Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Jermain Defoe

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players and though only young right back Carl Jenkinson has been confirmed as an Arsenal player, they are expected to sign more players in the next few weeks in order to build a team capable of challenging the best teams in the world. Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will look to strengthen in every position if there are quality players available.

The manager will have to deal with some frustrated players who have not played much this season and some of them like Nicklas Bendtner have expressed the need to move on. If the Danish striker does move on, it is likely that Wenger will look for a striker because Carlos Vela has not yet been able to impress for the Gunners despite having obvious potential.

Gervinho has been linked with the Gunners and is a possible target for Arsene Wenger. However, he is more of a winger having good pace and movement and can run at defenders which can cause problems for the defenders. Though he can play as the centre forward, he is more of a winger and Wenger might have to sign a centre forward in the summer.

Robin van Persie is one of the best strikers in the game and is prolific if he can string a number of games together. He scored 18 goals in the Premiership last season despite opening his account only from January because he missed almost the entire first half of the season. If not for injuries, he will have certainly scored more for the Gunners.

However, he has missed a number of games due to injuries and there is every possibility that he could be injured for some games in the next season as well though Arsenal would have a great chance if he makes around 30-35 league starts in the next season. But Wenger cannot depend on his fitness next season and will need to have quality depth in that position.

Gunners have been linked with a few "marquee" signings in this position like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao. One of the most surprising transfer rumours regarding strikers is that Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is targeted by Arsene Wenger according to the Mirror. This article is on the advantages and disadvantages of signing Defoe for Arsenal.

Advantages

Defoe is a player who has a lot of pace and can create opportunities because of his movement and ability to run at defenders. The England International has proved that he can score regularly in the past though the 2010-11 season was certainly not one to remember for the striker. He is experienced in the Premiership which means he would not take time to adjust.

Though he has been inconsistent in the past, he is a striker who is capable of being prolific if provided with the right service and at Arsenal, he would easily be presented with a lot more opportunities than what he would get at Tottenham or any of his previous clubs. He has good technique and has excellent shooting ability.

The former West Ham striker has been inconsistent but has proven to be a good goalscorer at three different clubs. Though Arsenal's style of play is quite different to that of Tottenham, it is probable that he could have more chances to score goals. Also, he is quite direct in his style of play and will shoot if given an opportunity to do so, which is welcome for Arsenal where a number of players opt to pass inside the box instead of shooting.

If Bendtner does leave the club for around €11 million, then Arsenal might have to spend it on a new striker. Though Spurs will hate to sell to their arch-rivals, if Defoe does hand in a transfer request, they might rather sell than have an unhappy striker in their squad. For the Gunners, it will be difficult to sign a "marquee" signing like Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain though Arsene Wenger is likely to give it a try.

If they cannot meet the valuation of such strikers in the market, it is possible that Wenger will sign a striker like Defoe who will provide decent value to the squad. However, Wenger should plan to invest on a number of quality players in this summer before the financial fair play regulations come into existence and also it is important that they win trophies in order to generate more revenue in the near future.

Disadvantages

Any player who makes the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal or vice-versa is bound to draw a lot of attention and should he not perform well, it is highly likely that he will come under immense scrutiny. Defoe has not been in good form in this season and managed a paltry tally of four league goals in 22 appearances though he was injured for some parts of the season and was not a starter in a number of games.

However, it is clear that he is not in his best form and in all probability, there is no place in the starting eleven for Defoe if he signs for Arsenal. Robin van Persie was in sensational form towards the end of the season and scored 18 league goals despite missing a large chunk of the first half of the season. In the current 4-2-3-1 formation, Van Persie is the favourite to start as the lone striker and has an excellent goals per game ratio as well.

According to the Mirror, Gervinho is set to sign for the Gunners and if signed, he could be accommodated in a striker or a winger role in the starting eleven. If Wenger tinkers the formation and reverts back to the 4-4-2 system, it could mean that Theo Walcott, who has always preferred to play in the centre, might be provided the opportunity to play alongside Van Persie.

The Dutchman and the England International have an excellent understanding and have assisted in goals for both players. Walcott scored 13 goals and assisted 10 more and had his best season in his Arsenal career. He looks to be developing and despite many critics suggesting that he had no footballing brain, he has proved that he can be efficient in the Premiership and will be integral to the Gunners in the near future.

If Jermain Defoe does not get to start matches regularly, then he is bound to be disillusioned at the club which was the problem with Nicklas Bendtner as well. It is important to note that Wenger does want Bendtner to stay at the club but the Dane has been frustrated due to lack of opportunities. Defoe is not likely to displace Van Persie and also, does not prefer playing on the wings which means that he could struggle for playing time.

