Who do we buy and sell in the summer

[Would you believe it]

A quick question,who do you feel we should buy and sell this pre season.I think we need a right back, centre half,centre midfielder and possibly a striker.

What are your thoughts?

[zizou602]

i think that our number one priority should be a keeper. i think paul robinson would be a great candidate for that- young and low cost. other than that, i think that between edu, vieria, gilberto, pires, ljunberg, and pennat our midfield should be set. our back line with lauren, toure, campbell, cole, and clichy should also be set. our strikers with henry, kanu, alidiere, wiltord, bergkamp, and reyes will be wonderful. i think that arsene wenger will do w/ reyes what he has done with so many other young players and turn him into a great one. AW has just simply built a great team up to this point!

[Catfish]

Welcome to Big Soccer, Would you believe it and Zizou!!! Great to have you.
I believe we need we need 1 of everything...1 defender (Cygan and Lauren are NOT my favs), 1 Midfielder (sorry not a huge fan of Gilberto), and 1 other striker. TH and Reyes...I'm not worried about, it is the rest of the crew. Aliedere is young. Kanu unpredictable, DB gettin old, wiltord doo doo. Not lookin to spend tons of $$$, but if someone great is available or wants to be a Gunner, I'm sure AW can work the numbers.

In the end, Arsene knows.

[phishy]

Would you believe it and Zizou!!!

In the end, Arsene knows.

and Zizou? what does that mean?

and does Arsene know?

phishy~

[jegerpenge]

bit paranoid tonight are we phishy?

[michaec]

I had a thought about a midfielder if Arsene is looking for one. Not one of the most prestigous names in the world, but has been in the league for several years, decent dead-ball delivery, has an eye for goal, gets good reviews in a perenially struggling side and will be definitely available in the Summer. If he's looking to add depth to the midfield area he could do worse than look at Muzzy Izzet from Leicester. He'd be dirt cheap too I would imagine.

[Rick B]

I had a thought about a midfielder if Arsene is looking for one. Not one of the most prestigous names in the world, but has been in the league for several years, decent dead-ball delivery, has an eye for goal, gets good reviews in a perenially struggling side and will be definitely available in the Summer. If he's looking to add depth to the midfield area he could do worse than look at Muzzy Izzet from Leicester. He'd be dirt cheap too I would imagine.

Not that bad a suggestion, if Wenger thinks he's good enough. He is also on a free as his contract expires in the summer.

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,50-1132261,00.html

[ZZ10]

Sebastien FREY (GK) from Parma and Philippe MEXES (CB) from Auxerre would be 2 great buys. But my favourite buy would be Ludovic GIULY from Monaco who is as good on the right midfield as Bob Pires is on the left and who scores many goals as well.

[VaVaVoom]

I don't think we'll see any big buys unless there is a sale. It would be quite risky to mess too much with a team that is in the process of completing the most dominating performance of any Premiership side in history (especially given the fact that most of the players are approaching their prime v. past it), while seriously competing in every other competition they were in. Also, you have to consider that there will likely be some "new" players getting action from within the squad (Senderos, Hoyte, Bentley, Aliadiere and maybe Pennant). These players are effectively new signings since they've hardly contributed this season.

We will potentially be losing 2 1st teamers in Wiltord & Kanu, but I believe they will be replaced by Bentley & Aliadiere in the rotation. If Bergkamp returns for a final season (as I expect), then we don't need another striker. That said, if the right person is available (a proven player like Trez or Morienties), this is the one area that I could see Wenger adding to the squad. That would take the pressure off the young guns to perform immediately and provide some top notch cover if our best player gets hurt (it seems like we can patch up holes in other areas of the squad with youth, but you just can't do that up front if Henry goes down).

As for sales, the only 2 current 1st teamers I could see moving on would be Freddie and Gilberto. If that happens, they'll need to be replaced. If it is Freddie on the move, then Wenger will need to replace him with a top notch player (I'm all for the exchange for Becks) who will come in as the starter. However, if Gilberto is sold, I think Wenger would lean toward potential v. experience and buy someone 24 or younger (we could get by with the experience of Vieira, Edu & Parlour in the middle). My favourite young central mids are Kim Kallstrom at Rennes, Xavi Alonso at Real Sociedad (though he's sought by Real Madrid and will probably be too expensive) and Peter Luccin at Celta Vigo (almost certainly on the move if Vigo get relegated).

