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 Transfer Prospects: The Pros and Cons of Signing West Ham's Scott Parker

Though Arsene Wenger is probably on his way to South America for the summer, it is certain that he will be  actively involved in finalizing transfers as well as deciding on the futures of several players in the current Arsenal squad. Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they wants to quit the club and some others are likely to follow in the summer.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players in the summer and relegated West Ham's central midfielder is one of the targets for Arsene Wenger in this transfer window. West Ham have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager and they will hope that he can take them back to the Premiership in his first year.

However, Scott Parker has hinted that he is likely to move in order to play for the highest level and also to play for the England team. The hard tackling midfielder has reportedly attracted the interest of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham and could be signed by one of these clubs. Though Parker is currently aged 30, he was the best player by a distance for West Ham and also won the Football Writers Award for the 2010-11.

Parker started his career at Charlton Athletic where he impressed and attracted the interest of many clubs due to his impressive performances from the English midfielder. He was signed by Chelsea which meant a big step in his career but he did not get many opportunities to prove himself and was discarded by the Blues only one and a half seasons after signing for the club.

Since then, he has played for Newcastle United and West Ham United where he has been excellent for both clubs. Though Parker's performances for the Irons in this season were in vain, it is likely that he will move on to a club in the top six of the EPL in this summer. With Arsenal amongst the clubs being linked with him, this is an article on what Parker brings to the Gunners and also on Arsenal's problems in defensive midfield.


Advantages

Arsenal have not had enough leaders in the dressing room due to a lack of experience and Fabregas in an interview to the Don Balon admitted that the guys look up to him and Van Persie. Parker is a player who is vastly experienced and can help others to cope with pressure. Also, he has played in a team with much lesser quality and has the capability to bring out the best from others as he showed with West Ham.

The England International is a hard tackling player who is good defensively and can thrive in the defensive midfield role for the Gunners though he can contribute effectively in attack as well. He is experienced in the Premiership and can cope with the physicality and the pace of the league which means that he will not need time to adjust to the team.

Parker can play in the role of Jack Wilshere or that of Alex Song in the current Arsenal team and there is no quality back-up for Song if he does get injured. Though Abou Diaby has played in that role, he is not suited to a predominantly defensive midfielder role and Emmanuel Frimpong has only just recovered from his injury which saw him miss almost the entire season.

It would also be personally good for Parker if he joins Arsenal since he can play in the Champions League which no other club interested in him can offer and also, he would play alongside Jack Wilshere at club level which will improve his chances of getting selected in the England team where Wilshere is certain to start.

With a player of Parker's experience, Arsenal's mentality is likely to improve and his never-say-die attitude and commitment to the cause could be just what the Gunners need to get over the finishing line at the end of the season. In more detail, here are five reasons why Parker should be considered by Arsene Wenger, who rarely spends a sizeable fee on a player aged 30.

Disadvantages

Parker's transfer fee could be a problem considering his age and West Ham will not let him depart on a bargain though he is likely to quit the club. Also, Arsenal's major problem this season has been dealing with set-pieces and signing another short player will not solve the problem which is why Wenger wants to bring more variety in height this year.

Also, he could be frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the club if Wenger opts to play Song ahead of him. Though he played one and a half years with Chelsea, he is not experienced with the Champions League which boasts of high quality teams from around the world. He is not quick which means that he could struggle with fast counter-attacks with which the Gunners have struggled to deal with in the past.

He has played through the pain barrier on some occasions this season and that could yet come back to haunt him because he could be injured next season having played a number of games for West Ham despite sustaining some injuries. The last thing that Arsenal would want to have is another player who is a frequent visitor to the treatment room but let us hope Parker, irrespective of which club he joins, can stay fit for most of the season.

Should Wenger sign a Defensive Midfielder in the Summer?


Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in various positions and it is difficult to predict which positions are at the top of the agenda for the Arsenal manager. But it is logical to predict that the Gunners are likely to be in the market for a strong Centre Back who can provide stability to Arsenal, who have been woeful in defending from set-pieces.

However, the Gunners currently have four defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci. In this scenario, signing a strong physical centre back like Gary Cahill or Christopher Samba who are excellent in the air. Koscielny and Djourou have both shown immense promise for the future and will only get better next season but it is likely that manager signs a player who relishes aerial battles.

Arsenal might need to sign a Centre Back who is likely to be in the range of £10-15 million and to sign a defensive midfielder like Parker or any other decent defensive midfielder, another £8-12 million will be required. The Gunners will also look to sign a striker who can be prolific since Van Persie has been injury prone and also a left winger because Arshavin has been inconsistent and signing a youngster like Ricky Alvarez or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be important in this summer.

