Arsenal FC: Deciding Which Players Arsene Wenger Should and Should Not Sign

The summer of 2011 has been a time full of ideas and rumors, but Arsene Wenger hasn't really gotten much done.

Apart from signing Ivorian striker Gervinho from OSC Lille and Charlton defender Carl Jenkinson, Arsenal's summer hasn't been as active as Manchester United's.

In order for Arsenal to do well next year, it is crystal clear that they have to sign a defender. There are also many attackers linked to the Gunners, and it's not like they would be useless at the club, as Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott tend to get injured a lot.

I am going to match up two players and decide which one should be signed and which one shouldn't.

Per Mertesacker vs Gary Cahill

Per Mertesacker would be a great player for Arsenal. The German center-back is tall at 6'4", very tough, and extremely strong; three qualities the Gunners have been lacking in their defense.

Mertesacker started for the German team during the World Cup and currently plays for Werder Bremen. He is very precious to Bremen, so manager Thomas Schaaf doesn't want Per to leave easily.

Gary Cahill would be a good pick for Arsenal too. He is also pretty tall (6'2") and has the physique that many Arsenal players don't.

The Englishman, who currently plays at Bolton, has previously played for Aston Villa, Burnley and Sheffield. Named Bolton's player of the year in 2008-2009, Cahill would undoubtedly improve the back four.

Conclusion: Though Mertesacker may be worth more money than Cahill, he would be a better player for Arsenal. There is barely any age difference either, as Cahill is 25 and Mertesacker is 26.

Verdict: Per Mertesacker

Karim Benzema vs Romelu Lukaku

Karim Benzema, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has not seen much playing time of late. He started only 20 games out of 38 in the 2010/2011 season.

However, he was good in those 20 matches, scoring 15 goals, second for Real Madrid after only Cristiano Ronaldo's 40.

The 23-year-old Frenchman surprisingly was not picked for France's 2010 World Cup. It was rumored that he was absent in South Africa due to his bad relations with French coach Raymond Domenech.

Romelu Lukaku is the kind of player whom Arsene Wenger would like to sign. He's only 18, has tons of potential and is an aerial threat, due to his height of 6'3".

Belgian-born Lukaku has been a major target for Premier League giants Chelsea, but Anderlecht, his current club, have been saying that they won't take a small amount of money.

Conclusion: Karim Benzema isn't a team player, always getting into fights with players and coaches. He might hurt the dynamic at Arsenal, while Lukaku is Arsene Wenger's perfect target, given his age and potential.

Verdict: Romelu Lukaku

Jose Enrique vs Leighton Baines

Jose Enrique, who currently plays for Newcastle, is a consistent starter. The Spaniard is extremely good down the left flank, and this really used to help The Toon when Andy Carroll was still with them.

He has been targeted by several clubs and probably will leave this summer, as he is very unhappy with the way things are going for him at Newcastle.

Everton's Leighton Baines wasn't picked for England's trip to South Africa in 2010, but he didn't let that get in the way of his outstanding performance for his club.

The 26-year-old is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. His defensive skills are excellent, and he can move up and down the left side in order to cross the ball. He is also an outstanding free-kick taker.

Conclusion: Both of these players are very good replacements for Gael Clichy, who just moved to Manchester City. Though Baines will probably be more expensive, he is much better than Enrique.

Baines will help to get the ball onto the heads of people like Marouane Chamakh, who isn't currently at his best form.

Verdict: Leighton Baines

Phil Jagielka vs Christopher Samba

Arsene Wenger has already launched a bid for Everton's Phil Jagielka. However, it wasn't surprising that Arsenal's £10 million bid was unsuccessful, given that last summer, Everton turned down a £12 million offer.

It's no secret that Wenger is in pursuit of the 28-year-old English, given his height of 6-feet and his toughness. He would undoubtedly improve the Gunners if he were to move to North London.

Christopher Samba is a beast. Standing tall at 6'4", the Congolese international can win headers consistently, something that not many people at Arsenal can do.

The center-back, who currently plays for Blackburn Rovers, has been heavily linked to the Gunners, and there has been talk of an £8 million deal.

Conclusion: Jagielka would be much more expensive than Samba, given that Everton probably won't sell him for less than £12 million. There are at about the same level, and only one year seperates their ages.

Verdict: Christopher Samba

Juan Mata vs Franck Ribery

Though Juan Mata currently wears Valencia's No. 10 shirt, he has been attracting a lot of attention from big clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

The youngster (age 23) has been playing quite a bit for the Spanish national team and has scored four goals in 11 matches for the senior squad. A speedy winger, Mata is not a one-trick pony, as he is a good passer and shooter as well.

Franck Ribery is a name that will surely attract players and staff members to a club. The Frenchman is a lightning quick player who can do everything you can hope for offensively.

His shot is hard and accurate, his touch is deft, and though he doesn't pass as much as many players, when he does, they are spot on.

However, the problem with Ribery is that he is past his prime (but he is still better than most players).

Conclusion: Mata is 23 and learning, while Ribery is already 28 and has lost some speed. Ribery's attitude isn't the best, but Mata is sure to be compatible with the Arsenal squad.

Verdict: Juan Mata

Conclusion

The players that I picked don't all need to be signed; that would be a complete waste.

But I do think that Arsene Wenger should sign two or three of Baines, Mertesacker, Lukaku, Samba and Mata.

Please leave your feedback and tell me what you think!