Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Fulham, marked the end of another disappointing and trophyless season for the Gunners that promised so much but in the end delivered very little.
Arsenal’s final three games yielded a mere one point as the Gunners’ frailties both at the back and up front were cruelly exposed.
The end of the season marks the beginning of the transfer window and even Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has remarked that the side needs some rebuilding and he has promised Arsenal fans that they can expect a busy and active summer. For once Wenger has acknowledged that he does have funds to make some serious signings and has admitted the side’s weaknesses.
As usual there are a plethora of names linked with the Gunners with some being some typical Wenger rumours, unknown and unheralded players while a few big names have been linked with Arsenal, for a change as well.
There is no doubt that Wenger has to sign quality and should look to end his miserly ways with some smart buys that can truly enhance the squad and help them win titles in an extremely competitive 2011-12 season that will feature rejuvenated Liverpool and a thriving Manchester City.
Here is a round up of some transfer rumours that have been making news in recent days.
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Could the Aston Villa Man Be the Winger Arsenal Need?
If reports in the Dailymail are to be believed, Arsenal look to fight it out with Liverpool for the signing of Aston Villa defender, Stewart Downing, who has been a revelation this season. While he hardly set the league alight last season, he was superb this season, scoring eight goals and assisting a further nine goals as he was one of Villa’s top performers this season.
In recent times all the talk has been about Ashley Young but Downing too has performed with remarkable consistency this season and this has attracted attention from both Liverpool and Arsenal.
What it means for the Gunners
Personally, I would love to see Downing in an Arsenal jersey. He showed that he can be a consistent performer down the flanks for Villa and he is fairly experienced and established in the Premier League arena.
Right now what Arsenal have is a dearth of quality wingers, who can play comfortably on the flanks. Right now, Wenger often uses players like Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott on the flanks when all these players are more suited in a central role.
For sometime now there has been no out and out winger at the Emirates and Downing could well prove to be that player for the Gunners.
Signing him would provide Arsenal with a player who can provide superb crosses into the ball and that can offer Arsenal some much required width and versatility in their play.
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Could the Frustrated Dane Finally Leave the Club?
One must feel sorry for Nicklas Bendtner. There is no doubt that he has talent and can make it big if given the time and confidence. He showed Arsenal faithful his talent and quality with his 12 goal haul last season when he rose to the occasion when the Gunners desperately needed him.
But with Robin van Persie in scintillating form and with Wenger persisting with the single striker formation, chances have been at a minimum for the Dane. This combined with the possibility of Arsenal signing another stiker, his future at Arsenal looks bleak.
Arsene Wenger might want to keep him at Arsenal, but the best move for both parties is for Bendtner to leave the club. His agent and dad have expressed his intentions of leaving the club but Arsenal have set their fee at €10m (£8.7m). It is reported that clubs from Germany, Italy and even certain clubs from England are interested in snapping up the Arsenal striker.
What it means for the Gunners
Bendtner is a striker who can make it big in his career but it is hard that will happen at Arsenal. Even if Wenger does change his formation into a two striker formation, he will undoubtedly prefer to use a new striker or Marouane Chamakh. It will be tough for Wenger to persuade Bendtner to stay considering he is of the age when he will want to play regular football.
But knowing Arsenal’s injury crisis, having two strikers on the roster is in no way enough and if Bendtner leaves, then the Gunners will definitely have to sign a new striker to add some depth and quality in the squad.
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Is German Starlet the Replacement for Samir Nasri?
With Samir Nasri’s Arsenal future still hanging in doubt, it is rumored that Arsene Wenger has already started to look for a suitable replacement for the contract rebel and Borussia Dortmund’s talented youngster, Mario Gotze has been identified as a potential replacement for the Frenchman.
Borussia Dortmund have cruised to the German Bundesliga this season and the entire team including Gotze has been in hot form. He has made a total of 41 appearances for the German champions this season which has yielded him eight goals and 15 assists.
What it means for the Gunners
This transfer will only happen if Nasri decides to leave the club and that is not a good thing. It has been this season that Nasri has fulfilled his potential and losing him would be a cruel move to Wenger and his ambitions especially since Fabregas’ move to Barcelona is looking more and more certain with every passing game.
Also Gotze is just 18 and while his form has been scintillating, he will undoubtedly take time to adjust to the league. Even Nasri too just started to play consistently this season and much of the same can be expected from Gotze who is inexperienced.
But there is no doubting the potential he has and he could bloom into a very fine player. But the question faced by Wenger is a difficult one: Should he sell one of his best players for an extremely talented but young and inexperienced player?