The problem for Arsenal is that with the African Nations Cup in January 2012, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong could be away with their National teams though it looks increasingly likely that the Cameroon International will not be a part of the squad. One alternative which can be considered by Wenger is that the Arsenal defenders are quite good on the ball and can play as midfielders when required.

Though Vermaelen is currently Arsenal's best defender, he has a tendency to attack far too much and can get caught out of position for a centre back. However, he has excellent technique and can shoot from range and can easily slot in as a defensive midfielder as well. Johan Djourou has played as a defensive midfielder in his youth and can also do the job in midfield.


Koscielny who has been excellent in many games this season for the Gunners including high profile games against Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United can be paired alongside the new defender and also, he has also shown good potential with his distribution and he can also possibly play in the defensive midfield role though he is not accustomed to the role in his short career.

In the absence of Alex Song due to injury or Internationals, Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny can play in his role with the other as the centre back partnering Johan Djourou or the new signing. If a centre back who is good on the ball plays in defensive midfield, it will also mean that Arsenal will have more presence in the box for defending set-piece situations with which they have struggled.

In addition to this, youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong who was on the verge of breaking into the first team squad before his cruciate ligament injury and Kyle Bartley who has shown a lot of promise in his loan spells could also provide depth for Song. The option of playing Vermaelen or Koscielny as a defensive midfielder alongside Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere has to be considered by the manager since it will provide much more security in defense which has been Arsenal's achilles' heel in the recent past.


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

Arsenal FC: Fabregas, Henry, Van Persie In Gunners' All Star Team Of the Decade

Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in the world, and even though they are going through a frustrating title drought, they have a rich history and have won a lot of trophies in the past. In the last decade, they have been admired by supporters all round the globe for their beautiful style of play.

The Invincibles of Arsenal, who went a full season unbeaten under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, played some of the finest football in Europe. It was a team that boasted some of the greatest talents that the game has ever seen. Their record has yet to be broken by any team in the Premier League.

I am compiling a list in the interest of cataloguing the best eleven players at their respective positions for Arsenal in this decade.

David Seaman: Goalkeeper

David Seaman was named seventh among the greatest players to have represented Arsenal in a poll on the club's official website. He was one of the safest keepers in the Premier League, and was a great success in his time at Arsenal. He was also the first choice goalkeeper for England, but blamed himself for the loss against Brazil when he was beaten by a superb free kick from Ronaldinho.

In the years from 2000-2003 he was hampered by injuries but was still an important member of the squad. Jens Lehmann replaced him as the first choice goalkeeper in the 2003-04 unbeaten season, and was also great for the Gunners.

Ashley Cole: Left Back
 
Ashley Cole, or Cashley, was one of the best players to have emerged from the Arsenal academy, and was an integral part of Arsenal after he cemented his place on the team in the early 2000s. Arsene Wenger deserves a lot of credit for promoting him from the academy to the first team, bestowing his faith on the Englishman.

Cole subsequently established himself as a regular for England, and was an integral part of the Invincibles. Cashley acquired this name when he quit the Gunners for Chelsea under acrimonious circumstances, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Arsenal supporters. Gael Clichy has replaced Cole in the Left Back position and is presently Arsenal's longest serving player, but he has still some way to go before he is as good as Cole.

Sol Campbell: Centre Back

Sol Campbell's transfer from arch-rivals Tottenham to Arsenal is still considered to be one of the most controversial transfers to happen in the Premiership. Campbell was one of the best centre backs in the world in his first tenure at Arsenal, and was one of the most important players in the Invincibles squad.

Sol Campbell scored in the loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Final in 2006, after which he joined Portsmouth on a free transfer. His career then took a turn for the worse, joining Notts county from Portsmouth and then quitting Notts after a couple of games. He improved his fitness training with Arsenal reserves, and was signed by Wenger in January.

He put on some courageous displays, with his performance against Spurs deserving of special mention. He moved from Arsenal again last summer to join Newcastle United on a free transfer. Sol has had a long career, and should be appreciated for his committed performances for the Gunners.

Kolo Toure: Centre Back
 
It was a difficult decision for me to include Kolo Toure when there were other extremely good players like Martin Keown amongst others. But the fact that he was one of the most consistent players for the Gunners tilted the scales in favour of Toure and also, he was also the first choice centre back, along with Sol Campbell, in the Invincibles squad.

