the right signings for the Gunners and also fight to keep his best players at the club. It is no surprise that Cesc Fabregas has been linked with a move to Barcelona in this summer and there is every possibility it could drag on in the summer.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to be active in the market and was interested in signing youngster Phil Jones before the defender reportedly opted to move to Manchester United. The French tactician has also had to deal with a number of players ready to exit in this summer and has to convince his best players to stay at the club.

There is still some uncertainty regarding Samir Nasri's contract negotiations and he has not ruled out the prospect of joining Manchester United. Though the French midfielder did not have a good second half of the season, he was superb in the first half and is one of the most important players in the current squad. Also, if Nasri does leave the club, then the club will have to bring in a quality replacement.

With clubs below and above Arsenal in the Premiership looking to strengthen in this summer, Arsene Wenger will understand his team's needs and try his best to bring in quality players. However, Arsenal do not have the financial power of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United or for that matter, Liverpool but Wenger is a shrewd negotiator and manager and will look to spend within his transfer budget.

Arsenal's transfer chest is not compared to that of Chelsea or City but according to the Swiss Rambler, a respected football finance blogger, it could be predicted to be more than 40 million for sure. In this inflated transfer market, 40 million will not be able to bring more than two quality players but a number of fringe players like Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson could be on their way and their transfer fees will also be added to the budget.

This is the reason why sorting the future of Cesc Fabregas is a priority for Arsenal because only then will Arsene Wenger be able to understand the needs of the team for the summer. Let us take the two scenarios which is possible in the case of Fabregas.

If Fabregas Departs for Barcelona, What should Wenger do in the Summer?

Though Arsenal fans would like their captain to stay at Arsenal, they will not rule out the possibility of Cesc Fabregas joining his boyhood club in the summer. However, though Fabregas could be allowed to move on by Wenger, it is likely that Barcelona would have to meet Arsenal's valuation of their captain. Though it is difficult to predict the sum of money, if Jordan Henderson is reportedly worth around 20 million, then you can imagine Arsenal's valuation.

It is possible that Barcelona could be interested in a player plus cash deal for Fabregas and could offer one of their talented youngsters to the club. Wenger will have a lot of cash to build his team if Cesc does depart in the summer. But quality players are generally snapped up early in the transfer window which is why it is important for the Gunners to finalize the future of Fabregas in the next few weeks.

If Nasri does sign a new deal at the Emirates, then there is every possibility that he could be shifted to the central attacking midfield role which he prefers to a wide role. The Frenchman is undoubtedly talented and could replace Fabregas though it will mean that Jack Wilshere will be responsible for the distribution and controlling the tempo of the game.

There is also the possibility of Arsenal signing a new midfielder who can fit in with Arsenal's style of play and Nasri can continue on the wings with either Aaron Ramsey or the new midfielder operating in the hole behind striker Robin van Persie. But if Fabregas does leave the club, what is certain is that the money has to be invested into the squad.

Another option for Arsene Wenger is to invest the money from Fabregas' sale to sign a new striker like Benzema and Van Persie can operate behind the striker with Nasri and Walcott as wingers in the formation. This could result in change in formation back to a 4-4-1-1 but it depends on Arsene Wenger's decision on how he wants to utilize the two strikers.

If Nasri does not stay, then it is the worst case in which both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri depart Arsenal. In this scenario, Arsene Wenger will most certainly have to spend the money to acquire a central attacking midfielder, preferably someone who can also play on the wings to provide depth. He could sign a winger or a versatile striker who could play on the wing which will be excellent for Arsenal.

If Cesc Fabregas does stay at Arsenal for the 2011-12 season, then What are the Options?

If the Arsenal captain stays at the club, then it will be pretty straightforward as to what the manager should do in the summer. It will come down to Samir Nasri's decision as to what the Wenger will do in the transfer market. There is a good probability that Nicklas Bendtner will leave the club in the summer and Wenger would have to sign a striker to add depth to the squad.

If Nasri stays, then signing a striker should be the only priority as Arsenal do have a number of attack minded players who can fit in when necessary. Nasri, Arshavin and Walcott will be the wingers while a versatile striker preferably can be added to the squad. Fabregas, Ramsey and Wilshere can play in the attacking midfield role where there is no need for a new player to be signed.

