Are Arsenal on the Verge of a Move for Yet Another German WC Star? by AT
Over the past month or so, there have been several media reports linking the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger with a move for Schalke’s Benedikt Howedes once the transfer window opens in January. With the Gunners struggling defensively, it seems as though Wenger has once again turned towards the Bundesliga to bolster his side’s credentials, this time in defence.
Howedes, who started every game for Germany in their World Cup triumph, has been a defensive stalwart for Schalke over the past seven seasons but with Roberto di Matteo’s side languishing in sixth place of the comparatively less-competitive German league, media sources also claim that the World Cup star is considering his options following interest from several top European clubs as a result of his impressive performances in Brazil.
It is understood that Arsene Wenger will make a £15 million move to secure his services in January. Although Schalke will be reluctant to let go of their captain, the Bundesliga outfit might just cash in should Howedes put his foot down in regards to a move to the Emirates. Apart from his preferred position at centre-half, the German international can also play with equal comfort at either of the full-back positions and even in defensive midfield, surely Arsenal can do with a player like that!
While a move in January seems a little bit unlikely at the moment, I firmly believe that the interest from Arsenal is genuine and a move might be on the cards in the summer. With incredible versatility and impeccable work-rate to go with defensive discipline, Benedikt Howedes will be a perfect fit for the Gunners’ squad. Here’s hoping that the Schalke skipper will be the latest addition to Arsenal’s growing German contingent.
Anurag
Cup tied, and his club won’t sell.
Next pls???
His club won’t sell, says you inside source?
Sometimes what makes clubs not want to sell to us is the way Wenger does his bargaining. I think it “pisses” them off.
Antonio Rudiger is coming in January, The German equivalent of Koscielny.
More like summer 2024
In my opinion he looks too much like Mertesacker, which will (imo) not be the formula to a succesful backup for Koscielny. I think Fabian Schar is the perfect target but he will be close to impossible now Basel have qualified for the knockouts aswell.
Yeah, Schar all the way. He’s damn good.
Like I’ve always said, Mert isn’t bad, but he’s often a liability to Bossielny.
Can’t happen. Already said, Schalke is through the last 16 already. No sell.
Great defender but hes super slow like mertasacker.
He’ll work well with kos but him and mert would be a very poor pairing.
Personally id like a cb thats not reliant on the presence of kos.
Andrea ranocchia. Inter captain and cb, 26 yrs old, 6′ 5″, excellent in the air and in winning tackles, but with more pace than mert. Out of contract in summer and not cup tied as Inter played in the Europa league……but he’s italian and their skipper. Inter have just replaced their manager and club is not in great shape. You never know if we put in a decent offer.
Kickassfan
And your inside source says so? Or have you been among any arsenal transfer business?
Easy, pal. Just saying any club can sell if the money is right.
Why would you buy a cup tied player in January if you can’t use it in mid February for the battle against Monaco and maybe further ? Would you pay 15 mils now on a defender just to play him in EPL? And not every game because he has to get used first with the competition.
If I m Wenger and smart enough then I will go in january window and sign two decent players not cup tied for CB and DM position… Because we are given luck to face Monaco and advance to quarters so I will sign for CB Reid/ Van dijk and I will cleverly approach for vertonghen to check the state of mind of spuds by bidding 12-15 million if they sell good just like sol campbell to troll them every time and if not no need to worry we will get reid or van dijk for cheap at 8-10 million and then I will sign schneiderlin or Wanyama because they are not cup tied and will be eager to compete in champions league.. With reid/ van dijk and wanyama/ schneiderlin to get in january, we will be balanced and strong team for champions league and hope to qualify for semis and final hopefuly… COYG!!
He’s alright, young and full of promise but he’s not fantastic. Ie. Robin Knocche of Wolfsburg, same age but at the moment Robin is a lot more impressive. I’d rate Schär also higher than Rudiger.
Schär will be a free agent in the summer. Does a club of Basels stature want to lose 10 millions on him? They do have Bulgarian international Ivanov and Walter Samuel as backup CBs so they wouldn’t be completely without cover.
