Arsenal FC Transfer Opinions: Why Ryo Miyaichi and Others Mean Arsene Wenger Should Not Sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

According to the Telegraph, Lille winger Gervinho has completed a medical ahead of his move to Arsenal and is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player in the upcoming days though delay in finishing the deal could cause him to miss the pre-season tour to Asia. It will be an important signing for the Gunners, who are still uncertain regarding the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who has been stalling in signing a new contract at the Emirates.

The winger has had a positive impact in France where he is regarded as one of the most efficient players in the league and he could be a player who could provide some much needed unpredictability to the Gunners considering he is capable of dribbling past players and uses his trickery to good effect. It seems like Gervinho could be a signing who could turn out to be one of our better signings in the long term.

Arsenal have many important priorities in the summer and with Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin not performing to expected levels, signing a talented and experienced winger was a need and signing Gervinho is a step in the right direction for the Gunners. However, with both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas still not sure of staying with the Gunners, it is important that Arsene Wenger uses his transfer budget intelligently especially as they seek depth in a number of positions.

This summer transfer window is probably Arsene Wenger's most important one in his Arsenal career considering that his senior players could leave while the fans are desperate for the club to win trophies in the next season. Many of the supporters are calling for the manager to spend money and at the Q&A session attended by Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis, he was confronted by a number of questions regarding the manager and his transfer policies by members of the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST).

Though the youth policy has produced a number of talented youngsters like Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere, it is trophies which is going to bring long term stability to the club. Many supporters are calling for the manager to spend money on experienced players and abandon this youth policy. However, it is important to have talented youngsters in the team but the manager needs to bring in some experienced players who can guide the players to perform well under pressure.

However, according to the Daily Star, Arsenal have had a bid of around £6 million + add-ons rejected by Southampton, who reportedly want £12 million for midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is only 17 years old. Though the winger is extremely talented and is arguably more advanced than Theo Walcott, when he was at the same stage in his career, it must be questioned whether Arsenal should be interested in the Saints' starlet.

It is undeniable that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the most exciting prospects in English football but still only 17 years of age, it is unlikely that he will make a big impact in his first season in the Premiership if he is signed by Arsenal. While signing long term prospects are a part of the strategy of Wenger, this summer should be about signing quality players who could help the Gunners win the Premiership.

There is a good chance that Arsenal could miss out on the youngster if they fail to seal a deal for the winger in this summer but the Gunners cannot afford to spend a chunk of their transfer budget on an unproven 17-year-old when their best players could leave due to lack of ambition. If they do miss the Southampton winger, it will be hard for Arsenal having scouted him for a long time but the Gunners already have a wealth of youth talent.



In the long term, both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are certain to play regularly considering they are already established at Arsenal though Ramsey is currently a squad player following his horrific injury following a lunge by Ryan Shawcross. With Alex Song still very young and Emmanuel Frimpong developing at Arsenal, the Gunners will have an excellent midfield.

Theo Walcott is a player who has the faith of the Arsenal manager and despite the criticism he has had regarding his decision making, it is undeniable that he is a player who has progressed immensely in the last season. The England International scored 13 goals and made eight assists including performing well in important games like Chelsea and Tottenham. He is certain to be one of the most important players in the future.

On the Arsenal official website, it was stated that the signing of Gervinho was imminent and it does seem like the Gunners have added the winger to their squad for the next season. He is another player who is very talented and though he can develop further at Arsenal, he is a player with a lot of potential and at the age of 24, he can also be an important player for the Gunners.

If Wenger has belief in the abilities of Gervinho and especially Walcott, then these two can be part of the team in the long term. Also, even if Nasri does leave the club, it is highly likely that Wenger will bring in another winger to supplement the team because he will know that an untested 17-year-old will be a huge gamble.


Also, it must be remembered that Arsenal have talented youngsters, Ryo Miyaichi and Wellington Silva in the squad who are exciting prospects as well. Though Wellington has not had a good spell at Levante on loan due to disciplinary issues, he is very talented and with proper guidance, he could be successful in the future.

Ryo Miyaichi is a youngster who needs no introduction for most Arsenal fans as they eagerly wait to see him in the Arsenal's tour of Asia and Wenger confirmed that the Japanese youngster will make the trip. He has undoubted potential and with his successful loan spell with Feyenoord, he has already taken a step closer to the first team though he is unlikely to get a work permit to play in this season.

The Japanese winger still has a long way to go but with talent and the right attitude, Miyaichi is a player who could be destined for the Arsenal first team in the future. He is capable of trickery but needs to work on his end product and with time, his decision making will improve as well.

Also, Arsenal have signed two Barcelona youngsters Jon Miquel Toral and Hector Bellerin, who are also interesting prospects. Bellerin, in particular, is a player who is very exciting with the winger boasting of excellent pace and good end product. With the team so strong in this area especially with a number of versatile youngsters, the question is whether Arsenal need to spend another £6 million on a youngster.

Wenger should understand their priorities in this season and should plan accordingly to strengthen it. It is clear that Arsenal need another strong Centre Back, preferably experienced in the Premiership and also, if Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri or both of them leave, Arsenal will need to make high quality signings like bringing in Juan Mata of Valencia.

It is clear that the Gunners have good depth regarding youngsters in midfield and though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an excellent young prospect, the Gunners should not spend the money on him especially in this transfer window when they have more pressing concerns.