If the French midfielder does leave the club, then Arsene Wenger would have to sign a new winger because Arshavin and Walcott will be the only two wingers apart from Rosicky who has not been very effective since recovering from his long term injury. Arsenal will require a quality winger who can fit in straight in the first team and can provide a lot of quality to the team.


Why is an Early Decision on the Future of Fabregas is Important for Arsenal?

An early decision on Fabregas is absolutely essential for Wenger to decide on the type of players that he has to target for Arsenal. if he is staying with the club, then he can concentrate on the Nasri situation and can be certain on what positions he has to target in the summer. If he does not stay at the club or the club is ready to accept a bid from Barcelona, then they will have to move in to do their best with the contract situation of Samir Nasri and could possibly move him to centre midfield.

But either way, it makes perfect sense for Arsenal to bid for a talented winger like Eden Hazard who has been linked with the Gunners in the past. Though Tomas Rosicky has not been at his best, it is better for the Arsenal manager to retain his services because he can provide a lot of experience and can provide depth to the team.

If Cesc Fabregas' future is not resolved by the end of June, it could mean that a number of players could be signed only after pre-season starts for Arsenal and that is not ideal for the Gunners. In the pre-season, it is important that the players adjust to the new signings' style of play and it could help the player to build a good rapport with his team mates as well.

Arsene Wenger needs to get his deals sorted out before the start of the Champions League qualifier which could turn out to be a tricky fixture. If the Fabregas saga is allowed to drag on till that point, it is possible that it could affect the planning for the next season which could be the most important one yet in Arsene Wenger's long tenure at the club.


If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Jan Vertonghen, Falcao, Ricky Alvarez, Scott Parker and Gervinho in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects 

Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners' Options Regarding Futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri

Arsene Wenger is reportedly all set to cancel his holidays according to the Mirror, because of the potential departures of three of their more important players. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin are the players mentioned in the report though Arshavin’s recent comments suggest that Wenger would like to retain him at Arsenal.

With the fans immensely frustrated by the six year trophy drought, the last thing that Arsene Wenger wants is to lose two of his best players in the squad. Though Arsenal have yet to announce any signing, the general consensus is that Arsene Wenger must bring in some established quality players in order to end this frustrating drought.

However, Wenger will not like to see his best players depart the club as it would be hard to find replacements for them and also, they might require time to adjust to the new club which might trigger another season of rebuilding the team. Though the Gunners endured a spectacular collapse towards the end of the season, they were the main competitors for Manchester United for most of the season and had good wins against quality teams like Barcelona and Chelsea.

Wenger is looking to bolster his squad by bringing in some new players who can add quality to the squad and also, retaining the services of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas is important for the Gunners next season. The Arsenal captain has been continually linked with a move to Barcelona while Nasri has only one year on his contract and should he not sign a new deal, he will be on his way out of the Emirates.

Samir Nasri has been linked with a number of clubs in Europe and he has done nothing to quash these rumors. On the contrary, according to a report on ESPNSoccernet, he refused to rule out a move to Manchester United, who are looking to add more quality to the team that won the EPL this season. Though there is not much news on the Fabregas front, the Arsenal captain could be a likely target for the Spanish Champions.

Cesc Fabregas Situation

Cesc Fabregas has admitted in the past that he would like to return to his former club at some point in his career and his potential transfer has been the subject of speculation for the past few seasons. He was convinced by Arsene Wenger to stay for the 2010-11 season and though the Arsenal manager has confirmed that there is no interest for the club captain, there is every possibility that Barcelona could bid for the Spanish midfielder.

Though Fabregas is likely to be benched, if all midfielders are fit for the Blaugrana, the possibility of winning trophies for Barcelona, where he was a youth player, appeals to him for sure. Wenger will be in a conundrum if he conveys to him that he wants to quit the club because it will be hard to replace him but also, if he resists the approach from the Catalans, it could lead to Fabregas being upset with the club and being the leader and captain of this young team, Wenger will not want any negative vibes before the season.

Whether Fabregas stays or not depends on his decision, Arsene Wenger’s persuasion skills and the offer that Barcelona make for the midfielder. Though Wenger will not price Fabregas out of the move on purpose, he will ensure that Fabregas is sold for the market value of the Arsenal captain and with the inflated transfer markets in the last few seasons, he could be Arsenal’s most expensive sale and could fetch around £45 million.

