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 News: Five Possible Upgrades That Could Bring a Title in 2012

It is that time of the year when almost every club is linked with all sorts of players, most of whom are unlikely to sign for the club in the transfer window. However, these transfer rumours interests most football fans as to whom or which sort of players their clubs are targeting in the summer and though some of them are ridiculous, there are some rumours which actually mean that their club are likely to bid for the player.

The supporters like to think of what they would do if they were the manager of the club they support and like to think of the potential new signings which could strengthen their team. Being an Arsenal supporter, I am going to do the same with my article on five possible players who could help the Gunners end their trophy drought.

With the Gunners going six years without a trophy, the fans have been frustrated and would like the manager to spend some money in the transfer market which could strengthen their team. It has come to a point where any excuse for not winning trophies by the manager will not be accepted and the team should have enough depth to compete till the end of the season.

Injuries have played an important part in Arsenal's trophy drought but Arsene Wenger should do his best to ensure quality depth in every position. The medical team at Arsenal are trying to reduce injuries to the player and using the GPS tracking system helps identify which players are more likely to get injured and the French tactician should rotate his players to ensure they can finally end their trophy drought in 2012.

1. Scott Parker

It is unfortunate for any club to be relegated to the lower division after fighting hard to keep their place in the top flight but failing to avoid the drop means that their best players are very likely to move to other clubs. West Ham's Scott Parker was named the Football Writers Player of the season for his outstanding efforts but since they were relegated, he could move to another club.

Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with the former Chelsea midfielder and Wenger could have to pay quite a steep price for a 30-year old. However, Parker brings with him a lot of experience and leadership which has been missing for Arsenal and the England International could be the ideal foil for Jack Wilshere who has played alongside Parker in the England team.

Though Alex Song has grown into an effective holding midfielder for the Gunners, he does make mistakes and it is better for him to learn from an experienced player like Parker. Also, if Cameroon do qualify for the African Nations Cup, Song could be unavailable for Arsenal for a month or so and Arsenal have no experienced replacement for Song.

Emmanuel Frimpong is a promising talent at Arsenal but he needs more experience to be a regular in the squad. Though Diaby can play as the holding midfielder, he is not suited to the role and excels when he is allowed the freedom to attack from a deep role. There are many reasons for Arsenal to sign Scott Parker and it would be a great addition for the Gunners.

Alternatives

Arsenal will need to sign a defensive midfielder this season and if Wenger does miss out on signing Scott Parker, he must look for other alternatives. Blaise Matuidi is an excellent defensive midfielder who plays for St. Etienne in France and Alou Diarra would bring in a lot of experience in midfield. Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler is also a good defensive midfielder who would be a good addition for the Gunners.

2. Leighton Baines

Gael Clichy has been one of the longest serving players for the Gunners but he has been inconsistent this season and has always been prone to a lapse in concentration. He has only one year on his contract and has been linked with an exit after reports that he is likely to reject a new contract. If Clichy does depart, the Gunners will have only Kieran Gibbs and the inexperienced Armand Traore as the left backs left in the squad.

Everton's Leighton Baines has been linked with Arsenal and could be targeted by Arsene Wenger if Clichy does not sign a new contract. Baines is experienced in the Premiership and has good crossing ability in addition to being solid in defence. Though he has not had much experience in Europe, he is a quality player and one who could be important especially if Marouane Chamakh plays for the Gunners.

Though Kieran Gibbs has a lot of talent, he is quite prone to injuries and has also not been impressive when he has played this season. It would be a risk to depend on him for the entire 2011-12 season and Wenger should sign another player who can play at Left Back to provide enough depth in the team.

Alternatives

There are not enough quality left backs in the world and it would be difficult to find a good left back at a reasonable price. Jose Enrique of Newcastle has attracted the interest of Liverpool and could be targeted by Wenger if Everton do not intend to sell Baines and Emilio Izaguirre of Celtic has been linked with many top clubs and could move on for the right price though the Scottish club are keen to hold on to him. Also, Wenger could sign a versatile Centre Back who can play as left back if needed.

3. Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is one of the most promising players in the world and was awarded the Player of the season in the French league. He has been tracked by a number of clubs and Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in securing his services. The tricky winger could be one of the best players in some years and the Lille player has already made appearances for the Belgium team.

Though Samir Nasri has had an excellent season for the Gunners, he has not yet signed a new contract with Arsenal which is a problem for Arsene Wenger. Also, Andrei Arshavin has not shown consistency this season and though he is capable of changing the game with a moment of his brilliance, his work rate and attitude has been questioned by a number of supporters.

