It really is starting to look as though Arsenal will not be adding any more players to the current squad as we try to9 chase down Chelsea in the hunt for the Premier League title, apart from the young left back Cohen Bramall who was signed by Arsene Wenger from the non-league club Hednesford Town near the start of the current transfer window.
Unless the boss has something up hi8s sleeve or a big change of heart then the 21-year old will be the only addition as the window is set to close tomorrow night. Our manager has been saying all the way through this January that he was happy with the current options and did not feel the need to sign anyone and the message seems to have got through to the football press.
There have not even been all that many Arsenal transfer rumours to be honest, whereas we are normally bombarded with them as our club is linked with all sorts of different potential new players in a wide variety of positions. One of those has always been up front, but the Gunners seem to be a lot stronger in that area these days, especially after Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez all shone in the FA cup.
So it was not really all that surprising to hear Wenger dismiss the latest rumours linking him with the apparently long term Arsenal transfer target Karim Benzema, reported by Metro.
The report claims that Real Madrid are ready to part with the France international forward and have alerted Arsenal and others to this, but when Wenger was asked about it in the press conference earlier today, reported on the Arsenal website, he was clear and unequivocal and suggested that the rumours have no basis in fact.
He said, “Because he’s French! Maybe there are some noises that he would leave Madrid, but as I just told you, there is no need for us to buy any strikers.
“In the summer window? That’s not my worry at the moment. My worry is the next game against Watford.”
And it was not just the Benzema transfer that will not be happening, as Wenger was also asked about any other plans for the window and what he thought the final day would be like.
He said, “Very quiet. On our front, we have a big squad and we are not in need of buying. On a general front it has been very quiet. That shows that there are not many players available who can strengthen English teams. It also shows that all the teams in England, especially the big teams, have big squads. That’s why not a lot happened.
“It’s not only to buy players, you have to have a need in your squad first of all. I believe that number-wise and quality-wise, we have what is required to do well. Now it’s down to us to perform and to produce with the quality of our focus, the quality of our ambition and desire to produce the performance in every single game.
“Welbeck’s return, the quality of all our players… on the offensive front we played with Lucas, Walcott and Welbeck. Giroud was not involved, Alexis was on the bench, Ozil did not play, so offensively we have a very strong squad.”
Is that it then Gooners? And if so will Arsenal have enough quality and cover to make it a successful season?
Bob.
Benzema would never be forced/enticed out of Real in January- except for China money in Europe maybe. 5 goals in 15 league outings this season? We don’t need another striker- certainly not one with question marks over whether he will hit the ground running. We should be looking at offloading Sanogo and finding a good loan deal for Akpom. In Giroud, Sanchez, Perez, Welbeck, Walcott (and even the Ox)- we have plenty up top not to make mentions of Campbell on loan.
There are areas to strengthen that can be done like (a short-term CM deal- not Kalstrom or) LB although anyone else coming in might end Monreal/Gibbs Arsenal career let alone block the path to the first team of young Bramall.
We have one of the best and deepest squads in the PL. It is not our squad that is the problem. They have at times performed well below their potential.
not suprised.
Interesting:
Wenger’s statement, sounds as if he isn’t sure if he will be around for the summer transfer window…. Fingers crossed for that thought. ?
A number of managers have been linked with the Arsenal job with Wenger’s current contract expiring at the end of the season, with no sign of it being renewed.
RB Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that he had a conversation about the job with Arsenal representatives earlier this season, while other managers, including Eddie Howe, Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Mancini have also been mentioned in media reports.
Allegri has however been the manager most heavily linked. The Italian has won two consecutive Serie A titles and this season his side are currently four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
All I want is to see the OX start again in midfield tomorrow. Is that too much to ask for?
Lucas Giroud, Lucas Alexis,Luces Wellbeck. STARTLUCAS!
Sutton away !!
I had a slight hope that Krychoviak might have been brought in on loan as we look dangerously short in the middle of midfield and there were a few reports swing PSG would look to loan him out. Hopefully Xhaka comes back better after this ban.