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With Cesc Fabregas finally completing his move back to hometown club Barcelona, so ends one of football’s longest running transfer sagas. It was inevitable from the moment Barca declared that they wanted Fabregas back some 3 years ago, that he would one day return. That day has come and now the matter can finally be put to bed. What can’t be however, are the implications the sale will have on Arsenal’s future.

The contrasting emotions in North London and Catalonia were plain for all to see. While Fabregas was unveiled to the Barcelona fans and kissing the badge on his jersey, Arsene Wenger was preparing his team for tomorrow’s Champions League qualifier against Italian club Udinese. There is unbridled joy for Barca as they have finally got their man. Fabregas has finally got his dream move and their squad will now be even stronger than that which has been so dominant already. For Arsenal, there is uncertainty.

Udinese marks the first game since Fabregas has left, but however that match turns out, it is the long-term implications that will worry fans. Look at their opponents for example- Udinese have lost their 3 best players in Gokhan Inler, Cristian Zapata and Alexis Sanchez (also to Barcelona) and how do you think that they will fare this season without them? Will they once again qualify for the Champions League having not made any significant reinforcements? Doubtful. Of course Arsenal have a better squd than Udinese, but the concept is the same- if you lose your best players you replace them or face the consequences.

This brings up a question that all Arsenal fans must be wondering- why did the transfer go through so late and leave them with little time to find a replacement? Surely Wenger knew that he had a near impossible task of persuading Fabregas to stay again, and that it was almost nailed on that he would leave. Why so was the deal completed now, with the Premier League season already underway? Perhaps he is not going to go out and spend the money on a like-for-like replacement for Fabregas, after all, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey look like they could develop into top players too. Still with around £25m going straight into the bank and approximately another £10m to come later, there is plenty of money now to strengthen some of the areas that Arsenal are weak in. The topic of these positions and possible players they might need has been exhausted over the last few weeks- there is no need to go over it again.

When Liverpool sold Xabi Alonso, they lost the fulchrum of their team. Everything went through Alonso, and without him it was completely different. They no longer had a world-class midfielder who could dictate the tempo of a game and pull the strings. At Arsenal, all things went through Fabregas. It would be naive to think that Ramsey or Wilshere are ready to fill Fabregas’ boots. After all, he was the best midfielder in the league, he is a World Cup winner, and he has all the experience in the world at the very highest level. Fabregas was also a perfect example of a Wenger success story and a symbol for his ideology- a talented player who is developed into a world class player who plays the game the right way, e.g. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robin Van Persie etc. He was always a talent, and looked destined to be a great player, but under the Frenchman he became the complete midfielder. He added goals (and plenty of them) to the assists he would always provide. He was assured in his defensive duties as well as being a threat for opposition defences. Fabregas has been quick to acknowledge the role that Wenger played in his development, but that won’t matter a jot to Arsenal fans. All they want to know now is how the money will be used.

Arsenal’s next Premier League game is coincidentally against Liverpool next weekend. Liverpool have long been a rival of the Gunners, with both teams normally guaranteed Champions League football, but at this moment nothing can be taken for granted. Liverpool suffered from selling their best players and not replacing them (due to their previous owners), and the result was them slipping down the table and out of the top 4 places. This summer however, they have addressed the need for width with the signing of Stewart Downing, they have finally signed a dependable left-back in Jose Enrique, as well as making a number of other signings- they have identified where tehy were weak, and they have done something about it. With the exception of Gervinho, Arsenal haven’t made another signing who can go straight into the first team. Having lost Nicklas Bendtner and Gael Clichy already, and with Emmanuel Eboue all but gone, as well as question marks over the future of Samir Nasri, Arsenal could be without a number of first-team players come the end of the transfer window.

There was once a time when whatever Arsene Wenger said was gospel to the Arsenal fans. Nowadays, the grumbles are becoming a lot more audible. In fairness to Wenger, there have been times over the past few seasons when Arsenal looked capable of the league, only to fall off the rails. The problem is, he has appeared reluctant to spend on the problem positions, and as a result, as other teams get better, Arsenal are relying on their young talents making the step-up.
Should Nasri leave after Fabregas and should Arsenal fail to make the top 4 where would that leave them? The likes of Wilshere and Van Persie wouldn’t want to be playing in the Europa League. Would Wenger stay and try to rectify things? Or would he decide that his time at Arsenal was over? While they have always been able to attract top players, were they to fall out of the Champions League spots, they would become a far less attractive option to those players of the highest calibre, and a rebuilding job would be on the cards. Those days of going into each season looking at a title challenge would be gone.

