Arsenal Prospects As The Transfer Window Opens

The summer transfer window opens for real today and hopefully it will mean Arsenal can get some serious business done. They are expected to be in the market for a few younger players and some of those deals will probably go through today. It's the deals for first team players that the fans are interested in though and there could be a few of those in the offing.

Gonzalo Higuain is the striker Arsenal fans would love to see join the club and at the moment Arsenal look to be his most likely destination. He's a striker who knows how to score goals and would be an excellent addition to the team in my opinion. Arsenal would have to break their club record for a transfer fee and pay him more than any other player at the club, and they can afford to do just that.

I would be delighted to see Higuain join but it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't. There are plenty of other options for Arsenal and I'm sure Arsene Wenger must have his eye on a few other strikers. Despite scoring over 100 goals in all competitions last season Arsenal are definitely in need of a top class striker to strengthen their team.

If things are to go the way of the constant media rumours then the next player in after Higuain would be Everton's Marouane Fellaini. He's another player who could very quickly become an important part of the Arsenal team and he could make the defensive midfield role all his own. His ability to attack and defend at set pieces could be a great addition too, but like Higuain he won't come cheap.

He would command a fee only a little less than that of Higuain and his wages would be quite high too. Arsenal have managed to get some of the deadwood off the wage bill with the departures of Andrei Arshavin, Sebastien Squillaci and Denilson and they could be followed by others too. Johan Djourou looks to be going out on loan again and it can only be hoped that Nicklas Bendtner can find a club worthy of the skills he believes he possesses. 

Both Ju Young Park and Marouane Chamakh will be harder to get rid of and the chances are they will stick around without getting a look in. It does look like Vito Mannone will be on the way out with Sunderland as a possible destination after they sold Simon Mignolet to Liverpool. Mannone's chances at Arsenal are limited and they will become even more limited if the rumoured siging of Julio Caesar happens.

Other names being mentioned in connection with Arsenal are Wayne Rooney and David Villa but I would be more than surprised to see either of them join Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is sure to pull at least one rabbit out of his hat and as a result the rumours will grow by the day until some business is done.

Today's hot story is the supposed interest in Lars Bendner and if there's any truth in it he would be a very good signing. His arrival would surely mean Fellaini wouldn't still be pursued as they would be seen as very similar players. I'm not sure which player I would prefer, but I would be happy if either of them joined,.

It certainly looks like things are hotting up and so they should be with the majority of first team players returing to pre season training in the middle of next week. The tour of Asia begins soon after that and then it's down to the real hard work of preparing for the new season. The squad will look an awful lot better with two or three additions as long as last season's best performers can all be kept at the club too.

I'm very hopeful of Arsenal truly competing again next season and I just can't wait for it to begin.

That's it for today.

See you tomorrow.