Hazard, who has performed superbly for Lille, will not be available on a bargain but he could be a player who could be extremely important in the future. It is uncertain if he will leave Lille in the summer and having signed a new contract recently, he could stay with the Ligue 1 Champions.

Alternatives

Arsenal have been linked with some wingers including the likes of Gervinho and Stewart Downing and are likely to sign a winger if one of Nasri or Arshavin leaves the club. Gunners have also been linked with Velez winger Ricky Alvarez and Mario Goetze has also been reportedly targeted by Arsenal. It will be interesting to see which winger Arsenal can buy in the summer if any of Nasri or Arshavin leaves. Another option is to sign a versatile forward like Karim Benzema who is comfortable on the wings.

4. Per Mertesacker

Arsenal were linked with Per Mertesacker last year when they were searching for replacements for William Gallas and Sol Campbell who left on free transfers. The Germany International could be an intelligent addition for the Gunners who struggled to deal with set-pieces. Mertesacker is good in the air at 6' 6" and is also a clean defender and commits less fouls.

Though he has been accused of being slow, he has immense experience and his positioning is excellent. He has been a very consistent defender in the Bundesliga and has already made 75 appearances for Germany at the age of 26. He is a defender who can tackle well and also make crucial interceptions and has played at the highest level in Europe and has represented Germany in two world cups.

It was reported that Mertesacker's contract runs till the end of 2011-12 season and a bid for the right price would interest Werder Bremen to sell their defender. His experience could be vital for the Gunners and though he is not as physical as Christopher Samba or Gary Cahill, he shown enough quality and toughness to cope with the Premiership.

Alternatives

Blackburn's Christopher Samba has been linked with the Gunners while Gary Cahill is another player who has been linked with Arsenal for quite a long time. Arsene Wenger might prefer to go for a player who is experienced in the Premiership and could move for one of the aforementioned duo. Jan Vertonghen, who could provide depth in many positions, could also be targeted by Wenger while Mamadou Sakho is another french defender who has excelled for PSG this season. Squillaci has been distinctly mediocre this season and could be sold by Wenger to make way for any new defender. 

5. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been linked with Arsenal and almost all Arsenal supporters would like to see the talented Frenchman representing the Gunners in the next season. However, he has performed impressively for Real Madrid this season and could stay with the Los Blancos if he is assured of enough playing time by Jose Mourinho.

Though Robin van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world, he has missed a number of games for the Gunners due to injuries since he joined Arsenal from Feyenoord. Marouane Chamakh is a good player who can score important goals but he is not clinical with his finishing with his feet and has not been prolific throughout his career.

Nicklas Bendtner has clearly stated that he wants to move on to gain more playing time after making only three starts in the Premiership and he has also been used on the wing on a number of occasions. The future of the talented Carlos Vela is still uncertain but he has not been able to produce consistent performances when given opportunities.

If Benzema is signed, it will prove to be a great addition for the Gunners but it is likely that Arsene Wenger will be lining up other targets as well because the Gunners need a quality striker in order to win the Premiership next season.

Alternatives

The usually frugal Wenger has claimed that a deal for Benzema would not be impossible indicating that he is ready to spend the money to acquire some quality players. If Real Madrid do not sell Benzema, it is likely that Arsenal will target Porto's Radamel Falcao who has been in sensational form in the last two seasons since he joined Porto. If Real Madrid do sign Sergio Aguero and hold on to Benzema, Arsenal could tempt Gonzalo Higuain with a move to the Emirates though it sounds far-fetched. Since the departure of Thierry Henry, the Gunners have not had a player who can consistently score more than 25 goals a season and that is exactly what Wenger would look for in a striker.

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

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

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

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


1. Scott Parker- 8 million

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

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

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

2. Eden Hazard - 15 million

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Per Mertesacker - 10 million

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

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

5. Leighton Baines - 10 million

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

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

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

How to generate the money required for these new signings?

