Arsenal are currently lying in fifth place in the standings, three points behind Villa for the fourth spot. They are six point behind first place United and have played one more game. This season has been very up-and-down and reinforcement is neccessary to help try to obtain a champions league spot and win the FA cup.
It is clearly obvious that we need a defensive midfielder. Song and Denilson may have potential for the future (which I doubt) but Song is crap and Denilson is too offensively minded and does not have the physical and mental attributes to be a defensive midfielder for Arsenal.
Another problem that has sprung up is the lack of creativity because of injury to our first team players. Rosicky and Eduardo have been out long term because of freak accidents, and recently Theo, and Cesc have been out for a while now. This lack of creativity, especially in our midfield, makes it difficult to break down teams that have 10 behind the ball. It would be good to get another quality player for the sake of competition, as some players on the squad have been complacent in their place. Considering how young some of these players are, this should not be the case.
Note: These are potential targets Arsene should consider, I am not endorsing that he should get every target, but pick one or two.
1. Andrei Arshavin
My favourite picture of him
Possibly the biggest newspaper story around was Arsenal's pursuit for the Zenit St. Petersburg player. The 27 year old player has won a ton of accolades in Russia including the Russian player of the year in 2006, included on the Euro 2008 team of the tournement and was voted the 6th best player in the Balon D'Or voting this year. His has willed his team to the UEFA cup last year, including beating Bayern Munich 3-0 on aggregate.
He is a very good player, with two good feet and strong creativity. He makes intelligent runs and can shoot from distance. He would be a welcome addition to Arsenal. Zenit are willing to sell, but are negotiating hard and have not really adjusted from their inflated 20-25 million asking price.
Fee: 16-18 million pounds (Arsene has had bids of 12 and 15 million pounds)
2. Mate Toth
I personally had no idea of who this guy was, but apparently Arsenal has already signed him. He is a 18 year Humgarian who impressed Wenger on trial. The fee is believed to be around 250000 (typical) He is a defender, but I am assuming that he will be one for the future. I went to look for some highlights, but this guy doesn't even have a youtube video!
Fee: 250,000 pounds
3. Miguel Veloso
Veloso is a 23 year old defensive midfielder who plays for Sporting Lisbon. He is a quality defender and can break up attacks. Veloso is also a very technical player and can fit within Arsenal's style of play. He is an integral part of the midfield at Sporting Lisbon, and as a result, it may be difficult to pry him away. Fee: 12-14 million pounds
4. Joao Moutinho
A personal favourite of mine, this 23 year old is another midfielder playing for Sporting Lisbon. I watched him play for Portugal during Euro 2008 and he is a player who can play any position on a flat midfielder. He is a creative midfielder who preferred position is just behind the forwards. Everton tried to loan him last summer but Sporting refused is also is considered a very important figure at the club. He got serverely injured during the Euro Tournament, but has managed to come back to full fitnessFee: 18-20 million pounds
Is Arsene Going to Sell?
People were worried that Arsene might decide to sell during this window. He, in fact, got a bid for a player. The funny bit was Arsene categorically rejected the bid but also said that Eboue is going to get an improved offer. An improved offer for what? What has he possibly done to deserve a better contract?
Bendtner recieved a bid from surprise German leaders Hoffenheim, but rejected it and says he wants to stay at Arsenal.
Conclusions
Interesting times at Arsenal. There is just over a week left in the transfer window and it is as likely for Arsene to get three of these targets as he is to get zero. Hopefully some reinforcements come and we can sustain a challenge for the FA cup, Champions League and Premier League in the second half of the season.
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I'm a big fan of Miguel Veloso, he'd be a great acquisition. He's only 22 too, very young and has a great future ahead of him. He'd be my choice as the top target for the window.
ReplyDeleteHimself and Arshavin and I'd be delighted.
Oh, I forgot about the price part.
ReplyDeleteI'd happily pay €20mil for Arshavin and €16mil for Veloso.
I'm not convinced Wenger will pay that much for Arshavin though, he may do so for Veloso due to his youth.
I agree, i think a signing is crucial even just to lift the morale of the club. With all the injuries and poor results a good signing could really set up arsenal for the year and for upcoming seasons.
ReplyDeleteI also would be willing to pay around the amounts you specified, and I do not think they are unrealistic. Considering Wilson Palacios was purchased for 14 million quid (though, Spurs are notorious for overbidding), I think 20 million is a good price for a player who finished 6th on the balon d'or.
Wenger, always the economist, will probably consider resale value when purchasing a player and I doubt you would get that with Arshavin. Wenger has been reluctant buying established stars, and I am not sure he will change his mindset now.
Veloso would be an excellent purchase. He would fill the role similarily to flamini, but with more technical skill. Cesc would also be also with the increase of quality around him.
I found an interesting article which mentions that Arsenal has 93 million in the coffers, but is unwilling to spend it due to the uncertain nature of the economy and the possibility Arsenal will miss the champions league (and the bonus tv rights money you win with that). It is a well written article which shows the rationale of Wenger not purchasing this transfer window, might be worth a read. http://7amkickoff.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/does-it-really-matter-if-wenger-signs-someone-really/
Thank you, that was a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see if Wenger ponies up and pays the money necessary for Arshavin over the next few days.
Nervous last couple of days, but Wenger pulled it off and got his man in the end. £15mil for Arshavin is a good price.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see him play for Arsenal, he should add a very exciting element to the team.
I agree. Reports are suggesting that his first taste of the premier league is going to Sunderland on the 21st because he is not eligable to play in the second leg of the FA cup match against Cardiff. It can't come soon enough as Eboue has consistently made stupid decisions and most of our creative elements are injuried right now.
ReplyDeleteAston Villa are on a bit on an extremely lucky streak, hopefully they can fall to Earth and Chelsea is in shambles right now; they first Scolari after six months in charge. Hopefully, even this indifferent arsenal can overtake the blues and reclain champions league football.