Arsenal Summer Transfer Rumours: 8 Players They Are Gunning for in the Summer

Arsenal have had a frustrating time in the last six years when they have not won any trophies and this year has been particularly difficult due to the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, two of the most important attacking players for the Gunners. As a result, they had a terrible start to their season dropping several points, but they have managed to string some good results together, and the immense form of Robin van Persie has helped them remain in the competition to win the fourth place in the Premiership.

Van Persie has had a sensational year where he has consistently scored the goals for Arsenal and has played a key role in their revival this season.

It has been a difficult season for the manager and the players but they do have the quality to finish in the Champions League places. With 14 more league games to go, they have every chance of still finishing in the top four which in itself could be considered an achievement having had such a tough start to their campaign.

However, the fans are frustrated by the lack of trophies and do want the manager to spend the money to secure quality players. There are some players who could be targeted by Wenger in the summer and here are some of them who could improve the quality of the current team.

Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon)

Yoann Gourcuff is one of the most talented French midfielders and could be targeted by the Gunners in the summer. The France international has struggled for form since joining Lyon from Bordeaux on a big money transfer, and looks likely to be on his way out of the club in the summer. He is still quite young and has the time to prove his quality at a different club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been integral to bringing out the best from some of the players lacking form and he could be ideal for a player like Gourcuff, who is presently going through a bad patch of form.

Arsenal do have talented young midfielders Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey who could be the mainstay in midfield for a long time when they are injury-free. Mikel Arteta has also settled really well at Arsenal, and has established himself as a regular in the team.

The addition of a player like Gourcuff could provide more quality depth to the team and also, the French midfielder will increase the competition for places in the Gunners' midfield. It could be an astute move by Arsene Wenger, and it is possible that Gourcuff is also interested in a move to the Emirates.

Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)

Jan Vertonghen is one of the most talented defenders in the world and the Belgian defender has been very solid for his club Ajax in recent seasons. He is technically very good and can easily bring out the ball from the back. He has also scored some superb goals from long range and has the aerial ability and the physicality to be a success in the Premiership. His style of play is quite similar to his compatriot Thomas Vermaelen, who has established himself as an excellent defender at Arsenal.

Arsenal do have some quality centre backs like Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, but could look to offload Sebastien Squillaci in the summer. Also, with Vertonghen capable of playing at left back or as a defensive midfielder, in addition to his main role of centre back, he could be targeted because he would provide great depth to the team. He could be a very intelligent addition to the team and could be important to strengthening the depth and quality of the Arsenal defence.

Lukas Podolski (FC Cologne)

Arsenal were linked in January with a move for Lukas Podolski but were unable to sign him before the end of the window. However, they could be interested again in the summer and could have a decent chance of landing him, especially if they do qualify for the Champions League next season.

The Gunners' captain Robin van Persie has been in sensational form for the team and has scored plenty of goals this season which is why they have a good chance of finishing in fourth at the end of the season.

FC Cologne will be reluctant to lose a player of the quality of Podolski especially after his performances for the club this season. He has been prolific for the team playing as a centre forward but is also comfortable playing on the wings, which means that he could fit in well with Arsenal's current formation.

 The striker could be an excellent signing for the Gunners because he would provide more quality to the current attack and will also score goals to ease the burden off Van Persie.

Leandro Damiao (Internacional)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in developing young players and helping them realize their potential to become world class players. Leandro Damiao is one of the most talented players not currently playing in Europe, but he has the quality to play at the highest level and is likely to be targeted by some of the biggest clubs in the world.

Damiao will not be available at a bargain price, but it is possible that Wenger could splash the cash to sign him because he is still young and could be a superb player for the future.

Wenger signed Park Ju-Young in the summer, and he has played in very less games so far in his Arsenal career. Marouane Chamakh has endured a drastic loss of form and has looked very short of confidence. It has led to a situation where Van Persie has to deliver the goals regularly and does not have good back-up. Damiao could be an intelligent signing for the Gunners because he has the attributes to be successful in the Premiership as well.

Matias Suarez (Anderlecht)

Matias Suarez was linked with a move to the Emirates in the January transfer window but did stay at Anderlecht, at least until the end of the season. He is immensely talented and could be an intelligent addition to the team. He can still improve on his game and under Arsene Wenger, he has a superb opportunity to develop as a player. He is more of an all-round striker and can play in a fluid formation such as that employed by the Gunners.

The Gunners will target many quality players in the summer and Suarez could also be one of the strikers who is targeted by Arsenal. Suarez is quite versatile and can provide more options to the team as well. He might take time to adjust to the physicality of the league but has the quality to play at the highest level, which could make him a good addition to this Arsenal side.

Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic in the past, and it could be an excellent move for the Gunners if they can sign the strong defender.

He is very dominant in the air and can also anticipate danger quickly, which helps him make many crucial interceptions. Though he will not come at a bargain, it could be a huge coup for the Gunners because he could be an excellent addition to the Gunners. He has the physicality to be a huge presence for the Gunners at the back and could form a dominant partnership with the left footed Thomas Vermaelen at the back.

However, the question for Wenger is whether he does want to spend a large chunk of the transfer budget on Subotic when they do have Vermaelen and Koscielny in their team and also, Per Mertesacker has looked more assured having played more games for the Gunners in the Premiership. Even then, the addition of Subotic does make sense because of his quality and also, Wenger would be able to comfortably rotate between the centre backs.

Eden Hazard (Lille)

Eden Hazard is one of the best young players in the world, and the Lille midfielder has the quality to play at the highest level. He has been linked with many clubs including Arsenal and it would be a huge coup for the Gunners if they can manage to sign him. He is an exciting young player who will further improve under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, and he will provide a great boost to the team. He is very creative and will be a goalscoring threat from midfield in addition to providing great creativity from midfield.

The Belgian international played a key role in helping Lille win the French league title in the last season and has also been excellent this season. It is no surprise that there are many top quality teams interested in the talented midfielder, but Arsenal do have a chance of signing him especially if they finish in the top four at the end of the season.

Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)

Arsenal were linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's Mario Goetze in the last year and it would be a superb move for the Gunners if they are able to sign the youngster.

Goetze has been excellent for Borussia Dortmund since breaking into the first team in the last season under manager Jurgen Klopp. The midfielder has also been called up to represent Germany, and is one of the immensely talented youngsters in the world.

Goetze will not come at a cheap price but it could be a great move for the Gunners even if they are to pay quite a high transfer fee for the midfielder. The Germany youngster has the talent to become a world class player and could develop further at the right club.

Dortmund have provided him with an excellent platform and he will develop further working under a manager like Arsene Wenger, who has worked with many world class players during his time at Arsenal. It will be difficult for the Gunners to sign Goetze but it would be a huge coup for Arsenal if they can manage to sign the youngster.