But won’t it affect Calum Chambers’ development? :/
Calum Chambers plays the other side of the box. Howedes plays CB/LB
For me sign those players who are not cup tied.. Just sign a Decent CB Reid/ Van dijk/ Vertonghen (if spuds are willing to sell us) and Wanyama/ Schneiderlin for DM then we will be fine and more stronger side for champions league and hopefully qualifty for final INSHAA ALLAH.. COYG!!
We need a defensive mildfilder soo badly and its no shame to go back for Alex SONG . As for the defenders , lets go in for schar and laporte . We will not go any higher in the champs league anyway . Lets face reality until reality faces us
Honestly don’t want Howedes decent player but not what we need in my opinion.
Would Shar not be cup tied as well though?? I think we will struggle to get a good CB that isn’t cup tied. Can you play Europa League and still be eligible to play CL after Christmas ???
There’s no distinction when playing European football. The only way to do as you suggested is to have the player being registered already with the club during the group stage. So, that means Schar/Howedes should have registered with Arsenal while Arsenal was already in the groups stage. Then both of them would have right to play in the knockout stage even if they played qualification rounds in UCL/EL with other teams. Hard to believe anyone would do that.
BTW, I am not an expert so I may not be right on this. I just read some examples on UEFA site.
I mean…… Seriously???
Why Schalke defender’s transfer is PERFECT move for Arsenal
This entry was posted in Arsenal News on December 14, 2014 by Bob.
3 days?
Höwedes is a steal at 15m. There is no WAY this happens. Just because half of you don’t really know him, don’t be so quick to say he isn’t what we need just because Schär is the big name. Höwedes is a machine and the backbone of that Schalke team. That type of leadership cannot be understated. I’ll take Schär as well in a minute, but don’t just think Höwedes is some sort of nobody haha
I remember watching some international highlights not long back when Germany were four goals up only to be clawed back to four all, i expected to see that Mert were at fault for some but for every goal it was Howedes at fault. His mistakes were unbelievably poor, a little like the ones we do make at times. I really dont want us getting this player. Unless that showing was very unlike him as i have never really looked at his game in particular before and wrote him off from one amazing perfomance.
Reid, Van Dijk, Schar, Vlaar it is between one of these. Reid possible maybe with the sell of Jenkinson.
Mings to be brought in as one for the future.
Have a mate who happens to support the Hammers and he told me Reid is a done deal for Arsenal. It is a bit too quiet so I believe he’s on to something.
I’ve watched Van Dijk re early and he’s looked very average at best, and that’s in a poor league , do you guys really think he can step up to the most difficult league in the world,I would prefer Schar he looks class, and ok so he’s cup tied, why not sign him and a player who can play DM/ Cb
Reid and Van Dijk would be pretty decent signings, considering both are eligible for Champions League play. Have Chambers cover all positions on the back linline and possibly groom him as a future
DM.
In the summer:
OUT:
Mert/Podolski/Flamini/Rosicky/Diaby/Sanogoa(loan), Campbell(EPL loan)
Scharr
Wanyama/Schenderlien/Song
Cavani/Benzema/Destro/etc
2015 Arsenal
EC(DW)
AS(SG)…..MO(SC)…..AR(JW)….TW(AOC)
VW(CC)
KG(NM)….BOSS(VD….FS(WR)….MD(HB)
WS(DM)
Pretty strong squad fellas and doable
Yuu heard it from me first lad 😉 Hes joining the Arsenal family im a fan of his and ive watch about 8 games of him play hes lightening quick and so powerful for 21 he main ability is to chase down the ball ive seen him go from 0-100 very quickly, He just needs to work on his composure slightly and his technical ability like ball control but apart from that hes the perfect January bargain.
Why do people keep going on and on about players not being cup tied?
I would rather wait until the summer transfer window and sign the players we really want, rather than making what would turn out to be panic buys in the January window. Yes we need cover in CB position as a matter of urgency, but let’s get the right players in, not just for a few games this season, but for the coming seasons as well.
We all know Wenger doesn’t like spending too much money, so getting the wrong players in now, could cost us points, places in the league and possibly trophies for years to come. Quality is what we need and want, not quantity.