For more than six years he was a hardworking team player for the Gunners, and I have included him for his importance to the team in the best part of the decade.

He did get not get along well with William Gallas, and looked for a transfer away from Arsenal because of that. He was sold to Manchester City for around 15 million, where he was named captain for the 2009-10 season. However, he stepped down from the captaincy for City in 2010-11 season, and Carlos Tevez was given the armband.
 
Bacary Sagna

Again, it was a tough decision for me to choose Bacary Sagna ahead of Lauren. Sagna is one of the consistent performers for Arsenal and is the first choice right back at present. Sagna joined Arsenal in the summer of 2007, and displaced Emmanuel Eboue to be the first choice at right back.Sagna might not be the best, when it comes to the attacking side of a fullback, but he is still one of the most competent players at his position and is an integral part of the team.


He was voted the best right back in the Premier League in his debut season for Arsenal and has been consistent for the Gunners . He has not won a trophy with Arsenal, but is one of the key members of the current team.

Sagna has always put the team before himself, as was demonstrated when he played following the death of his brother.It was really difficult to choose between Lauren and Sagna, but in my opinion, Sagna can be a great player for Arsenal in the future.

Patrick Viera: Central Midfielder (Captain)

Patrick Viera is an Arsenal legend who endeared himself to supporters with his inspirational performances in the middle of the park.The tough tackling midfielder was one of the most influential players for the Gunners, realizing his true potential during his time at Arsenal under Wenger. He was one of Arsenal's best signings to date, and one of the main reasons why Arsenal were considered to be among the strongest teams in the world.

He was the captain of the Invincibles team, and forged a strong partnership with Gilberto Silva in midfield. He was a complete midfielder that was ranked fifth by Arsenal fans in a poll conducted by the club's official website. He left Arsenal in the year 2005 to join Juventus, where he stayed only for a season. He then moved on to Inter Milan, and in the last year was signed by Manchester City. He still remains a favourite with the Arsenal supporters, and received a rousing reception when he played at the Emirates last year.

Cesc Fabregas: Central Midfielder
 
Cesc Fabregas is the current Arsenal captain and is well worthy of his spot alongside legends like Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry. Fabregas was signed by Arsene Wenger at a bargain price at the tender age of 16 from FC Barcelona. Wenger believed in the youngster's talent, giving him numerous chances, but credit should go to Cesc himself for working hard and improving continuously as a player.

His creativity could be seen at a very young age, and he has improved a lot in his time at Arsenal, turning himself into one of the best central midfielders in the world. At only 23, he still has time on his side, and will be looking to lift a major trophy with Arsenal. On this current young team, Fabregas provides the spark and creativity.

He was named as the Arsenal captain after Wenger stripped William Gallas of the armband. He had the highest tally of goals and assists in the 2009-10 season for the Gunners, and was also nominated for the PFA player of the year award. His only regret with Arsenal is that he has not won many trophies with the team and though he has been linked with a return to Barcelona for some time now, there is every chance that Arsene Wenger can convince him to stay with the Gunners.

Robert Pires: Winger 

Robert Pires' career at Arsenal ended on a very sad note when he was substituted to accommodate a keeper after Jens Lehmann was red carded after only 12 minutes. A heartbroken Pires said afterwards, "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official’s board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take".

But in the six years that he was at Arsenal, he was one of the best players for the Gunners. Arsenal supporters loved the way Pires contributed to the team and voted him the sixth greatest Gunner of all time by fans on a poll conducted by the club's official website. Pires struggled to come to grips with the physicality of the EPL in his first year, but quickly adjusted to it and produced some enchanting displays for Arsenal.

Even though his career ended on a disappointing note, he has captured the hearts of the Gooners with his magnificent displays. He'll be remembered forever as one of the most important members of the Invincibles.

Robin Van Persie: Winger/Striker

Robin Van Persie is one of Arsenal's finest talents, and if not for the numerous injuries he has suffered he would surely be considered among the world's best players. Van Persie has the creativity, vision and shooting ability to create goals out of nothing. The very presence of Van Persie on the pitch inspires the Gunners to play better and presents a threat to oppositions.

Van Persie had disciplinary issues, early on in his career at Feyenoord, mainly due to his rifts with the then Feyenoord and present Dutch coach, Van Marwijk. He was signed by Arsene Wenger, who sought a replacement for the aging Dennis Bergkamp. Van Persie was first used as a winger by Wenger, who then said he would get his chances as a striker in the future.