Also, in the current 4-2-3-1 formation, it is better to have a striker who is decent in the air. Though Van Persie is not excellent in the air, he has presence upfront which is important and employs a style which is suited to his team mates. Chamakh did not have problems with the formation due to his ability to interchange passes with midfielders and bring them into the game.

Defoe is a very different striker to both of them and could struggle as the lone striker because he has not got the presence upfront. He benefits from knockdowns but in Arsenal's style of play, there is hardly anyone who would actually win aerial balls barring Chamakh and it is highly unlikely that the duo will be played together in a 4-4-2 formation.

Also, with Real Madrid linked to both Santos striker Neymar and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, there is every possibility that one amongst Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema will leave the club. Arsenal will have a good opportunity to sign a striker of their quality because there are not many clubs in the world who can provide regular Champions League football who are on the lookout for a quality striker and signing any one of the two strikers would certainly show a lot of intent from the club.

It would be a gamble by Arsene Wenger if he does indeed bid for Defoe and chances are that Tottenham are not going to sell to their arch-rivals. However, there are not many clubs who can offer Defoe a chance of European football and also a chance to redeem himself at the highest level. However, with Walcott rapidly improving, it would seem that it is better option to gamble playing him in the centre than spending on Jermain Defoe and if signed, it would mean a lot of unnecessary pressure on the Arsenal manager and the player himself.

If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Peter Odemwingie, Jan Vertonghen, Radamel Falcao, Ricky Alvarez, Scott Parker and Gervinho in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects and also, you can follow me on Twitter
 

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Peter Odemwingie

Arsenal's Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis will be attending the Q&A session today and will face some hard questions regarding the direction in which the club is progressing after enduring six long years of trophy drought. He is going to have a busy summer and will try to finalize deals for some transfer targets along with persuading some key players like Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to sign new improved contracts to commit their futures to Arsenal.

With a number of players set to leave the club, it is important that the Gunners can retain their best players. According to the Mirror, it is likely that Samir Nasri will stay at Arsenal while Cesc Fabregas could possibly depart the Emirates. The contract negotiations between Nasri and the club is still ongoing and the Daily Mail reports that Stan Kroenke will open his cheque book to keep Nasri at the Emirates.

There could be a number of players leaving the club and some players like Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they are looking for a move away from the Emirates. Arsene Wenger is certain to be active on the transfer market this season and will be looking for quality players in this window. However, it is not going to be easy to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and many other clubs.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of players and could target various positions as well in the summer. If Cesc Fabregas does leave in the summer, the Gunners will have to negotiate for a good deal to bring in quality players. According to the Swiss Rambler, a respectable football finance blogger, Arsenal should have a healthy transfer budget which can be used to spend on players and also, the board is likely to grant the money obtained from player sales to the budget.

The Gunners will look to spend money on quality players in the market but Wenger is also likely to look for players who can add quality depth at a bargain. One of the players who suits the bill in that respect in West Brom's Peter Odemwingie who joined the Baggies in 2010 and scored 15 goals in the season. The striker, who will be 30 before the first game of the season, will not cost too much but is proven in the Premiership and has been linked with the Gunners. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of signing Peter Odemwingie is discussed.

Advantages

Odemwingie was not very well known in England until he joined West Brom but his performances in the 2010-11 season proved that he can be consistent in the Premiership and also, his signing was regarded to be pivotal in the Baggies retaining their top flight status after promotion from the Championship in 2009-10 season. He was signed for an extremely low fee and though they are in the process of contract negotiations, the Nigerian International would prefer to ply his trade in a club playing in the Champions League at this stage in his career.

Though West Brom will not sell him at a cheap price, the player's age and his desire could be important in bringing down their valuation of the striker. Odemwingie is not a world class striker like Karim Benzema or Fernando Torres, but he can certainly provide good depth to the team. Also, he is a very hardworking striker and will link up well with midfielders.

He can also drift wide and pull defenders out of position and though he has not been very prolific throughout his career, he was amongst the top goalscorers in the Premiership this season and proved he can score vital goals. He is also comfortable playing as a winger but is likely to favour playing in the centre.

With Bendtner likely to leave and Vela's uncertainty over his Arsenal future, Odemwingie could provide good depth in the squad and having played in the Premiership for a team that passes well, he will not take time to adjust and can fit into Arsenal's style of play with minimum difficulty especially if he can participate in pre-season. Though his signing is not likely to excite supporters, it is signings like these that could make the difference in the end.

