A collection of targets the Emirates Stadium side should approach and a number of those they should not bother with at all.
Arsene Wenger is desperately trying to rebuild his squad before the summer window ends to help aid a push to compete with the two Manchester clubs – after failing to win a trophy in eight years.
Arsenal fans too are tired of the long drought, and they are desperate to see an improvement. Some even called for their French manager to be axed last season, but the board backed the Premier League’s longest serving manager who has help the club to 15 consecutive Champions League qualifications [a record only bettered by Manchester United, 17, and Real Madrid, 16].
Various media outlets have linked the London side with a whole host of players this summer, so I am going to extract the five best, and five worst, for Arsenal this summer.
I shall start with the five to avoid.
5 – Juan Mata
This is definitely the most controversial of this list but I think I have perfectly good reasoning to put the Chelsea star here. Although the Spaniard is one of the best player makers in the Premier League, Arsenal already have one to match his quality – Santi Cazorla. I think Cazorla is good enough in midfield, I don’t think he needs to be improved, but instead they should add youth.
Part of the reason I think Mata is a poor choice is because they are linked with Brazilian wonderkid Bernard, who is a great star to bring in. The Brazilian brings great cover and excellent potential for the future – he could even partner Willshere for years, unlike Mata. I also think it is very unlikely that Mourinho would even let the Spaniard go for a fee anything less than a ludicrous amount.
4. Michael Carrick
I have absolutely no idea why the London club are even linked with the England international, but I do not see the thought process behind making a move for the 31 year-old. Carrick really impressed last season for Manchester United, and he was even nominated for the Player of the Year, but lost out to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.
I only feel Carrick would thwart the development of their home grown talent, such as Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey – who have both established themselves in the first team squad now. This rumour strikes me as pure speculation, but I think it may have a negative effect in the future.
3. Gonzalo Higuain
Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez and… Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine does not match the quality of player that Wenger is looking to bring in to add to his squad. Although it seems like they are out of the Wayne Rooney race, it is still widely reported that they are in pole position to sign Liverpool’s want away striker, Suarez.
Higuain just doesn’t fill the void left by Van Persie like Suarez can, or even Wayne Rooney could. The 25 year-old is a top quality striker, but if you are linked with players of the quality of Suarez, then the Madrid striker is a bit of an acceptance of second best [third best in this case].
2. Ashley Williams
Please, when will this rumour stop? The Welsh international is a top defender, but not Champions League standard. I don’t even see a spot for the Swansea star on Arsenal’s bench as they look to bring youth through – such as Miguel.
The 28 year-old only weakens the first team as both Koscielny and Mertesacker are better than the 6 foot defender. I don’t see this transfer as a good move what so ever, even if the defender did manage the most interceptions of any defender in the Premier League last year.
1. Emmanuel Eboue
The 30 year-old right back left Arsenal back in 2011 for Galatasaray, after the clubs agreed a €3.5million fee for the Ivorian. But Eboue has told various media outlets he may one day return to the London side, telling reporters : “I am still an Arsenal fan, I will return one day and playing in the Premier League again would be very enjoyable.”
Personally, I think this signing would be absolutely shocking. He was a flop in the Premier League and would only weaken their strong right hand side. Sagna is a perfectly capable right back, and Jenkinson is viewed as just as good by some Arsenal fans – neither deserve to lose their place in the squad due to Eboue.
Now moving on to the best.
5. Wayne Rooney
A play maker and a striker in one. The England international would be a perfect fit behind a top class striker at Arsenal, even if that is Suarez or Podolski, I think it would be top class.
Arsenal are desperate for a title push, well they may not be too far off with the Manchester United forward who can replace the gaping void left by Robin van Persie, who left for the Red Devils last summer. The Dutch international then won the golden boot, and was United’s best player of the last campaign.
4. Luis Gustavo
Arsenal haven’t had a good defensive midfielder in a good while, it would definitely help solidify the sometimes shaky defence of theirs. The Brazilian international is some way down the pecking order at Bayern Munich after the arrival of Thiago and Gotze this summer.
Personally, I think signing the cut price midfielder would suit Wenger who appears to want to strengthen the midfield areas – hence the link with Michael Carrick.
3. Cesc Fabregas
It appears unlikely that the London club will wrap up a deal for the Spaniard who left the London club for his boyhood club Barcelona. But after various reports of Manchester United wanting the star midfielder to partner Michael Carrick in midfield, it appeared Arsenal’s interest in the 26 year-old had been refound.
David Moyes is looking to impress during his first window as United boss with reports the Scots man will try bring Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas and Yohan Cabaye to Old Trafford this summer. This strong push for new talent may force Arsenal out of the running for Cesc, as the World Cup winner may see a bigger attraction with moving to United.
2. Bernard
The Brazilian wonderkid has impressed in his home country which has attracted interest from a whole host of clubs around Europe, including Arsenal. The wonderkid would fit in perfectly at the Emirates as Arsenal boss, Wenger, appears to have a thing for signing young players and moulding them into his style of player.
For the reported £20million fee, I don’t think there is a player with better potential they could possibly sign – before last month I would have said Thiago, but now he will cost a lot to capture the Spaniard. It is unlikely the Brazilian would be able to turn down a Premier League offer, especially with the Champions League football the Gunners can offer him. I think he would be a great fit.
1. Luis Suarez
Liverpool’s star striker would be an excellent fit at every single team in Europe, I even think he would fit in at the worlds best – Bayern Munich. The Uruguay international has expressed his desire to leave Anfield this summer, and it appears he has no intentions of leaving the Premier League as Chelsea and Arsenal line up bids for the 27 year-old.
Although it is unlikely Suarez will come cheap, I think he is worth anything up to £50million. Even then there is no indicator that Liverpool will definitely accept the offer, but if Suarez hands in a transfer request, then I think the Merseyside club’s arm will be well and truly twisted.