Arsene Wenger – Buy or Bye

In the middle of the January transfer window, Arsenal are yet again facing the question of ‘to buy or not to buy’. If the latter prevails, Arsenal will certainly let go of their chance to claw their way back in to the top 4, if not the top two.

Arsene Wenger is as reluctant as ever, even saying the fans want a face rather than a talent for the future. He, however, misses the present, and with that, valuable points. When Arsenal trained their sights on the sidelined David Villa, the mini-exodus of rejects seemed likely. Marouane Chamakh left for West Ham on loan, followed by Johan Djourou in a deal with Hannover. Squillaci looks next in line on a free transfer, and David Villa’s £130k something a week now looked reachable. Until yesterday, that is, when developments said Tito Vilanova had emphasized that Villa will stay at the Nou Camp.

The Walcott saga also continues, with Wenger seeming very confident that the demanding winger-turned-striker will put pen to paper before the end of the month. Walcott has been responsible for the turmoil faced by the board, with demands upwards of £90k a week. Arsenal have been highly criticised for not giving in to players’ demands which saw the likes of Nasri and Van Persie pack their bags. But this time around, the club is bending over backwards to hold on to one of their key players whose best times lie ahead.

Another target, Loic Remy, has agreed in principle with Newcastle United. Valued at £10m, QPR seemed to be interested in the Marseille striker. Manchester City are also likely to pip Arsenal with Derby County’s Will Hughes.

Fernando Llorente raised a few eyebrows in early January, but that seems to have died down with Villa. Currently, Eduardo Vargas, Adrian Lopez and Mainz 05 striker Adam Szalaiare are in the shortlist.

Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy is another interest but that doesn’t seem as likely as Jack Butland, Birmingham City’s keeper, who is surprisingly high on the list. Fabianski’s injury may have something to do with that, but the priorities are certainly not in place.

Wenger has also claimed that he will certainly buy players before anyone else leaves, but given the rumours, none seem to be imminent. Either there is actually nothing happening or everyone is just tight-lipped, or it is too cold for words.

Arsenal have to buy, it is a simple as that, if Wenger wants to find himself in the Champions League next year, which will help him leverage his strength, in addition to defending himself for the lack of silverware. This is just another January, and Arsenal fans are aware of the consistent behavioural pattern of the Professor. The ball’s in his court, and he knows it.