However, Wenger would rather like the Spaniard to stay at the club than obtain the money from his sale because he is integral to the success of the team and is arguably their best player and certainly their most consistent player over the last few years. But if he pushes for a move, then Arsenal could be interested in a swap deal involving one of Ibrahim Afellay or Thiago Alcantara plus cash of around £35 million.

Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey who is back to full fitness and he is expected to play a big role in the future for the Gunners considering he is one of the most promising midfielders in the world. Hence, the Gunners will not prefer signing Thiago, though he is very talented, because he will take time to adjust to the Premiership and also, he is relatively inexperienced.

Afellay would be an interesting option for the Gunners though considering that his versatility in the centre or on the wings could provide more flexibility for the Gunners. Also, he shares a good rapport with current Arsenal vice captain Robin van Persie and they will know their games having played for the Dutch national team together.

Also Afellay has not received much playing time for Barcelona after joining them in January in a cut-price deal from PSV Eindhoven. With Barcelona also linked with Giuseppi Rossi, he could receive lesser time next season and Cesc Fabregas’ arrival at Barcelona will certainly mean that he will not play in central midfield which he prefers.

Samir Nasri’s Contract Situation

 

However if Barcelona are not interested in involving Afellay in the deal, then Wenger would have another option to sign a quality winger like Eden Hazard and play Samir Nasri in the hole behind Robin van Persie. But the only problem in this is that there is absolutely no guarantee that Nasri will stay with the Gunners next season and he could move on if he fails to reach an agreement with Arsenal regarding the new contract.

Samir Nasri had an excellent first half of the season and though he did fade away towards the end of the season, a tally of 15 goals in a season is good for the midfielder who had scored 12 goals for Arsenal till the 2010-11 season. Nasri has developed into one of the most important players for the Gunners and Arsenal will not like to lose him this summer.

However, he has only one year on his contract and according to Arsene Wenger, there has been a slight financial disagreement on the contract and the Arsenal manager hoped he could hold on to the French midfielder. Nasri has the upper hand in the contract negotiations with many top clubs interested in acquiring his services.

Nasri is reportedly seeking a pay similar to what Cesc Fabregas earns at the club. However, the club has a wage structure which should be respected and if Wenger gives in to Nasri’s demands, then it will mean that he will also have to increase the wages of several other players like Robin van Persie, who has been extremely loyal to the club. It could mean a huge rise in the overall wages of the club and could affect the policy of the club in the long run as more players could start holding the club for ransom and it would set a bad precedent.

If he is indeed sold by the Gunners after failing to sign a new contract, it will be tough to replace a player of his quality. Though he has only one year left on his contract, he is a player of superb potential and could be worth as much as £20 million despite having only a year on his contract. The midfielder’s versatility provides a lot of depth to the Gunners and should he leave, Arsenal will have to look at quality players who can do the job for Arsenal.

Eden Hazard, who was named the French League player of the season for his superb performances for Lille, has been linked with the Gunners in the past and Wenger could splash the cash to acquire his services. Another possible alternative for the Gunners is to sign a quality striker like Karim Benzema who can also play on the wings which means more options for the Arsenal manager.

If Nasri does leave the club, it is likely that the Arsenal manager would also hold on to Tomas Rosicky, despite not being at his best since his return from injury. The Czech International has been benched for a number of games this season but he is one of the more versatile players in the squad and could provide depth to the squad.

The worst situation for the Gunners is in the scenario where Nasri and Fabregas both leave the club in the summer and that would certainly be devastating for the Gunners. However, Arsene Wenger is an astute manager and despite not many trophies in the last few years, he will understand the team’s need for quality players.

The Gunners could generate a large amount of money from the sale of the two players and probably they can also negotiate for a potential player exchange deal for Fabregas involving Afellay, which means that they could have as much as £50 million cash along with the signing of the Dutchman. Wenger needs to invest this money on quality players who are needed to win trophies for the Gunners.

Wenger could have a transfer budget of around £35-40 million and he has said that they do have the capability to make big signings. The Arsenal manager could sign a quality striker and Eden Hazard or Mario Goetze with that cash which means Arsenal will have a formidable attack with Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Ibrahim Afellay all capable of playing behind the striker.

