A collection of talents that could well be just what the Emirates Stadium side could do with this summer.
As another season draws to a close it marks the end of another term without a trophy for Arsenal.
Despite being England’s sole representative in the last 16 of the Champions League, which can now only be rendered as a moral victory, the pressure is growing on Arsene Wenger to deliver. The mercurial Frenchman’s recent buys have been scrutinised for not performing to the standard required and there is a sense that this will be his last throw of the dice.
Arsenal are expected to have a summer clear out at the end of the season with up to seven players expected to make their way out of The Emirates. Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho are just some of the high profile names who have failed to Impress lately and all of them would command healthy fees to be pumped back into the squads regeneration.
New blood is definitely needed, and below is a list of five young players who could really add some spice to their squad.
1. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
A virtual unknown before his summer move to Aston Villa last year, the 6’3 Belgian has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. With 17 goals in 32 appearances for The Villans, he’s playing a major role in their push for survival and their run to the Capital One Cup semi final.
Powerful and quick, he also possesses an eye for the long range effort. His finest moment so far is arguably the brace he scored in Villa’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in December. At the time of writing, he’s
He’s proved that his performances in claret & blue have been no fluke either by continuing his fine form with the Belgian national side, bagging four goals in ten games since making his debut in 2010.
If Villa do stay up they aren’t likely to let him go for cheap, if at all, so Wenger will need to dig deep to land him. Reports that he’s an Arsenal fan will work in their favour if true, but having just signed a three year deal Villa are under no obligation to sell.
2. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
The Montenegrin striker has seen his stock this season with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus all linked with summer moves.
A strong dribbler who likes to cut inside, his versatility can be an asset to Wenger’s men as his strikers have struggled for consistency and he can provide more than capable cover for any injuries to his wide men.
Joining Fiorentina in 2008 from Partizan Belgrade, Jovetic has matured as a player and is currently waiting until the end of the season to decide on his future as the Viola push for Champions League football next year.
Currently on 12 goals this term, he’s also a part of the Montenegro squad that is sitting atop England’s World Cup qualifying group.
It is believed that he is keen to hook up with his international teammate, Mirko Vucinic, at Juventus, but if Wenger moves early and persuades the 23-year-old to join, then Arsenal will have a real gem on their hands.
3. Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla)
One position that desperately needs filling in the Gunners side is defensive midfield. Arsenal fans have seen many pretenders to the throne but so far they’ve all flattered to deceive. Geoffrey Kondogbia may not be a household name yet, but he’s causing a storm in Sevilla.
Only joining the club seven months ago from Lens, he’s featured heavily, and been one of the few shining lights in a disappointing season, for the Andalusian side.
Comparisons to Patrick Viera are inevitable, but perhaps this time a little more accurate. A strong tackler and dribbler who is adept at making interceptions, he could be a key figure in an Arsenal side that lacks strength in the middle of the pitch.
He is currently valued between £4-5 million and is the cheapest player on this list, if Arsenal pounce quickly then he will represent excellent value.
4. Isco (Malaga)
The 20-year-old has won admirers all over Europe this year as Malaga continue to be the surprise package of the Champions League.
Operating largely in the hole or on the left, he is a quick thinking dribbler with an eye for a pass and a European ban on the Spanish side next season could see many of their stars head for the exit. With Arsenal already being linked to the player, this could put them in pole position to secure his signature.
Furthermore, he’d be in good company as Wenger has already brought in former teammates Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal, making his transition a slightly easier one to bear, and the understanding between him and Cazorla would certainly be one to fear.
He may have signed a new deal with the Spaniards recently, but that is believed to drive up the players value in the face of the mass exodus they face in the coming months.
5. Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
The 20-year-old German is a prized asset at the moment as he has been a key component of Jurgen Klopp’s all conquering Borussia Dortmund.
A player many sides would love to have, Arsenal would pull off a minor miracle to land him, but many said the same about Marko Marin when he joined Chelsea.
Already with 20 German caps under his belt, he is believed to cost in the region of £30 million, but there’s no doubt that he’d be worth every penny.
Gotze, like Isco, signed a new deal recently that will keep him tied down to the German champions until 2016. However, upon hearing of Arsenal’s apparent interest in the winter Gotze insisted that a release clause be inserted before he signed any deal.
A devastating talent, he sits in the hole and can pick out key passes with his eyes closed (well, not really,) and would provide an endless supply for Arsenal’s strikers.