Fabregas can’t be replaced. Not this season anyway. He is too good a player, and was too important to how Arsenal played as a team. They will be weaker without him, at a time when they can’t afford to be. Man United, Chelsea and Man City should all have a top 4 spot nailed on. That leaves only one more up for grabs, and should Arsenal fail to snatch it, the consequences could be devastating.

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Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will look to sell Lucas Leiva and sign Swiss international Gokhan Inler during the January transfer window.

Although Lucas has played a role for Liverpool in the past few weeks, he almost left Anfield in the summer and Hodgson will let him leave if the price is right.

Having already recently signed Christian Poulen and Raul Meireles to bolster his midfield, Hogdson will reportedly look to sign Udinese star Gokhan Inler if Lucas does leave.

26-year-old Inler is in his fourth season at Serie A side Udinese and the 6ft midfielder has won almost 40 caps for Switzerland. Roy Hodgson had hoped that new funds would help subsidize a deal for Inler, but with Liverpool’s financial situation unchanged, he will have to sell Lucas before he can buy. (IMScouting)

It seems that Lucas Leiva has a fair few detractors among the Liverpool faithful so the idea of the Brazilian leaving the club will please many and the idea that impressive Swiss international Gokhan Inler may take his place would probably make quite a few Anfield supporters doubly happy.

The Udinese man has been a consistent performer in Serie A for four years now and the £12m rated 26 year old has been linked with a move away from Italy for some time and it appears that Roy Hodgson is a big fan and wants to bring him to Merseyside.

Clearly as former boss of the Switzerland national team Hodgson will have done his homework on Inler who is a good box to box player with a great engine and the physicality to make it in the Premier League. Quite where Lucas may head is another matter.

Rafa Benitez was reported to have been interested in bringing the 23 year old to the San Siro but talk of that potential transfer seems to have faded of late.

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Udinese star Gokhan Inler’s agent has stated that the player may leave the club in January, with Liverpool reportedly interested in his services.

Inler appeared in Switzerland’s 3-1 defeat to England on Tuesday in their Euro 2012 qualifier and is regarded as one of his country’s most talented players after moving to Italy three years ago.

The 26-year-old has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Napoli and Inter Milan in the past, but so far there has been no concrete offers made for the midfielder, who decided to stay put.

“I have not had direct contacts with Napoli for Inler. I know that the clubs have spoken, however, they showed no great interest to negotiate,” the player’s agent Dino Lamberti told Radio Quinta Rete.

“With Inter Milan there were contacts in the last days of market but the agreement was not found.

“Staying in Udine was also a decision of the boy, because the (Udinese’s owners) Pozzo family wants to do a good championship and for Inler it’s good to grow again, before taking a step in a great team.

“When you go to a top team you must be able to play, otherwise after just two weeks you are forgotten.

“Away in January? Never say never. Liverpool are also interested in Inler and already with Benitez they followed him.” (Sky Sports)

Gokhan Inler is a battling midfielder who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for the best part of two years. Arsenal were said to be tracking the Swiss international but no bid was forthcoming and the 26 year old has continued to impress after three consistent seasons in Serie A.

Roy Hodgson may see the former FC Zurich man as a long term replacement for Javier Mascherano who engineered a move to Barcelona leaving the Anfield looking for a back up plan. The signing of Christian Poulsen was not a like for like replacement, as stated by the Liverpool manager, but the Dane should be able to add some steel to the Merseyside club’s midfield.

The 26 year old powerfully built battler clearly likes the idea of moving to the Premier League but a lot could depend on how Hodgson goes about raising funds to bring in the £12m rated Udinese man. Raul Meireles’s move to Liverpool will give the side an added dimension but the Portuguese international is more a Xabi Alonso type than a Mascherano style player.

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Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler has hinted that he may leave the club next summer.
The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has made more than 50 appearances for the Serie A side since arriving from FC Zurich in summer 2007, helping the Zebrette reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals last season.
Inler was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal during the close-season to help add some steel to the Gunners’ midfield, only for a move to fail to materialise.
However, Emirates Stadium supremo Arsene Wenger is thought to be monitoring the progress of the Swiss international, who has 23 caps for his country.
And the Frenchman may be able to finally entice him to London next summer, after the player – despite being contracted with Udinese until 2014 – hinted that this season may be his last with the club.
“I have a contract with the club until 2014. The directors would like to extend that,” he said, as reported by IlCalciomercato.it.
“I’ll stay another year and then we’ll see.” (Four Four Two)

We were keen on Inler for a prolonged period last season and this summer it looked like Wenger was closing in on the Swiss international but failed to persuade Udinese to allow their prized asset leave. Now that he has essentially stated that he will stay another year and then we’ll see, essentially means “come and get me” and if Arsenal are listening they would do well to consider making an offer for the £14m rated midfielder.

