As Arsenal’s season appears to be crumbling around us, speculation regarding our manager and our players is hotting up.
While Arsene Wenger’s future remains to be a big secret, a number of our players are being linked with the exit door, including Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin.
The latter has been quoted as talking up interest from both Barcelona and Manchester City depending which source has run with his wording. The reality however is that he signed himself to our club until 2023, and unless we decide to cash-in for a huge amount, he will be staying put for the foreseeable.
Ozil is said to be targeted by Turkish giants Fenerbahce as a big-name replacement for Robin Van Persie, who is leaving the club this summer. The German midfielder has looked uninterested of late, and has struggled with confidence this season. He is also entering the final year of his contract soon, and may well be on his way out from the club.
Two possible replacements for the exit-linked star are Ross Barkley and Leon Goretzka. The former has been told that he will be sold if he doesn’t agree a new contract, and is claimed to be open to a move to London.
Goretzka is a year younger than Ross, and is more adept to playing in a deeper role than his counterpart. Leon could well join which would allow Aaron Ramsey or Alex Iwobi to take over in behind the striker. The 22 year-old could make up for the failures of Granit Xhaka this season, and in my opinion, could potentially be our Kante. Both of the above are out of contract in 2018, and are both believed to be on our radar.
Jack Butland is another player linked with a possible move to Arsenal this summer, but he is playing down such links. We all know the papers like to run before they can walk with transfer rumours, but I do like the young English shot-stopper. Petr Cech is unlikely to give up his first-team role however, but I would love to see Butland take over from the 34 year-old in the near future.
Will Bellerin and Ozil both stay put? Would Goretzka, Barkley or Butland be an improvement on our first XI?
Pat J