Arsenal FC: 6 Players the Team Should Definitely NOT Sign!

I will be giving you a preview of the players that I definitely do NOT want to see playing for Arsenal next season.

I am glad that this season seems to look different, with the Arsenal management looking to strengthen the team and fight for the championship next season.

These players have all been linked to Arsenal during some point of time over the past few months. I really hope Arsène Wenger does not end up signing any of these players!

Goalkeeper: Mad Jens

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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Jens Lehmann of Arsenal warms up prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium on April 2, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Jens Lehmann

Fee: Free Agent

I must admit that i was extremely happy to see Jens Lehmann pull on the Arsenal jersey last season. Due to my own personal sentiments and love for the crazy German goalkeeper, I was actually hoping the other keepers would get some minor injuries and enable Jens to get in a game.

However, when he finally did get his chance against Blackpool, he looked like just a shadow of his former self. He very clumsily took down DJ Campbell to get Blackpool into the game, although he did make a decent save to deny Blackpool late on.

Throughout the course of the match, I was hoping that the ex-Germany International would not have much to do. His presence was not comforting as it had been during his previous stint with the Gunners.

After the close of the season, it seems as if he has taken a U-turn as far his previous decision of retiring was concerned. He seems to want to play for another season, and even hinted he would like to continue with the Gunners.

I can understand how important experience is and how we need that in the dressing room, so I would prefer that he stays at Arsenal. But as a coach and not as a player.  

Defender: Michel Bastos (LB)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Michel Bastos of Lyon in action during the Emirates Cup match between AC Milan and Lyon at Emirates Stadium on August 1, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Michel Bastos

Fee: £15 million 

The powerful Brazilian has been linked with a move to The Emirates over the past few months. He could even be available at around £15 million following Lyon's poor domestic campaign.

Michel Bastos, a regular starter for Brazil, would add a lot to the attacking capabilities of Arsenal, as he is very potent down the left wing.

However, time and time again his defending has been exposed. With Arsenal already having an attack-minded player who can slot into that position (Kieran Gibbs), I don't think we need someone in Michel's mould.

Arsenal has conceded a lot of goals due to a leaky defense, and there is little to suggest that Bastos would help the the team in that respect.

Arsenal are definitely a man short in this position and need a player who can provide the needed solidity. 

Defender: Gary Cahill (CB)

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BOLTON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Gary Cahill of Bolton Wanderers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium on May 22, 2011 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Gary Cahill

Fee: £20 million

Most Arsenal supporters consider Gary Cahill to be a sure-shot purchase for next season, but I tend to disagree with that school of thought.

It's a case of Arsenal overstating their transfer budget, or maybe Wenger just likes to spend the club's money as if it's his own. Either way, a deal for Gary Cahill might cost the Gunners in the region of £20 million and might seriously limit any other transfer prospects.

Also, I believe Thomas Vermaelen should be partnered by a defender who is a lot taller than him. Though Cahill is no midget, he is not startlingly taller either.

Had his price tag been about half the amount, this transfer might have made a bit more sense.

Midfielder: Eden Hazard

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LA CORUNA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 05: Eden Hazard of Belgium controls the ball during the Group 5 FIFA2010 World Cup Qualifier match between Spain and Belgium at the Riazor stadium on September 5, 2009 in La Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Eden Hazard

Fee: £25 million

He is said to have played a vital part in Lille's conquest of the domestic championship. He's regarded as a tricky midfielder and an excellent passer of the football. Being one of the hottest properties of Europe, he would command a considerable transfer fee—possibly in the region of £25 million.

But it's not his price that is the major problem as far as this deal is considered. It's his age.

At 20, Hazard will provide to Arsenal what Arsenal already has in abundance: talented youth. The Belgian is also not the strongest physically and at 5' 7", he would provide a similar physical structure to Andrey Arshavin. And we all know Arshavin constantly got out-muscled in the league.

The defining season for Arsenal has come, and they can not afford to spend the bulk of their transfer budget on a Belgian who is not a finished product yet. 

Midfielder: Scott Parker

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Scott Parker of England in action during the UEFA EURO 2012 group G qualifying match between England and Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on June 4, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Scott Parker

Fee: £10 million

The West Ham midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the past few weeks, but I really don't think we need his services.

I believe Jack Wilshere, who performs the same role as Scott Parker, does it much more efficiently and is much better at finding the final call.

It would be tough to slot Parker into a team which already comprises of two holding midfielders in the form of Wilshere and Alex Song.

Using a player who recently turned 30 as a substitute might not work either, as he isn't really an impact player. Only if there were any serious, long-term injuries to Wilshere or Song would the presence of Parker be felt.

Also, Wenger has a strict contract policy over the length of the contract for all his players over the age of 30. If he did not bend his rules for a player of the class of Robert Pires—or more recently Arshavin—I don't feel Scott Parker merits an exception. 

Striker: Karim Benzema

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VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 15: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Villarreal and Real Madrid at estadio El Madrigal on May 15, 2011 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Karim Benzema

Fee: £25 million

Wenger always prefers to go for French players. He made his interest in Benzema quite obvious earlier in the transfer window, saying Benzema was a player who "interested" him.

I think Benzema is a classic example of a player who peaked at an early age and achieved more than he could handle.

He has endured a very tough couple of seasons. While some Arsenal supporters may feel that he would be the perfect fit to partner Robin van Persie, I completely disagree, as Benzema is a player on the slope. And the slope is going downwards.

He kind of reminds me of Freddy Adu, an extremely gifted American football player whose quality on the ball was even compared to Pelé's. But he was unable to handle the pressure of playing at the top level.

Benzema, for me, would pose a great problem as he would play in far too many games (by the virtue of being French) and deliver results that weren't up to the mark.