It is the same old story at the Emirates. The familiar fourth place finish, underperforming superstars and an overall sense of disappointment being the highlights of the 2015-16 season. Moreover, the Premier League has only got tougher, with teams like Chelsea and the Manchester clubs bringing in managerial changes and a horde of new players. Leicester and West Ham will look to continue their good form and both the clubs have performed well in the market with some shrewd deals. The Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton also look to establish themselves as top clubs. In short, this is going to be one hell of a season and Arsenal must be consistent in their performances to be atleast in the top four places. New players are urgently needed to strengthen the key areas.
Here we look at the transfers Arsenal really need to make before the transfer window closes.
5.Neven Subotic
In Borussia Dortmund, Neven Subotic was one of their key players in their multiple league titles under Klopp. However, the spotlight was mostly upon Mats Hummels, although Subotic’s contribution was no way less significant than his. He has been plagued with injuries for the last couple of seasons. And his replacement, Sokratis did well in his absence and now is a first team regular.
On 26 June 2016, Subotic confirmed that he planned to leave the club. He will have no shortage of suitors and Arsenal might be the perfect place for him. He is 27 and has got many years ahead of him. Arsenal are set to miss out on Mateo Musacchio, but signing Subotic might prove to be a masterstroke. He is rock-solid at the back, not afraid to go for last ditch tackles and is a genuine aerial threat. He has got loads of experience and Arsenal might get him at a bargain considering he has only a year remaining in his contract.
Premier League clubs Middlesbrough and Sunderland are also eager to sigh the Serbian centre back, but Subotic might prefer playing for a top club than fight relegation battles.
Dortmund want to cash in on Subotic and Arsenal need a top centre back. This is a move that will satisfy both parties. He is valued around 11 million Euros.
4.Arda Turan
Let us be honest about this. Arda Turan is not quite the player he used to be. He was a beast at Atletico and many thought Barcelona had managed the coup of the season when they acquired his services. But he sat out the first half of the season and when he returned into action, his performances were not upto the level.
And quality performances from Sergi Roberto did not help his case. Now Barca have got a fit-again Rafinha and an eager to prove Denis Suarez. And at 29, Arda isn’t getting any younger. He also had a disappointing Euro 2016 with Turkey and was booed by his own fans against Spain.
News have emerged that Barcelona want to part ways with him if they find the right bidder. If he manages to get back his form, there is no stopping him. And Arsenal have emerged as genuine contenders for his signature. He is a natural leader and his passion is second to none. Arda Turan and Mesut Özil together can work wonders for the team and these two names are enough to send shivers down the spine of any opponent.
Fenerbahce have also emerged as potential suitors for Turan, but a player of his stature would surely want to prove the world that he is not finished yet. Arsenal is the perfect place for him.
However, Arda made an unflattering remark about his potential suitors Arsenal in March when he said: "I was feeling that I would sign for Barca. Sincerely I thought: 'If I play very well I will end up signing for Barca. If I play well I will end up at Arsenal.'"
How time changes everything!
3.Julian Draxler
Julian Draxler is the latest superstar who is linked with a move to Arsenal. And according to reports from ESPN and TalkSport, the North London outfit have made a bid of £43 million to VFL Wolfsburg for his services. Wenger is known to be a long time admirer of Draxler and such a huge bid will be difficult for Wolfsburg to ignore. Draxler has impressed with his performances in the Euro 2016.
Although Draxler has four years remaining in his contract, selling him to Arsenal at such a hefty price will be a shrewd business from Wolfsburg, who signed him from Schalke for £26 million. He is good with his both feet and can work down the flanks as well as an attacking midfielder. And he is great on one-on-one situations.
Arsenal fans are already excited about the possibility of Draxler becoming a Gunner. Alexis, Ozil and Draxler can form a formidable attack alongwith the striker (hopefully not Olivier Giroud this time).
2.Alexandre Lacazette
The drama goes on. The hunt for the striker is still going on. Olivier Giroud is not a bad scorer, and he finds himself on the scoresheet. But the problem with him is that he is exceptionally slow (refer to France vs Germany, Euro 2016 semifinal) and goes missing on big occasions. Arsenal recently missed out on Jamie Vardy, so Wenger is forged to shift his attention towards other forwards available in the transfer market.
Lacazette is one of those targets and as per Independent, Wenger has been able to hold talks with Olympique Lyonnais, or Lyon about the availability of Lacazette while he has been in France for some television-related commitments. The Daily Mail report that Arsenal have already enquired about Lacazette and Lyon have quoted a price of £42million on the 25 year old. Wenger, known for his penchant for bargains, is unwilling to pay that much money on Lacazette. But he might be forced to reconsider if he fails to replace Giroud.
Lacazette is strong,fast and has an exceptional eye for goal. He was Ligue 1’s top scorer in 2015. And he might be the one to fix Arsenal’s woes upfront.
1.Alvaro Morata
If one follows football religiously, he is very well acquainted with this pun: If an Arsenal fan starts telling Giroud’s stats, then Arsene Wenger has surely missed out on a better striker.
Jokes apart, Arsenal have finally realised that Giroud is not the answer to their offensive woes. And they have been trying to bring on strikers who can effectively replace him as the team’s first choice. Last season’s wonder Jamie Vardy snubbed Arsenal in favour of a contract extension with Leicester and this did not go down well with the Arsenal supporters. And Arsenal are willing to pay for Alvaro Morata.
His parent club Real Madrid have exercised the option to buy him back from Juventus after two glittering seasons and they value him around 70 million Euros. Arsenal are ready to pay him twice his current wages but the transfer money seems to be something of a roadblock.
Morata is a good scorer and he is really young and developing. At Real Madrid, he will be certainly behind Benzema in the pecking order and that is why Real is willing to sell him at an inflated price. Chelsea are seriously interested in buying him and that might be a headache for Wenger. There are reports that Real have already rejected an offer of 60 million Euros from Chelsea. Arsenal are not surely willing to pay that much amount for him.
John Cross of Mirror has made a valid point on twitter.
Whatever the problem is, Arsenal must get their hands on a good, first team quality striker. Or else this season is going to be another one of those disappointing ones. Hopefully Arsene Wenger acts fast and efficiently.
