Arsenal Transfers: Who Should Come in and Who Should Be Let Go?
The season 2011-12 marks the 125th Anniversary of the foundation of Arsenal Football Club. Fans will be desperate for a successful season to mark the occasion.
More importantly, they will expect those donning the red and white jersey to be worthy of it.
The transfer kitty is rumored to be only £40 million including player wages. So, a £80,000 per week five year deal will leave just £20 million for the actual transfer.
This means that inadequate players will need to be sold, and fortunately (or unfortunately?) there is no shortage of such candidates.
Despite the much publicized problems in defence, that is not the only area that needs strengthening. Let us have a peek at what could be a very busy summer for Arsenal.
Goalkeepers
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Goalkeeping has been Arsenal Achilles heel since the (first) departure of Jens Lehmann.
Almunia and Fabianski have not been up to the mark at Arsenal. It is a sad reflection on the club that over the past few seasons, clubs like Bolton, Stoke City, Birmingham and Fulham have had better goalkeepers.
Their injuries this season accelerated the arrival of Wojciech Szczęsny, who has been a revelation between the goalposts.
Just when Gooners were thinking that their goalkeeping problems were solved, Szczesny, Fabianski and Almunia went out injured. The emergency replacement, Jens Lehmann then narrowly escaped a red card, with no specialist goalkeeper on the bench against Blackpool.
So, it would be wise to bring in a reliable keeper during the summer.
Going Out: Almunia, Fabianski
Probable Targets:
| Target | Cost | Player Situation |
| Martin Stekelenburg | £8 - 12 million | Wants to leave, willing to join Arsenal.. |
| Pepe Reina | £15 - 20 million | Wants Champions League football. Willing to join Arsenal or Manchester United. |
| Igor Afinkeev | £8 - 12 million | Wants to move to England. Has been linked with Manchester United. |
| Hugo Lloris | £15 - 20 million | Indicated that he wants to leave Lyon. |
| Manuel Neuer | £15 - 20 million | Wants to leave Schalke. Linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. |
Other candidates like Shay Given and Gianluigi Buffon have been linked with Arsenal, but at their age, don't provide a long term solution for the Arsenal goalkeeping problem.
It is likely that a new keeper will be brought in to provide mentorship/cover for the fast maturing Szczesny and Vito Mannone will come back from Hull City to act as third keeper.
Defence
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The goalkeeping issue may be open to debate, but there is universal agreement that the Arsenal defence needs a major overhaul.
Arsene Wenger hasn't really brought in world class defenders to Arsenal, except Sol Campbell from Spurs. Vermaelen looked to be the solution to the Gunner's defensive woes, but he got 'Rosickied' this season.
New arrivals Koscielny and Squillaci aren't in the same bracket as the previous two. Squilllaci especially has been dreadful at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
Johan Djourou has done a reasonably good job in partnership with Kosc, and will be first choice to play alongside Vermaelen next season.
Sadly even this pairing, the best that Arsenal have, is not in the same league as Vidic-Ferdinand, or Terry-Alex.
One wonders why Wenger wants defenders who can distribute well. Being able to start an attack early is fine, but it should not come at the cost of defending basics like winning headers and out-muscling the strikers.
Arsenal's supposedly best (among the fit) defender, Johan Djourou was turned easily by Daniel Sturridge, hardly the most imposing striker out there.
So, Arsenal needs two solid, out and out central defenders. Not 'distributors' from the back.
Gael Clichy might leave this summer, but Kieran Gibbs should be able to fill in at left back.
Going Out: Squillaci, Clichy
Probable Targets:
| Target | Cost | Player Situation |
| Gary Cahill | £15 -20 million | Wants to leave Bolton, Coyle is resigned to losing him |
| Mamadou Sakho | £13 - 15 million | Has publicly denied wanting to move and signed a new deal till 2014, but Wenger's French connections might help pursuade the 21 year old. |
| Brede Hangeland | £8 - 12 million | Bayern are rumored to be making a £10 million summer bid. Wenger had attempted to sign him last season, might go for it again as he is a relatively cheaper option |
| Per Mertesacker | £8 - 10 million | Has just one year left on his Bremen contract. |
| Jan Vertonghen | £10 - 12 million | Can play as a Defensive Midfielder and will have a smooth transition next to Vermaelen, whom he knows well. AC Milan are interested too. |
| Leighton Baines | £10 - 20 million | Manchester City are interested too, which means the transfer fee could be inflated. Could put Wenger off. |
Wenger has the budget to sign at least two players from the list of probables, without depending on player sales. Gooners expect.
Midfield
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Arsenal have arguably, the best midfield in England. But that could change this summer.
The long drawn Fabregas saga might end with Barcelona finally getting back their long lost La Masia graduate.
Nasri has yet to sign a new contract with Arsenal and Manchester United are monitoring the situation.
If he doesnot sign, Arsenal will have no choice but to let him go rather than lose him for free next summer.
The backups consist of Abou Diaby, Denilson and the aging Rosicky. The Czech international is past his best, while the other too have just failed to deliver.All three need to go this summer.
There are positives, with the emergence of Jack Wilshere, Song and the expected development of Aaron Ramsey. Walcott and Arshavin provide the goall scoring threat from midfield.
Emmanual Frimpong will, in all likelihood make the transition to the first team next season and he will add plenty of steel to the Arsenal midfield.
The trio of Wilshere, Song and Frimpong will convince Wenger that Arsenal don't need any defensive midfielders.
But if both Fabregas and Nasri leave, Arsenal will be seriously lacking in attacking options.
Going Out: Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri
Probable Targets:
| Target | Cost | Player Situation |
| Alex Oxlade Chamberlain | £8 - 12 million | Southampton hoping for a bidding war between Arsenal and Manchester United |
| Johan Gourcuff | £10 - 15 million | Struggling at Lyon, Wenger will be able to get the best out of him. |
| Jeremy Menez | £8 - 12 million | Wants to leave Roma. Targeted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. |
The biggest challenge for Wenger here will be to keep Nasri and Fabregas.
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Strikers
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Arsenal's prolific midfield hides the fact that their attack is quite toothless at times.
Every year Robin Van Persie spends half the season on the treatment table, and Arsenal have no backup of similar quality.
The first to leave this summer, will be Nicklas Bendtner, who has talked the talk but not performed up to expectations.
Marouane Chamakh has given his 100 percent, and was unfairly sidelined by Wenger in the second half of the season.
Arsenal still don't have a 20 goals a season striker in the class of Henry or Bergkamp.
With the quality of the Arsenal midfield, all that is needed is a striker who can keep his cool in the box and take his chances.
From within the team, Carlos Vela is expected to develop next season and Jay Emmanuel Thomas will be expected to make the first team.
Arsene Wenger could consider switching Theo Walcott from the wing to a more central attacking role.
Going Out: Bendtner
Probable Targets:
| Target | Cost | Player Situation |
| Eden Hazard | £8 - 12 million | Looks almost certain to join Arsenal in the summer |
| Karim Benzema | £10 - 15 million | Has had a torrid time at Real Madrid, could be let go |
Arsenal can get away with doing nothing in this department and signing a new striker may be looked upon as a luxury.
In the case of defence, it is high time that Arsenal stop being penny wise and pound foolish.
With Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all strengthening in the summer, not spending could prove to be very costly for Arsenal.
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