Arsenal Transfers : 5 Players Wenger Must Try to Get to Challenge for Top Four

With barely a week to go before the transfer window slams shut for the summer, one premier league club that needs to add a few players to their squad to maintain their Champions League status is Arsenal.

With the exit of Nasri and Fabregas, Arsene Wenger has lost out on major experience in his center mid-field. The duo were bred in Arsenal philosophy of football and formed a core of the squad, which, although talented, now look desperately short of experience.

Wenger's policy of buying them young and building for the future will surely overlook the lurking problem of challenging for the Champions League this season.

After the Fabregas saga ended reports emerged regarding Arsenal's bid for Lucho Gonzalez, which of course was refuted by Marseille. However, what is interesting is that Wenger's bid for Lucho, who is 30 now, suggests that Wenger has understood that just adding players for the future is not the way to go now. Players like Hazard who are perennially linked with Arsenal seem now to be lower down the priority list because not only will they be reluctant to sell them so late, paying huge sums for one player like that may severely cripple the Gunners chances of signing any more in areas they desperately need to.

Here is a list of players I think Arsene Wenger should have a look at to add that experience to his side. Not that I am suggesting Wenger must go for all five, but at least two among them should strengthen the Gunners adequately. 

Scott Dann from Birmingham City

Arsenal have become a victim of poor defending too often in recent times, and with injuries piling up, they desperately need to add at least one central defender to their back.

There have already been a lot of rumors linking Arsenal to the Liverpool-born Birmingham City defender; however, nothing came to fruition so far. It must be said that given Dann's exhibition of talent last term with the Brums, he could be a useful addition to the squad and also at a pretty decent price (just the way Wenger wants them).

Michel Bastos from Lyon

Although repeatedly linked with a move away from Lyon, Michel Bastos has somehow still managed to stay at Lyon after talks potential suitors broke down.

Bastos was arguably one of the standout players for Brazil in the World Cup, 2010 and thus attracted a lot of interests all over Europe. Wenger has already lost a pacy left-wing back in Gael Clichy to Manchester City, and Bastos would certainly fit into that spot easily.

His experience both for the club and country should add stability to the Arsenal squad. Added to the fact that he is playing for a French Club from where Wenger has bought a lot of players to Arsenal (not Lyon but french clubs in general), and with stories surrounding the player, this summer tells that the club may just be ready to sell the 28-year-old player.  

Fernando Gago from Real Madrid

Gago has also pretty much been linked with a move away from Madrid all summer. Going with the midfield requirements at Arsenal, Gago could be a very good addition to their squad. 

The Argentine may have been surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, but so was Van Der Vaart last year, and although a very different player compared to the Spurs star, Gago could add the calmness in mid-field from which talented youngsters like Frimpong could learn loads. 

Diego Ribas from VfL Wolfsburg

Diego Ribas has also pretty much been a want-away player at Wolfsburg, and news about his on-sale status has alerted a lot of clubs throughout Europe; however, no one seems to have made a move for this creative Brazilian midfielder. 

The main reason for that could be attitude issues; however, Wenger's man management skills have been legendary so far, and it would be an understatement to say that Arsenal could get another creative midfielder at a greater bargain price as Diego. 

Joao Moutinho from FC Porto

Although many an Arsenal fan would love Eden Hazard, Mario Goetze or Christian Eriksen added to their squad, the one that they need to really seal could be Joao Moutinho from FC Porto.

The portuguese has rumored to attract interest from rivals Chelsea; however, the Blues seem to have him lower down the priority list below Luka Modric.

All this makes it perfectly sensible for Arsenal to take advantage of the confusion between the clubs and bid for the player. With not much time left in the window, the move may still take some serious negotiation, but serious interest from one of the most attractive clubs in the world could be just too much for Moutinho to turn down.

Had Wenger tried a little earlier, even the very promising James McCarthy from Wigan could have been a possibility; however, with the player having signed a new deal with the latics today, a move now seems highly unlikely. 

Another surprise option could be Basel midfielder named Valentine Stocker; however, his relative inexperience at the top level could prove to be a hindrance. Arsenal have also been reported to be close to signing Peruvian starlet Andy Polo. However, the fact that the boy is only 16 years old means that he could well be one for the future.