Arsenal Transfers : Podolski Inside, Yann M'Vila Waiting At The Gate

In the summer of 1995-96, Arsenal signed Dennis Bergkamp from FC Internazionale for a club record fee of 7.5 Million – a massive amount during those days, followed by an attacking midfield signing – the exciting David Platt (4.75 Mil) from Sampdoria. These were signings of ‘intent‘ from the manager Bruce Rioch – Platt was a seasoned England International already, capable of scoring from the middle of the park and anchoring the midfield whenever required. Dennis Bergkamp, who had already played a decade ofAi??mesmerizingAi??football at Ajax, was plying his trade in Italy when he was picked up for the Arsenal squad, he was capable of providing a lot of goals along with a ‘brain’ that could enhance the Arsenal system.

dennis-bergkamp_copyright_arsenalarsenal_dot_files_dot_wordpress_dot_com — When GOD arrived!

17 years later, the Arsenal team needs exactly the same kind of signings. They have had a decent season yet they failed short of silverware – the real criteria for accounting to success. The manager needs to bring in ‘horses for courses’ rather than giving in to the pressure of the board or fans, for that matter, and he needs to do it much before the season kicks off and not create another last day madness scenario. To make matters worse, there is a little matter of a European tournament to keep players busy before they can head back to their real employers for some real business. The club managers need to keep praying to The Lord of Broken Bones and ask for mercy as they plan to start a new season with rejuvenated players and renewed expectations.

Arsenal Transfers – Position Vacancies

Andrei Arshavin – [ Out on Loan to Zenit St Petersburg]

The Russian had a torrid season with the Gunners before he was shipped off temporarily to his home. He managed to put in some decent performancesAi??forAi??Ai??his former employers helping them in winning the league. Though the player has exceptional talent, it has almost reached a threshold level for Arsene as to how much he can expect from theAi??diminutive Russian. Arshavin had been lazy, arrogant and in real poor form for the Gunners, even a run-in when Gervinho wasn’t around didn’t really help his cause as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took up the challenge and performed admirably. Arshavin is expected to be sold out to Zenit St Petersburg at a decent amount at around 5 to 10 Million Pounds.

Nicklas Bendtner – [Out on Loan to Sunderland]

Many Ai??fans still believe that Bendtner has a future at Arsenal, still, but the tall Dane striker doesn’t really think likewise. The striker had been played out of position at Arsenal at countlessAi??occasionsAi??but still the manager believed he wasn’t good enough for the club as he was loaned out to Sunderland. After a very decent loan spell, the striker is now open to offers from clubs other than Arsenal. The Dane is expected to be sold to a club outside England at a fee of around 10 Million Pounds if his high wages is something that doesn’t become a blocker for the imminent transfer.

Bendtner_copyright_onlinegooner_dot_com — "Best Striker In The World" not for Arsenal.

Carlos VelaAi??- [Out on Loan to Real Sociedad]

Carlos Vela almost played his entire career away from Arsenal than at the club since his acquisition seven years back. He had a fantastic season on loan at Sociedad but due to lack of funds for transfer, the Spanish club is unable to put in a bid for Vela. Another Spanish outfit Espanyol looks interested in the Mexican, but Vela still needs to have talk with Arsene and find out what the Professor has in mind for the flamboyant striker. As far as Vela goes, he doesn’t want to stay in England, he already has his sights at Spain, a known case of Jose Antonio Reyes-ness!

Ju Young Park and Marouane Chamakh – [ Out on Loan to Arsenal Bench ]

While the Moroccan got a sniff of first team football, the Korean was simply kept as an Asian marketing model for the entirety of last season. With high-profile striker signing already made and van Persie to be surely kept at the club, there is a big question mark over the careers of these two footballers. Chamakh had an impressive start to his English career but failed to get his position back into the squad once van Persie became the player that he is today. Ju Young Park never really started his English career, a mystery which can only be solved by Arsene Wenger. One will have to wait till the end of the transfer deadline day to find out about what will eventually pan out for these two for next season.

Denilson – [ Out on Loan to Sao Paolo]

The Brazilian has gone from ‘fantastic’ to ‘very mediocre’ to ‘crap’ in the eyes of Arsenal fans over the last few seasons. He was out on loan to Sao Paolo and is expected to stay there either on loan or as a transferred player if they are willing to pay any amount of money to Arsenal for the clearly out-of-favor Denilson. The Brazilian needs to find his mojo back and real quick if he wants to play for Arsenal or any other club across the globe.

Yossi Benayoun – [ On Loan at Arsenal expired ]

The Israeli captain had a fantastic season for the Gunners. Though he wasn’t involved much in the first half, he came in very handy during important games in the second half of the season. It remains to be seen if Arsene keeps the midfielder for another season on loan or let him go to Chelsea, where he is clearly a surplus. Only a few days in the transfer market will tell us what is in store for Yossi.