It is certainly not all “gloom and doom” for Arsenal if Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leaves the club especially considering the potentials of Ramsey and Wilshere but Wenger would not like to lose two key players in the same summer as it could mean that the team’s play could be remodelled. Arsene Wenger will have to spend the money available in the summer to acquire quality players who could help the Gunners end their trophy drought and move to an era of consistent success like they enjoyed in the early years of Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Gervinho

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be active in the transfer market and will try to add some new players in this summer transfer window in order to improve the quality of the squad. The Gunners have not won a single trophy for the last six years and have come under immense criticism this season. Wenger's reluctance to spend money in the inflated transfer market has also frustrated many supporters and the Arsenal manager is expected to have sufficient transfer budget to purchase quality players in the summer.

With many clubs looking to add some players to their squad, Wenger will hope that he can finalize some deals early in the summer. It is no surprise that Arsenal are linked with a number of players in the transfer market. With Nicklas Bendtner desiring to leave the club and Vela's uncertain future at Arsenal, the Gunners could be in the market for a striker which is probably why there have been wesites linking Arsenal with a move to sign strikers like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao.

Another player who has been linked with a move to the Emirates is Lille's Gervinho, who can play as a winger or a striker. He has had an excellent season for Lille helping them win the league this season and has scored a total of 25 goals in 54 league appearances for the French team. He also represented the Ivory Coast National team in the World Cup and was one of the better performers for the team.

Gervinho has said that he will decide in the next week where his future lies and it has been reported that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are tracking the forward. This article is about what are the advantages and disadvantages if Arsenal are planning to sign him.

Advantages

There is a good chance that Gervinho could leave the club and look for new pastures and though he will not exactly come at a bargain, Arsenal will certainly be able to afford him if he is available at the £10 million quoted by the Daily Mail. The Ivory Coast International can play on the wings or in the centre which provides versatility for the Gunners.

He has a lot of pace and his direct running at defenders could cause problems for defenders. Also, he is a strong player and is likely to cope with the physicality of the Premier League. He is also quite good in finishing as his record suggests and with players like Gervinho and Walcott in the same team, the Gunners can counter-attack at pace.

At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and should he continue his development, he will be an excellent player in the future. Gervinho is a player who can last the 90 minutes playing at a good tempo and his energetic running could help the Gunners create more opportunities towards the end of the game.

Disadvantages

Gervinho is player who can still improve on a few aspects and crossing is certainly not his forte. Also, though he can play on either wing, he has a tendency to come inside which reduces width and is exaclty what the current Arsenal wingers also do. It is not certain if the Ivory Coast International can be as prolific from the wings at Arsenal because the Gunners play rather narrowly.

Also, Gervinho will be representing his country in the African Cup of Nations which could mean he could a number of games in January and if he is fatigued or injured, it could hamper him for the rest of the season. He will be behind the likes of Nasri and Walcott, who will be first choice wingers if Gervinho is signed and even Arshavin could be preferred over Gervinho.

If that is the case, he is certain to be frustrated due to his lack of opportunities (though his team mate Emmanuel Eboue can comfort him!). Also with Andrei Arshavin not at his best and the future of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas not certain, it is important that Wenger signs a quality forward who can persuade the duo to stay.

If Bendtner and Vela, who has hardly played for the Gunners this season, leave the club, then Arsenal will only have Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh as the only strikers in the squad. Though Gervinho can play in the centre, he is more suited to the wings and if van Persie is injured, it will again be a problem for the Gunners.

Hence, it is better for the Gunners to look for a player who is a striker who can play on the wings instead of the other way around. Also with Ryo Miyaichi impressing for Feyenoord and Andrei Arshavin likely to stay after his recent comments, it is better for the Gunners to look at a quality striker, who can play on the wings if required.

If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao, Ricky Alvarez and Scott Parker

Arsenal FC: Why Wenger Should Target David Villa for Cesc Fabregas in a Swap Deal or Rebuff Barcelona

It is inevitable that papers publish reports and rumors in the summer transfer window regarding Cesc Fabregas' future and Barcelona and their players have only fueled speculation with their quotes about the Arsenal captain. Last summer, there was speculation until Cesc Fabregas' official statement regarding his future on the Arsenal website was published.

