Over the years Arsene Wenger would say the only reason he didn’t spend money was he was only willing to buy players who were really special. Unai Emery is taking a different approach, only buying if he finds value. Now let me make it clear I see no reason why we have to be looking for loan deals or contracts due to expire. I will never accept a fan base, who pays what we pay, while we share a TV contract worth billions, should have to tolerate such a lack of ambition. That though is a debate for another day.
This article is to prove that there are options out there for reasonable money that could make us better. In other words, I’m not letting limited funds being an excuse not to make our squad better. Any ideas please put in comments. Here are a few of my ideas….
Defenders
Godin (Atletico Madrid)
As things stand he is a free agent in the summer. If it leaks out he’s not going to extend his contract the whole of Europe will be in for him. When Arsenal want to though they can pay salaries to rival any club in the World. It might go against our policy to make a 32-year-old one of our top earners, but exceptions should be made for World Class individuals. He would pay that back by the 3-year service he would give, a proper defender who will organise and make those around him look better.
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Just him wouldn’t be enough (although perfect in terms of playing from the back like Emery likes). If you were going to give surgery to the whole back 4 though he is a player who can be good next to the right partner. A free agent this summer.
Dunk (Brighton)
People will turn their nose up because he plays for Brighton but he’s the type of character we need right now, someone who can organise those around him and loves to defend. Why wait for him to break into the England team at which point his value will sky rocket like Harry Maguire?
Oxford (West Ham)
Okay it’s kind of cheating as this rumour has been around for a while, with the youngster for a long time making it clear to West Ham he won’t be committing to them long term. He’s an Arsenal fan and the irony is he got our scouts attention on his debut at the Emirates a few years ago. This is the type of deal we need to be looking at.
Recent signings have been in their prime meaning they lack resale value. Liverpool got Solanke for free and sold him for 20 million a year later so even if a youngster doesn’t make the grade your most likely to make a profit on him.
Midfield
Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)
Last time he went on loan he ended up playing in the World Cup so there is no need for him to sit on Chelsea’s bench, he knows he’s good enough for this level. We are probably the last club Chelsea would want to help in terms of a loan deal but maybe in the summer? A Ramsey exchange would be logical…
Seri
There was some surprise when Fulham signed him from Nice, with some of Europe’s top sides keeping tabs. Most will be aware that the Cottagers are struggling meaning you could get him cut price in the summer . While our midfield has the physicality of Torreira, with Emery sometime playing 3 across midfield this could be an option.
Rodriguez
I think for 60 million this would be a bargain. Remember Madrid have been happy to take a two-year loan fee to get him off the books so might do something similar. Adidas might want a marquee signing to celebrate our kit deal so might even pay for this to happen. This would be the only way we could get a world class talent ahead of our rivals, by taking a gamble. He says he wants the challenge of a new League and from a marketable point of view would sell shirts.
Striker
Giroud
So we need a striker that will be happy to be back up? Meanwhile, Giroud could be out of contract with his family not wanting to leave London? The fact he used to play for us is not a reason not to do a deal at a time you are looking for bargains. He divided opinion in his first spell, but I think we have missed the option of a plan B.
Sturridge
I said this last year and with him being a free agent he would be a like for like change for Welbeck. Both strikers struggle to stay fit but without question the Liverpool man would be a better finisher.
Can you think of any better value buys that Arsenal could get?
Dan Smith