Arsenal Transfer Speculation: 3 Rumored Targets the Gunners Don't Need

A disappointing start to the Premier League season has fueled the fire of recent Arsenal transfer speculation. Suddenly, every news source fully expects Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger to empty his wallet this January transfer window.

Unfortunately, many of the names being thrown out are names of players Arsenal simply don’t need.

The Gunners are 4-4-3 with 16 points thus far in the league. They are currently eighth in the table, trailing league-leading Manchester United by 11 points. Furthermore, in six games since Oct. 6, Arsenal are 1-2-3.

It’s a far cry from the club that finished last season at third in the table.

While it’s true that the Gunners lost some key players during the offseason, such as Robin Van Persie and Alex Song, the club’s downfall can be mostly credited to sluggish performances from Arsenal themselves. Primarily on defense—they’ve conceded 12 goals in the last five games.

Whatever the case may be, the Gunners’ shortcomings have led to much speculation and rumors regarding who’s coming into the club and who’s heading out.

Here are three rumored transfer targets Arsenal will be better off without.

1. Edin Dzeko

One of the hottest names flying around the rumor mill is Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko.

The 26-year-old striker has already netted six goals in nine league appearances for the Sky Blues, while tallying a total of 13 goals for both club and country in 21 appearances.

His goal-scoring production would be much appreciated at the Emirates, where the top goal scorer on the team only has a mere three goals. With Theo Walcott slated for a January departure, a move for the Bosnian makes all the sense in the world.

The problem? A more than likely hefty price tag.

Although he has spent the majority of his time at Manchester City coming off of the bench, Dzeko is far too invaluable for his club. They wouldn’t wish to part ways with the striker unless the price was right. A bid that would only rise given that Arsenal is one of the club’s league rivals.

While the Gunners do have a glaring need to address their striker depth, the club also has other positional needs. Needs that will stand a lesser chance of being sufficiently addressed if the club were to spend massively on Dzeko.

There are far less expensive options out there that Arsenal should pursue instead.

2. Yoann Gourcuff

If there’s a transfer window quickly approaching, you can guarantee that there will be rumors flying around linking midfielder Yoann Gourcuff with a move to North London.

However, logical thinking might suggest that the time for such a move has come and gone.

The 26-year-old isn’t the young and promising prospect he once was back when his sensational form in France rewarded him with a move to Serie A with Milan. Instead, Gourcuff has been battling nagging injuries that have labeled him injury-prone and fragile.

In fact, Wenger himself stated that the midfielder’s “medical condition” scared him off a possible summer transfer move.

So what has changed since August?

It’s only been three months since that realization came across his mind. Wenger can’t possibly be elated by the Frenchmen’s lone goal in six league matches for Lyon.

Throw in the fact that the Gunners are pretty healthy and deep at the midfield position and this move makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Wenger would be better off spending his money elsewhere.

3. Granit Xhaka

Back in May, Arsenal—along with Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona—had their eyes set on targeting youngster Granit Xhaka. However, in a surprise move, he left all four out in the cold by making a move to Monchengladbach instead.

Recent rumors have Wenger set to rekindle his interest in the 20-year-old midfielder come January.

While Xhaka is certainly talented, he’s not quite ready to be thrown into the physicality the Premier League has to offer. Not to mention, a bid would most likely be well past the 4 million pounds that Monchengladbach shelled out for him earlier in the year.

Again, with Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere both playing in sensational form, Arsenal have no real need for another midfielder. Their eyes should be fixated elsewhere.

Even if a move were to be made for the Switzerland international, it’s likely he won’t receive much time on the pitch.

Why dish out a good sum of money for a player with a “good upside” in favor of one who can deliver the goods in the present?

The Gunners need wins now, and Xhaka isn’t going to be the one to provide those for them. 

You can follow Sebastian on Twitter at @SP7988