In the 2009-10 season he played as a centre forward, following the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor. He also extended his contract with Arsenal, saying that he couldn't imagine not playing for them. Though there was interest from big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus, he said he would be more than happy to remain with the Gunners.

At present, he is also the vice captain of the Arsenal team. This season, he was awarded the legendary No. 10 shirt, previously owned by Dennis Bergkamp and had a great season scoring the highest number of goals for the Gunners.
Dennis Bergkamp: Striker

Dennis Bergkamp is regarded by many to be one of the best support strikers in the history of the game. He could play in the "hole" and create numerous opportunities for strikers. He was more than capable of scoring some glorious goals, and was one of the most important Gunners players in the last decade.

The Dutchman possessed skills that most players can only dream of, and forged a deadly partnership first with Ian Wright, and later with Thierry Henry. Bergkamp possessed talents that many footballers can only dream of. He was one of the most loyal players for Arsenal and excelled not only at the club level, but also for Netherlands, scoring 37 goals in only 79 games.

In 2007, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first and only Dutchman to be inducted in. Bergkamp was voted as the second greatest player to have played for Arsenal by an online poll conducted by the club's official website.
Thierry Henry: Striker

This was one of the easiest decisions I had to make while compiling this list.Thierry Henry was voted as the greatest player to have ever played for the Gunners in a fan-poll conducted by the official club website.
Wenger worked with Henry at Monaco, before the latter joined Juventus and the former joined Arsenal. Henry was not a great success at Juventus, and Wenger utilised the opportunity to reunite with Henry.

At first, Henry was playing on the left wing, but Wenger converted him into a centre forward. Henry had early blips in the central role, but under the tutelage of Wenger, he grew to be one of the best centre forwards in the world. He terrorized opposition defenders with his pace, movement, skill and creativity. 

Henry has many awards and achievements to his name. To name a few, he is the third highest goal scorer ever in the EPL, behind only Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. He has scored the highest number of goals for Arsenal in the league. He won the Golden Boot in the in both the Premier League and the European stage on more than one occasion. He was also named on numerous occasions in the PFA team of the year. It is not only the awards that matter, it was his contribution and love for the club that endeared him to the supporters.

7 Great Gunners Who Could Not Be Included

There are a lot of Gunners, who have contributed immensely for the club in this decade, but I could not include all of them in this list. Nevertheless, I would like to name seven more Arsenal players, who could have featured on this list.

Jens Lehmann: Goalkeeper
The German goalkeeper was considered eccentric by many, but what is undeniable is that he had quality, and could be unbeatable on his day. His performances in the 2003-04 season were very good, and it was a major reason that Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the season.

Ray Parlour: Midfielder

Parlour was one of the most under-rated performers in his time, but Arsenal fans have a special place for him in their hearts. He was one of the most consistent players in midfield, and was an important player for the Gunners. He was an important member in the Invincibles squad, and was one of the most loyal players for the club.

Lauren: Right Back

One of the toughest decisions I had to make, while compiling this list was to choose between Sagna and Lauren. Lauren was the first choice Right Back for more than 5 years for Arsenal, and was a part of the Invincibles. He was a very competent player, and also supported the attack on a lot of occasions.

Gilberto Silva: Midfielder

Gilberto Silva formed a partnership with Patrick Viera in the centre of midfield, which was the key to success for Arsenal. Silva played with a lot of passion for the club, and also established a good partnership with Cesc Fabregas, after Viera left the club. Gilberto was a role model for many youngsters, and helped youngsters develop into excellent players for the Gunners.


Nwankwo Kanu: Striker

Following the departure of Nicolas Anelka from Arsenal, Kanu emerged as one of the most important strikers for Arsenal. Though not thhe most prolific of strikers, he could score goals, when Arsenal needed it most. His importance to the side decreased following the emergence of Thierry Henry, but he was a fan favourite in his time at Arsenal and was voted 13th in the poll.

Martin Keown: Defender

He was not at his best after the millenium, but it would be a shame, not to mention him, considering his performances for Arsenal for over 10 years. He was a tough tackling defender, who had a long career with Arsenal, and is regarded as one of the best defenders to have played for the club. He lost his place to Kolo Toure in 2003, and moved on in 2004. He will be remembered as one of the best players to have played for the Gunners in the club's history.

Freddie Ljunberg: Winger



Probably, the most contentious decision in compiling this list was the inclusion of Robin Van Persie over Freddie Ljunberg. It was a really hard decision for me to make, because Ljunberg was one of the greatest players for the Gunners. He had great talent, even better work rate and was a huge fan favourite, who voted him as the 11th greatest Gunner in Arsenal's history in 2008. Ljunberg was one of the most loved players in the Wenger era, who supported him ever since his outstanding debut for the Gunners.

