Evaluating Arsenal's Off-season Transfers

Arsenal had several significant changes this off-season by selling some of their key players and adding one big money signing. The purpose of this article is to examine the incoming signings and how it affects their position and give it a grade and also looking at the players leaving and rationalizing if it was the right time to sell. This article will also look briefly at formations but a more in-depth article concerning that will be coming in the near future.

Signings

Thomas Vermaelen – from Ajax - 10 – 12 million pounds.

Arsenal’s lone signing of this transfer window was Vermaelen of Ajax. The Ajax’s captain is a Belgium international and is a 5’10 central defense man who is 23 years old. He has played in Europe every year so far, so he has some experience in the Champions League. I have not seen him play, so I do not think it would be fair to comment on him, but he is an international and captain and apparently has good aerial ability despite his height. He will probably replace the outgoing Kolo Toure and form a partnership with William Gallas.

Grade: C+

I can not rate this player too highly considering that I have never seen him play, has yet to adjust to the Premier League and is quite pricey for a defenseman. Arsene Wenger is usually very astute at spotting talent, but his record with purchasing defense is mediocre at best (some notable bad buys include Cygan, Senderos Silvestre)

Outgoing

Adebayor – Man City - 25 million pounds.

Adebayor must have been one of the most-hated players at Arsenal last year after courting the services of AC Milan last year. When he arrived in 2005 winter transfer window, he was a raw attacking player who seemed willing to work on improving his skills. He scored 4 goals in 12 Premier League game that season, 12 in all competitions the next season play with Henry, scored 29 goals the year after and finally scoring 20 goals in all competition last season. He has flashes of brilliance (the volley against Totenham last year and the half-bicycle against Villareal spring to mind) but more often than not, he likes to stray offside and his goal record is very poor for the service he receives. He was a good target man with a terrible first touch and opinions were always divided with him. His workrate decreased when he signed his last Arsenal contract and he always did seem out of place around the tight ball-control midfielders.

Grade: A –

This is a great price for Adebayor as I don’t think he was ever worth this much. Also, with Ade going off to the ACN this season, it made sense to sell now. If we start to play Arshavin in the second striker role and RVP as the lead forward, it may lead to better ball control and finishing. However, Wenger’s insistence on selling his first team squad every year brings about discontinuity and it will take time for Arsenal to adjust to the new playing style and formation.

Kolo Toure – Man City - 16 million pounds.

Kolo Toure was our last remaining player of our “invincible” season and he was often considered the heart of Arsenal. He always gave everything to the team and was loved by the supporters of the club. Bought from the African team AESC for only 250,000 pounds, he started as a utility player and was slowly groomed to the central defense position. He was very raw at first, but extremely hungry and that desire translated all over the pitch in the form of tough tackling and wild shots. Always volunteering to take the 40 yard free-kicks, he exemplified the youthful enthusiasm of his Arsenal teams. However, coming into the last few seasons, he started to suffer from a loss of form, injuries and illnesses. He had disagreements with his central partner Gallas and allegedly submitted a transfer request last January. Man City has been trying to find a defensive anchor and they found a pretty good one in Toure.

Grade: B

This is good business again for an unhappy player who is arguably not even first choice anymore. However, for sentimental and leadership reasons, this should’ve not been a sale. Toure provides that winning experience and Arsenal clearly was defined by him. Also, he would have provided quality depth at both the backup central and right defense position.

Quick Thoughts on Formations

I think Wenger will experiment with the 4-3-3 because it allows for more creative players and some central midfield solidarity but will stick to his traditional 4-4-2. Arsenal’s pass and move style is perfectly suited to the 4-2-2 because of the interchangability of the positions. The 4-3-3 is more rigid and has more defined roles by the formation because each position would have very specific responsibilities. Another reason why the 4-3-3 would not work is because the wingers need to stay wide to provide width and all of Arsenal’s wide players (beside Walcott) like to drift inside.

What should Arsene Wenger's targets be this transfer window and at what price?

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 fitness

Fee: 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.