Barcelona did lodge an official bid for the Arsenal captain in the last summer which did not match Arsene Wenger's valuation of the club's captain and rejected their bids and retained the services of Fabregas for the 2010-11 season. The former Barcelona youth player has been linked with a return to his former club and has admitted that he would like to return to the club at some point in his career.

However, the current Barcelona team which is the arguably the best in the world have the experienced Xavi Hernandez, who is in-charge for controlling the midfield for Barcelona and Andres Iniesta, who shares a telepathic rapport with Xavi. Cesc Fabregas cannot compete with Sergio Busquets, who is the defensive midfielder for the Blaugrana, for a place in the midfield which means that the Arsenal captain could be benched regularly if he does sign for Barcelona.

Yet, that has not deterred him from making a statement on committing to the Gunners which means that he could still be open to the idea of signing for Barcelona in the summer. However, Fabregas' contract with the Gunners is till 2015 which means that Arsenal are in a strong position regarding the transfer of Barcelona and since Fabregas is very important to the Gunners, Wenger will look to get the best deal for his captain.

With Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini openly declaring his interest in the Arsenal captain (though it seems extremely unlikely that it is extremely unlikely to interest  Fabregas) and Real Madrid also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the Arsenal captain, it is likely to further inflate Fabregas' price in the transfer market. Also, the Spaniard's contract with the Gunners is till 2015, which means that Arsenal are in a strong position regarding any deal concerning Cesc Fabregas.

It is undeniable that Cesc Fabregas is one of the world's best midfielders and at the age of 24, he still has a long and bright career ahead of him. Arsenal will probably not consider any offer less than £50 million and a sizeable chunk of that fee will have to be used to sign a quality replacement for the Spaniard.

Fabregas has always maintained that he will only leave the Gunners for Barcelona and not any other club in the world and if he does want to sign for the Blaugrana, the club will have to off a huge sum in order to negotiate with Arsenal. There have been reports in some websites according to which Barcelona are prepared to offer a youth player of Arsenal's choice in addition to £35-40 million cash to sign Fabregas.

However, a youth player, even if they are very talented like Thiago Alcantara, is not required by the Gunners because he cannot replace a world class player like Cesc Fabregas for the next season and with Aaron Ramsey, returning from his injury, Arsenal have quality youngsters for the future. It is certain that Arsenal need quality players to replace their best players and signing another youngster is not going to help them end their current trophy drought.

Arsenal need to sign quality players in order to strengthen their team and if Fabregas leaves, it will be a huge blow for Arsene Wenger. However, one player who Wenger should target in a swap deal for Cesc Fabregas is Barcelona striker David Villa who has had an excellent debut season for Barca though he did not have a great second half of the season and if the money offered is around £15-20 million, it should be considered by Wenger and Arsenal.

Barcelona have been linked with a €25-30 million swoop for Villarreal striker Giuseppi Rossi who has been prolific for the Spanish side. At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and is ready to take a big step. The left-footed striker can also play on the wing and is likely to be accommodated on the left wing of the 4-3-3 formation if he is signed by the Blaugrana, if he is signed.

It would mean that he will compete with Villa for a spot in the starting eleven with Pedro and Messi
completing the forward line. At the age of 29, David Villa is not going to be the long term future of Barcelona but Villa will want to play regularly at his age and will not be a willing substitute considering he is wanted by many top teams in Europe.

Also, if Rossi is signed and Villa is retained by Barca, it will mean the end of Bojan Krkic's Barcelona career because it would mean extremely less opportunities for the Spaniard but Pep Guardiola has been supportive to Bojan and would not like to see another youth player leave the club. If Cesc Fabregas is signed by Barcelona, the Catalan club will also have the option of playing Andres Iniesta on the wings if one of their forwards is injured which means they will have good depth in both positions (midfield and wings).

Arsenal will need to sign a quality prolific striker who can propel the Gunners to trophies and strikers don't come much better than David Villa, who is easily one of the world's best strikers. Van Persie has been prolific this season but has been injury prone throughout his career and this coupled with the potential departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela means that the Gunners will look to add a quality striker to their squad.

Any replacement that Arsenal can find in the transfer market is most likely to not be of the same quality as that of Cesc Fabregas. So, it is better for Wenger to play Samir Nasri in the central attacking midfield, he favors and it will provide him another incentive to sign a new contract. If Arsenal can get a prolific striker like David Villa or Karim Benzema with the cash obtained from Barcelona, then it would be the best business that Arsenal can possibly do with the money from Fabregas's potential departure.

