da betway： Alexis Sanchez may have been signed over the summer, but, on the whole, the transfer window was a below par one for Arsenal. While attacking concerns were addressed, the sale of Thomas Vermaelen exposed a lack of depth in defence at the Emirates Stadium, while Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to bring in a holding midfielder was once again an issue in the stands.
da pinnacle： January, as ever, presents a chance to get some much-needed reinforcements in, and the Gunners have been linked with additions and sales… and with that in mind, here are four to go and four to head to north London.
IN – Petr Cech
//www.youtube.com/embed/w_sMVR8dlC0
With Szczesny not exactly flavour of the month, Cech has emerged as a top target for the coming weeks at Arsenal. The Czech Republic stopper has been well and truly bombed out of the Chelsea XI this term with Courtois now Jose Mourinho’s No. 1, and rumours suggest that he’s so frustrated with the situation a switch before the impending deadline could happen, regardless of the Blues’ wishes to keep him.
In almost every measurable way, Cech was better the Szczesny last season. The Pole appears superior in terms of catching and punching crosses, but the Chelsea man had a better defence in front of him to deal with those problems. Cech made more saves per shot while keeping a greater level of clean sheets. At around £6m at the age of 32, he makes sense in both the long and short term.
OUT – Wojciech Szczesny
With David Ospina also in the squad, should Cech come in, then Szczesny would have to make way. The Polish international is in Wenger’s bad books following his smoking antics on New Year’s Day, and it looks as if the Frenchman has finally lost his patience with the ‘keeper. Szczesny impressed last term, but there have been doubts for some time about his true ability, with Gunners fans having often called for a more experience goalie to be brought in.
Still young at the age of 24, the glovesman is unlikely to be short of offers if made available.
IN – Winston Reid
The next area of pressing concern for Arsenal is at centre-back. The Gunners’ lack of depth has resulted in the use of full-backs Calum Chambers, Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy at the heart of the backline on a number of occasions this term, which has caused some shaky showings. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are a good pairing when fit, but a stand-in is needed, with Reid an option.
Soon to be out of contract, a defender of the New Zealander’s calibre for a fee of around £8m is great business, and West Ham appear resigned to selling this month.
OUT – Nacho Monreal
One of the great villains of the season in the eyes of many Arsenal fans, Monreal’s showings have been poor. In fairness, the Spaniard has been shifted into the heart of the Gunners’ defence to cover for injuries, but with performances having been listless and competition for his favoured left-back role appearing to be too much for him, it may be the end of the line.
Monreal was a decent performer in his homeland with Malaga before he joined Arsenal, so there’s every chance that La Liga sides may come in for him should he be available. Athletic Bilbao are one team to have been linked.
IN – Ilkay Gundogan
//www.youtube.com/embed/AtN3JxembUg
A long-term target, Gundogan has recently re-emerged as a player on Wenger’s radar. The silky German is adept in a deep-lying role, with his rage of passing having been the bedrock of Dortmund’s successes of the course of the past few years. But with BVB struggling now, there are suggestions that Gundogan could be axed for around £16m.
OUT – Joel Campbell
//www.youtube.com/embed/czKFdbQZYQA
A hero for his nation at the World Cup over the summer, Campbell looked set to play a sizable role for Arsenal this season, claims further boosted when Wenger rejected a late loan offer from Benfica. Yet the Costa Rican has managed just a handful of minutes in the league so far this term, with a bench role under Wenger the reward for his heroics in Brazil.
A full sale makes little sense for the Gunners this month given that Campbell is still 22, but a loan deal could be good for club and player alike. Game time is what both parties need for the striker, and Premier League sides are thought to be interested.
IN – Alexandre Lacazette
//www.youtube.com/embed/BiLlNLLu4LE
17 goals in Ligue 1 already this season has seen Lacazette emerge as one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers. The 23-year-old combines electric pace and clever movement with efficiency in the box, making him a promising prospect, which has alerted a host of clubs. Liverpool have been strongly linked with the Lyon ace, yet Arsenal’s name is also in the mix.
With Giroud and Welbeck not exactly prolific and Sanchez a better option from deeper, Lacazette could be a useful tool for Wenger.
OUT – Mathieu Flamini
Okay, Arsenal aren’t blessed with a host of options in the middle of the park, but the walking yellow card that is Flamini is not longer cutting it. You only have to glance at Twitter on a match day to see the level of disdain some Gunners fans have for the Frenchman, and if a replacement is found, surely he can be shipped out?
At 30, there are still some miles left on the clock, and a free or cut-price deal may temp some of France’s bigger sides to looking at the former Les Bleus star.