Odemwingie possesses good technique, strength on the ball, movement and can use both his feet for shooting. The West Brom striker could be an interesting addition to the squad and can fill in when players are injured. Though his signing could be viewed as a step backward by some supporters and critics, his experience could be vital for Arsenal.

Disadvantages

Many supporters want to see the Gunners sign a world class striker in this year's transfer window because Van Persie has a tendency to be injured at some point in the season. Also, the Nigerian International has not been prolific throughout his career and though he enjoyed an excellent season at the Hawthorns, he might not get much playing time.


Also, he plays for Nigeria which means that if they do qualify for the African Cup of Nations, then it would mean that Marouane Chamakh and Odemwingie could both miss a lot of games in January and February. Also, he will be 30 by the time he plays in the next season which means that he can only be a stop-gap replacement.

Another fact to consider is that playing for Arsenal as a central striker would mean that he would have to work with tight marking and lesser space when compared when he is playing for West Brom because every Premiership team believe that they can defeat the Baggies if they play to their potential. But that is not the case when teams take on Arsenal as some teams try to remain as compact as possible and even play for a draw.

Arsenal have endured a six year long trophy drought and Wenger has confirmed that this is the year where there will be a lot of transfer activity especially because financial fair play regulations will apply from the next year. Hence, if there is a time to spend, it is this year and fans will be happy if the Frenchman signs a world class striker who can be the future of the club like Karim Benzema.

It will be a tricky summer for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and he will have to make the right signings to put things right for the Gunners. They will have to work within their limited means and their priority must be on improving the defence. In attack, they might need a winger and a striker and also a central midfielder if their talismanic captain leaves the club.

Though signing someone like Odemwingie will not be a sensational swoop for Arsenal, the Gunners will also need to sign some players on a bargain to improve the overall quality of the squad and to cope with injuries which have hampered the Gunners in the past.


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

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

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

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

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

Goalkeepers


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

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

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

Defenders


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

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

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

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

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

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

Central Midfield


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Wingers



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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Strikers


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

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

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

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

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

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

Arsenal FC: Why the Futures of Sergio Aguero, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri Could be Linked

With Arsene Wenger confirming that he will be active in this summer transfer window, it is no surprise that there are a number of players who have been linked with a move to Arsenal. Though a number of talented youngsters like Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson have been linked with a move to the Emirates, Wenger is likely to bring in some experienced players who can help the Gunners win trophies.

A number of players ranging from the unfortunate Owen Hargreaves to the unknown Ricky Alvarez has been linked with the Gunners and with clubs likely to move early in the transfer market, it is imperative that Arsene Wenger thrashes out the deals for new signings as soon as possible. With a number of Arsenal players on the verge of leaving the club like Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson, the manager is likely to bolster the squad by spending his transfer budget on a few experienced players.

One of the players that Arsenal have been constantly linked with is Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Arsene Wenger, who is normally within himself when it comes to transfers, admitted his admiration for Benzema also adding that a deal to sign the striker was not impossible. He possesses all the characteristics of a player that Wenger likes - young, talented and French!

The news that Sergio Aguero has officially informed Atletico Madrid's officials of his decision to leave the club is one of the most important developments in this transfer window. The talented striker intends to move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe which can offer him an opportunity to win trophies as well as present him with an opportunity to excel in the Champions League.

Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus are amongst the various clubs that are interested in signing the Argentina International but it does seem like Aguero is likely to move to either Chelsea or Real Madrid. His team-mate Thomas Ujfalusi was of the opinion that Aguero intends to move to Atletico's rivals while Spanish newspaper Marca was reporting that Real Madrid are very likely to sign the striker.

If the Los Blancos do sign Aguero, then they would have three excellent strikers in Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Sergio Aguero in their squad and it is conceivable that the club will sell one of the strikers because none of the strikers will be happy with a role on the bench for most of the season. Though Higuain has not played for a large chunk of the season due to injury, he is one of the fan favourites and Real Madrid are not likely to sell him.

The exclusion of Karim Benzema from the world cup squad was his lack of enough playing time at Real Madrid and he would not be content with a bit-part role at Madrid. If the Los Merengues do sign Aguero, it is likely that Benzema will leave and Real Madrid could sign Emmanuel Adebayor as well to ensure enough depth in the squad.

