Arsenal are one of the first Premier League teams to have begun to plug in their holes ahead of the 2016/2017 season. They seem very intent on being more competitive next season and their first move was signing Granit Xhaka. Moreover, they are even willing to spend up to £80 million just to get the team right for the next season citing to be interested in a centre-back and a striker.
Do you think Arsene Wenger still has what it gets to make champions out of Arsenal again, and will he build a much better team than previous season? Let’s find out.
Arsene Wenger’s first signing is Granit Xhaka, who is currently the third most expensive signing at Arsenal ever and a great midfielder. His deal is worth £30 million. But, Wenger has said that he is willing to spend much more than that by the time the summer transfer windows closes and what Arsenal really need is a steady striker.
The team scored the fewest league goals compared to the top four sides last season, so a striker is a must. Someone like Alvaro Morata would come really handy at the Emirates. Wenger is looking for more firepower, but the bad news is that Morata may now be hard to get after returning to Real Madrid. As an alternative there is Maxi Romero of Velez Sarsfield, who may prove to be an easier target, but equally effective.
A new centre-back would patch things up too, for example, Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli. It is estimated that he would cost around £20 million considering Manchester United and Chelsea are looking at him too. Also, Wenger’s scouts have been watching Lucas Hernandez and Rob Holding, which may strengthen the back line furthermore. Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney was a possibility too due to fears that Gibbs may be leaving soon but he’s recently signed a new contract with the SPL club.
If this summer proves ideal for Arsenal and Wenger manages to sign a striker and centre-back in order to plug in the holes that appeared last season, we may be looking a much stronger side this season. Cazorla and Xhaka may prove to be a great tandem for attacking formations. Cazorla is very influential and Xhaka is very offensive. However, this could leave the middle exposed because Xhaka is purely an offensive player unlike Cazorla’s previous partner. Elneny can easily establish himself next to Xhaka or Cazorla for a more balanced play. He is able to contribute both offensively and defensively.
If Morata arrives at Emirates, he may be the first choice of Wenger despite the fact that Giroud score 24 goals last season. Giroud can be used against a more defensive side. With Sanchez and Wilshere on the sides and Ozil behind them, they can do great things. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were very poor last season, so they definitely will be out of the starting XI.
This attacking formation can be completed with a good player like Koulibaly, who can easily replace Gabriel and Mertesacker, players that struggled last season too. He can play next to Koscielny with Bellerin and Monreal on the right and left respectively. Cech of course will be between the posts. With these starting, Arsenal will have plugged in the holes for the next season.
Another option is Ramsey, who shone at the Euros, he could easily keep Wilshere out of the side and although he can be very effective on the right and left, a central role is where he plays best.
The options are plenty and Wenger has almost 2 months to act and if he does, there’s doubt that by the end of August Arsenal should have a much better squad.
This comment below was posted on yesterday’s blog but is still relevant on today’s. It came in response to Rico’s belief the Wenger will buy a striker and a centre back.
Rico, you said we needed a striker and a defender this time last year and the year before. Didn’t happen though, did it! What would Wenger change his spots he’s got Akpom after all and, anyone can play central defence, Monreal, Chambers, Debuchy, plus Kos, Merts and Gabby. That’s loads! Not to mention the odd child in the development squad. Rick’ll know who’s likely.
Mg has probably called it right. The excitement is over! Sit back and enjoy the ride as our rivals re-equip themselves and we find ourselves down the table. Mind you a silver lining may exist, Wenger may depart at the end of this season if we do finish in the soft and smelly. However, if the old geezer does the needful and buys what we need, we may hang on to our manager for another two or three seasons! So, that would be a blessing, wouldn’t it?
Morning all. Bright and sunny here…….at the moment!
I am the eternal optimist Wavy… 🙂
Seriously though, why did he go for Vardy if he doesn’t plan to buy a striker? And as Adam said, he’ll know the fans will be right at him if things don’t start well after another disappointing transfer window…
8 more days to go before Arsenal’s first pre-season game at RC Lens…
Akpom, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain up front in that game?
Is Campbell available yet?
I haven’t seen any pictures of Campbell in training which is odd because he wasn’t involved in any football at the COPA was he?
