Gunners close to bringing in three new signings.
With just hours remaining of this summer’s transfer window, Arsenal look to have finally got their act together in terms of signings, and are ready to unveil three new faces this evening.
Often criticised for lacking ambition in the transfer market, Arsene Wenger has been strongly linked with some big names this summer, though so far he has failed to deliver on his attempts to sign Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo. However, he has not given up in his pursuit of ‘marquee’ signings for the club, and has made a sensational signing late on to smash the club’s transfer record, as well as picking up two astute pieces of business on loan.
Emiliano Viviano (Palermo – Loan)
The first signing by Arsenal is a loan deal for a new goalkeeper, with Italian international Emiliano Viviano joining the club from Palermo for the 2013/14 season. The 27-year-old could join permanently next summer if he impresses Arsene Wenger in challenging Wojciech Szczesny for the number one spot at the club. The Pole’s inconsistent displays for much of the last year have seen Wenger identify the need for a new option in goal, with the injury-prone Lukasz Fabianski failing to provide much of an alternative to his fellow countryman.
Viviano spent last season on loan as well, though he failed to earn a permanent move to another Serie A side Fiorentina, so he will be hoping to do better this time around, and Arsenal fans may feel this is a sensible move, as Viviano doesn’t necessarily look like a player who should be brought in on a permanent deal straight away.
With Szczesny still young and learning the game, a season-long loan for a more experienced shot stopper could be ideal for the 23-year-old’s development, enabling him to watch and learn from the sidelines and take some time out of the limelight after becoming first choice for the Gunners at such a young age. The Polish international undoubtedly has potential, and could still be a serious contender for the number one spot in the future.
Arsenal had also been linked with the likes of Queens Park Rangers’ Julio Cesar and Valencia’s Vicente Guaita this summer to deal with their goalkeeping issues.
Demba Ba (Chelsea – Loan)
After failing to sign Demba Ba from Newcastle in January, Arsenal have finally got their hands on him now as they take him on a season-long loan from rivals Chelsea. The 29-year-old was in prolific form for the first half of last season when he was attracting interest from Arsenal, but has failed to continue that form in a Chelsea shirt, scoring just twice in fifteen Premier League appearances for the club.
With new manager Jose Mourinho keen to address his problems upfront with the signing of Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi Makhachkala, there is seemingly no place in his squad now for Ba, who also has Fernando Torres and exciting youngster Romelu Lukaku to contend with for a starting spot in the Chelsea eleven, and the Senegalese international will be grateful for the chance of more first-team football at the Emirates Stadium.
He may, however, still find himself as a backup behind the in-form Olivier Giroud, though Arsene Wenger will be glad to have brought in a proven goal-scorer to have as an option on the bench, after selling the under-performing Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho this summer, with Nicklas Bendtner also looking like completing a move away from the club today.
At his best, Ba is a lethal finisher, and could shine in an Arsenal team that creates plenty of chances, even if he is not the most well-rounded player in the mould that Wenger would normally prefer. Newcastle had also been linked with taking Ba back on loan, but he looks to have chosen Arsenal, and may make the move permanent next season, depending on his performances for the club.
Once again, this looks like a clever piece of business by Arsenal, who have been known to be tracking a striker for much of the summer in their high-profile pursuits of Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez. But with Giroud’s improvement in form, spending huge amounts on a big name may not be what is required, and the addition of Ba in reserve could be a more cost-effective way for the Gunners to add some firepower to their attack.
Ba becomes the second Chelsea player to go out on loan to a rival club today, with winger Victor Moses also sealing a move to Liverpool for the 2013/14 season.
Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid £46million)
Undoubtedly the best of the three signings made by Arsenal today, and perhaps the best of any Premier League club this summer, Mesut Ozil is expected to be announced as a £46million signing from Spanish giants Real Madrid, pending the completion of a medical. The Gunners were alerted to his availability when Real confirmed the £85million signing of Gareth Bale yesterday, as Ozil has supposedly become unsettled by the increased competition for places in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad this season, and requested to be allowed to talk to Arsenal.
Arsenal were also strongly linked with poaching Madrid for winger Angel Di Maria as well, though their interest cooled in the Argentine, but that won’t bother Arsenal fans as the club smash their transfer record for one of the most talented midfield playmakers in Europe. The skillful 24-year-old has a great eye for a pass and has been highly influential in Real Madrid’s success since his arrival at the club in 2010 from Werder Bremen. It is no surprise to see that Wenger is an admirer of his playing style, and he should fit in perfectly at the Emirates, potentially forming a superb combination with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere in Arsenal’s attacking midfield.
Manchester United had also been linked strongly with Ozil, but ruled themselves out of the deal earlier today, despite arguably being more in need of a player of his type, having tried and failed to land the likes Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas this summer. Their focus, however, currently remains on Everton’s Marouane Fellaini and Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera, leaving Arsenal to sign Ozil uncontested.
Although some Arsenal fans may feel more strengthening could have been done defensively, these signings have certainly gone some way to fixing areas of the team that needed fixing, and the signing of Ozil in particular could put Arsenal back on the map as one of the top sides in Europe, matching any of the big names brought in this summer by the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea for ambition.