Arsenal's Potential Summer Dealings: Wenger To Splash the Cash?

Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris (Lyon)—The French international has been in fine form this season, leading Lyon to the Champions League semi-final. Blessed with incredible reflexes and awareness, Lloris has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs, including Arsenal, and would be a major improvement on both Almunia and Fabianski.

Cost: ₤18m-₤25m

Likelihood of arrival: Could come, as Wenger has admitted his interest.

Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow) – The Russian broke the CSKA first team aged just 18, and has since gone on to become one of Europe’s most brilliant (and underrated) ‘keepers. Linked recently with Arsenal, Akinfeev could link up with compatriot Andrei Arshavin.

Cost: ₤15m-₤20m

Likelihood of arrival: Possible.   

Centre-Back

With William Gallas, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre all out of contract this Summer, and with Johan Djourou easing his way back into competition after a long injury lay-off, Arsenal’s back four is in serious need of a makeover. Wenger has admitted that Arsenal’s main problem was in defence, so here are a few options to revamp the back four.

Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)—Juventus’ best player this season, the towering Italian was the only real standout in a bleak season for the Turin side. Having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Chiellini might be looking elsewhere after the World Cup, and his height, power, and goal threat from set pieces would all be welcome additions to the side. Could be available at a cut-price fee.

Cost: ₤15m-₤20m

Likelihood of arrival: Could be tempted by the lure of Champions League football. Quite possible.

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)—The Belgian has made 29 Premier League appearances this season, filling in capably at centre-back and in midfield. Linked with Arsenal before joining City, Kompany has the quality, versatility and Premier League experience to succeed at Arsenal. Importantly, he would add depth in two of Arsenal’s weakest positions: centre-back and defensive midfield.

Cost: ₤8m-₤12m

Likelihood of arrival: Not linked with Arsenal, but could also be tempted by Champions League football.

Midfield

With the emergence of Alex Song in front of the back four, Arsenal’s full-strength midfield can match it with almost any in the Europe, but it is a weakness in depth that has cost Arsenal this season. Providing Wenger retains the promise of Denilson and Abou Diaby, one holding midfielder should be enough to compliment a midfield already boasting the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, and Aaron Ramsey.

Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse)—Being compared to club legend Patrick Vieira inevitably leads to being linked with Arsenal, and at just 20, Moussa Sissoko would not look out of place filling the Frenchman’s shoes. Already a French international (having been capped twice), Sissoko has already racked up a hundred league appearances with his blend of hard tackling and precise passing.

Cost: Toulouse management has slapped a €30m price tag on the youngster, but in reality he would come somewhat cheaper than that.

Likelihood of arrival: Would fit the Wenger style, but maybe not the Wenger pocket.

Yaya Toure (Barcelona)—His agent has recently admitted a move to Arsenal is an option for Kolo Toure’s younger brother. Wenger passed up the opportunity to sign him before watching the Ivorian go on to become a Champions League, Copa Del Rey and La Liga winner. Having been ousted from Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, Toure seems eager to move. Best known as a tough-tackling midfielder in the Patrick Vieira mould, Toure has started (and won) a Champions League final at centre-back. His versatility could prove handy.

Cost: ₤8m

Likelihood of arrival: Toure’s arrival remains a distinct possibility.

Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)—Unassuming, precise and a leader, Toulalan is exactly the kind of player Arsenal has needed for years. And he’s French too. Toulalan could form an incredible shield alongside Alex Song behind Fabregas, and his simple distribution of the ball would compliment Song’s physicality perfectly.

Cost: Lyon are notoriously hard dealers in the transfer market, so Toulalan could be as expensive as ₤20m.

Likelihood of arrival: Unlikely.

Forwards

With Robin van Persie, Andrei Arshavin, and Nicklas Bendtner all suffering from long-term injuries, and with Theo Walcott and Eduardo suffering form issues, Arsenal’s frontline has been exposed at times. Pundits everywhere have stressed the need for the arrival of a target-man capable of playing as a lone striker and finding the back of the net. Adebayor anyone?

Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux)—Chamakh has the aerial presence and touch that has been missing in the frontline, but having scored only 10 league goals this year, there are doubts surrounding his ability to lead from the front.

Cost: Free

Likelihood of arrival: Almost certain.

Thierry Henry (Barcelona)—The return of the king? Having scored 226 goals for Arsenal and led the London club to an unbeaten season, Henry is an obvious choice to lead the frontline. Despite having just lukewarm success at Barca, he remains a threat in front of goal, especially in the central role he relished at Highbury but has been denied at Barca. Surely too good for his reported move to the MLS, Henry would be a great option to bolster a frontline already boasting van Persie, Arshavin and possibly Chamakh.

Cost: Free

Likelihood of Arrival: Possible, but unlikely.