Whilst Song and Denilson have done well this season I fancy that Gokhan may fit more easily into the position alongside Cesc Fabregas in the centre of the park.

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Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler is the latest player to interest Liverpool as a replacement for Xabi Alonso.

The 25-year-old Turkish-born Switzerland international, Inler, is now understood to be high on Benitez’s radar. The former FC Basel and FC Zurich star has progressed well in Italy’s Serie A at Udinese since joining them in summer 2007 and he has 23 caps for his country. A source close to the club confirmed that Benitez ‘likes the player a lot’. (Clubcall)

Sky Sports News understands Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen.

Juve are open to the sale of the Denmark international and a number of sides have been linked with an interest in his services.

But it is believed that Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool are in pole position to secure Poulsen’s signature. (Sky Sports)

So there you have it, Rafa’s going to go midfield crazy, except he probably isn’t and this is more than likely paper talk gone mad. However if any potential signing means putting Lucas further down the pecking order then it’s fine and dandy with me.

I think Inler isn’t a bad shout as he could be a player who acts as back-up as he is a little more adaptable than the one dimensional Danish international. Am I the only one who thought that perhaps Yossi could get more of a run out, I think he deserves a decent shot at a run in the first team and with Xabi out of the picture Benitez could have shuffled his pack to fit the Israeli in, what do others think.

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The Rumour

Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler has welcomed interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Daily Star says Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has earmarked the Udinese midfielder as a replacement if he loses either Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano, who is wanted by Barcelona.

And rival manager Arsene Wenger, who has long been on the trail of the 25-year-old, wants him at the Emirates.

Udinese rate Inler at £15m, but will accept a compromise deal – with the player keen to quit the modest Serie A club.

Inler said: “They play very good football in England as well as in Serie A.”

The Source: (tribalfootball.com)

The Analysis

Like it or not most of the players linked with a move to Liverpool cater for potential exits and Gokhan Inler’s name is very much in the ring for just such a reason. The Swiss international is a solid and capable midfielder looking to further his career from the mid table Udinese side he represents and apparently he is very keen on a move to England with Benitez and Gunners boss Wenger being the main interested parties.

Arsenal however have apparently not given up hope on Brazilian Felipe Melo and have even considered taking back Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan, so Rafa seems to be in pole position on this one. Inler has been outstanding at the Serie A side and is more of a Javier than a Xabi but can also do the pretty stuff as well as get stuck in.

The price tag is a tad inflated but as this source suggests, the Italian side are willing to negotiate on a player they purchased for a fraction of their valuation two years ago.

The Likelihood

Inler to Liverpool: As with other targets, very much depends on whether Rafa can manage to prevent the loss of either of his two highly rated midfielders.

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The Rumour

Liverpool have targeted Gokhan Inler to reinforce their midfield once they lose Xabi Alonso.

With Real Madrid only delaying their offer for Alonso, and Barcelona still keen on Javier Mascherano, manager Rafa Benitez knows he must fill the breach.

But he has been alarmed at Udinese’s £18million asking price for Switzerland midfielder Inler.

Benitez is reluctant to bid more than £10m.

The Source: (Daily Mail)

The Analysis

Swiss international Gokhan Inler has been a much targeted midfielder for two years or so, with Arsenal being just one club to make serious attempts to snap up the 25 year old. Previously Udinese have asked for huge offers for Inler and as a result he remains at the over achieving Serie A side and it appears that once again they are putting an inflated valuation on one of their prized assets, which is probably a good course of action if you wish to keep a player who is very much needed.

Rafa will however have a large sum of cash to play with if indeed Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano leave the club and Gokhan could be just the man to turn to. He’s a battling determined player who also has a classy side to his game so in many ways he bares the hallmarks of positive attributes of both Xabi and Javier, without being quite in the same league, but he has the potential to step up to the Premier League plate and do well and would surely jump at the chance of a move from his relatively small Italian club.

The Likelihood

Inler to Liverpool: If the price comes down just a little Benitez may well pounce.

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Five players Arsene Wenger should buy

After another trophyless season, Arsene Wenger may have to splash the cash in the summer if Arsenal are to compete with Europes’s top clubs. Here the Evening Standard looks at five potential targets.

Xabi Alonso(Age 27) Liverpool: Central midfielder

Estimated cost: £20m

Arsenal’s top target last summer, Alonso was desperate to leave Anfield but Arsene Wenger baulked at the £17million asking price. Although the Spaniard has since become one of Liverpool’s top performers this season, Rafael Benitez hinted he would sell Alonso in the summer but his price is likely to have increased to £20m. However, he would be an instant hit at Arsenal with close friend Cesc Fabregas.