If Barcelona are not interested in selling David Villa in the deal for Fabregas, then Arsenal should rebuff Barca's offers of a potential player exchange deal and should consider offers only worth £55 million or above because only then will the Gunners have the financial muscle to sign a top quality striker and some players in other areas which can provide depth to the team.

Cesc Fabregas is one of the few world class players in the current Arsenal squad and though Wenger would like to retain him at the Emirates, a deal involving David Villa should be considered by the French tactician as that could be the sort of striker that Arsenal need to win trophies.

But if Barcelona do not offer David Villa and both Higuain and Benzema are not available in the summer, Wenger should rebuff Barca's attempts because Fabregas staying could be integral to the Gunners' chances of winning trophies if Arsenal cannot find a world class striker, who is also versatile, in the transfer market.

Arsenal FC: Gunners' Position Analysis and Transfers That Wenger Should Target

Arsene Wenger has come under immense pressure in recent weeks for his club's failure to win any trophy for the last six years and his youth policy has come under huge criticism. However, the Frenchman has already signed young Charlton defender Carl Jenkinson and according to Sky Sports News, the Gunners have tied up deals for Barcelona youth players Hector Bellerin and Jon Miquel Toral. Wenger is a manager who believes in developing youth players with the potential to become an excellent player in the future and all the three players must be viewed as signings for the future.

However, time is running out for Arsene Wenger to prove that he can bring trophies and sustained success to the club in the future and with fans frustrated by the Frenchman's transfer policies in the recent past, it is expected that Wenger will strengthen the squad in the summer. With Manchester United ( who are close to signing Atletico's David De Gea), Chelsea and Manchester City set to strengthen in the summer, Arsenal will have to bolster their squad in order to win the Premiership in the 2011-12 season.

There are indications that Wenger might finally be prepared to change his transfer policy this summer and with the Frenchman claiming that a bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is not impossible, the supporters will have high hopes regarding the Frenchman's deals in the summer. It is important that the Gunners sign the players who can make the difference and though the Gunners cannot compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in a bidding war, it is possible for Arsenal to get good players if they spend the right amount of money.

With Wenger targeting various players around the world playing in different positions, it is important that he gets players who can provide quality depth to the squad. Injuries have played an important role in the trophy drought at Arsenal though it was not the reason for the Gunners' meek collapse towards the end of the 2010-11 season. Signings who can be versatile are important for Arsenal and it is important each position has enough depth to challenge for all trophies.

Goalkeepers


Arsenal supporters were disappointed to see Manuel Almunia starting in goal for the start of the season and with no transfer materializing before the end of the transfer window, supporters were disappointed with Wenger's decision. After Almunia's clangers against West Brom, he was injured and Fabianski took over the starting spot from him.

The Polish International had been heavily criticized for his errors in the past but in the 2010-11 season, he showed why he is highly rated by Wenger with some good consistent performances till he was injured in January before taking part in the game against Manchester City. Wojciech Szczesny, who had an excellent spell at Brentford in the Championship, was given the opportunity to start games regularly and has shown that he can be a future no.1 for the years to come.

Though Szczesny has made errors including the high profile blunder against Birmingham, he has enough mental strength and quality to be regarded as one of the finest young keepers in the world. Fabianski has also shown that he has the quality to be a good keeper and with two young promising keepers in the squad, a new goalkeeper should not be at the top of the agenda for the Gunners.

Defenders


Bacary Sagna was Arsenal's most consistent performer in the defence and he is one of the best right backs in the world. He is certain to be the first choice right back and if Eboue is not sold, he will be the second choice in the position. Carl Jenkinson is likely to be signed in the next few days and he can also play in the position though Arsene Wenger is more likely to use him in the League Cup if he does not loan him out.

Gael Clichy has been inconsistent throughout the season and with reports emerging that he will not sign a new contract, he could be sold by the Gunners in the summer. Kieran Gibbs is a promising player for the future but has been injury-prone this season and has also not been impressive at Left Back this season. Armand Traoare on loan at Juventus has not had a good spell with the club and is not yet good enough to play in the first team on a regular basis.