1. Denilson - 4 million

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

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

2. Abou Diaby - 6 million

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

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

3. Andrei Arshavin - 8 million

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

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

4. Sebastien Squillaci - 4 million

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

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

5. Nicklas Bendtner - 8 million

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

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

6. Gael Clichy - 10 million

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

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

7. Tomas Rosicky - 6 million

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

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

Transfers In:

Scott Parker – 8 million

Per Mertesacker-10 million

Kevin Gameiro – 10 million / Karim Benzema – 20 million

Leighton Baines – 8 million

Eden Hazard – 15 million

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


Transfers Out:

Denilson – 4 million

Abou Diaby – 6 million

Andrei Arshavin – 8 million

Gael Clichy – 10 million

Tomas Rosicky – 6 million

Nicklas Bendtner – 8 million

Sebastien Squillaci – 4 million

Total Money which can be recouped- 46 million

(all the estimated transfer prices are in Pounds)


The Arsenal team after these transfers

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny/ Lukasz Fabianski/Vito Mannone

RB: Bacary Sagna/Emmanuel Eboue

LCB: Thomas Vermaelen/Laurent Koscielny/Kyle Bartley

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

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

CDM: Alex Song/Scott Parker/Emmanuel Frimpong

CM: Jack Wilshere/ Scott Parker/Aaron Ramsey

CAM: Cesc Fabregas/Samir Nasri/Aaron Ramsey

RW: Samir Nasri/Theo Walcott/Jay Emmanuel Thomas

LW: Eden Hazard/Samir Nasri/ Kevin Gameiro

CF: Robin van Persie/ Kevin Gameiro/ Marouane Chamakh

Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin: Will the Russian Dynamo leave the Gunners in summer?

Arsene Wenger’s side cruised to a comprehensive victory over Ipswich which ensured that they would be going to Wembley with a great chance of ending their frustrating title drought. Though Arsenal were unable to find the net in the first hour of the game, they managed to find three goals in the space of 15 minutes which ended the stout resistance of the Ipswich defence.

Wenger rested his first choice wingers, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott and provided starting berths to the creative Andrei Arshavin and the more direct Nicklas Bendtner. The Russian captain has spent considerable time on the bench despite remaining fit because of his inconsistent performances over the course of the season.

Andrei Arshavin was signed in January 2009 and since joining the club, he has been sensational for the Gunners and has often produced brilliant moments for the club. Though he has the tendency to be off-colour on many occasions, he also has the capability to change the outcome of the game with his creativity. One clear example of this would be the Liverpool game at Anfield in the 2009-10 season where he scored a brilliant goal despite not being at his best for most of the game.

In this season, he has clearly not been in the best of form which has led to a lot of criticism and his poor work rate has not helped his cause either. Despite this, he remains the Arsenal’s best player in creating goals with 15 assists to his name. He has also scored 6 goals this season which is not too bad for a midfielder. Wenger has immense faith in the quality of the Russian which is why he is interested in renewing the contract of the versatile midfielder who has only 18 months left on his deal.

Theo Walcott has been used as an impact substitute in the last few seasons when everyone has been fit but he has finally been given the chance the start games on a regular basis for the Gunners. He has done very well this season and has shown signs of maturing and developing into a more complete player. He has already scored 10 goals this season which is his best return in his career and he has done enough to justify his selection in the team. It would take a string of poor performances from the England International to lose his place from here and it is likely that Arshavin will continue to be benched for more matches this season.

Samir Nasri has been Arsenal’s player of the season so far and he can play on either flank comfortably and though he has performed better on the right, he has played on the left to accommodate Theo Walcott. If he is fit, it is likely that he will start the game unless Wenger decides to rest the Frenchman.

Andrei Arshavin is a quality player of great talent and he will not be pleased to be on the bench at Arsenal. If Wenger cannot find him enough games, there is a good possibility that he would leave the Gunners at the end of the season. Wenger has expressed an interest in Lille midfielder Eden Hazard who is a very promising prospect and could sign the Belgian attacker to replace Arshavin in the summer. He has also been tracking the Southampton teenager Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain who can play as a winger but it is likely that he will be signed as a part of a long term project.

The Russian is already attracting interest from various top European clubs including the likes of Juventus and Chelsea while his former club Zenit has also made it clear that they have the door open for his return. Arshavin is a player of immense quality that Wenger will not like to lose but it is unlikely that the French tactician might be able to start the Russian in many games if Nasri and Walcott remain fit over the course of the season.

Arshavin has been booed at the Emirates on a couple of occasions and that could also influence his decision regarding his future of club and those supporters could well regret their decision to boo the diminutive midfielder. He has provided many moments of brilliance and joy to the supporters of Arsenal football club and it will be a sad day when he leaves the club, which will be the case should he not renew his contract in the summer.

Arsenal Fans Must Learn from Liverpool Faithful After Their Booing Of Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal managed to earn a replay against Leeds United through a Cesc Fabregas goal, which would have been a relief to millions of supporters all over the world.

They will play Leeds United at Elland Road on the 19th of January and Arsene Wenger could play a strong side in order to ensure progress. In the game against Leeds, many players were not playing to their best abilities and even consistent players like Alex Song was not so great.

But one player who came under immense scrutiny for his performance at the Emirates was Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin.

