Alright, instead of 80 different little threads popping up, I thought it would be nice to consolidate into a transfer thread again. Yes, it's that time of year. I don't expect a lot of movement in the window. We'll get Wilshere back, hopefully, which will help strengthen our midfield. Depending on how well our fullbacks heal I'd be interested in adding someone who's actually played as a fullback before. I'd also love to trade in Arshavin and Chamakh for someone remotely useful.
I do expect some movement and I am hoping that we will get Gotze and either Podolski or Soldado and that at least 2 of these 4, (AA, Chamakh, Squilacci & Almunia) will playing for a different club. On a related note, the nonsense story about Alex coming to Arsenal has benn shut down by Arsene. We have no need for him anyway.
I don't expect to get anyone in this window, but I think we are going to need at least 2 players if we are going to maintain our push for 4th. We need a defensive utility player who can help get us through the defensive injuries we have racked up (if Squillaci finds his way back into the line up we are as toast), and desperately need a goal scorer. Dump Arshavin and Chamakh this January instead of waiting until summer, and that can partially offset the cost of signing a top forward. I'd also send some players out on loan - namely Ryo, and one of Coquelin/Frimpong. Hopefully we can get them a Wilshere like spell at another premiership side.
Given the fact that we have four fullbacks injured and can still field a competent back four (Miquel-Vermaelen-Mertesacker-Koscielny) I'd say we're pretty good at the back. Just get them healthy, and I think we need to consider getting another LB this summer given Gibbs injury problems. I think the conservative move would be signing a quality forward this winter, and I think that's the only area Wenger will definitely move on. I would like to see a replacement for Arshavin who hasn't made a positive impact in a league game since I can remember. If Oxlade-Chamberlain isn't going to get any playing time in the league it should be because we have a quality sub who make an offensive impact - ie: not Arshavin.
I'll get flamed, but I don't care lol. Get Bent or Drogba, both have Premier League goalscoring experience. I think we also need goalkeeping back-up. Chesney is (IMO) already world class, but we need good cover. Overall, we don't have too many issues, so no major surgery is required. just some more depth and getting rid of dead weight and rubbish (,i.e. Arshavin and Chamakh). We should also in some games experiment with 4-4-2 and play Walcott up front and Robin just behind. The Ox could be tried out in the right-wing role.
i think we'll see at least one (first team) player come in. as much as wenger complains about the winter window price, he has bought in this window fairly frequently. and not all cheapies. there's also that other new signing, jack andrew garry wilshere.
I'll take the first two. Not sure Alex is an upgrade over either Mertesacker or Koscielny, nor whether we really have a place for Gourcuff with Ramsey and Wilshere.
that photo was taken a few miles away from me. anyway, transfers, eh? an interchangeable full back would be nice. so would a proper workaholic poacher. if i were greedy i'd still like a defensive minded but pass spotting midfielder. i'm not sure wenger will sign any of those, but maybe if we can sell on 1 or 2 he might.
Sell squid, arshavin and chamakh Buy either papiss cisse or moussa sow, vertonghen and maybe a winger like Reus or gotze if we have money...
I would like a fullback who can play either left or right like Philipp Lahm(not him personally, but someone like him). Plus another DM to back up Song who is ready and has experience. Maybe, a back up keeper in case Faninski and Don Vito are going to be out for an extended period of time. Otherwise it is just Manny and a youngster as back up. Also this was in the Football Live on the BBC site. 'BBC Final Score pundit Martin Keown reckons Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could make a shock return to the Emirates in January: "I can't help thinking he might just come back and play some sort of cameo role alongside Robin van Persie. I think it's realistic. I'm hearing they can't get the ball off him in training because he's that good."' Not sure if it would happen, but if Henry knew he wouldn't be an automatic first choice, then fair enough. Plus I think without him being captain might actually help.
y'know, for all that almunia is a crap starting keeper, i think he's a terrific backup. and he's terrific (or at least used to be) in penalty situation. i wouldn't want him starting or anything but i'd be comfortable with him as a backup.
In their head-to-head today, Cisse was held to 0 goals and 0 assists by the questionable Cologne defence. Podolski however recorded a brace against Cisse's Freiburg team. Podolski now has 13 goals in 14 matches in the BL (9 goals in 8 matches as the lone CF)!
I agree on your point about getting a proven goal scorer. We have a great nucleus in midfield, just need a finisher to be there to rest RvP. Only thing Id do is a get a goal scorer (Podolski sounds like a great idea as well) and perhaps a creartive mid/winger. Our backline is only lacking health at this point so buying someone would be overkill IMO.
i disagree, but I think people are confused on the type of player he is. He is a Slovakian Frank Lampard.
The only realistic name we have been linked with that excites me is Marco Reus. He is a young german striker with a good record and is wanted by Bayern - he has to be good. I also don't know enough about him to hate him.
If I had to pick one position for us to reinforce in January it would be striker. The dropoff after van Persie is shocking.
as in he's a scoring/attacking midfielder rather than a creator or a link-up guy? (sorry, i've never seen himi play.)
problem is . . . would anybody who represents a smaller dropoff be willing to come in to 1) only get occasional playing time and 2) be generally played out of position (like the wing)? i do agree with you, by the way.
Drop Arshavin and Chamakh and bring in Scott Sinclair and Stefan Jovetic. Jovetic would be too expensive but Scott Sinclair could be like an 8m-11m buy. I think he's going to be a great player and will definitely be staying in the Prem regardless of his teams final position.