Arsenal Transfer Rumors: 6 Most Exciting Players Linked to the Gunners

With Euro 2012 almost over, silly season is about to commence once again.

Luckily, Arsenal have done much of their transfer business already, completing deals for two high-profile players in Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud before the end of June.

That is a welcome progression from the hectic ends of summers past, but there is certainly more to come from a club like Arsenal that is always balancing in the middle of a revolving door of players in and out.

Among the many players linked with a move to the club, here are those who excite me most.

Junior Hoilett

After Blackburn's thoroughly awful season that saw them get relegated to the Championship, Hoilett triggered a release clause in his contract and now has his pick of teams.

Arsenal do have many wingers and midfielders already in the setup, but Hoilett would be a very good addition to the team's solid core.

With great pace, impressive technique and useful versatility, he was Rovers' best player last season, and could be a very valuable member of the squad when key players get injured and reinforcements are needed.

Alan Dzagoev

In Russia's abbreviated appearance at Euro 2012, Dzagoev showed that he has both the talent and ability to be his country's best player, and he consistently played better than star man Andrei Arshavin.

After such an impressive performance, it is no wonder that his stock has risen exponentially, and he would be a fine addition to Arsenal.

Dzagoev can operate as a strict winger or in a roving role, and his work rate and technique would make him the sort of valuable player that Yossi Benayoun was last year.

Clint Dempsey

Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of movement on this story in recent weeks compared to the fervor that used to exist. Because both as an awed American and an Arsenal pragmatist, this transfer makes sense.

Dempsey has made clear his wish to play Champions League football while he still can, and Arsenal can give him that. The Gunners need the sort of tenacious, versatile creative player that he is, and with the perennial injury bug at the Emirates Stadium, his talents will be utilized.

Basically, both sides would benefit immensely from a logical switch. Hopefully, those in charge see this and can get a deal done.

Jan Vertonghen

I am a bit hesitant about embracing a player who wants to go to Tottenham so badly, but I would rather see what's best for Arsenal. And, no doubt about it, Vertonghen is just that.

Every season, the back line is beset by injuries and inconsistency. There will be the occasional purple patch, but then almost everyone will go down at once.

Vertonghen would significantly alleviate that problem. He can slot in at either his native center-back, left-back or even defensive midfielder to cover for a downed teammate, giving Arsenal the sort of defensive flexibility and breathing room that it has not had in a long time.

Olivier Giroud

This deal isn't just a rumor—it's officially a done deal. But I'm so stoked about this transfer and it is so important that I shall cheat a bit and include it here anyway.

Other than during Marouane Chamakh's brief period of effectiveness at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, Arsenal have lacked a formidable physical presence at striker, and one could argue that Robin van Persie suffered as a result.

Now the Gunners absolutely have one in the 6'3" Giroud, who is a lethal goal-poacher as well, and has put in the requisite time developing his game in lower divisions before making this big step up in his career.

Add that to the fact that Giroud could not come up with enough superlatives to describe his new club during interviews with Arsenal.com, and we have a fantastic purchase.

Yann M'Vila

It's impossible to mention Arsenal transfer rumors without bringing up Yann M'Vila, and based on his play for club and country, the Frenchman deserves all the plaudits he gets.

Watch his performance against a rampant Spain side closely, and you will see that he worked his way out of very tight situations when on the ball and always played an intelligent, crisp pass when given the time. And he was very effective in doing the gritty work necessary to win the ball back.

Many players have been labeled as the next Patrick Vieira, but M'Vila really looks like the real deal. With a touch of the metronomic Claude Makelele in him, he has the power to solidify and transform Arsenal's midfield simultaneously upon his arrival.

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