Players Who Might Sign For Arsenal Before The Transfer Window Shuts.

With the new season just three days away now Arsenal signed their third player of the summer transfer window on Monday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed from Southampton for a fee of anything up to €15 million according to various reports. He's only 17 years old but he is seen as a real star of the future.

Arsenal's real needs in the transfer market this summer are in their defence, but Chamberlain will hopefully prove to be well worth the money spent on him. Arsene Wenger has said he is doing all he can to bring in players of "super quality" before the end of the transfer window, but time is running out for him. I'll attempt to analyse some players who could still possibly end up as Arsenal players before the end of August.

Gary Cahill:

Gary Cahill has been a target for Arsenal for quite a while now, but Bolton Wanderers are adamant he will not be sold for less than £17 million. He has only one year left on his contract at Bolton, and I'm sure they will not want to lose him for no fee next summer. The Daily Mail has reported that Arsenal are again chasing his signature with only a matter of days to go before the season starts.

Cahill has plenty of Premier League experience and of all the central defenders they are chasing he is probably the best candidate. It would seem that Arsene Wenger might be happy to wait one more year for Cahill, so that he can get him on a free transfer next summer. That might not be the best decision for Arsenal, but his notoriously frugal ways are hard for him to move away from.

I would prefer to see Cahill signed immediately, as I have very real fears that Arsenal's failure to defend set pieces will be a problem for them yet again. He has shown with Bolton that he has the exact qualities that Arsenal are looking for in a defender. He's still only 25 years old, and at six feet two inches he has the stature to impose himself on opposition strikers which Arsenal are missing all too often.

Christopher Samba:

Christopher Samba is another player who Arsenal are said to have being tracking since the start of the transfer window. There is no doubt that he has the required physique to deal with set pieces, and his heading ability could also be a bonus in attacking situations for Arsenal too. He may not be as good a footballer as some of the other candidates for the role, but surely he doesn't have to play in every game.

His addition to the squad would be a real bonus when Arsenal come up against Stoke City, and other Premier League teams who try to exploit Arsenal's aerial weakness when they play each other. Samba is still only 27 years old, but he has plenty of Premier League experience and he would be a positive addition to the squad in my opinion. Whether Wenger considers him to be of "super quality" or not is another matter, and it could be the stumbling block to his signature.

The player himself has stated his desire to play in the Champions League, and Arsenal are one of only four English clubs capable of offering him that opportunity this coming season. If Arsenal were to sign Samba I think it would be a good move for both parties, but at the moment it doesn't look too likely.

Scott Dann:

With Arsenal's pursuit of central defenders seemingly not reaping any rewards this summer they have recently been linked with Birmingham City's Scott Dann. Metro are currently reporting that Liverpool will pip Arsenal to his signature, as both clubs look to strengthen their defences with the new season approaching. I don't think Dann is the person to solve Arsenal's defensive woes, as I have said before but the prospect of him joining them seems very real.

When I last wrote about Dann a number of Birmingham fans were very quick to tell me that he was a much better player than I thought he was, but I stand by my original assessment. I don't think he is good enough to play at the highest level with Arsenal, but if he does sign I do hope he proves me wrong.

Per Mertesacker:

Per Mertesacker is yet another central defender who has been linked with Arsenal for quite a while now. If the report in the Daily Mail is to believed he has issued a come and get me plea to Arsenal, and his club are prepared to let him leave as he has entered the last year of his contract. He would be available a fairly reasonable price compared to the prices being quoted for English central defenders.

Mertesacker would seem to fit the bill for an Arsenal team which so obviously needs a commanding central defender. He six feet and six inches tall, and he's commanding in the air as well as being good on the ball. He isn't the quickest player, but Arsenal have plenty of other defenders with pace.

I think he would be an excellent purchase for Arsenal at €6 million, but it's Wenger's opinion which matters most of all. If Arsenal really want Mertesacker there is nothing to stop them signing him, and he will become a player very soon if that is so.
Bruno Ecuele:

Bruno Ecuele was signed by Lorient last summer to replace Laurent Koscielny, who had been sold to Arsenal. He's an international central defender who plays for Gabon, and he has impressed in his first season with Lorient. He's still only 23 years old, and his price tag should not be prohibitive for Arsenal.

Give Me Football have reported an interest in the player from Arsenal, but there's no way of knowing what truth is in it. He's only six feet and one inch tall, and his relative lack of experience might mean he's a long shot for Arsenal to sign.

