Five players who could leave and five that could arrive at the Emirates Stadium in this summer’s transfer window.
Out: Andrei Arshavin
There were suggestions not long ago that Arsenal’s unhappy Russian star could retire at the end of the season, though he later denied these rumours.
However, the mere fact that this story broke and seemed so believable says a lot about how things have gone for the 32-year-old. After joining in January 2009 as Arsenal’s record signing, the attacking midfielder looked like a breath of fresh air at the club, playing with a flair and enthusiasm desperately needed in a struggling Arsenal team. He memorably scored four goals against Liverpool at Anfield in a terrific few months that saw him single-handedly lift the club into the top four. Since then, however, his form has dropped considerably and he has looked slow, lazy and uninspired. It is a sad end to the career of a talented player, but whether he retires or not, it’s surely time for him to leave the Gunners and perhaps return to Russia, though he has also been linked with Reading.
Out: Marouane Chamakh
The Moroccan looked like an astute piece of business by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger when he brought him to the club on a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2010. However, despite a strong start to his Gunners career, he seemed to lose all confidence and ability and went nearly a year without a goal for the club.
With just three strikes in the last two seasons it’s fair to say he looks a little lost and should surely be shown the door. The 29-year-old is currently on loan at West Ham and failing to impress there as well, and though Arsenal will be keen to sell, it’s hard to know who’d be willing to take a chance on him.
Out: Sebastien Squillaci
Squillaci looked like a good signing when he joined from Sevilla in 2010. The experienced French international had played in a number of leagues and the Champions League and looked like he could do a good job at the club as backup to Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny. Sadly, it was clear pretty quickly that he wasn’t up to the task, looking slow and error-prone and basically a bit of a disaster.
The former Monaco man ended up playing more than he was perhaps expected to due to a season-long injury to Vermaelen, but the point of backup players is that they should be reliable. He has now barely featured for the last two years but continues to collect his £60,000 a week wages despite rarely even making the bench. One that Wenger really needs to be rid of quickly this summer, though again it’s hard to see who would take him.
Out: Gervinho
If for some reason the rumours that Galatasaray are willing to pay £12million for Gervinho are true, Arsenal should bite their hands off. The Ivorian has been an inconsistent and frustrating player since arriving from Lille last season, and simply isn’t up to Arsenal standards.
His knack of hogging the ball and making the wrong decisions is visibly frustrating for his team-mates and of course for the fans. His 6 goals and 2 assists this season really isn’t enough for a forward at a top club, and it’s hard to know how to get the best out of him, as he has been played in a variety of attacking positions, both upfront as a striker and on both flanks. It’s time for Wenger to give up on this one, and going on recent evidence, he should probably be more careful when signing players from the French league.
Out: Thomas Vermaelen
This may be a controversial one, but former fans’ favourite Thomas Vermaelen has really crumbled under the pressure of the captain’s armband this season, after taking over from the departing Robin van Persie. The Belgian defender had been a top performer for the Gunners since arriving from Ajax, showing strong defensive qualities, leadership and a decent knack for getting forward and grabbing a goal too. However, he now finds himself on the bench after a poor season and is likely to be moved on.
Strangely, Barcelona are supposedly interested in him, and Arsenal may yet be able to convince someone to take him off their hands. With a whole host of central defenders being linked with the club, it’s likely that they are already planning for life without Vermaelen.
In: Adil Rami (Valencia)
Regarded as one of the most solid and consistent defenders in La Liga, Adil Rami has been linked with both Arsenal and Manchester United on a number of occasions in the last few months, as the Frenchman is supposedly seeking a move to a bigger club to boost his chances of a place in France’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.
The 27-year-old is experienced and, being French, would slot in nicely at Arsenal and enjoy the chance to work under Arsene Wenger. He would cost around £10million, but looks a good potential signing and would add much-needed quality to the Gunners’ back line. They may edge United to his signature as they are more likely to offer regular first-team football. Ashley Williams of Swansea City has also been linked, but is likely to opt for a switch to Liverpool instead.
In: Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
Arguably the stand-out goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, the 25-year-old Belgian should be top of Arsene Wenger’s shopping list this summer, due to the recent poor displays of current first choice Arsenal shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny. Sunderland are unlikely to be able to hold on to Mignolet after a poor season fighting relegation, with him to thank for some outstanding saves helping them stay in many games this year.
The Black Cats could still go down, and this talented ‘keeper would surely be one of the first big names to go, and he would likely see Arsenal as a good move to help him establish himself as first choice for the Belgian national team. Mignolet has been linked, along with several other goalkeepers, and a move seems likely as he is probably the best realistic option out there for Arsenal at the moment.
In: Mohamed Diame (West Ham)
Arsenal were supposedly very close to signing the West Ham midfielder in January, though a move never materialised. The former Wigan man is said to have a £3.5million minimum release clause and that is likely to be tempting to Wenger due to his reluctance to spend big money. Diame has looked like everything Arsenal need in midfield this season, as they still lack a real replacement for Alex Song.
The likes of Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey have attempted to plug the gap, but they are somewhat out of position in such a deep role. Abou Diaby could have been the answer, but he has found himself injured yet again. Diame is surely the answer to this problem, as Wenger is unlikely to find a player of this quality for so cheap anywhere else.
In: Loic Remy (Queens Park Rangers)
Arsenal and Newcastle were supposedly in for Loic Remy in January before he ended up joining Queens Park Rangers from Marseille. Now that QPR have been relegated and Remy has shown some impressive form in the Premier League, the Gunners have been linked again with the French forward. The pacey and deadly finisher looks like he could give Arsene Wenger something a bit different upfront, and would provide extra depth in the forward positions that have been a little short since the sale of van Persie to Manchester United. Again, this signing should be right up Wenger’s street as he could be available for just £8million due to a relegation release clause in his contract.
In: Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
Arsenal are being very strongly linked with talented Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, with several sources claiming he could join in the coming weeks for anywhere between £15million and £25million. Juventus and Manchester City were also said to be interested in the Montenegro forward, and the Gunners would definitely be landing themselves a real talent if this happens.
The 23-year-old is a skillful player, equally adept at playing other attackers in on goal as well as scoring himself, and would definitely suit Arsenal’s slick style of play. The signing of a player of this quality would show real ambition, excite the fans at the Emirates, and surely bring Arsenal’s long wait for a trophy to an end soon enough.