Summer Transfers – 3 Game Changers Who Can Make Arsenal Formidable Again

Top 3 game changers for Arsenal

It can safely be said that Arsenal are out of the title race unless some miracle happens with all other fixtures. It had been a very promising season for the Gunners ended in disappointment as the fans have to be content with another Top 4 spot this season.
It was squad depth that hurt Arsenal the most, as players got injured and couldn’t be ably replaced. The team was also unbalanced and showed sheer weakness against the other rivals. Many fans argue that Arsenal now need to sack Wenger or at least spend big on some world class finisher or holding midfield player.
Here we look at three players whom Arsenal can afford to buy and improve their squad depth.

1. Mario Mandzukic- Striker- Centre Forward

It doesn’t come as a surprise that Mandzukic can be linked to Arsenal. Bayern Munich made themselves clear when they signed Lewandowski that next season would be Mandzukic playing second fiddle to the Polish International. Pep Guardiola doesn’t seem to be too pleased with the Croatian’s style of play and work rate in the team. Despite that criticism, Mario Mandzukic is currently leading the scorers’ charts having scored 17 in 26 appearances.

Pep Guardiola has made Bayern play ideal and beautiful carpet passing football which requires a striker to be involved in a lot of exchanging of passes with the attacking midfielders. Mandzukic has not been that type of striker as he has always been a direct attacker. Despite that, the Croatian star has been prolific and has fought his way into the team many times. Despite being Bayern’s best striker, Mandzukic was left on the bench 8 times in favour of a false striker in either Muller or Gotze.

Arsenal have a similar game style like Pep’s Barcelona and now, new look Bayern Munich. Despite that, the Gunners have a difference in their style as they are comparatively more direct in their approach than the Spanish style of play. Arsenal are willing to adjust their game style revolving around a good striker and they already have a team full of talented playmakers in Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky. Mandzukic has the right blend of aggression and strength as well as decent amount of pace, something which Giroud lacks.

27 year old Mandzukic is rated at 23 million Euros, which means he can be available for about 20-23 million if Arsenal bargain. He will add sufficient depth to the Arsenal line-up where Giroud is too over-worked.

2. Lars Bender- Central Defensive Midfielder

Bender is a very good central defensive midfielder who has long been linked with Arsenal. Arsenal need a strong and technically good holding midfield player who can contribute to both their attack as well as defence. Lars Bender fits the bill perfectly.
With a strong engine and great passing skills, Bender can be the guy who help Arsenal compete with its title rivals and restore some balance in the team. Playing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta and Wilshere in defensive midfield, Arsenal have been exposed far to easily hence Koscielny and Mertesacker having to work twice harder.
In Bender, they’ll have a good shield as well as good flow of football as well.

24 year old Lars Bender is rated at 22 million but Arsenal might need to spend a bit more considering that he is a very important player for Bayer Leverkusen. Also Bayern Munich are supposedly interested in buying him, which would increase competition for Arsenal both financially as well as psychologically as most Germans prefer Bayern Munich because of the immediate pride and prestige from their countrymen.

3. Sebastian Jung – Right Back

With Bacary Sagna’s contract situation still on the wire, Arsenal would need quick replacement at the right back spot. Carl Jenkinson still needs time to become first team quality, and Jung can be a good buy.

The young German right back is yet to be a full international but has played for under-21 German team. He has been noted as a bright prospect with enough quality to start playing first team football immediately.

Jung has been good for  Frankfurt starting 34 matches all competitions and collecting 9 assists and a goal stating clearly that he is a good modern RB. He has also played as a left back as he is decent with his weaker left foot, providing another good factor for Arsenal to buy him.

23 year old Sebastian Jung is rated at 8 million. This is indeed a bargain price considering his talent and potential.