Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Wenger's Answer Lies In the Bundesliga

Whatever Arsene Wenger might be thinking for next season's Arsenal team in terms of planning and shaking it up for the new race, all speculation put aside, this article goes beyond the hype and tabloids and aims to identify a better Arsenal in 2010-11.

Marouane Chamakh is hopefully coming and we wish him a great journey ahead in Arsenal, running down the Emirates in the red-and-white and rejoicing with the mad crowd every time the ball touches the net past the goalie.

However, Wenger should consider looking to the Bundesliga for additional players to help the team's cause next year.

Why Bundesliga? The answer is two-fold. First, because Bundesliga contains a set of talented players at comparatively cheaper rates (barring a few like Ribery and Robben) than those in the EPL or the SPL, the manager can get a sigh of relief with the lower transfer fees.

Secondly, as we talk of the stature and physical dominance of the EPL and doubt whether players from other leagues can survive the toughness of EPL, Bundesliga offers an equally physical league. They are the Germans after all, so don't try to mess in strength.

Let us now take a look at the choices available to Wenger from the Bundesliga.

Manuel Neuer : While Manuel Almunia's fate hangs like a heavy water drop in the air about to fall down, Wenger must be running through choices for the better replacement. 

Neuer, at 24, has been the first choice this World Cup for the German squad and has impressed all with superb positioning and reflexes. 

The Schalke man will bag nearly £15 million in cash and will be a great asset for the team and to the EPL as he is considered to be one of the greatest young keepers in the world. 

This great fan of the German legend Jens Lehmann has aroused the interests of many big clubs and represents good potential for the youth-loving Wenger.

Per Mertesacker : Why hang around for Phil Jagielka? Why make a run at Gary Cahill? Why lose your mind trying to find a good defender when the most fit solution can be found in Bundesliga?

Per Mertesacker is a giant at 6' 6" and the EPL needs size in the back to cause trouble for the world-class strikers. Per is a perfect answer for that need.

William Gallas needs a replacement and Mertesacker is the key to Wenger, at a tag of about £20 million. Yes, the price may be a bit heavy but the results will be heavier.

The Werder Bremen man and Germany full back has proved his presence time and again and what's more: he can score as well.

Mesut Özil :  Theo Walcott must remain a super-sub. Thomas Rosicky is a wonderful player but with bad timing. Samir Nasri is rising, but does his exclusion from the French World Cup team say something else? Alex Song is good and Abou Diaby is not world class, but neither is creative with the football.

Cesc Fabregas is the backbone of the team, the engine that makes the team run.  Therefore, we need another option if Cesc is absent: the game must not stop just because one player is absent.

Mesut Ozil is the attacking midfielder from Werder Bremen who can be a sharp knife for the Gunners. He has been a catalyst in many of his club and international matches and, at only 21, has made his mark as one of the most promising stars in the near future.

This talented player will not come at less than a price of £15-20 million, but who cares? He can rip defenses apart, create plays from both upfront and on the wings, score and move the game, and that's what we all love to see.

Kevin Kuranyi :  As I mentioned, hopefully Marouane Chamakh is coming.  But the fates of Carlos Vela and Eduardo are a question.  Robin van Persie will be back in fit form and Nicklas Bendtner will be with him.

However, if Wenger is looking for another striking option, then Kevin Kuranyi is the man. This Schalke player has established a high standard for himself and proven himself even when not called up to play for the national squad.

The 28-year-old German has excellent scoring ability combined with aerial prowess which allowed him to score 20 goals in 2009-10 season for his club.

What makes him an even more interesting choice is his ability to prove himself against the odds.  After all, not all the players have the fans cheering behind him "Wake Up Jogi" (Jogi being the nickname of Germany Manager Joachim Low).