Finally, the only other position where there is a need is in goal. This is not necessarily due to Jens not being capable, but more to the fact that at 34 years old, he's not going to be getting any better. With Lehmann there, we have 2-3 years to find a replacement, so I think Wenger is looking, but won't rush (especially as his replacement may turn out to be Stuart Taylor if he can stay healthy). I'd love to see Wenger sign Sebastien Frey this summer, give him a year to learn the language and get acclimated to England & the squad, and then let him battle it out with Lehmann & Taylor for the following season.

There's been a lot of talk of cover for the back line (central & right). Although it would be nice to have world class players as cover, this isn't fantasy football and I don't think Arsenal are in the financial position to be able to do this (we're secure, but with a huge debt balance we can't afford to dish out for players who won't be playing 40+ games). I think we'll have to live with either youth (Clichy, Senderos & Hoyte) or lower quality (Cygan) as cover for the back line (especially as defenders don't get quite as tired as midfielders and strikers, and therefore, can play just about every important game).

From reading others' opinions on this subject (here, elsewhere and in the media), I think the main disagreement with what I've said above would be in regards to Lauren, and the need to have someone better in that position. Certainly an area for debate, but I think all will agree that he's improved this year, was a solid member of the undefeated campaign (so far) in the league, and was not at fault for any of the key goals that caused our exit from the other competitions. So, unless there were some amazing RB out there available on the cheap, why on earth would Wenger tinker with this position?

[daedalus]

I've seen Trezeguet's and Morientes' names tossed about a few times but I'm not really sure they fit what Wenger is trying to achieve. They're definitely classy players but, to the best of my knowledge, they seem to be players whose strengths are in the air, although I might be wrong as I have not had a chance to watch them as much as I would like. Wenger's preferred style of play with the Gunners seems to be based on short and crisp passing, mainly on the ground. His wingers do not seem to really be the traditional wide-men whose crosses would set the table for those strikers. His choice of forwards seems to be based on a speed and style (Henry and now Reyes) on one side and playmaking and passing (Bergkamp and then Bentley) opposite (obviously, they have much more qualities than that but those just seems to stand out as strengths). I'm not sure if or where a Trezeguet or a Morientes would fit into the scheme, even if I would like to see the addition of those aerial goals to the arsenal of, er, Arsenal. For that same reason, I have a tough time seeing Lauren's place being threaten until Hoyte is ready as I think Wenger likes having strong offensive skills from his fullbacks. Unless, of course, the improbable happens where Lauren becomes unfit and Sanderos steps in alongside Campbell in the middle while Toure deputises on the right and both impress . . . so much that Lauren gets Wally Pipp'ed. Hey, I did say it was improbable.

Extraordinary situations aside (Looks like somebody threw away a perfectly good David Beckham!), I also think that Wenger will most likely buy a younger player. This is due to both preference and economics. With a younger player, you have the possibility of molding them into the type of player you would like. It would be easier to have them "get with the program" than with established veterans. Additionally, it would be cheaper to buy players before they have established themselves as stars. That said, with the current financial climate, it might be possible to pay less than you might have to otherwise.

[jegerpenge]

the whole point is that we need a player who is dangerous in the air. if we have one weakness that is it. that would be the reason that we would want them. i would like to see trez come in and complete the monaco connection

[ultimatesteel04]

OT. zizou is zidane's nickname i believe to whoeva enquired.

I agree on the poster that mentioned we need a player who is dangerous in the air. A young alan shearer would b perfect.

[daedalus]

the whole point is that we need a player who is dangerous in the air. if we have one weakness that is it. that would be the reason that we would want them. i would like to see trez come in and complete the monaco connectionYes, I agree that having that ability to score through the air would be a positive addition to the Gunners' offense. That would probably be why I said "even if I would like to see the addition of those aerial goals" in my original post.

However, I don't know that I really consider it a "weakness" other than not having that particular ability to help defend in set piece situations. It seems to me that Wenger's aim seems to be 10 players who can pass and control and he chooses to emphasize that "strength" instead. Those abilities doesn't alway come with players who are strong in the air (I don't know if that generalization is necessarily true with either Trezeguet or Morientes however, as I am not completely familiar with their games).