The winger has not been in good form this season and he has been criticized widely by experts and supporters for his lack of effort and desire. This has been strongly rejected by the gaffer Arsene Wenger, but he has benched him for a few times this season.

The Russian dynamo boasts very decent statistics this season despite being out of form this season and leads the tally for assists by an Arsenal player. It clearly shows that even if he is not playing well, he is capable of producing some moments of quality which can influence the game in a big way.

However, Arsenal supporters are criticizing him for his lack of effort and commitment; it does seem like the Russian has lost the faith of the Gooners.

In the game against Leeds, he had a decent goalscoring opportunity which he should have done better and also squandered possession due to some poor touches; he was also not so intent on closing down the opposition and his work rate was poor.

Arsenal supporters were obviously frustrated by that and conceding a goal to Leeds only made their day worse.

Arshavin was booed at the Emirates and he looked out of sorts throughout the game. Arsene Wenger did well not to substitute him, but it was disgraceful to see Arsenal fans booing one of their own at a time when they desperately needed a goal to stay in the competition.

It is understandable that they have been frustrated with his performances, but booing one of your own players does not solve the problem.

The Russian captain may not be at his best, but he is certainly one of the most creative players at Arsenal and with only one more year on his contract, he could be on his way out after such reactions from the supporters.

These fans have paid the money to watch their stars in action and when they do not play to their abilities, they are likely to be irritated.

However, they must remember that Arshavin is a player who has won a number of games for the club and still retains the special ability to win games on his own. He is not a very hardworking player, but he is a winner and will try to achieve success for the club.

This is a player who has been outstanding for the club in many games and it is unfair for the fans to boo a player of his calibre.

He is not a player who has lived on his 15 million transfer; on the contrary, Wenger persisted with him in the starting 11 for a long time because of his superb performances in the last two seasons.

He has given supporters plenty of joy in the last two years but when he has not been in form this season, he has been criticized too heavily. He does not enjoy not scoring goals and one must understand that he is trying to regain his best form.

Supporters must back him to do well in the future and if he is not in form, he must be supported by the fans. It is not only money that matters for a footballer; he also gives his complete effort to bring smiles to the fans.

In this context, the form of Fernando Torres has not been too dissimilar to that of Andrei Arshavin, though the latter has more impressive stats. The Spaniard looked good in one or two games, but he has largely been out of form this season.

Though Roy Hodgson was criticized, Torres was not booed at all; in fact, they cheered him whenever he was on the ball and expected him to gain his form.

The Spaniard is a match-winner and a high quality player who has enthralled the Anfield faithful since he joined the Reds; that is one of the reasons why the Spaniard has the support of the Liverpool faithful despite his poor performances and bad work rate.

Arshavin is not as important to Arsenal as Torres is to Liverpool, but he is also a match-winner and needs the support of the fans.

The supporters must respect the contributions of Andrei Arshavin, who has created so many opportunities which has provided special moments for the supporters. It was shocking to see the supporters boo one of their most consistent players in the last three years and it could be the reason why the Russian might not want to renew his contract with the Gunners.

Even if they did it out of frustration during the game, surely very few Arsenal supporters will be pleased if he does depart.

Torres could have left Liverpool during the summer and it was not the money that Liverpool offered that made him stay. It was his love for the supporters that influenced him and while he has not performed anywhere close to his best, he still continues to have the support.

On the other hand, supporters need to back the dynamic Russian to regain his form or they could see one of the most talented Arsenal players leave the club.

Arsenal Transfer Analysis: Arshavin, Bendtner, Squillaci out; Hazard, Suarez, Mertesacker In

Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger made it clear that the club will not sign big names because their budget would not permit it. The French tactician is intent on running the club in a profitable way and has done a great job in keeping Arsenal’s status as one of the top European clubs.

In his early years at Arsenal, he did spend some money on players like Thierry Henry but after the move to the Emirates, he has spent more than £10 million on only three players: Andrei Arshavin, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Kosielny. In this article, this is my view why Arsenal can sign big names like Suarez without compensating too much on their policy of not spending much. These transfers could be spread over the January and the summer transfer window and would ensure Arsenal have a strong team for the 2011-12 team.


Luis Suarez: £25 million for Nicklas Bendtner: £12 million

Nicklas Bendtner has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities at the club and might seek for opportunities outside Arsenal. He is currently the third choice striker behind Marouane Chamakh and Robin van Persie and has been linked with Lazio, Ajax and some other clubs. It is likely that Arsene Wenger would let the Danish International leave if the right offer comes his way. At 22, Bendtner needs to play regularly to maintain his place in the Denmark team and will look for a move in January or in the summer.

