I see a lot of people on this site saying which players we need to get out of the club: Giroud, Mertesacker, Ramsey, Walcott and Wilshere seem to be the favourites. As well as players we need to get in, Aubameyang, Griezmann, Higuain again seem to be the main names banded around.
I feel as Arsenal fans we need to be more realistic, none of the above players will either leave or come in (as much as I along with everybody else would obviously love them to!)
Looking at the Arsenal website of players that are listed as ‘first team’ I think that the players that are most likely to be shown the door for the coming campaign are:
Szczney £ fee
Debuchy £ fee
Rosicky £0 (already gone)
Flamini £0 (already gone)
Arteta £0 (already gone)
Martinez loan
Chambers loan
Hayden loan
Gnabry loan
Sanogo loan
Akpom loan
Then we have players who may realistically come in. I’ve walked through the squad to see what areas need strengthening the most.
I’m not necessarily saying that the ins or the outs would be my personal choices, just choices which seem the most likely. Remember we are Arsenal and Wenger is our manager.
In goal there is no need to replace Szczesny as we still have two strong goalkeepers in Cech and Ospina, plus the Martinez loan deal could have a return clause in it should we be really unfortunate with injuries.
The returning Jenkinson will replace Debuchy as understudy to Bellerin at right back.
We have no problems at left back with Monreal cementing his place in the first team and Gibbs as a perfectly able back up.
At centre back we need a partner for Koscielny. Chambers has great potential but needs some first team, premier league experience, hence his loan move. I’m not sure Hayden will ever make the grade but a premier league loan move should give us more of an indication. This leaves us with the seemingly out of favour Mertesacker and Gabriel who has still failed to impress thus far, but are both very suitable back up players. For the first eleven, Howedes seems to fit the bosses criteria, he would demand a relatively modest fee, he’s German, very strong, versatile, experienced and a leader. Him and Kos would potentially compliment each other’s game very well. He’s almost Mertesacker mark two (but better) with the bonus of also being able to cover either full back.
Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky have been released from the midfield but it seems like we already have these areas covered/replaced with the signing of Elneny in January, Xhaka last month and the emergence into the first team of young Iwobi and a fit Wilshere (take that last one with a pinch of salt) Add to these the likes of Coq, Santi, Ramsey and obviously Ozil. We are pretty well stocked in this area with eight players competing for the three midfield places (two deeper and the No10 role).
If Gnabry goes out on loan then we will be left with four wingers in the shape of Alexis, Walcott, Ox and Campbell. Alexis is the only stand out star here and will be the starter on the left hand side, this leaves the other three fighting it out for the right hand side. Campbell would be my personal first choice for ability, balance and work rate. Ox, Walcott and the earlier mentioned Iwobi are adequate cover for both wings. Although I personally think the quality may not quite be there, we are well stocked, and with none of those players likely to leave it looks unlikely that any new arrivals will come in.
Finally the area which we all know needs strengthening the most…. With Sanogo not good enough, Akpom yet to impress and Welbeck on the long term injury list we are left with Giroud. Giroud is not the twenty goal a season striker that we need but as a second choice is more than capable.
Back up strikers from other ‘top’ teams are:
Iheanacho – Man city
Rashford – Man Utd
Origi – Liverpool
N’jie – Tottenham
Batshuayi – Chelsea
Giroud holds his own in this list and has an important role to play for Arsenal in the coming season.
A first choice centre forward is a priority in this transfer window and looking at the latest rumours it looks like Lacazette could well be the most realistic due to his price, age, qualities, nationality and wage demands.
Wenger stated that he would be looking to add three additions to the squad. (Not including youngsters signed on a free) Howedes, Xhaka and Lacazette seem like the most realistic three. They would not break the bank, or the wage structure, would please the fans and would strengthen the squad no end. Possibly enough to make us real title contenders.
Would everyone be satisfied if this were the case in this window?
COYG!
Alexis Ozil