Today is January the 10th and Arsenal fans are starting to bite their nails with the expectation of any one player coming to Emirates out of the thousands who are linked. The transfer window is never a good time to be an Arsenal fan, particularly if you have friends in office or school who are Chelsea or United fans.
So again as usual in December the Gunners were linked with the likes of Huntelaar, Demba Ba, Zaha and everyone possible except Messi and Ronaldo. But when January comes, Chelsea from nowhere swooped in and took Ba to Stamford Bridge (remember Mata’s transfer ?). Huntelaar, another player if signed could have made an impact but after so much of talks about his arrival in England he decides to stay in Germany extending his contract with Schalke. So both the forwards are obviously off the table now.
David Villa is another striker who Arsenal are said to be looking, with Adrian Lopez as an alternative should Barcelona refuse to do business. Looking at both the players they can surely add an extra dimension in the final third. Arsenal fans will be happy if any one of the two land at Emirates.
Villa, 31, could still give the Gunners two seasons of Spanish attacking flare and is certain to score a minimum of 15 league goals. With Walcott due to extend his contract (sources say) the combination between Podolski on the left, Walcott on the right and Villa upfront with the likes of Cazorla and Wilshere in the middle, Arsenal will look dangerous. It all depends how much Barcelona want him.
And if Villa is missed out and Adrian Lopez is brought in, the Spaniard who prefers playing in the right wing will allow Walcott to continue upfront as he looks to be in good touch this season (at-least against the weaker teams). If Arsene Wenger rotates his forwards sensibly the front three will look frightening.
David Villa will obviously be the better choice for Arsenal, just because his name alone strikes fear into opponents and he’s experienced, but Adrian would not be a bad addition either.
In other places, Arsenal need a destructive central midfielder and they need it desperately. The role that Alex Song played last season has surely been overlooked by Arsene Wenger as the idea of playing Mikel Arteta as an defensive play-maker has failed miserably. Arteta who is always a decent player, is finding it difficult against tougher opponents. This has made him lose his natural midfield abilities, forcing the player to do mistakes far too often.
The idea of Arteta/Wilshere/Cazorla in the midfield looks good on papers but playing three technical and fairly lightweight midfielders isn’t working. Arsenal need someone to sit in the middle and allow the creative players to get on with their job without the worry of being caught out defensively. The defensive players on Arsenal’s radar are Wanyama, Diame and Capoue. While all the three are decent decent players and could be a valuable addition to the team, Wanyama could be the best option.
Coming to the center backs, Arsenal have an extra option this term with both Vermaelen and Koscielny available for long spells without any injuries. With Mertesacker also playing well, the competition for the starting berth is as such good and an addition of Yanga-Mbiwa would further increase the spirit amongst the players to do well. Mbiwa will turn out to be a crucial addition mainly because of his abilities to play as defensive midfielder as well. He is big, he’s strong, he’s a leader and he can play in multiple positions, what more do you want?
In fairness out the these players and knowing Wenger’s mentality any two if bought could definitely bring success (If they manage to get past Swansea in the FA cup). My preference – Adrian Lopez and Wanyama, what’s yours ?