  

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 Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Ricky Alvarez

Arsene Wenger has been quoted as saying that he will be travelling to South America for the summer and it is likely that he will watch some players there. Arsenal were linked with the signing of Ricky Alvarez a few weeks back and it was reported in some websites that he was available on a free transfer. However, it has emerged recently that he still has a contract with Velez and the club are demanding a sizeable fee for the signing of the midfielder.

Arsenal's scouts have been active in scouting various players around the world in the past and a number of talented players have been signed at a cheap price due to this. Arsene Wenger is a manager who has helped develop many youngsters into quality players and though not many South American players have played for the club, it is of little surprise that the Gunners have been scouting players in the continent.

Though the leagues in Brazil and Argentina are not well followed over the world, a number of world class players including the likes of Ricardo Kaka, Angel di Maria and Robinho have come through the leagues in their native country before having success in Europe. Some of the footballers in the continent are gifted technically and possess a lot of flair in their style of play. Arsenal’s neat passing game will suit these players better than most other teams in the EPL and the Gunners should target players who can make a difference to the side.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of wingers including the likes of Gervinho and Eden Hazard in the last few weeks. If Samir Nasri signs a new contract and Cesc Fabregas stays at the club for the next season, it is likely that Nasri and Theo Walcott, who had a good 2010-11 season, are the most probable players to start on the flanks. With Arshavin likely to stay at the club after his recent comments, there is decent depth in this department.

Though Arshavin is one of the most creative players at the club as his statistics prove, he is no longer the world class player that he was when he signed for the club in 2009. He has been benched in a number of games this season but retains the ability to create and score goals when he is on the pitch. However, it is important to have a quality wide player who can take over from the Russian captain in the next season.


Though one cannot depend on youtube videos to make judgements on a player, not many would have seen his games for Velez in Argentina. It is important that Wenger signs a young wide player this summer who can bring in quality and also, be an integral player of the first team in the future.

Advantages

The youngster has been impressive for Velez this season and has been an important player for the club in the recent past. He can play in the role of a left winger or a attacking midfielder and Alvarez has excellent technique and has good crossing ability. He is 6’ 2” and looks strong and could cope with the physicality of the Premiership.

Though Alvarez has not been prolific for Velez, he has an excellent shooting range and some of his goals have been absolute screamers. He looks to be comfortable on the ball with either foot though he is stronger with his left foot which is an advantage considering Arsenal do not have a left-footed winger in their squad.

If a player of the quality of Eden Hazard is available for the Gunners at a price which is affordable for the Gunners, then Arsene Wenger is likely to sign the Belgian winger. However, it is unlikely that French champions Lille will sell their star winger for a cheap price and the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid will further inflate player prices in the market. Though the signing  of a winger like Stewart Downing provides a relatively safe option, Ricky Alvarez has shown a lot of flair and could turn out to be an excellent player for the Gunners should he be able to adjust in the Premiership.

Disadvantages

The obvious disadvantage of signing a player like Alvarez is the price tag which has been set quite high by Velez. It would be a huge gamble if Wenger paid around £10 million to sign the tricky winger. Also, the manager and the player would come under scrutiny if Alvarez has an indifferent start to the season if he is signed by Arsenal which is possible considering that he has never played in Europe.

He suffered a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for quite some time in 2008 and though he has recovered completely, there is a probability that he could sustain more injuries due to the physicality of the Premiership. Also, Alvarez might be frustrated by the lack of opportunities at the club in his first year because he will be behind the likes of Arshavin, Nasri and Walcott and could get his opportunities only in the cups.

If Alvarez is signed by the Gunners, it would almost certainly mean the end of Vela's Arsenal career. Carlos Vela is one of the players who has huge potential but has failed to be consistent when given the opportunity. He had a great chance to go to Bolton on loan and under Owen Coyle, it is fair to say that he would have got more opportunities than he did get at West Bromwich Albion.

If Carlos Vela decides to leave the club having not realised his potential at the club, it could mean that Wenger could opt to sign Ricky Alvarez with the money obtained from his transfer. Though Alvarez could turn out to be an intelligent signing, there is every chance that he could turn out to be like Bebe, who is still very raw though Manchester United paid a sizeable fee for the winger. However, Ricky Alvarez seems to be a more complete player and it could be a gamble which could pay large dividends for Arsene Wenger.