Though Robin van Persie has been prolific for the Gunners, Arsenal have suffered because of his injuries and they have not had a player who can consistently score 25 goals in a season since the departure of the legendary Thierry Henry. The signing of Karim Benzema will provide a huge impetus to the Gunners who had a disappointing end to the season.

Samir Nasri has not signed a new deal to stay at the Emirates and he is a player that Arsenal will not want to lose. Arsene Wenger has already said that he will do everything to retain the services of Samir Nasri and signing his compatriot Karim Benzema could also play an important role in Nasri's contract situation.

Every player has the desire to win trophies and etch their name in history and Nasri could be frustrated by the lack of trophies in the recent past. If Arsene Wenger does sign a player of the calibre of Karim Benzema, it will mark a huge change in Wenger's transfer policy and could convince the French midfielder that trophies will arrive at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger is likely to test the resolve of Real Madrid with a bid and he will hope that he can sign the striker and hold on to Samir Nasri, who is certain to move if he does not sign a new contract. As the days goes by, it is expected that a clear picture will emerge regarding the futures of these three talented footballers and Arsenal supporters will hope to see both Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema in the new Arsenal jerseys.

Arsenal FC: Why Samir Nasri Stalling over the New Contract Could Benefit Gunners

 

 The Gunners endured a miserable end to the season and ended the season with a draw against Fulham, who looked organised and deserved a draw against Arsenal. Though the Gunners were in the title race till April, they have been spectacularly poor in the last few weeks which has left them in fourth position with a tricky Champions League qualifier to win in order to be in Champions League next season.

Arsenal supporters have enjoyed a frustrating end to the season and there was chants from the away support on asking Wenger to spend money in the summer. The Arsenal manager has always stressed on being sensible in the transfer market and has been extremely reluctant to pay inflated prices in the transfer market to secure the services of players.

The French tactician has had great success with Arsenal in the past but with no trophies to show in the last six years, the pressure on the Arsenal manager is enormous. Next season could potentially decide the future of this young team built by Wenger and they will have to win at least one major trophy. The fact that the manager has not spent much in the last few years is only a positive for the board but not for the fans who have had to pay inflated prices to watch the Gunners in action.

Wenger has stressed on building a young successful team at Arsenal and though there are a number of talented youngsters at the club, they have not had much success in the last six years. This Arsenal team was close to challenging Manchester United for the title but did not have the consistency and mental strength under pressure.

The Arsenal manager has always been proud of having such a young and talented group of youngsters at his disposal and is desperate to win trophies with this team. However, with the manager not spending much in the transfer market to solve their problems, the Gunners have fallen short in the last few seasons. But with Cesc Fabregas likely to be the subject of a Barcelona bid in the summer and Nasri stalling over his contract negotiations, Wenger has a tough and unenviable next two months.

Nasri has certainly been one of the best performers for the Gunners this season and is an integral member of the team. With the uncertainty surrounding Fabregas' future at Arsenal, it is no surprise that Wenger and the Arsenal board are trying to get Nasri to sign a new contract this summer with only one year remaining in his current contract.

If Wenger was to lose Nasri over a failed contract negotiation this summer, it would mean a huge backlash from Arsenal fans after their disappointment this season. Also, it would imply that some of the best talents in the club are only looking to the club as a finishing school for their development and move on to bigger clubs in search of trophies and personal glory. Wenger will certainly try his best to avoid these scenarios and make his best efforts to sign Nasri on a new contract.

However, Samir Nasri is likely to have the upper hand in these contract negotiations with only one year on his contract and his superb performances have meant that there are a number of clubs who would bid for him should he not sign a contract this term. The French midfielder has adjusted extremely well at Arsenal and has taken the responsibility during the absences of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

It is understandable that a player of Nasri's quality will be linked to various clubs around the world and also he will have the desire to win trophies in his career. He will know that it does take some time to adjust at any new club and he is well settled at Arsenal, where he is regarded as one of the most important players. The France manager Laurent Blanc has also rewarded him for his excellent performances by making him the captain of the France team in one of the Euro qualifiers.

He is certainly not yet developed to his full potential and under the guidance of Wenger at Arsenal, he will continue to grow into a world class player. Nasri staying at Arsenal would be good for his career and he would continue to play an important role in this team though he might not always play in his preferred role as the central attacking midfielder.

Though staying at Arsenal and continuing to develop under Wenger seems to be the best option for Nasri, he is sure to have the desire to win trophies. The Arsenal manager will not want to lose Nasri this summer as it will be a huge blow to the Gunners next season and Nasri's agent has the opportunity to ask Wenger to spend the transfer money on quality players in order to sign the player on a new contract.

