In recent weeks, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have been confirmed as Arsenal’s newest arrivals. After years of selling our best talent to other clubs it looks like we are finally adding to our own.
So with two strikers in the bag already, who should be next on Arsene Wenger’s list this summer?
Personally, I think it should be Ajax’s 24-year-old right-back Gregory van der Wiel.
We’ve got a good amount of attacking players in our squad and I feel its time we sorted out our back line a little.
Looking at last seasons problems, with all the injuries defensively, I see the Holland international as a more capable player than some of our youth that we currently have who play in defensive roles.
When Bacary Sagna got injured, defensively, we could see and feel the difference. Having an experienced replacement for Sagna will make next season a little less of a rough ride, should he suffer the same fate. Despite the performances from our cameo players, who filled in for the Frenchman, Van der Wiel would be a better fit all-round.
We do have some very good young talent in defence coming through, but we need a ready-made replacement and someone who can challenge Sagna for his place, as he currently has no one to do so at present.
As for Van der Wiel’s price-tag, I reckon we could acquire him for around £8 million, providing we beat Chelsea to his signature.
Who do you guys reckon Wenger should target next?
give us your thoughts on the matter below
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yah he will be gd addition to our back line
We don’t anyone in the back line we need our back line close games out and stop trying to be the front line,if we are 2 nil up why the hell they need to be in the other box ,HOLD and put the game to bed real talk. Gunners 4 life
Just because we want to win a trophy, we do not have have to do it at the cost of the work we have done! All talk of getting in a right back or center back is completely uncalled for.
First, Sagna is not dead, he’s only injured and will surely return. Second, we have Jenkinson who is good enough as cover as Sagna recovers. Third, Coquelin has done wonderfully whenever called upon. Fourth, Kyle Bartley featured at right back, in midfield and at center back for Rangers. He’s back at the Emirates. Why then do we have to think that always solutions are from outside? I don’t understand that.
For me, as it stands, whether we buy a defensive midfielder or not, we can ably compete for honours next season, provided Wenger uses the ammunition at his disposal well. By signing Giroud and Podolski, Wenger has not only signed quality strikers, but also added real potency in attack, and their arrivals have availed the manager with a variety of options as seen below:
1. Giroud will most probably lead the line with Van Persie just off him with Podolski on the left. This will make the right of midfield an area of stiff competition with Theo, Gervinho and Chamberlain fighting for the right to boss it. Consequently two of those will have to sit on the bench. Now that will be depth.
2. Wilshere will most likely be fit to play and probably Diaby. These will be “new signings” for Arsenal. Add to that, Arteta, Rosicky and Ramsey joining in the creative ranks and we will have a fantastic midfield.
3. Then there is the gigantic Song and the increasing importance of Coquelin and Frimpong. I also believe Song will be asked to be more protective of his defense than he was last season because the creative role will have been taken up by the returning Wilshere, who will become the playmaker supreme, helped by Arteta who will be released to play a little more up-field with Coquelin’s increased involvement to add the much needed steel in midfield, as evidenced in the game against West Brom on the final day of last season.
4. Lastly, Arsenal will have to ride their luck and avoid injuries to key players, as was the case in the 2003-04 season when all the key players stayed injury-free to propel Arsenal to an unprecedented unbeaten title-winning season
I therefore strongly believe that even if Wenger didn’t sign any more players, but got a lot tighter with better organisation and focusing on the small details that cost us last season, we can win the league next season, can’t we?
I agree with what you have said but, the thing is we would need for our squad to remain fit for a long period of time which seems to be the challenge. Wilshere won’t be used as much as he was in his breakthrough season. Gibbs, Diaby, Rosicky and Persie are all players who can easily find themselves injured. Walcott seems to find an injury during a season. Although I know injuries are apart of the game, we seem to suffer slot worse then others. Hopefully we can get some look at with changes to the side in rotation it won’t be so consistent.
In terms of the players already at the club I 100% agree with you. I’m happy with the current side and wouldnt be too concerned if nobody else was to be bought in
Pls wenger, add two more players in the caliber of Ajax’s Vertoghoen and Van der weil to replace Squiollacci and Djourou.
Then bring in an attacking midfielder in the likes of Gotze to alternate with Wilshere .
And finally, M’vila to support Song.
Van der Weil and Affellay ll make Van Persie think twice, Weil has more experience than Jenko, and Sagna has too much injuries. Lukaz Bilgia will hell Coq and Frimpo.
Sorry mate but your completely wrong. Van der Wiel is awful and this was shown at the Euros….would much rather see Debuchy in an arsenal shirt. I don’t think your analysis of our back line is completely fair either. Whilst we have had our hiccups in the season, once all our first choice defenders were back and we used to playing their regular position again (vermaelen) then we had a great solid defence. I think you mean we lack quality in our back up defenders. Mertesacker is the lowest standard we should expect. Despite his lack of pace. He did the job we needed him to. Djourou
Didn’t finish that….djourou is not good enough. Find a replacement for him and we’re fine
Some of our fellow fans doesn’t knw our main problem is creativity.when fabregas was around ,any match he didn’t play we were struggling 4 a creative passes.without a creative player in d middle of d park,we’ll still struggle no matter any striker we buy.wenger should make a signing like montolivo.look @ Italy 2nd goal.since fabregas left we r not seeing somethin of dat kind again.pls wenger buy montolivo den wen can compete strongly
i stil dont understand y people rate van der wiel… Starting 4rm d world cup all through d euros,he’s been poor,yet you write a blog,nd says he’s who le prof needs to sign… Wonder if u’ve ever seen him play.
Thank you pal for every contribution each of you have written. But i want to pin point on one PATRICK SSEKATEWA you are to me atrue goonner. Your coment is way above all. I salute you but i would urge for a diffensive mid backup to song
I think wenger should get a striker who is using right leg.cos all our strikers are all left footer.someone like madzuvic of croatia.and he shud alsn bring in someone who is very creative at midfield like montolivo,gotze,thiago alcantara.
what hapened to M’villa am sure with him he gives us more squad depth, for one he can be used alongside Song and Arteta before Wilshere gains match fitness 2nd song can play as a CB and M
‘villa plays alongside arteta and wilshere. Despite his discipline off pitch i still hold he is a player we need