Phil Jagielka:

Phil Jagielka is an English international central defender who would probably be a very good acquisition for Arsenal this summer. He's not the tallest player, but his organisational skills might go a long way towards sorting out Arsenal's defensive woes. His ability in the air is very good for a player six feet tall, and his positional play is excellent too.

However, Arsenal have already had a bid for him turned down, and Everton are looking for a lot of money for a player who will be 29 next week. I can't see Arsenal parting with €20 million for a player of that age, despite the fact that he might be the player they need to improve their defensive record. There are other options open to Arsenal at a better price, and I think they will opt for one of them.

Juan Mata:

Arsenal's interest in signing Juan Mata from Valencia has been known for quite a while now, and if the reports are true they have already had a bid turned down. With Samir Nasri looking close to an exit from Arsenal Mata is seen as the man to possibly replace him. The chances of Mata signing for Arsenal will probably depend on Arsenal managing to offload Nasri for a fee of at least €25 million.

Mata is only 23 years old, but he looks to have a very bright future in football. He's already a full Spanish international despite the huge range of excellent players Spain have to choose from. He has starred at every underage level for Spain and his capture would be an excellent signing for Arsenal in my opinion.

Give Me Football have reported Arsenal are again interested in signing Mata, and they will move for him with the fee they receive when they sell Nasri. His signature could leave Arsenal with a formidable attacking line, as they have already signed Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi has had his work permit approved too.

Peter Odemwingie:

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner has revealed he has agreed to join another club, and he will leave when the two clubs have agreed a price. If Arsenal do sell Bendtner they might well find themselves a little short in attack, and Odemwingie is a player who could possibly fill the void. He was linked with them at the start of the transfer window, and there's a possibility West Brom will be willing to sell if they manage to capture Shane Long from Reading.

Odemwingie had a very good season for West Brom last season, and he would certainly be a good alternative to Robin Van Persire if the Dutchman were to pick up an injury. Marouane Chamakh filled in admirably for RVP in the first half of last season, but he has been far from impressive since then. Arsenal need a striker who can fill in for RVP when he is injured or needs to be rested, and Odemwingie could be that man.

He turned 30 last month and at that age Odemwingie might prefer to stay with a club where he is guaranteed first team football. On the other hand Arsenal are a team qualifying for trophies, and he might like the chance to win a few of them at this stage in his career.

Joel Campbell:

Arsenal have been close to signing 19 year old Costa Rican international Joel Campbell for quite a while now. It looked like they had the deal tied up recently, but the player had other ideas and he is still available to purchase. He's a young player with a lot of potential, and he plays in  wide attacking role like so many recent purchases for Arsenal.

If Arsenal decide to finalise their move for Campbell it will be very soon, but he might not be able to obtain a work permit to play in England. He would be an excellent acquisition for the future for Arsenal, and if Metro are to be believed he actually signed a few days ago. Obviously they were a little previous with their reporting, but it does look like Campbell will be an Arsenal player very soon.

With the new season starting in three days Arsenal's most pressing needs in the transfer market are in their defence in my opinion. Thomas Vermaelen missed almost all of last season due to injury, and his presence was sorely missed by the team. If he can stay fit for this season he will be the mainstay of their defence, but the squad still needs strengthening at the back.

If a top class partner can be found to partner Vermaelen it should help Arsenal to overcome their defensive problems from last season, but that player has to be signed as soon as possible. Laurent Koscielny is currently the most likely candidate to take the role, but Arsenal also have Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci and Ignasi Miquel to choose from. I think a top class central defender would not only improve the team, but he might also get the best out of the other players as they attempt to challenge for a place.

I worry that Arsenal will not sign the central defender they need, and they will probably struggle from set pieces yet again this season. As a fan of the club I will always support them, but I sometimes feel they do all they can to make my life a misery.

That's it for today.

Finally for today this season's Fantasy Premier League is up and running again. My league has almost 100 teams in it already, but I will welcome any new teams. Just go to the site and use the code 125540-42785 to join my league when your team is set up.

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See you tomorrow

Seven Midfielders Arsene Wenger Could Consider Signing For Arsenal.

With the future of Arsenal's star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri still far from certain Arsene Wenger has to consider what players might replace them if they leave. In my opinion there are very few players in the world capable of matching Cesc at his best, but if he leaves Arsenal will need a playmaker. Nasri is a different matter, as he is a good player, but he still has a lot to prove before he can be considered Cesc's equal.

