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Arsenal have had a great showing this season in the domestic league and are known to finish their campaigns strongly. As Arsene Wenger nears his 1000th game in charge of Arsenal, let us look at a few players hemay target this summer to boost their ranks in their quest for silverware.
#1 Julian Draxler
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Julian Draxler is having an amazing season with Schalke. Draxler prefers to play down the middle, although he has been predominantly deployed down the left this season to make way for the young Max Meyer. He has a 37 million release clause in his contract and it may not reduce too much after a good World cup. Arsene Wenger has expressed his interest in Draxler and looks to add him to the growing group of Germans in North London.
Draxler stands at 6ft1in and it maybe the height as Wenger seems to see a bit of Theirry Henry in the young German and has revealed that he wishes to play him as a center forward. Although 37 million may seem an inflated amount for someone so young,the potential and creativity Draxler possesses alone will be worth all the effort and money to bring him to Arsenal.
#2 Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic has been the first choice striker at an unbeatable Bayern Munich but will not stay to play another season for the Bavarians. He has come under a lot of criticism for displaying "bad attitude" in training and looks set to leave the Bavarians. Bayern Munich has been proactive in securing the services of Robert Lewandowski forseeing the departure of Mandzukic. Add to this the ultimatum Jennifer Giroud has issued to her husband Olivier Giroud, and Giroud is looking to move to France in a desperate attempt to save his marriage.
In Mario, Wenger will get a like for like replacement, a large and strong targetman for the creative midfielders. Given time, his linkup play will improve too and that sounds mouth watering. Although Giroud must be applauded for shouldering the striking duties, he is not in the same league as Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic would be a very shrewd piece of business for Wenger.
#3 Cheikhou Kouyate
Kouyate has been a defensive rock for Anderlecht in the Belgian pro League. The 24-year old Senegalese center back has been a long term transfer target for Arsenal and looks set to make the move. As Arsenal captain Vermaelen looks set to leave in search of first team action, Kouyate could be a savvy buy. Kouyate has hinted that he would find it diffiuclt to say no, if Arsenal come calling.
#4 Alvaro Morata
Even after the sale of Higuain, Morata is finding it diffcult to break into the Real Madrid's first team. It can be attributed to bad luck more than a lack of skill, as Benzema, Ronaldo(what's new?) and the emerging Jese have all been in blistering scoring form.
Arsenal had been linked previously with him in a loan move that didnt quite go through. But they now look primed to bring the Spaniard permanently to London as a cover for the main striker. He hasn't hit his prime yet, but he would any day be a better second choice than Bendtner.
#5 Matthias Ginter
Matthias Ginter is a sole postive in a season of regrets for Freiburg as the team looks set to be relegated. The 20 year old German is wanted by Arsene Wenger as a cover for his starting center backs. But Wenger would likely face heavy competition from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund to sign the German.
Ginter would learn a lot from his compatriot Mertersacker and would provide good competition to Ignasi Miquel who seems to be the only other option Wenger would have next season.
#6 Serge Aurier
Arsenal have announced a list of star players who have extended their contracts. But the exclusion of one name from the list worries the Gunners faithful. Bacary Sagna is yet to sign his contract extension. The contract negotiation has apparently reached an impasse after Arsenal declined to meet Sagna's requirements.If Sagna leaves, they will lose not just a right back, but a versatile player with massive experience and wonderful crossing ability.
Although Arsenal would do great by offering Sagna the contract he needs and deserves, if he does leave, they can look to bring in Serge Aurier. The 21 year old Ivorian, who also holds French citizenship is having an exciting season with Toulouse and seems like a good long term buy for Wenger. Since Aurier is a boyhood Arsenal fan, the negotiations may be a bit easier.
#7 Michy Batshuayi
Michy Batshuayi is another young and exciting Belgian talent. Produced from the same academy as Kompany and Lukaku, he has informed his club of his intention to leave at the end of the current season But Batshuayi has a bit of a problem with discipline and has a checkered past. His displays of arrogance and bad attitude in training led to his move from Anderlecht to Standard Liege.
But Michy Batshuayi is not all talk, as he has the potential and skill to justify his arrogance. Wenger is known to use his methods over time to resolve attitude issues in his players. Wenger made a temperamental and arrogant young Van Persie into a Premier league scoring monster and helped him unleash his unbelievable talent.
Maybe he could work his magic on this Belgian youngster too.