Gokhan Inler (24) Udinese: Central midfielder

Estimated cost: £8m

Wenger is a known admirer of Inler and was thought to be close to sealing a deal for the 24-year-old before he chose to sign a new contract with Italian club Udinese earlier this season. The midfielder attracted plenty of interest thanks to his performances for Switzerland during Euro 2008 and would provide much-needed steel to the Gunners midfield. Could cost around £8m.

Roque Santa Cruz (27) Blackburn: Striker

Estimated cost: £12m

Thought to have an £18m buy-out clause in his contract, Santa Cruz is understood to be regarded as Emmanuel Adebayor’s natural replacement should Wenger decide to cash in on the Togo forward. Has all the attributes to fit into Arsenal’s system, plus is better in the air than Adebayor and has proven worth in the Premier League and in Europe with former club Bayern Munich.

Matthew Upson (30) West Ham: Central defender

Estimated cost: £8m

Arsenal scouted their former player back in January and, with West Ham’s financial future uncertain, they could pick him up on the cheap. A mature and composed defender, Upson has forced his way into the England set-up in recent times and would provide a valuable strength in depth at the back that Arsenal have lacked this season. The Hammers could be tempted with a bid in the region of £8m.

Stephane M’Bia (22) Rennes: Central midfielder

Estimated cost: £8m

A Cameroon international who fits the Patrick Vieira mould — is tough and combative with a great engine. Still young enough to fit in with Wenger’s policy of signing youth and expressed a desire to move to Emirates Stadium when Arsenal scouted him in January. Would be a cheaper alternative than Alonso as he could be available for around £8m and would not command prohibitive wages.
(Evening Standard)

So what can we make of this. Well these five have all been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates and all of them do in some way fill holes that need filling if the club is going to break it’s four year silverware duck. Of the five the only ones i can see Arsene opting for is M’Bia or Inler and conversely i am pretty sure it’s the other three that Arsenal fans would like to see come to the club.

I think most Gunners fans are now pretty much sure that Wenger is not going to change his ways and it’s hard to know if he should be lambasted for this insistence on youth or applauded for showing such faith in his young charges. Either way i think next season is do or die for the manager and i hope to god he gives us something to cheer about!

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Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is desperately searching for a central midfielder in the January transfer window after learning that influential captain Cesc Fabregas will be out of action for up to four months with a serious knee injury.
Barcelona-based daily, Sport believes that the Gunners are about to raid the Catalans again, although they are not looking for someone from their cantera(youth system) this time around.
Ivory Coast midfielder Toure Yaya has been strongly linked with Arsenal and Juventus over the past few months and it appears that the London-based outfit are finally preparing to make their move as they seek a replacement for Fabregas.
It is reported that the Blaugrana have set a price of around €8.5 million for the 25-year-old defensive midfielder, who is equally adept at attacking.
Wenger have also been keeping a close eye on Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, Villarreal’s Marcos Senna and Udinese’s Gokhan Inler. (goal.com)

Clearly Arsene needs to make some signings this month, it’s simply a case of how much money he has to spend and with that in mind this source outlines some midfielders that the Gunners boss is interested in. Having already stated he wouldn’t make a move this month for Swiss international Inler and given that Man City have reportedly bid an astounding £24m for Yaya Toure, that leaves Alonso and Senna as possibly the most likely of the quartet outlined here. I think many would consider Xabi the standout player here, not least because Senna is the wrong side of 30. Liverpool boss Rafa seemed content to offload the Spaniard in the summer to try to raise funds for the Gareth Barry move that failed to materalise and the halfway line goal scoring expert is the kind of player I think would fit in well at the Emirates, especially when Fabregas is back to full fitness when both would form a strong partnership in the midfield. Who out of these four do Arsenal fans most like the look of?

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Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler is a target for Arsenal.
The Sunday Express says the Switzerland international is on the January shopping list of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
Wenger had a major bid for Inler turned down by Udinese in the summer. (tribalfootball.com)

Of all the players linked with a January move to the Emirates so far I think this one is the most likely. The young Swiss international came mighty close to joining the club in the summer and the north London club’s need for midfield presence just got bigger as Fabregas is ruled out with injury for around a month. The club haven’t bought players to replace Flamini and Gilberto Silva and some say that this failing has been the biggest reason for the clubs stuttering season. Inler is a talented midfielder and is the kind of player who Arsene would bring in, a player who is not a household name but has bags of potential, luckily at 24 he has a grounding of experience and is in his second full season of Serie A action at Udinese. Do Gunners fans think the club should spend big this January?

Brand New Feature. (1-10 scale, One = Pure make believe, Ten = is a transfer all but complete) Mr Comfort’s Likely-ometer: 7/10
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