Thomas Vermaelen is arguably Arsenal's best centre back and after missing out on almost the entire season due to injuries, it is important that he is fit for most of the 2011-12 season. Laurent Koscielny who was signed last year from Lorient has shown that he can be an excellent defender in the future and will also have an important role to play in the next season.

Johan Djourou, who came back from his long term injury in the 2010-11 season, has also been impressive in a number of games and should hopefully improve on it in the next season. Though Djourou and Koscielny have shown a lot of promise, they do tend to make some mistakes due to their inexperience and it is important that Wenger brings in a defender who has experience and can be the no-nonsense defender that Arsenal require at the heart of the defence.

Also, youngster Kyle Bartley who was on loan at Sheffield United first and then Rangers has shown immense quality and promises to be an exciting talent for the future. Though he will not be very important for the 2011-12 season, he could be retained by Wenger to add to depth of the squad as he can also play in defensive midfield.

There is no need for mentioning Squillaci's role for the 2011-12 season because he is a mediocre defender and Wenger should sell the French defender despite signing him only in 2010. If Clichy also goes, then Wenger would have to bring in an established Left Back like Everton's Leighton Baines though there is also a possibility that he could sign a versatile centre back like Jan Vertonghen who can play at Left Back as well.

Central Midfield


Arsenal's most consistent players over the course of the season has been Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna and the former Arsenal youth player has been immense in midfield for the Gunners this season. He was impressive for Bolton on loan last season but has further improved and has formed an excellent partnership with Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas in midfield. Though his shooting and his final ball can be better, he is a player who is bound to develop into a world class midfielder if he can steer clear of controversies and injuries.

Cesc Fabregas suffered from recurring hamstring injuries throughout the season and it might be due to the number of games he has played in the last few years. With two months of holidays, Fabregas can improve his fitness and can be important to the Gunners next season. Though it is expected that Barcelona will make efforts to sign the Arsenal captain in the summer, Arsene Wenger would want to retain the services of the midfielder considering the fact that he is amongst the best midfielders in the world and he has the ability to unlock solid defences with his vision and creativity.

Alex Song has played in a more advanced role compared to the 2009-10 season and though he has contributed more in attack this season, he has to improve in order to be solid for the Gunners. He concedes a number of cheap free-kicks and should also avoid his rash tackles that could get him sent off. He is only 23 and can further improve in the 2011-12 season.

Denilson has made it clear that he wants to leave Arsenal and he has been poor this season. Though Abou Diaby has got a lot of potential, he spends a lot of time on the treatment room and also, it has hampered his progress at the Emirates. Diaby is not an orthodox holding midfielder and is effective with his powerful bursts in the midfield.

Though Diaby can play in the DM role, Arsenal need another defensive midfielder who can be effective for Arsenal. Song will also be absent in January because of the African Nations Cup and it is important the Gunners sign another holding midfielder. The Gunners have been linked with a move to sign Scott Parker and it will certainly be a good signing for the Gunners.

Aaron Ramsey has recovered completely from his horrendous injury and has shown no signs of any impact of the injury which is great for the Gunners. He is a player who is rated very highly by Wenger and can play an important role for Arsenal in the next season. He can play alongside the holding midfielder in the role currently occupied by Wilshere as well as in the attacking midfielder role.

Emmanuel Frimpong is an exciting youngster who can develop into an excellent defensive midfielder but his recent injury means he has still got a long way to go before being a regular and if there is an opportunity, he should be loaned out to a Premier League team. Henri Lansbury has had a good loan spell with Norwich who are in the Premiership next season and it is better for the Gunners that he continues his loan spell with the club.

Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri can also play in the attacking midfield role though the Czech International is not as effective as he used to be when he was signed by Arsene Wenger. There is enough depth for the places occupied by Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas in the 4-2-3-1 formation but Wenger will need to bring in a defensive midfielder in order to have good depth in that position.

Also, if Cesc Fabregas does leave the club, it is imperative that Arsenal sign an established attacking midfielder and not rely on the British duo of Ramsey and Wilshere. Another way to deal with the departure of the influential Spaniard would be to sign a versatile winger which would allow Samir Nasri to play behind the striker.


Wingers



Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri were dropped by their respective National teams for the World Cup in South Africa and they have both had creditable seasons for the Gunners. Walcott who has been accused in the past by some critics and journalists for having no football brain has improved on his final product and has scored 13 goals along with making 13 assists in the 2010-11 season.

