Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Continue Pursuit of Ashley Williams

Garry Monk’s decision to hand Ashley Williams the Swansea City captaincy, reported on the club's official website, means Arsenal must act now to sign the Welsh defender.

Pete O’Rourke of Sky Sports reported last week that Arsenal were stepping up their bid for Williams, but Swansea boss Michael Laudrup will want his new captain to commit to the team following his promotion.

With Thomas Vermaelen set to miss the start of the Premier League season, O’Rourke raised the point that Arsenal face the prospect of starting the season with just two recognised centre-backs in Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

The prospect of those two lining up for Arsenal’s opening Premier League match with Aston Villa will concern some Gunners fans and make them even more desperate for summer investment.

Williams has had two great seasons with Swansea in the Premier League and would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad. He played a pivotal role in the club’s League Cup triumph and showed he can keep the league’s finest attacking talent quiet on numerous occasions, with Swansea’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City last season his standout performance.

He’s guaranteed a warm reception at the Emirates after lashing the ball at Robin van Persie’s head during Swansea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last season and his signing could be the catalyst for others to join.

A defensive partnership of Vermaelen and Williams has the potential to rival the Premier League’s best, but it now depends on how fast Arsene Wenger and Arsenal act to secure their target. If they wait too long, he might just decide he fancies leading Laudrup’s project.

Yet another frustrating transfer window for Arsenal fans goes on. Despite being heavily linked with high-profile signings like Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez, the only player of note to arrive through the Emirates door so far is Yaya Sanogo.

The French striker undoubtedly has potential but will take time to adapt to the Premier League, and chances are we’ll hear his name more than we’ll see him given how easily it lends itself to chants from the terraces.

Wenger must act in the transfer market soon or risk alienating the fans and starting the season with a depleted squad.