[daedalus]

Back to the topic at hand of who to buy . . . What about something completely out of left-field like, say, working out some type of exchange with Leeds involving Jermaine Pennant and James Milner? I know nothing about Milner other than that he's rated fairly highly by some. Leeds seems to like Pennant and he seems to like it there but getting money out of Leeds right now would seem to be a bit difficult. Getting relegated, which seems quite possible now, would cause Leeds to be in even more need of whatever cash they can get, which may ease Milner's exit. Don't know about probability but how's that as a possibility?

[Rick B]

Back to the topic at hand of who to buy . . . What about something completely out of left-field like, say, working out some type of exchange with Leeds involving Jermaine Pennant and James Milner? I know nothing about Milner other than that he's rated fairly highly by some. Leeds seems to like Pennant and he seems to like it there but getting money out of Leeds right now would seem to be a bit difficult. Getting relegated, which seems quite possible now, would cause Leeds to be in even more need of whatever cash they can get, which may ease Milner's exit. Don't know about probability but how's that as a possibility?

He is more of a striker than a winger. He isn't proven either. Ive seen him play on 3 occasions now and to me he's at the same stage Aliadiere was about 2 years ago. he will get better granted but..... in my opinion we have enough 'young strikers' in Reyes, Aliadiere and Bentley. We need to bring in someone more experienced for three years to bring these players on. Thats why I think the names Morientes and Trez have been thrown around. Im still going for Kluivert though, as I think some kind of deal has already been struck.....

[Detlef]

I think a centre-back is priority #1. Arsenal need cover for Toure and Campbell. Toure can play Lauren's spot when needed. I love Martin Keown but he's at the end of the line, and Pascal Cygan makes me nervous when he is on the pitch.

Would AW take a look at Alan Smith of Leeds? He seems like a tempermental guy but talented.

[Rick B]

I think a centre-back is priority #1. Arsenal need cover for Toure and Campbell. Toure can play Lauren's spot when needed. I love Martin Keown but he's at the end of the line, and Pascal Cygan makes me nervous when he is on the pitch.

Would AW take a look at Alan Smith of Leeds? He seems like a tempermental guy but talented.


Agreed, you haven't mentioned Senderos, but as he has been injured for a long time I don't think we can rely on him definatly next year. I see another CB coming in.

As for Alan Smith, I would personally take him. He was at Highbury for the Fulham game earlier in the season, but then Leeds got the money to keep him for the rest of the season. I do see him leaving at the end of the season and he has the skill and positional sense to do the 'Bergkamp' role. But whether Wenger thinks he could calm down remains to be seen. He wouldn't cost much, is English, plays with a lot of heart and always wants to win.

[Detlef]

Agreed, you haven't mentioned Senderos, but as he has been injured for a long time I don't think we can rely on him definatly next year. I see another CB coming in.

As for Alan Smith, I would personally take him. He was at Highbury for the Fulham game earlier in the season, but then Leeds got the money to keep him for the rest of the season. I do see him leaving at the end of the season and he has the skill and positional sense to do the 'Bergkamp' role. But whether Wenger thinks he could calm down remains to be seen. He wouldn't cost much, is English, plays with a lot of heart and always wants to win.

yeah I forgot about Senderos. He's only 19, right?

As for Alan Smith, he's a Leeds guy through and through (I recall an interview in FourFourTwo earlier this year). If he stays and gets them promoted again, it'd be an act of loyalty comparable to when Batistuta stayed at Fiorentina when they got relegated to Serie B.

[Rick B]

yeah I forgot about Senderos. He's only 19, right?

As for Alan Smith, he's a Leeds guy through and through (I recall an interview in FourFourTwo earlier this year). If he stays and gets them promoted again, it'd be an act of loyalty comparable to when Batistuta stayed at Fiorentina when they got relegated to Serie B.

Yes it would be comparable, but at that point Fiorentina were not in a financial crisis like Leeds, and on a player level, Batistuta's position in the Argentina side was not going to be at risk, where as Smith has only just started knocking at the door and if he went down to the 1st Division I don't think he would get picked. He wants to play for his country so if Leeds go down, he will leave and say he had to because of the financial mess rather than his international ambitions.

[jegerpenge]

werne't there rumours that we already had a precontract with samuel eto'o?