Luis Suarez is one of the best strikers in the world and is currently plying his trade with Ajax. He is a proven goal scorer and could add a lot to the Gunners. The Uruguayan striker is said to be not happy with the departure of Martin Jol and with the club in financial crisis, they could be forced to sell Suarez if Arsenal come up with a good offer. However, Arsenal could face competition from many other European clubs and the proce might escalate beyond the reach of the Gunners.

In that scenario, Wenger could target some other good strikers like Edin Dzeko and Karim Benzema who could cost them around £25 million.


Eden Hazard: £15 million for Andrei Arshavin: £17 million

The Russian Captain was signed by Arsenal for around £14 million in January 2009 and he has produced some sensational performances for the club. He is one of the more inconsistent players in the squad but has the ability to create opportunities out of nothing. If he is on form, then he could be one of the most devastating players in the world. However, he has been out of form for most parts of this season and with his contract expiring next year, Arsenal should cash in on the Russian if he decides not to renew his contract.

Hazard is one of the best young players in the world and has been tracked by a number of clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid. The tricky winger could be one of the best in the world in a few years and could be a great addition to the Gunners. He has given a hint that he would prefer to join Arsenal over the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea because of the opportunities given to young players at the Emirates. With the departure of Arshavin, Theo Walcott and Eden Hazard could compete for one of the flanks while Samir Nasri takes his position on the other flank. The Belgian could also be influenced by the presence of Belgium captain Thomas Vermaelen at Arsenal and could receive good guidance from the defender.


Per Mertesacker: £10 million for Sebastien Squillaci: £7 million

Sebastien Squillaci was signed by Arsene Wenger in August for around £5 million to bolster his defensive options as well as provide experience to his side. Squillaci had previously had successful spells at Monaco and Sevilla but had not played for a top European side till he signed for Arsenal at the age of 30. Wenger initially signed him to be the third choice centre back behind Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen but the Belgian defender’s injury has meant Squillaci has been integral to Arsenal this season. However at the age of 30, he is not the answer for their defensive problems and his lack of pace has been exposed on a number of occasions this season.

Per Mertesacker currently plays for Werder Bremen but is said to be considering his future. The tall defender is only 25 but is vastly experienced having represented Germany on 73 occasions. He could help deal with set-pieces of the opposition much better and also offers a goal-scoring threat from the same.


Manuel Almunia: £1 million

Manuel Almunia has been given plenty of opportunities at Arsenal since the departure of Jens Lehmann but has proven to be too inconsistent. It does seem like Wenger’s patience has run out with the goalkeeper and Lukasz Fabianski has been impressive this season. Also, youngster Wojciech Szczesny is touted to be a world class keeper and it does seem like Almunia has no future at the club. Wenger will mostly decide that his goalkeeping options are good enough and will most probably not sign an experienced goalkeeper like Mark Schwarzer.


Denilson: £12 million

Denilson has made over a 100 appearances for the Gunners since signing for Arsenal at the age of 18. However, he has not been able to establish himself as a regular in the side and has often been benched this season to accommodate the young Jack Wilshere or Abou Diaby when the French International has been fit. With the return of the immensely talented Aaron Ramsey, he could find himself further down the pecking order. Many clubs including the likes of Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona have been linked with the Brazilian midfielder and despite the insistence of Denilson and Wenger that he would stay, the midfielder could move in January or the summer in order to get more first team opportunities.
Arsenal will have no need to replace him considering that Aaron Ramsey is almost back to full fitness while youngster Emmanuel Frimpong will return to fitness before the next season for sure. Frimpong is likely to be the deputy to Alex Song and his understanding with Jack Wilshere could help them establish a good chemistry in midfield.


Financial Analysis

Arsene Wenger said that he would respect his budget and these transfers would help enhance the quality of the team without spending much.


Transfers- Out:
1. Nicklas Bendtner: £12 million

2. Andrei Arshavin: £17 million

3. Sebastien Squillaci: £7 million

4. Manuel Almunia: £1 million

5. Denilson: £12 million

Total received from Transfers: £49 million

Transfers- In:

1. Luis Suarez: £25 million

2. Eden Hazard: £15 million

3. Per Mertesacker: £10 million

Total spent on Transfers: £50 million

This article does contain an approximate estimate of the worth of the transfers (which could differ) but this analysis means that Arsenal can enhance the quality of the squad without spending too much in the transfer market. It is possible to bring in these players before the start of the 2011-12 season without compromising on their policy of not spending much.