Arsenal FC: Should Arsene Wenger Sell Russian Dynamo Andrei Arshavin next summer?

The Arsenal manager will have time to think about his side's prospects of ending their frustrating title drought by clinching the EPL title this year. Arsene Wenger and his team have endured a tough time in the last three weeks and they will need to show the maturity and mental toughness to produce good results in this title run-in.

From the next game, every single point they drop could decide the title in favour of Manchester United and the Gunners will need to win all the remaining fixtures in order to keep the destiny of the title race in their hands. There are already a section of Arsenal fans who do feel that Wenger can only take them this far and it requires a new manager who can drive them to trophies. However, the majority of the Arsenal board and the majority of the fans are prepared to give time for the French tactician, who is the greatest modern-day manager in the history of the club.

Arsene Wenger has often admitted his desire in keeping Andrei Arshavin at the club but the Russian is yet to sign an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of the next season. Arsenal are a club which is run on a sound business model and it would make financial sense to sell Arshavin if he refuses to commit his immediate future to the club.

The Russian has impressive statistics to his name and is currently Arsenal's leader in terms of assists. However, his performances have not been consistent and he has come under scrutiny for some below-par performances. However, since the goal against Everton after coming on as a substitute, Arshavin has been close to his best and has played with a lot of confidence that was missing in the earlier part of the season.


Competition from Walcott

Despite his good performances, he is not assured of his place in the eleven due to the emergence of Theo Walcott who is currently injured. Walcott has performed admirably this season and has adds a new dimension to the team with his pace and direct running at defenders. At the age of 21, Walcott needs to play regularly and has justified the faith shown in him by the manager this season.

Nasri has been in sensational form this season which has earned him a place in the starting 11 whenever he has been fit. The Frenchman's versatility has also worked in his favour as he has played many games in different positions for the Gunners. However, if the midfield trio of Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Jack Wilshere are fit, then that would leave only the slots for wingers available.

Arshavin has been benched for some games this season and he has admitted that it has been tough for him. He is a player who thrives on confidence and has the ability to change the game with his brilliant creativity but his inconsistency has led him to be dropped in favour of English International Theo Walcott.


The Cesc Fabregas Situation

At the moment, it is debatable whether Barcelona will make efforts to sign the Spanish midfielder this summer. However, if they do try to sign and Cesc Fabregas is interested in the move, it is likely that Arsene Wenger will grant him the move he covets and could be playing in a Barcelona shirt next season. The Frenchman is not the type to spend big money to sign a replacement for Fabregas and there is a possibility that Nasri could play in that role.

In that case, Arshavin will be Arsenal's first choice winger on the left and he will be provided with many opportunities. However, Wenger could also promote either Jack Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey which would mean Nasri and Walcott would continue on the wings. Arshavin would be an extremely useful player to have if the influential Fabregas leaves the club as the Russian has the armoury to unlock any defence in the world.


Arshavin's Experience Invaluable to the Team

This Arsenal team has a number of players who have not won many trophies and do not have enough experience at the top level. Arshavin is a senior International who has captained his team in many big games and his experience could be invaluable to the team. Also, he has the ability to influence the team when the chips are down and that is a characteristic which many youngsters could lack at the top level.

It is evident that Arshavin is an influential player for the Gunners even if he is not in the best form and that is the primary reason why Arsene Wenger would like to hold on to the creative Russian. Arshavin's experience could help in the title run-in and he could have a major impact on the team.


Promising Prospects: Ryo Miyaichi, Carlos Vela and others

Arsenal have a number of talented youngsters who could stake a claim for the left midfield and some of them are on loan in order to gain experience at the top level. Ryo Miyaichi,who was loaned out to Feyenoord, is currently in excellent form producing some exciting performances for the Dutch club. It is clear that Miyaichi needs to develop more physicality and also, another loan spell would suit him to hone his skills better. He is an undoubted talent but one more year of regular top level football would make him more suited for Arsenal.

Carlos Vela has been loaned out to West Brom but he has not enjoyed much playing time which is strange considering he has performed quite well when given the opportunity. Vela needs more playing time before he can challenge for first team places or else, he could only be a squad players.

There are other youngsters like Henry Lansbury, Connor Henderson and Jay Emmanuel Thomas who are quite talented but it will be some time before they can be integrated into the first team.

Arsene Wenger is a manager who does not like to spend much on a player and there are not many wingers in the world who could replace a quality player like Arshavin in the Arsenal team. If Wenger does identify his transfer targets, it is likely to cost him quite a big amount. Eden Hazard was one of the targets but his recent long term contract with Lille indicates he will not be moving this summer.


Arsenal need Quality Players to Win Trophies

The Gunners are in the midst of a frustrating title drought which adds to the pressure on this young team. In this situation, it is better for Arsenal to hold on to their quality players who can win games with their brilliance. Andrei Arshavin is a quality player who has the ability to notch important goals and also, contribute in breaking down may defences with his superb creativity.
Arsenal are in a strong financial position and are in no need to sell their best players. If Arshavin does not sign a new contract, it is better to lose him at the end of the next season which will hopefully add trophies to the cabinet. By the end of next season, the likes of Miyaichi, Lansbury and Vela would have been better equipped to deal with the challenges at the top level and can fill the void left by Arshavin.