As rumours are just starting to circulate around Nasri's contract situation at Arsenal, it is important that Wenger signs quality players like Nasri's compatriot Karim Benzema to signal the intent to spend money on the right players. If Wenger can bring in few good players to the Emirates, then it is expected that Nasri will sign a new contract at Arsenal but if he does not plan to bring in quality players, Nasri's contract situation would mean that the player could put the manager under increased pressure to sign quality players in the summer.

Arsene Wenger is likely to understand the feeling of the fans after their disappointing season and will want to avoid the wrath of the fans by selling Samir Nasri and could sign a few more quality players to keep the existing players happy and also to have a strong team for the next season. It is in everyone's best interests that Nasri continues his progress at the Emirates next season but Wenger will have to spend money to acquire some important players in order to convince Nasri and some other quality players to stay at the Emirates.

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

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

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

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

Robin Van Persie – 21 goals, 8 assists

 

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

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

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

Highs of the season

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

Lows of the Season

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

Marouane Chamakh – 11 goals, 4 assists

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

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

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

Highs

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

Lows

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

Nicklas Bendtner – 9 goals, 8 assists

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

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

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

Highs

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

Lows

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

Carlos Vela

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: 6 Strikers whom Arsene Wenger Can Target in the Summer

Arsene Wenger's time at Arsenal could come to an unsuccessful end if the Gunners fail to end their trophy drought in the near future and the French tactician will try to bring in some quality players in this year's transfer window. he has spoken of the need to retain their players and build on it by signing quality players.

However, Wenger has often been reluctant to spend the money required to acquire big name signings but this is the crunch time for one of Arsenal's best ever managers and he could opt to spend more money this year. It is important that he brings in some quality players and he has admitted that he is looking to strengthen every position.

Robin van Persie is a superb striker with excellent vision, technique and movement but he does spend a lot of time on the treatment table which has meant that the Gunners have had to cope with his absence in a number of matches. Marouane Chamakh impressed in the first half of the season but has been in poor form since the return of Van Persie while Nicklas Bendtner is likely to move on after being played out of position for most of the season.

This article is on six quality strikers that Wenger could target in the summer to bolster the attacking options at Arsenal.


1. Kevin Gameiro


The Lorient striker has been prolific for the French side which has led to him being tracked by a number of clubs around the world. His pace and intelligent movement has enabled him to score goals and be successful in the French league. He has only one year left on his contract and the club would not want to lose the striker on a free transfer.

Gameiro can play on wither wing and in his favoured role as the centre forward and his versatility could be important for the Gunners. However, he is only 5' 7" and could struggle with the physicality of the Premiership. Arsenal are one of the teams tracking the striker but will have to beat the competition from the likes of Valencia, Tottenham and a number of other clubs.

2. Karim Benzema

The French forward has had an excellent second half of the season at Real Madrid but he has not received as much playing time as he would have liked since the return to fitness of Gonzalo Higuain and the signing of Emmanuel Adebayor. The forward has attracted the interest of many top clubs including the likes of Arsenal and Juventus.


If Jose Mourinho signs another striker( and there are rumours on Real Madrid signing either Carlos Tevez or Didier Drogba), it is likely that Benzema will be open to a move away from Madrid. However, Real Madrid will have a high valuation of Benzema and Arsene Wenger will have to spend big to acquire his services.

3. Bojan Krkic

Bojan Krkic has been one of the highly rated players to emerge from the La Masia academy and has made over 150 appearances for the Catalan club. The Barcelona striker can play on the wings as well though his favoured position is that of a centre forward. Though he has been in the senior team for over three years, he has been unable to establish himself in the starting eleven at Barcelona.


The signing of Zlatan Ibrahamovic and then, David Villa have meant that he has been relegated to the bench when the rest are fit. He has voiced concerns at the lack of playing time and could move to get more playing time. Arsenal are a club who are looking for a young promising striker and could be interested in Bojan. Barcelona could include the striker in the transfer of long term target Cesc Fabregas in order to tempt Arsenal.

4. Radamel Falcao


Falcao has been in sensational goalscoring form for Porto and is one of the prime reasons for their title success and their achievements in the Europa league so far. The Columbian forward has been in superb form having set a new goalscoring record in the Europa league. He has excellent technique on the ball and his movement provides midfielders with a number of options.

He has been immensely successful in the last two years and Wenger would have to spend big to acquire his services. Falcao has attracted the interest of many top European clubs but FC Porto will be reluctant to sell their star striker after enjoying a hugely successful season this year.

