Arsenal to hold talks with Southampton to land £5m-rated Luke Shaw

It’s going to be a typically Arsene Wenger-esque January at Arsenal and you probably did not read it first over here. The last time Arsene signed a player to turn around Arsenal’s season, it did really happen (in 2009) and Andrey Arshavin, then a club record signing from Zenit Saint Petersburg for £15 million, knocked in 4 goals at Anfield against a Liverpool side that was locked firmly in contention for the title against Manchester United.

This January, Arsenal find themselves with a lack of attacking options up front, after the departure of Robin van Persie. Walcott has managed to nail down his place as a centre forward ahead of Olivier Giroud over the last few games, but the lack of a consistent goal-scorer will cost the Gunners a place in the Champions League. While a number of strikers like Adrian Lopez, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Wilfried Zaha and Edin Dzeko have been linked with Arsenal, there is nothing concrete about the rumours.

The first name to be linked with Arsenal though is 19-year old Southampton left-back prodigy, Luke Shaw. The player considered as England’s answer to Welshman, Gareth Bale.

Arsenal face Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium during midweek, on Tuesday, and talks are rumoured to have been initiated between the two clubs over a possible transfer. It is expected that a deal in the region of £5 million could be reached. Arsenal have been in pursuit of the left-back for over two years. During the same time, Arsenal managed to prise Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the Emirates Stadium, who is now a regular in Arsenal’s first team and has since gone on to make his debut for England’s senior team, including a call-up to the Euros in Poland-Ukraine. Arsenal’s top scorer this season, Theo Walcott, is also a product of Southampton’s youth academy.

The left-back position has been filled by Kieran Gibbs, with Andre Santos deputizing in his absence. But the Brazilian international has come under fire for his lack of defensive play and a consistent urge to charge forward in attack. Arsenal have been exposed down the left flank a number of times this season, most notably during the first Champions League fixture against Schalke 04.

“We produce some technically-gifted players but not as many as Southampton,” said Wenger.

“It is exceptional what they have done. The three wingers (Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott) and Luke Shaw, that is a good way to study what they have done.

“The question of Southampton’s academy set-up is a very good one because they have done a fabulous job.

“Why? It is down to the quality of their scouting, the quality of their coaching and education. They have fantastic scouting.”

Arsene Wenger has had Arsenal’s chief-scout, Steve Rowley, keep tabs on Luke Shaw over the first half of the season. If a deal were to go through, the England youth-international would find no difficulty in adapting to the footballing philosophy at the north London club, due to the presence of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Fellow Londoners Chelsea FC are also said to be in the race to land the left back, with club legend Ashley Cole looking unsettled at Stamford Bridge over a dispute about the length of the contract offered to him. Arsenal could also face stiff competition from Liverpool’s Brendan Rogers, who has been a long time admirer of Shaw.