Arsenal: Wenger's last minute transfer window shopping list

Ashley Williams

The first of the two players in Swansea that Wenger expressed an interest in, Williams is a defender who has caught many eyes in the past two years. At 28, he is not the longest of investments, but he is more of a stop gap choice to plug the ever-expanding chasm in the backline.

Williams has played over 200 games for the team from Wales, and is a captain for both his club and country. He made his way up from League One to the Premiership in over 5 years with Swansea, and has enough experience and knowledge of how the league functions. Williams featured in at least 40 games in all competitions, over the last 5 years, which is a clear sign of longevity, which Arsenal desperately crave from their squad. Williams will fit the gap left by Vermaelen at center-back. Even Laurent Koscielny picked up a bad knock last night, but the touchline reporter confirmed a cut, which will probably be patched up by this Saturday.

Priced at a tad high £10 million, Wenger may look to bargain a bit, knowing that Wenger has the tightest purse strings in the neighborhood. A combined move for Williams and Michu, valued at £35 million, is what the Internet is saying. There is vague talk of Micah Richards too, which will free up Bacary Sagna at right back, and move him to the center. But speculation is what that sounds like, unless Richards’ love for his childhood club powers through.