Benayoun_copyright_london24_dot_com — Chelsea - Yossi, he can be this good!

Sebastian Squillaci

Those who want Squillaci out of the club are clearly heartless people – they don’t care for the needy and helpless! Squillaci is an average French defender with average defending skills, he is going to be fifth-choice at the club unless the other four defenders lose their eyesight in a freak incident. The Frenchman might be sold but the big ‘Silvesterish Question‘ is – Who will buy him?

Vito Mannone, Lukasz Fabianski, Manuel Almunia

While the Spaniard has already been released from the club, there is a big question mark over the future of Fabianski and Mannone. These are two keepers who clearly don’t want to play second fiddle at the club and are also confident that they won’t be better than Szczesny – a very strange predicament for Arsene to handle. He needs to keep one of the two at the club and also search for another goal-keeper as third choice for next season.

szczesny_fabianski_copyright_dot_gadu_gadu_dot_pl — Forever in my shadows!

Transfer Targets And Rumors

Lukas Podolski

Even a kid who can’t read or write knew that Lukas Podolski will don the famous Red & White in the coming season. Ai??It was a transfer that was almost complete even before the ‘official paper-work’ got done. The German International is capable of playing as a support striker, as a front-man as well as a Winger in the 4-3-3 system that Arsene employs. This was a massive signing for Arsenal – a clear statement of intent from the manager towards achieving success next season.

Yann M’Vila

The rumor-mills have gone bonkers with this particular transfer saga – M’Vila has almost completed 20 Medicals by now at Arsenal if journos are to believed. The 21 year old, already branded as ‘The Next Patrick Vieira‘, comes at a handy price of around 20-22 Million (Not too handy for Arsene!) and is expected to share the load of Alex Song in the center of the midfield. It remains to be seen if Arsene actually considers this as a viable option with Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta as other options to play along-side or even as cover for the Cameroonian.

Olivier Giroud

The usual fan remark will be ‘Not another Chamakh!’ The truth is, Giroud is a better player than the Moroccan. Ai??The 25 year old striker stands at 6′ 4″ and is capable of much more than just standing his ground. He has a very good goals-to-games ratio for his previous clubs and finished last season as the top goal-scorer in the French Ligue. The Montpellier man can be lured away from the French side by offering Chamakh and 6-7 Million Pounds – a decent bargain for Arsenal, not so much for the other party involved.

Nick Powell

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are on the road for the 18 year old midfielder who plied his trade at Crewe last season. Nick is a fantastic prospect for the future, not one that can be used in the next season. Considering Arsene’s previous record, it won’t be surprising if he can buy the services of the young Englishman.

Younes Belhanda

It can be a bit suicidal for Montpellier to let go off two influential players in one season, but at the right price, they can do the needful as far as Arsenal are concerned. Belhanda can play as an attacking midfielder as well as a winger. Rated at around 10 Million Pounds, Arsene will surely consider this as a surplus to his requirements. This will just keep the rumors mill running throughout the summer rather than bothering Arsene Wenger.

Belhanda_copyright_oddschanger_dot_com — No! I didn't copy Chamakh's hair-style!

Yoann Gourcuff

It can be a ‘dream signing’ for Arsenal – the Zinedine Zidane of this generation can play as a playmaker as well as a withdrawn forward. Unfortunately, Arsene sees a lot of potential in Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, so they are more of a natural successor to Cesc Fabregas than Gourcuff. As of now, that important position is being occupied by Tomas Rosicky, so it is more of a fantasy signing than a real one.

Clint Dempsey

The American has had five successful seasons at Fulham, and is now aiming to fulfill his Champions League dreams – Arsenal can easily be that club for him. The player scored 17 times last season for the Cottagers and with age not being on his side, the seasoned Internationalclearly thinks that this will be the last ‘big move’ for him. This can be a typical Arsene signing and a great one at that – Dempsey’s services can be acquired at around 10-13 Million Pounds.

The van Persie Situation – Like A New Signing

Arsene’s biggest worry this season is again ‘in-house’ rather than worrying about how to improve his squad from outside. Robin van Persie, the club’s influential captain is at the door of quandary. The Dutchman needs to decide his future with the club before the next campaign kicks off – one year left in his contract! Arsene should ideally make some great signings to make sure that his ambitions are at the same level as that of van Persie, a sure-shot way to convince the silky Dutchman, clearly ‘money’ never being a commodity for concern in his case.

The captain loves the club, culture and the city of London, he is a fantastic player and a great leader, he has given Arsenal a chance to fight for the top prize once again. Now, it is upto Arsene and the rest of the club to stand up and deliver, not for the captain, but for the club – which will eventually decide the fate of van Persie and Arsenal Football Club.

Ai??****

Tags: Arsenal FC