The best case for Arsenal is if both players stay at the club, but it is conceiveable that Arsenal will lose the services of both of them. If that were to happen I'm sure Arsenal could command joint transfer fees of at least €60 million, and that should give them the funds they need to attempt to replace both players. I'll attempt to name a few of the players who could help to fill that huge void, but I hope it doesn't come to both players leaving.

Juan Mata:
Valencia have already stated that Juan Mata is not for sale, but their financial problems continue and the right bid could possibly secure his services. He plays most of his football on the left wing and that's where Nasri played on numerous occasions last season for Arsenal. Mata is quite versatile and he could just as easily play off a central striker which would make him a very valuable purchase for any team.

He's only 23 years old which means he won't reach his peak for a few more years, but he has already shown enough to suggest he will be a real star of he game over the next five years at least. He has a real eye for goal, he can pick a pass, and he is very comfortable in possession. He has managed to make over 10 appearances for World and European champions Spain despite the huge array of talent available to them.

Arsenal would have to break their transfer record to capture Mata, but if either Cesc or Nasri leave he should be one of the first priorities to replace them. 

Diego Ribas da Cunha:
Diego Ribas da Cunha is commonly known as Diego, and he is a 26 year old central midfielder who plays for Wolfsburg and has played for Brazil too. He plays in a very similar position to Cesc, and when he puts his mind to his game he is a very good player. He has had disciplinary problems with various clubs, and his spell at Juventus prior to Wolfsburg didn't work out.

When Arsene Wenger came to Arsenal first he made some very good purchases of players who had loads of potential, but were failing to live up to it at their clubs. Both Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry had their careers resurrected at Arsenal, and it could be the move Diego needs to get his career back on track. I was a huge admirer of him when he was a Werder Bremen player a couple of years ago, and with the right stage to perform on he could possibly do it again.

Diego had problems at Wolfsburg last season, and as a result he could possibly be captured for a fee of approximately €15 million. It would be a risk for Arsenal to sign him, but it's a risk they might have to take if Cesc leaves. Diego is one of the few players with the ability to replace Cesc, and desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures.

Eden Hazard:
Eden Hazard is a 20 year old attacking midfielder who won the double with Lille in France last season. Arsenal have already signed Gervinho from that Lille team, but Hazard is seen as probably the better prospect in the long term. Gervinho had better statistics for Lille last season, but Hazard seems to have that little bit extra in my opinion.

Hazard can play in a wide left role and he could replace Nasri if he were to leave. At only 20 years of age he has already played over 150 games between his club and his country, and he is far from inexperienced. He has an eye for goal, he can pick a pass, and he can take players on and beat them.

If Arsenal need to replace Nasri they could do a lot worse than Hazard, and he would probably be available for around €20 million if Lille could be talked into selling him. They have qualified for next season's Champions League though, and he still has much to learn which probably means he will stay with them for one more season at least.

Wesley Sneijder:
Wesley Sneijder is a play who could step straight into the Arsenal team and replace Cesc if Arsenal's captain was to join Barcelona. He turned 27 last month and he is at his footballing peak, with an eye for a pass and the ability to score too. He likes to play in an advanced midfield role or just behind the main striker, and he is perfectly suited to both roles.

He would probably cost a little less than Cesc will cost Barcelona if they ever manage to persuade Arsenal to sell him. If that were the case Arsenal could certainly afford the transfer fee, but they would probably have to break their wage structure to afford him. Even if Arsenal were to decide to offer Sneijder the wages he would expect the chances are that Inter Milan would be more than unwilling to sell him.

In an ideal world Arsenal would put in an offer for Sneijder that Inter could not refuse if Cesc were to leave, but I just can't see that happening. I cannot see Arsenal paying wages which would probably be twice those of their highest earner, and breaking the club record transfer fee as well. 

Willian Borges da Silva:
Willian Borges da Silva is better known as Willian, and he's a 22 year old winger currently playing for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. He would certainly fit the bill as a replacement for Nasri if the Frenchman were to leave Arsenal, but he doesn't score as many goals as Nasri. He has plenty of potential and a lot of skill to go with it too, but his transfer fee might be a hindrance for Arsenal.

The chances are Arsenal would have to spend in excess of €20 million for Willian if they were to have any chance of persuading Shakhtar to sell. It's an awful lot of money, but if Nasri leaves he has to be replaced by a player who is at least his equal, and Willian could possibly be that man.  I would be surprised to see him sign for Arsenal, but it's certainly not beyond the bounds of possibility.

