Arsenal's dream summer transfer window

Arsene Wenger

I admit that listening in to idle transfer gossips makes me more excited about Arsenal, or football for that matter, than the actual game itself. The players who your team is scouting, who are leaving, all give me an extra bit of optimism about Arsenal, regardless of how well they are performing.

Today, I present to you, my ideal transfer window. This is something Arsenal hasn’t had since 2010. To recap, Cesc Fabregas decided to stay with us for the season, while we recruited the likes of Chamakh, Koscielny, Squillaci to add to our exciting young stars like Walcott, Song and Wilshere. Arsenal, like this season, was on course to win it all, even defeating Barcelona 2-1 at the Emirates. But it all went wrong in the Carling Cup final where Szczesny, and Koscielny made a collective error and Birmingham City won 2-1.

In 2011, the additions of the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta, Mertesacker were offset by the losses of Fabregas and Nasri. And last season’s additions of Giroud, Cazorla and Podolski was neutralized by the departure of RvP and Song. This season’s windows were, in truth, nearly identical to Manchester United’s poor dealings until September 2, when we signed German national Mesut Ozil on a 42 million pound deal.

I can identify 5 core needs for Arsenal come July 2014. A back-up goalie for Wojciech Szczesny, a new right-back to replace Bacary Sagna, two new, young center-backs, a strong new defensive midfielder to replace Arteta, a world class striker to supplement Giroud, and a sixth need (a new CAM in case Rosicky doesn’t sign a new contract) which may not be needed.

Let’s get on with it:

Reserve Goalkeeper:

Need: Lukaz Fabianski, as per news reports, decided to leave Arsenal at the end of the campaign. With Viviano on loan for the season, Arsenal’s need for a goalkeeper has heightened. With Szczesny suspended for 3 games and Arsenal unlikely to beat Bayern next month, Arsenal will need a goalkeeper for the first two group-stage games or the qualifying rounds (depending on our position in the table).

Brad Friedel

Answer: I was about to say Shay Given, but he is on a contract till 2016 at Aston Villa and Villa will demand high wages and a big fee even for signing on loan. We should do something similar on the lines of Chelsea’s Schwarzer signing. An experienced goalie to supplement Szczesny. A guy like Speroni or a Friedel, who are available for free in July should be fine.

Right Back

Need: With Bacary Sagna all set to leave Arsenal because other teams like Liverpool, as per the Metro, have offered him lucrative contracts, and Carl Jenkinson not ready, we need a ready-made right-back, and I have the solution.

Micah Richards

Answer: Micah Richards. Capable of playing both on the right and through the center, he is a class player who is being over shadowed by Pablo Zabaleta. He is reported to be available for 8 million pounds. This is a bargain for such a player because:

He likes to play short passes which is a pre-requisite to be an Arsenal player. He has a strong physique which makes him strong in the air. He, however, lacks discipline and is poor at tackling. However, since Sagna looks like leaving Arsenal, we should look to make the most out of Richards.

Two new young center-backs:

Need: Vermaelen is certainly unhappy at Arsenal and may even leave Arsenal at the end of the season. He won’t be short of suitors, with Napoli and West Ham having shown interest in him.

Even Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny aren’t exactly what you would call ‘footballing youth’ as they are nearing their 30’s. It is imperative for us to sign two young center-backs for our long-term planning.

Steven Caulker

Answer: Jamaal Lascelles and Steven Caulker

For those who don’t know, Lascelles is an English center-back for Nottingham Forest and at the tender age of 20, he has made an impression on the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool. As per British media, Forest’s asking price is in the region of 3 million pounds.

At 189 cm, his height is towering as is his presence in the air. Again, he also likes to play short passes. He seems to be one for the future and looking back 20 years later, 3 million may seem like nothing.

As for Caulker, a small background check. He is actually a former Spurs player who also played for Swansea City on loan. Now he is at Cardiff, where Arsenal can take advantage of Cardiff’s potential relegation and get him on a nominal fee.

• Unlike Lescelles, he has years of EPL experience even when he is just 22. He likes to block the ball and plays the ball off the ground often.
• His major problem is his tackling and passing aren’t upto the mark. This is what prompted Vilas Boas to sell him to Cardiff while he was Tottenham boss. If Arsene Wenger can mould him into a better footballer, I wouldn’t be complaining.

A defensive midfielder to replace Arteta

Need: Arsenal have struggled to win back the ball in recent games where Arteta has played. He now looks out of pace, and his defensive capabilities are on the decline.

Blaise Matuidi

Answer: Blaise Matuidi is at present, a lockdown in the PSG midfield. He is an expert in the art of defensive midfield and best of all, he could even be available for free in July. Assuming he won’t sign a contract at PSG, Arsenal should sign him before the competition heats up.

He is very good at holding on the ball, his defensive output is high, and is a good passer of the ball. He is also very good at the tackle. He is very consistent as the whoscored.com rating of 7.24 shows.

A world class striker to complement Giroud

Need: As much as Yaya Sanogo is good, he is still raw material. We need to give him a phased development and playing him week in-week out isn’t the answer. We are light in the striker’s department, and this guy can light up Arsenal:

Mario Balotelli

Answer: The controversial, mercurial and the talented Mario Balotelli.

Yes. Don’t get me wrong. He will be the best world class striker on show this summer. AC Milan was a step in the wrong direction and Balotelli will want to move. A bid in the region of 25 million should be enough for Seedorf and Co. to accept.

He is the anti-Giroud. He takes on defenders, has a powerful long shot and sure as hell take free-kicks and penalties better than our own Mesut.

His whoscored.com rating of 7.34 shows he is a very consistent player. Besides, he isn’t as controversial as he was at City. He is more mature, but as the racist chants against him in Italy shows, he is in need of new pastures and a new godfather.Wenger can be that person. He previously converted Robin Van Persie from an arrogant youth to a mature, world class striker.

Reports about Balotelli and Arsenal have picked pace in recent weeks, with Wenger allegedly meeting Balotelli’s agent. Watch this space in the coming weeks.

A CAM to replace Rosicky (if he leaves)

Need: As it is, Rosicky hasn’t still put pen on paper on a deal to resign with Arsenal, yet. Unless he signs up sooner or later, we will need to search for a person to replace the ever-green and dynamic ‘rockstar’.

Diego

Answer: Diego, who has alleged that he had contact with Arsenal and Southampton, is now spending the last few months of his Wolfsburg contract with Athletico Madrid, could provide serious competition to Mesut Ozil.

He is a good free-kick taker, can shoot long range, strong in passing and dribbling, and loves to play long balls to feed the striker. Who wouldn’t want such a player. On top of it, this package comes free of transfer cost, so Wenger, if not Rosicky, then Diego.

So here’s my dream Arsenal signings for 2014/15. This can be a potentially world class team which can stand up to the likes of Barca and Real Madrid. Do you agree with this team? Or you feel this team lacks something? Be sure to comment.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do no necessarily reflect the views of Sportskeeda.