5. Lukas Podolski

The Koln forward is an immensely talented player but has been unable to perform for his club in the last couple of seasons. He had an unsuccessful spell with Bayern Munich after which he returned to his former side. However, he has not had as many good performances as he would have liked but his quality is undeniable.

Podolski has been successful for Germany in the recent past and still has the quality to be a superb player in the future. The versatile forward could be targeted by Arsene Wenger considering the fact that there is a very good possibility of Andrei Arshavin being sold in the summer. The Germany International will be attracted by the opportunity to play Champions League football for a top European club and could be interested in the move.

6. Edinson Cavani

The Napoli striker has been in superb form this season and though his recent red card means that he will not be the highest goalscorer in Serie A, he has been one of the main reasons for Napoli's good season. The lanky striker has a knack of scoring goals and has been prolific in the last few seasons.


"El Matador", as he is nicknamed, is a striker who can cope with physicality and has established himself as one of the best players in Italy. It would take a large sum of money for Arsenal to sign the former Palermo striker. Cavani has also represented Uruguay in the world cup and is considered to be one of the hottest young prospects in the world.

Real Madrid: Can Mourinho Resurrect Adebayor's Career and Win Titles In Spain?

It is official that Emmanuel Adebayor has been signed by Real Madrid on loan for the rest of the season and they do have the option of signing him on a permanent basis at the end of the season. The former Arsenal striker has endured a tough time at Manchester City and has spent a lot of time on the bench due to the manager's preference to play Carlos Tevez as the lone striker.

The tall striker emerged as one of the most promising strikers in the world with some stirring performances for Arsenal where he endured a successful spell but things did not go according to Adebayor's plans after a few seasons and he lost the support of the fans. He moved to the ambitious Manchester City, then managed by Mark Hughes in a 25 million transfer move but he has not had a great time in Manchester.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is a person who has immense belief that he can secure titles for the club but he has not been satisfied with the inconsistent performances of Karim Benzema. Though he said that he admires Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentine's injury has meant that the Portuguese tactician has had to play Benzema in more games than he wished for. It is not that Benzema is not talented; he is not the type of striker that Mourinho requires for Real Madrid.

Benzema is young and talented but he is not the finished product and has a lot to learn. Though the Los Merengues are a young team, the former Inter Milan manager will not be pleased with anything less than winning the La Liga and the Champions League. The Madrid no.9 has been given an extended run due to the lack of striking options other than Higuain who is injured but has not grabbed his opportunities despite scoring two hat-tricks this season.

At times, Mourinho has adopted a formation without any natural strikers which clearly underlines the fact that he does not have enough faith in the French International. Though the Real Madrid hierarchy and Mourinho did not seem to agree on bringing a striker in January, the manager has convinced the board to bring in a new striker to bolster their chances of winning titles this season.

Adebayor may not be the striker that Madrid fans wished for and most of them would still have preferred to
have the legendary Ruud van Nistelrooy back in the squad instead of the mercurial African. Though he has not been in good playing form of late having not played enough minutes for City, he is very talented and if he gets his confidence back, he can be inspirational for Los Blancos.

Arsene Wenger is a manager who recognises if a player has good potential and he certainly saw a bright future for Adebayor and if not for the off-field issues, he could still be playing at the Emirates. The big striker would certainly want to prove that he is still a world class player and in Mourinho and Real Madrid, he certainly has the support to do so.

Mourinho has preferred to have a talented target man in his team who is physically strong and can be direct. Adebayor is a volatile individual but the Real Madrid coach has excellent man-management skills and could instill confidence in the Togo striker. He is still only 26 and can improve on his game to a large extent. Diego Milito was not considered a world-beater till he signed for Inter Milan and under Mourinho, he proved his calibre by emerging as one of the best players for the Nerazzurri.

Adebayor cannot wish for a better opportunity to resurrect his career and he has the privilege of working with the "Special One" and could still reach the heights that he is capable of. Mourinho has won this important battle with the Real Madrid board and now that he has got a new target man in the squad, it is up to him to prove that he can achieve success with the resources he has at his disposal.

The Manchester City striker has only been signed by Real Madrid on a loan deal and though the Spanish club has the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season, it is still doubtful if they will opt for the move when prolific Argentine Gonzalo Higuain returns to full fitness. However, it is a golden opportunity for Adebayor to secure a permanent move by grabbing the opportunity to shine for Real Madrid and he has the chance to make history with Los Merengues.