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (Nani):
When Manchester United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid a couple of seasons ago Nani was seen as the man to fill his boots. He's still only 24 years old and it would appear his face may no longer fit in at Old Trafford. He fell out of favour towards the end of last season on many occasions despite being the player most responsible for keeping them in the title hunt earlier in the season.

His style is similar to that of Ronaldo, but he doesn't have the same goalscoring prowess as his his countryman. However he does set his team mates up far more often than Ronaldo ever did, and he is more than capable of scoring from distance too. He can be a very tricky wide player, but he is criticised for his lack of work at times which is why he is possibly seen as surplus to requirements at United.

I would imagine Nani would cost an awful lot more than Arsenal would be willing to pay, but if United are anxious to offload him they might have a chance of capturing him. His wages would also be prohibitive, but he would certainly add a creative element to Arsenal's wing play as well as the ability to score from distance. 

Scott Parker:
Scott Parker will be 31 years old later this year, and he is available for purchase after West Ham United were relegated last season. He was voted the best player in the Premier League last season, but his efforts weren't enough to help West Ham survive the dreaded drop. His experience would certainly be an advantage to Arsenal, but he has never  actually played regularly at the very top level in football.

At the very least he would offer a genuine alternative to Alex Song in a defensive midfield role for Arsenal, and he could play alongside Song in certain games as well. The major hindrance to signing Parker for me would be his stature, as I think Arsenal need a player with the height and strength of their former captain Patrick Vieira. Parker would certainly be an asset to the squad, but at his age he would probably want to join a team where he would be guaranteed to play.

He has made his way into the England team recently and he needs to keep playing weekly for a club to ensure he keeps his place. He might not get that chance too often at Arsenal, and that would probably be the biggest factor in him not joining Arsenal.

The majority of the players I have profiled are probably beyond the limit of Arsenal's budget in terms of transfer fees and wages too, but the possible sales of Cesc and Nasri might change that. It would make a pleasant change for Arsenal supporters to see their club chasing some of the best players in the world rather than foraging through the bargain basements of France. I doubt very much if Arsene Wenger or Arsenal will spend anywhere in excess of €20 million on any player, but if club policy does change these players are all possibilities.

I hope Cesc stays at the club for another couple of seasons at least, but the draw of his hometown club is a very big one. Nasri should be sold if he refuses to sign a new contract, but it appears that Wenger is determined to keep him even if it means he leaves on a free transfer next summer. That may not be in the best interest of the club in the long term, but in the short term it suits their needs.

That's it for today.

Here's the goals from Arsenal's first pre season friendly with thanks as always to 101great goals.

See You Tomorrow.

The Top Five Arsenal Transfer Rumours So Far This Summer.

With the real start of the transfer window almost upon the football world the rumour mill is churning out an increasing amount of gossip for all football fans. Arsenal find themselves in a position where they need to add some real quality to their squad, and as a result they have been linked with their fair share of players. I'll attempt to rate their chances of signing the five players who are most likely to join them this summer.

Of course there are still 65 days left in the transfer window and Arsenal are well known for leaving their business until just before the window closes. There are bound to be plenty of other players linked between now and August 31, but if Arsenal are to prepare properly for the new season they need to act fast. However, there is no point in signing players if they are not of the quality Arsenal need to improve their team.


Juan Mata is a very talented left winger who plays for Valencia and the Spanish national team. With Cesc Fabregas possibly on his way out of Arsenal to Barcelona Arsene Wenger will have to be very busy in the transfer market to attempt to keep his team in a competitive position for next season. Mata is the most recent player to be linked with them, and according to The Mail Arsenal have made an £18 million bid for him.

He's a player with real potential and he is by far the best player to be linked with Arsenal so far this summer. He could fit nicely into the current team, and his inclusion would certainly improve the overall quality of the team and the squad. However, he has to be added to the current squad and not bought to replace either Samir Nasri or Cesc, or the overall quality will decrease.

Mata only turned 23 a couple of months ago, but has more than 200 senior games under his belt and he has scored over 50 goals in those games. He has been very impressive for Valencia, but he failed to make the grade at Real Madrid as a younger player. His pace and his eye for a goal would be a real benefit to the Arsenal team and I would be quite happy to see him sign for Arsenal.

