Arsenal Transfer Rumours: 10 Players Who Can Make Arsenal Great Again

After their 4-0 defeat to AC Milan, one thing became clear about Arsenal—they need experienced, marquee signings who have experience winning trophies.

Virtually no player in that Gunners team at the San Siro—barring Thierry Henry and Bacary Sagna—had experience winning a major title.

The Rossoneri in comparison had 15 players in their 18-man squad for the Champions League match with Arsenal who have experience winning a top honour.

And when the team packed full of experienced medal-owners crushes their opponents 4-0, it's clear that to gain success, you need a team with proven winners.

Here are ten realistic signings ,with experience winning trophies, who could make Arsenal great again.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry scored three goals—including two winners—in seven games for Arsenal upon his return to the club, but more importantly the Gunners legend boosted the whole team with his experience, proven skill and winning mentality.

He provided exactly what the North London side have lacked throughout this season, and given the success of his magical return to the Emirates, Arsene Wenger (or whoever else may be in charge next term) needs to get back him back again if possible.

Title-winning credentials:

• Ligue 1 (1), Premier League (2), La Liga (2)
• FA Cup (3), Copa Del Rey (1)
• UEFA Champions League (1)

Eden Hazard

A player who's long been linked with Arsenal, Eden Hazard is a man the Gunners should realistically aim to sign if they want to challenge the Premier League elite once again.

Everyone knows how talented the 21-year-old is—nine goals and seven assists so far this season—and Arsenal should really spend the £35 million it will probably take to sign him. After all, he's incredibly talented already, has phenomenal potential, a great resale value and has title-winning experience.

Also, they are allowed a £27 million loss next season under UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.

Title-winning credentials:

• Ligue 1 (1)
• Coupe de France (1)

Mario Goetze

For all the same reasons as Eden Hazard, Arsenal would benefit in exactly the same way if they chose to pursue a transfer—with a similar fee—for Borussia Dortmund and Germany star Mario Goetze.

The 19-year-old already has 12 caps for Germany, and in 68 first-team matches for Dortmund has scored 14 goals and made 20 assists. 

Title-winning credentials:

• Bundesliga (1)

Kaka

He may not be in the best of form this campaign, but Real Madrid and Brazil superstar Kaka is exactly the sort of player Arsenal need.

The 29-year-old is hugely experienced, has dealt with all kinds of pressures throughout his career, has won many trophies, is a great athlete, is naturally talented and can adapt to football anywhere.

The Gunners have been linked with signing Kaka, and if a transfer is in any way possible, they should definitely take up the option to sign the 82-capped Selecao superstar.

Title winning credentials:

• Serie A (1)
• Copa Del Rey (1)
• UEFA Champions League (1), FIFA Club World Cup (1)

Raul Albiol

Raul Albiol is another Real Madrid player linked with Arsenal, and he's definitely the right man—not only to add steel to the Gunners' defence, but to foster that title-winning mentality within the group.

At 26 years of age, the centre-back is entering the peak of his career, and with a lot of experience under his belt dealing with the best forwards in the game, the World Cup winner could be the right man to help stop Arsenal conceding so many goals—especially against the likes of AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.

Title-winning credentials:

• Copa Del Rey (2)
• UEFA European Championship (1)
• FIFA World Cup (1)

Karim Benzema

The third main Real Madrid player linked with Arsenal, Karim Benzema is a perfect attacking option for the Gunners, regardless of whether Robin van Persie leaves or not.

At 24 years of age, Benzema is hugely experienced, has proven goal-scoring experience in Spain, France and across Europe, while he also has potential to get better, having not hit the theoretical peak of his career yet. 

And, of course, he still has great resale value.

Arsenal needs more than just one good striker in their team if they want to challenge the elite again—with Benzema in their side, the Gunners would be much equipped in their title challenges.

Title-winning credentials:

• Ligue 1 (4)
• Copa Del Rey (1), Coupe De France (1)

Salomon Kalou

Salomon Kalou may not be the first player who comes to mind when making a list of players to make Arsenal a great team again, but the Chelsea forward is an experienced winner.

Linked with the Gunners, if the 26-year-old Ivory Coast native is signed along with a couple of bigger name players, he could play a big role in fostering the mentality required to win titles.

Title-winning credentials:

• Premier League (1)
• FA Cup (3)
• League Cup (1)

Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda is another Chelsea player useless to the Blues, linked with Arsenal, who could have a major impact at the Emirates.

The 31-year-old has a wealth of Premier League and UEFA Champions League experience, and is a proven talent who still has a lot to offer the game—he's got a goal and two assists, as well as 23 key passes, from six league starts this season.

Title-winning credentials:

• Ligue 1 (4), Premier League (1)
• FA Cup (2)

Wesley Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder looks like a player who will leave Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, and could well head to the Premier League.

Manchester United and Chelsea have long been the favourites for his signature, but Arsenal did reportedly make a shock bid for the playmaker in late August.

If they have finances to sign him this summer, they most certainly should do.

Almost needless to say, the 27-year-old will make any team he signs for a better side.

Title-winning credentials:

• Eredivisie (1), La Liga (1), Serie A (1)
• KNVB Cup (2), Coppa Italia (2)
• UEFA Champions League (1), FIFA Club World Cup (1)

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben looks like he could leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season, and there was talk in January that Arsenal could try to sign him.

Simply put, the 28-year-old is a player any team should try to sign.

He may not be an Arsene Wenger type of signing, but the Frenchman will probably leave at the end of the season anyway. 

But whether "Le Professor" is in charge or not this summer, an inquiry has to be made for this guy, a player with proven talent and experience who would most certainly give Arsenal the attacking incision they've lacked from the wings over the past few years—as well as of course providing that all-important title-winning mentality.

Title-winning credentials:

• Eredivisie (1), Premier League (2), La Liga (1), Bundesliga (1)
• FA Cup (1), DFB-Pokal (1)
• League Cup (2)