Maybe he’s off….
Yeah, he could be Rico, especially as Wenger seems intent on persevering with AOC and TW, also Akpom can play on the flanks…
Campbell’s departure would free up a space in the squad…
I reckon we could get £8-£10m for him…
Morning again Kev. I hope that Theo and Ox both have super seasons but the transfer market situation, who we should or shouldn’t buy and for how much is an interesting diversion that essentially misses a number of points for me.
We had the squad to win the PL last season. In what was a weird season, we played some good football on just a few occasions but essentially we blew out. From what I saw, this wasn’t because we didn’t have good enough players although our main striker not scoring for so long didn’t help. It was because Arsene’s tactics were weak and predictable. I say tactics but in truth there were very few. Surely a tactician would have adjusted our shape more dynamically both before and during the game. He did do this a few times I agree but, if the team’s approach was blindingly repetitious and predictable to the fans then surely the opposition found it so too.
I cite the away game at Southampton as a stand-out. I believe it was Boxing Day when we went there, as PL leaders and just seemed to assume our superior players would batter a team that had lost their last six games. Koeman knew it and we steamed in, leaving massive holes that Southampton exploited. To me, that game, in many ways, represented where the team were headed last season.
My point is that, even with much better players, Wenger needs a fresh and more fluid approach or we will be also-rans again.
It’s not how many tools you have in your box, it’s surely how you use them that counts.
Yes Adam, great points as per usual…
You know, that I felt we wanked away the Double last season and for the reasons you gave.
A lot has been made of the fact that Wenger didn’t sign an outfield player last summer and injuries hurt us as is their habit, but given the circumstances of last season, Arsenal should have pissed the EPL.
We had enough talent in our squad…
The fact we didn’t is an indictment on Wenger…
Odd though Kev as Campbell works a lot harder than the other two…
Well put Adam, spot on imo.
Maybe it’s because Campbell is Costa Rican?
Quite likely… Dreadful though if that is the reason..
Hi Rico and gang. Frustrating window so far. Got sucked in by the early Xhaka signing and hopeful Vardy punt.
AW missed by not signing Chicharito when he was available. Still believe Sturridge is worth a bid not sure if he is in Klopp plans. If AW doesn’t sign a striker or CB he could leave earlier than season end if results falter. This season will be tough with 3 of Top 4 managers residing in PL.
JM – Watched Renato Sanches 18yr old new Bayern player in Euros. That kid will be a top notch player in couple years with experience.
The most important hole that needs filling is the managerial hole. We haven’t had a top class manager/coach for years now and until that is addressed adding star players is not going to do much I’m afraid. I know there are still die hard Arsene fans out there and I cannot understand why or what they see in Arsene today that justify s him being kept on.
arsenal11730
Isent there some rumor going around that his age is actually higher? thought I heard something like that over the euroes.
Hi A117, I read he was off to Utd….
For me, is a normal player. Campbell was in the American Cup.
JM, who in Portuguese football do you think would be a good buy for Arsenal..?
Have to agree TT, but sadly it seems he’s going nowhere, for the time being anyway…
11730 Sanchez is said to be 19 yrs but some say 20. But he’s unbelievable and playing for Bayern under Ancellotti is going to make him a mega-player. He’s a better OX, stronger, quicker n better decision making. Rico, the story is that Everton bid 30m for Koulibaly but it was rejected so the 20m figure is low, so I guess that means AW is out….
Guerreiro – left back, but signed for B.Dortmund before the Euro;
Fonte was a good signed two years ago;
João Mário, will be good, but expensive and I don’t know how will be his adapting to Englis football;
(Sissoko will be a good signed before or during the Euro and not so expensive like now)
Andre Silva, 18th years old, central forward from Porto. I think will be a very good player in two years, if haven’t injuries.
Thanx JM, what about Danillo…?
He is an interesting player too
Obi, looks like Koulibaly is off to Chelsea…
Evening all.
What worries me apart from all the DNA tests making me pennyless……is that we seem to have a lot of players on holiday (even Xhaka) whilst other teams have already played some pre-season friendlies inc` the Bindippers and Spuds !…………knowing that their managers like a high tempo pressing game means we will be in the shit come first match day !……………..I`m bricking it already !
