Arsenal have uncharacteristically been active in the summer transfer market this season. the club acquired German international and former Cologne and Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski and recently signed French Ligue winner Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.
What came as a surprise was the timing of these signings. Podolski had been signed before the transfer window even opened and Giroud followed almost a month later.
With more than a month to go till the transfer window shuts down, it’ll be interesting to see who Arsenal bring in next. The North London club has recently been linked with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505, with many reputable
sources claiming the player has agreed personal terms with the club and is now waiting on Malaga and Arsenal to reach an understanding and decide the final transfer fee.
Another player that has been linked with the Gunners for quite some time is French defensive midfielder Yann M’Vila. Despite talk claiming that the deal for the player had been put on hold and will not commence, there is still a chance that the player may
move to the Emirates. Arsene Wenger had stated in a press conference earlier while on tour in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abou-Diaby-c3453’s return back to the first team and Jack Wilshere’s imminent return in October.
He will however be forced to re-consider if either of the two face a set back.
Arsenal do however face a major problem, and will need to sort it out as soon as possible. Club captain and last season’s Golden Boot winner http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 had stated his desire not to extend his contract with the club as he looks to force a move away
from the Emirates.
Arsenal have two options here; either force Van Persie to see his contract out, and hope that he signs by January given Arsenal’s league standing and cup competition form. Secondly, Arsenal can still force him to stay and sell him in January, hopeful of
the chance that they still might get a decent price for the Dutch striker.
Regardless of whether the Dutchman stays or not, Arsenal have acquired two proven and exciting strikers. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 and has scored
44 goals. Not bad for a player who’s only 27-years old. Podolski had a very impressive campaign last season with Cologne, scoring 18 goals in 31 appearances in the Bundesliga. Podolski can operate on the left or through the middle as centre forward. He is
known for his strong, ferocious shot and technique and his physical presence.
Having Podolski in the team offers Arsene Wenger a plethora of options in attack and formation. Currently, Arsenal have the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi who can operate on the wings. Podolski can play anywhere
on the front side, and he can also be deployed in the ‘false 9’ role.
With Giroud, Arsenal get an added dimension and threat that was promised by the acquisition of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marouane-Chamakh-c24294 but never fully delivered. Giroud is a proven striker, as he demonstrated last season by helping his former club to the French Ligue 1 title,
scoring 21 goals in 36 league appearances and bagging 9 assists. Standing at 6ft 4 in, Giroud offers http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 much more than physical presence. For a tall player, he is quite agile and good with the ball at his feet. Giroud has a cracking left foot and is quite
capable at setting up attacks.
The only problem Arsenal need to sort out right now is their midfield. Last season saw http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804, a defensive midfielder by trait, stepping up to create chances for striker Robin Van Persie. Cazorla’s signing will add that creative spark to the team and
allow Song to concentrate on his defensive duties.
It will also come as a blessing to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360. The young Welshman had a decent start to the season but faded in the latter half, probably
because he was unable to cope with the large burden that had been placed on his shoulders. Jack Wilshere’s absence due to injury did not help either as the Welshman struggled to perform for the team.
Defensively, Arsenal are still not the best team in the League. Kyle Bartley's inclusion in the first team does provide adequate defensive cover in case of injuries to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680
in the centre-half department, so they're much better off than they were last season.
Cazorla's arrival will provide strength in depth and give Wenger options in the centre. Currently, Arsenal have http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Henri-Lansbury-c16044 in midfield. Tomas Rosicky has suffered an injury which sees him out
till October, and this comes as a blow to the team considering the revival and form Rosicky had managed in the later half last season.
The Frenchman has long been troubled by injuries to his key players over the past few seasons, and if he signs three more quality players, (including a quality striker) Arsenal will surely contend for titles next season, regardless if Van Persie stays or
leaves.
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