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Talented Blackburn Youngster Heading to Emirates?
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Blackburn’s defensive duo of Phil Jones and Samba. While both will not be signed by Arsenal, both have been linked with Arsenal for quite sometime now.
The 19 year old sensation has made a total of 27 appearances for the Gunners this season. His performances have caught the eye of a number of clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool. He is one of the brightest teenage prospects in England and has impressed several people with his strength and his no-nonsense style of defending. He has formed a good partnership with Samba at the heart of the Blackburn defense and has the versetality to play in midfield as well.
What it means for the Gunners
If Arsenal were to sign a player from Blackburn, I would rather hope it was Samba than Jones. While Jones is heavily talented and has a bright future, Arsenal need a more experienced player in their side and that is what Samba provides.
Jones is just 19, while Samba would be a great addition to the Arsenal side that requires some strength and physicality.
But even if Jones were to be signed, it wouldn’t be too bad for the Gunners because he has the skill and talent to become a top notch defender. He is also capable of playing at defensive midfield meaning that if Denilson were to go, Arsenal would have a defensive midfield back up in the England starlet.
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Could the Diminutive Russian Be Heading Back Home?
Arsenal’s most expensive signing of all time, Andrei Arshavin is reportedly planning on a move away from the Emirates with his previous club, Zenit St Petersburg. Arshavin’s statistics might be great but his indifferent form has not gone down to easily with certain fans who have taken a particular dislike to his indifferent and lazy attitude, especially earlier in the season.
His form has been highly inconsistent this season and with Wenger planning on bringing in other players, he may find it difficult to get regular playing time. Even this season, he has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal with both Samir Nasri and Walcott starting ahead of him, when they have been fit. A majority of his games have come either as a substitute or when injuries have befallen the team.
He has not exactly had the impact many expected him to have and it is reported that his former club are planning on signing the diminutive Russian.
What it means for the Gunners
Arshavin simply hasn’t done enough to nail down a starting spot in the team next season and will have to contend with being a bit part player at Arsenal. That being said, he could prove to be a great impact substitute at Arsenal like he demonstrated against Barcelona and Everton.
He has that uncanny ability to contribute even when he is far from best and the Gunner will benefit tremendously from having a player like that in their squad.
But the Russian will not be contend with a substitute role and will look to move away from the club if he gets the feeling that playing time could be low. If Arsenal are selling him, they will look to recoup some amount of the money they paid for him, but they cannot expect too much for him, considering his recent form.
Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Could Arsene Wenger Sign This Lille Forward?
Arsene Wenger is reported to be a long time admirer of Lille and might be looking to battle it out with Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City for the signing of Ivory Coast international, Gervinho whose contract expires next summer.
Last season the Gunners signed Maroaune Chamakh on a free transfer from the French Ligue 1 and they may be looking to sign another talented forward from the French league once again. He has had a successful season scoring 15 goals for the league winners.
Since his contract looks set to run out next season, Arsenal could end up signing for a fairly cheap rate.
What it means for the Gunners
He is a very talented dribbler of the ball, something few players in the current Arsenal team are really good at. He is quick with the ball at his feet and can run past defenders with ease.
Added to that he is a good finisher of the ball and has an eye for goal. His quick feet and great positional sense helps him to create space in a tight situation and take shots on goal.
He can play in the wings as well and is adept both as the frontman and on the wings. He enjoys cutting him from the wings to get into good goalscoring positions. This means that Wenger can make use of him, if he goes with two strikers or even with one, with Gervinho playing in the wings.
His versetality would be a great asset to the Gunners whose perpetual injury worries, means that versatile players can be a great addition to the club.
Owen Hargreaves: Will Arsene Wenger Make a Shock Move for Owen Hargreaves?
Once upon a time, Hargreaves was considered to be one of England’s best midfielder but right now it will be a surprise if he can stay fit to last a single game. Many expected him to achieve great things at United but his constant injury problems meant that his vast potential went unfulfilled.
After another frustrating season in which he managed just five minutes against Wolves before picking up an injury, United decided not to renew his contract and right now he is without a club.
Recently, rumours emerged that Wenger could be plotting a shocking summer raid for the ex-Bayern Munich man.
What it means for the Gunners
If this rumor does happen to be true, then I don’t understand the thinking behind it. Hargreaves is clearly not the player he once was and while he had quality, it is not as if Arsenal don’t have injury concerns of their own.
Signing him would not make sense.
The only rationale I see behind it is maybe because he is on a free transfer. But I don’t see what kind of impact he can make at the club and will no doubt spend more time on the sidelines that on the pitch.
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