I like the Sky Sports transfer centre as we are obviously going to buy quite a few players ! 😀
https://d2kmm3vx031a1h.cloudfront.net/diI7nv7Qayytdt88L8MC_whispers.jpg
Evening Rico and the House
Very warm down south today is it the start of Summer??
After leading 1-0 at half time our U18’s have lost 2-1 to Bayen Munich.
I think the winner was a Pen and Tella our scorer. B/W on sat.
Campbell was training yesterday but it is being muted he is on his way to Valencia.
Right back Tarif Moore is expected to join Utrecht on a season long loan which to me says Debuchy will be playing in this seasons friendlies
Wavy your 10.43 I’m sorry to say the Academy do’s not do defender’s.
The only player who understands the meaning of the word defend ( in the last 4 years) we sold to Newcastle on monday Maybe that will change if Adams becomes a coach.
see you latta.
LC, that’s because their players weren’t good enough to represent their country… 😉
Evening Rick, I’m hoping Adams might bring a bit of defensive stuff to the younger players. He might even encourage Wenger to sign a couple of corkers… Then again, would Wenger listen?
Night guys.
Nite Rico
Night Rico
Joel Campbell to Valencia, should be a decent fee as they’re not exactly the poorest relations of La Liga…
Akpom to replace him I guess..?
How the fuck does wenger decide to get rid of Joel Campbell and keep those waste of spaces Walcott and AOC
I give up
The sooner he goes the better of our club will be
Must admit when you look at the effort and work ethic of Campbell compared to Theo and Ox it’s chalk and cheese and nonsense that he ignores it, then again if your face don’t fit…..
It’s all about needing to have a certain amount of English players in the squad…
Campbell isn’t gonna play anyway, and if Wenger is gonna bring in any new non-English players he needs to free up spaces in the squad…
Jeff Reine-Adelaide had been brought into the squad, he can play on the flanks as can Gnabry, Akpom and Willock and Wenger probably sees more potential in them than he does in Campbell…
Morning….
Morning Rico and all. More shocking news from France.
Morning Rico, Adam and All…
It’s another warm and sunny day in London Town…
Gonna be a nice weekend I’ve heard…
Hey Mick, is it raining where you are?
Morning All.
Wenger reckons “He would listen to the FA about the england job”
But…..He still has 1 year left on his contract..What a man Aye.
Some think he wants a bigger contract from the syrup?
Some people are so cynical. Ain’t they
Morning Adam and Kev..
Shocking stuff Adam…
It’s going to be a scorcher Kev …
Morning Fred, I wish he’d take the England job, and now….
Apparently he’s having a few weeks rest before the coming season. Must be exhausted after the Euros.
Mean while back on the ranch.
Man Utd are playing wigan tomorrow.
Think wenger thinks the season starts
October.
🙂 Adam.
Just been glancing through all the rubbish on NewsNow.
I know it’s all crap but I can’t keep away…
Funny how when almost every half-decent player moves or decides to stay at his club on a new, big, fat contract, it’s described as a ‘blow’ to Arsenal…..!!!
Why is that?
Where’s the proof that we even had a passing interest in ‘Pedro Big Bollocks’ or whoever the nondescript player is…
It’s all the Press’s way to wind us up, get a few more hits on their shit sites, which are increasingly full of adverts and pop-ups…
Take the Express and Star sites, what a pile of crap they are…
A waste of time clicking on them, total rubbish…
Our new striker is Akpom, that’s how I see it….
Everything else is garbage….
Kev. Morons tend to write moronic things and the Internet has given them the perfect canvas. Arseblogger wrote about them just this morning. I am sure that, from his yacht, Arsene is plotting our resurgence and working out the financial implications. 🙂
Same every season Kev
We have the Merry-go-Round
of defenders and strikers in all
the papers.
Yet no one at the club says a word.
The fans are treated like sh*t.
Granite was at the club having his photo’s
done 3 weeks before it was on the site.
Couldn’t agree more Kev. But I do hope Akpom isn’t our only striker, even worse would be Sanogo…..
New post up now..