After Saturdayʼs disappointing loss at the Emirates to Liverpool, I think it has become obvious to everyone, including Arsene Wenger, that the squad has deficiencies that need to be addressed before the transfer window ends on August 31. In my view, Arsene Wenger needs to buy 3-4 players before the end of the window to address the holes in the squad created by lack of depth and injury at center back, left back, center midfield and striker.
The void at center midfield left by Cesc Fabregas, and possibly Samir Nasri if he heads to Manchester City, is the first that needs to be addressed. Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, and Emmanuel Frimpong--who was quite impressive before getting sent off against Liverpool--all have immense talent but are all super young, with an average age of 20.2 and this youth has not translated into consistent quality on the field. The fact that Arsenal, a team known for their attacking prowess and free-flowing football, has only scored one goal in 270 minutes this season illustrates that the current midfield lacks the cutting-edge and precision that Fabregas brought to the table. Right back Bacary Sagna has backed Aaron Ramsey to fill the Fabregas role and I think he will but he needs time and someone with more experience to mentor him so he canfulfill this potential.
Here are three potential buys that I feel could fill the void in the central midfield.
1. Jadson-Shakhtar Donetsk-The 27-year old Brazilian could be had for a bid of around £12 million and would be ready to launch right into the new campaign since the Ukrainian season is well under way. He has been playing in the central attacking midfield role for Shakhtar in a 4-2-3-1 formation that is very similar to the one employed by Arsene Wenger. Jadson would bring durability, he has played in 38+ games each of the last 5 years, a solid-goal scoring record, and trophy-winning experience--all of which would be valuable in the Arsenal dressing room.
2. Riccardo Montolivo-Fiorentina-The 26-year old Italian playmaker is in the last year of his contract at Fiorentina so he may be available at a cut-price as the transfer deadline nears and Fiorentina faces the reality that they could lose him for nothing at the end of this season. Montolivo is a creative presence in the midfield, in the mold of Andrea Pirlo, and has the technical invention to create the goal-scoring opportunities that Arsenal midfielders have, so far, struggled to produce.
3. Bastian Schweinsteiger-The 27-year old German would be a dream buy for Arsenal and require Arsene Wenger to splash more cash than he ever has before with the player likely costing around £25 million. You might think that Wenger should spend this kind of money on Eden Hazard of Lille but Schweinsteiger is a game-changing performer in his prime. He could serve as a mentor to Wilshere, Ramsey, and Frimpong--who are the midfield of the future--while showcasing his brilliant passing range and his superb tackling and ball winning skills. Schweinsteiger would bring both the creativity and steel that the Arsenal midfield currently lack and it is my feeling that he would be the best replacement Arsene Wenger could find for the departed Cesc Fabregas.
I will discuss the holes at other positions that I mentioned above and the possible signings who could fill these current squad vacancies in future editions of Transfer Talk that are coming soon.
1. Jadson-Shakhtar Donetsk-The 27-year old Brazilian could be had for a bid of around £12 million and would be ready to launch right into the new campaign since the Ukrainian season is well under way. He has been playing in the central attacking midfield role for Shakhtar in a 4-2-3-1 formation that is very similar to the one employed by Arsene Wenger. Jadson would bring durability, he has played in 38+ games each of the last 5 years, a solid-goal scoring record, and trophy-winning experience--all of which would be valuable in the Arsenal dressing room.
2. Riccardo Montolivo-Fiorentina-The 26-year old Italian playmaker is in the last year of his contract at Fiorentina so he may be available at a cut-price as the transfer deadline nears and Fiorentina faces the reality that they could lose him for nothing at the end of this season. Montolivo is a creative presence in the midfield, in the mold of Andrea Pirlo, and has the technical invention to create the goal-scoring opportunities that Arsenal midfielders have, so far, struggled to produce.
3. Bastian Schweinsteiger-The 27-year old German would be a dream buy for Arsenal and require Arsene Wenger to splash more cash than he ever has before with the player likely costing around £25 million. You might think that Wenger should spend this kind of money on Eden Hazard of Lille but Schweinsteiger is a game-changing performer in his prime. He could serve as a mentor to Wilshere, Ramsey, and Frimpong--who are the midfield of the future--while showcasing his brilliant passing range and his superb tackling and ball winning skills. Schweinsteiger would bring both the creativity and steel that the Arsenal midfield currently lack and it is my feeling that he would be the best replacement Arsene Wenger could find for the departed Cesc Fabregas.
I will discuss the holes at other positions that I mentioned above and the possible signings who could fill these current squad vacancies in future editions of Transfer Talk that are coming soon.
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