Nasri had a sensational first half of the season but could not sustain the same kind of form in the latter half of the campaign but was still amongst Arsenal's best performers in the season. He scored some scintillating goals and had his best season with the Gunners but there is only one year on his contract and it could be a problem if he does not renew his contract with the Gunners.

Andrei Arshavin is a player who tends to polarize fans on his importance to the team but it is undeniable that he is one of the quality players at Arsenal. Despite performing well below his potential, the Russian managed to be one of the most effective players at Arsenal with regard to statistics. Though Wenger expects the Russian winger to stay at Arsenal, there are reports linking him with an exit.

Tomas Rosicky who has never recovered his best form since recovering from the long term injury, has also been used on the wings but he has mostly been on the bench if the players ahead of him are fit. The versatile Czech International is useful as a squad player but he has not had a good season and could move on at the end of the season.

Though Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner have been used as wingers, they are more suited to the central role and while the Danish International has made it clear that he intends to leave, it is still uncertain if Vela will follow him out of the Emirates.

Wenger's only January signing this year made an instant impact for Dutch club Feyenoord and the Japanese winger could have a bright future ahead of him. Ryo Miyaichi has still not been called up for the senior Japan team and hence, securing a work permit might be a problem.  He has started a number of games since he joined Feyenoord on loan and could extend his loan with the club in order to gain more experience.

Arsenal have been linked with both Lille wingers Gervinho and Eden Hazard and are also eyeing some players other than the duo to replace any potential departures. If Arshavin does leave the club, then Wenger must bring in a new winger so that the Gunners have a strong replacement if any of their first choice wingers are injured.


The other way for Arsene Wenger to ensure that there is depth is to sign a forward who is capable of playing on the wings like Karim Benzema who is comfortable on the left as well. But the manager should consider this option only if it is certain that Cesc Fabregas is staying at the club.

The worst situation that can happen for Arsenal is the departure of Samir Nasri due to unsuccessful contract negotiations and Wenger would have to replace him with a quality winger who can replace the talented Frenchman. As discussed in my earlier article, signing his French team mate Karim Benzema could also help in tying down Nasri to a longer deal at the club.

Strikers


Robin van Persie has been nothing short of sensational since the turn of the year and has scored a career best of 22 goals in a season despite being injured for around three months. The Dutch forward is one of the best strikers in the world but his unfortunate injuries has meant that he has not started as many games for the Gunners as he would have liked to. He is clearly Arsenal's best striker and without him, the Gunners lack  a striker who is clinical in front of goal.

Marouane Chamakh was signed in the last summer transfer window and proved to be an astute signing for Wenger as he notched many important goals for the Gunners. Though he is not clinical with his feet, he is a player who wears down defenders with his immense work rate and has good awareness. He is also excellent in the air and has scored many goals due to his aerial prowess. He was fatigued by the end of the first half and he is expected to adjust better to the demands of the league in his second season with the Gunners.

Nicklas Bendtner has frustrated the Arsenal supporters on a number of occasions with his profligacy but it is undeniable that he has the potential to be a good striker in the future. The Dane has been played out of position this season and has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities in the first team. He has declared his intention to leave the club and could be on his way if any club meets the valuation of Arsenal.

Carlos Vela is a very talented striker who has not been able to showcase his potential with consistent performances on the pitch. He was loaned out to West Bromwich to get more playing time but with Roy Hodgson taking over just after the Mexican signed for the Baggies, he was on the bench in a number of games and was not able to gain much playing time. It remains to be seen whether he will remain at Arsenal for one more year but if he does not make an impact this season, his time at the club would be definitely over.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers including the talented duo of Radamel Falcao and Karim Benzema and if Bendtner does leave the club, the Arsenal will have to replace him with a new striker. Wenger has already confirmed that he is ready to spend if the right player is available and signing a quality striker will be important for the Gunners in the summer.

If Arsenal do sign a striker, it is still uncertain as to whether Wenger will revert to the 4-4-2 formation or stick with the current 4-2-3-1 formation which would mean Robin van Persie or the new striker will have to play on the wings. Van Persie could also fit in easily in the role behind the striker if Fabregas is not available and his versatility could be utilized by the manager to accommodate the new striker.