Ricky Alvarez is another target for Arsenal if the reports in The Mirror are to be believed, but I would be surprised if he was signed. He suffered a knee injury early in his career, and he has very few senior games to his name for a 23 year old. If Arsenal are to sign him it would be based solely on his perceived potential, and they have enough players with potential in their squad already.

I haven't seen too much of Alvarez, but he is far too inexperienced to be expected to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. If Arsenal are going to have a chance of winning trophies again they need to sign players who are the real deal, and I don't think Alvarez is anywhere near that level yet. I can't imagine that he would be signed if Mata joins, but Arsene Wenger needs to keep his options open which is probably the reason why he is interested in Alvarez.

Gervinho has been another target for Arsenal for the last few weeks at least, and according to The Mirror again he will be coming to the club very soon. He has had a very good season in France with Lille, as his goals and assists helped them to a domestic double. His club claim not to have received any concrete offers yet, and with Champions League football next season they will be anxious to keep their best players.

Eden Hazard was another star of that Lille team along with Gervinho, and I think he would be a far better choice for Arsenal this summer. However, it seems like Lille are more determined to keep Hazard, and Arsenal might have to settle for Gervinho instead. Like Alvarez I don't know if he will be good enough to prosper in the Premier League, but at least he has a lot more experience than Alvarez. 

Gervinho is probably the most likely of the three attacking players to be signed by Arsenal, as Wenger has a long history of signing players from France. Like both Mata and Alvarez he can play on the left side of the front three or in midfield and it would appear all three might be lined up as potential players to replace Nasri. If I had to choose between them I think Mata would be the best player, but Gervinho is a much better option than Alvarez.

Gary Cahill has only one year left on his contract at Bolton Wanderers, and if the reports in The London Evening Standard are to be believed he is eventually going to sign for Arsenal. Arsenal's defensive woes from set pieces were well chronicled last season, and Cahill could possibly be the man to cure those problems. Arsenal aren't the only team interested in Cahill and if a bidding war ensues it could end anywhere.

Arsenal could sign Cahill on a free transfer next summer and use the money to buy a defender from elsewhere this year. I would be very surprised if Wenger broke Arsenal's transfer record to sign Cahill, but if he feels he is the right man for Arsenal he will pursue him. If Cahill can become the man to win headers and marshall Arsenal's defence at set pieces it will be money well spent.

Christopher Samba has been linked with Arsenal for quite a while now, as their need for a central defender with Premier League experience is well known. The Lancashire Telegraph is the latest paper to report Arsenal's interest in the player, and apparently they're not the only ones prepared to take a chance on him. Like Cahill he is seen as a ball winning centre back, and his height would be a real boost for Arsenal's inability to defend set pieces.

He's 27 years old which means he's at the prime of his career for the next few years, and Arsenal need players who are in their prime. If Arsenal can sort out their defensive problems from set pieces they can expect to have a real chance of winning trophies next season. Samba has the necessary attributes to sort out those problems, but whether he possesses the skill or pace to play against the top teams is another matter.

I would be reasonably happy if Arsenal signed either Cahill or Samba, but if Wenger can find an experienced international centre back I think he won't sign either of them. It's not an easy task  for him, but I'm sure he has his scouts searching for the player he needs. Neither Cahill or Samba has any Champions League experience and internationally they're not exactly experienced either which will probably lessen their chances of signing for Arsenal.

Of all the transfer rumours for Arsenal so far this summer I think they are the five players most likely to sign, but I would be surprised if Wenger signs so many players. There have been just as many rumours about players leaving Arsenal, but they're something to deal with on another day. 

Arsenal have some very serious business to do in the transfer window, and if they're not careful their team could emerge in a much weaker position. The additions of some defenders might help to strengthen the team, but if both Nasri and Cesc leave it will seriously affect the team's attacking capabilities. Some of the players linked to them have plenty of potential, but I do not consider any of them to be a match for either of those players.

There are plenty of Arsenal fans who feel both Nasri and Cesc should be sold, as they have not shown loyalty to the club in their opinions. If Arsenal sell those two players and replace them with Mata, Alvarez, and Gervinho I cannot see how it will do anything but make the team worse. They would be selling two players approaching their prime, and replacing them with potential.

The current opinion among Arsenal fans is the club needs to replace potential with the finished article, but those three attacking players would all be the opposite of that. I sincerely hope both Cesc and Nasri stay, but if they are sold Arsenal need to replace them with real quality. I will only be really excited about potential signings when the players linked are good enough to improve the team.

That's it for today.

Here's a look at what Mata can do.

See You Tomorrow.

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