Arsenal

[wev]

I've begun leaning towards the opinion we don't need him. Not just in a "we have too many attacking midfielders" kind of way, nor in a "our system wouldnt really get the best of him" kind of way. But in regards to the attitude of this team. I think its hard to not agree that the team/s that Fabregas played in were rather self-centred. It was all about personal glory, be it cash or "a need to win trophies", there didn't seem to be the same togetherness that appears to be a major part of this team and whilst I'm not saying that was down to Fabregas, I think he did play a big part in that with his wanting to return to Barcelona.

[The Fox]

His point about Cesc fading after Christmas is probably valid; he had that issue when he was here too. Big drop of in form towards the end of most seasons. Still vies with Dennis as the second best player I've seen for the Arsenal though.

If Chelsea are buying Cesc as a second-choice Koke, it really does mean we could bring him in to be Arteta's successor. It's a lot of money and it's not his current ideal position, but the amount of difference Arteta made when we brought him in at first was enormous and not having an ideal successor poised to him is a massive risk.

Koke has a 60m buyout though I think I read, and it doesn't look like he'll push for a move. Suspect he'll stay.

I think we'll maybe sign a DM if something comes up at the right price, but you do wonder if Arsene doesn't think he can wring another season out of Arteta. IMO that's fine if you can keep Ramsey fit, but it's a risk I'd rather we didn't take.

[Lucky]

If we don't buy Cesc, which looks unlikely, and he ends up at Chelsea then Ozil and Arsenal have got to have a better season than Cesc and Chelsea. Otherwise it's gonna be a massive kick in the teeth. Could be seriously demoralising to Ozil, AW & Arsenal as a whole.

I hope he stays at Barca. Not sure how likely that is either.

[hercules]

We need a big strong defensive midfielder to complement the attackers, and some pace out wide. Cesc is certainly not what we need. He chose to push for a move now this is ultimately the result (3years down the line) we all have to deal with it. We are better off with Ozil, who is clearly underrated

[Liamness]

Would you want Song back if he was offered? Still relatively young at 26, likely to be available at a lower price than you sold him for. We could probably do with him if you don't fancy it.

[BlinkyBear]

I didn't see any clamour here to sign Juan Mata when he was available in January.

I like to think my love for Mata is so deep that it extends to all Arsenal fans.

We need a big strong defensive midfielder to complement the attackers

Lorik Cana?

[Steve007]

I've decided we should just sign him, simple. A world class player for OK money, worry about the details later. Heart over head, just do it. Our midfield is made of glass, Arteta and Rosicky aren't getting any younger, Flamini is a wild card. Just buy Fabregas already.

If we don't and then we don't really smash it elsewhere in the transfer window I'll be well annoyed.

Or use the Cesc money + more money to get Ross Barkley

[The Fox]

wtf am I reading, how could anyone want Barkley over Fabregas.

[BlinkyBear]

wtf am I reading, how could anyone want Barkley over Fabregas.

I have no idea, but you lot would turn down Cesc anyway, so I'm not sure what planet you're all on in the first place.

Barkley though. Imagine Wenger's face 15 times a game every time Barkley gives the ball away.

[The Fox]

Barkley is 20 and isn't half the player Cesc was at 17. He's talented but he'll never reach Cesc's level. Not a chance.

[emjay2kay]

How much are we valuing Barkley at if the £30m for Cesc isn't enough??

[Steve007]

wtf am I reading, how could anyone want Barkley over Fabregas.

Barkley has far more potential than Fabregas and excites the shit out of me whenever I see him play.

Don't get the Fabregas thing. We don't need him and as the club have passed on the 'opportunity' to bring him back, the club has finally done something in the transfer market that I agree with.

[Steve007]

How much are we valuing Barkley at if the £30m for Cesc isn't enough??

No idea on his value, but it has to be north of £30m. And if it isn't now, then it probably will be after the World Cup. He's got vision, skill, ability and he's not afraid to try the insane. The comparisons to Gazza were inevitable, but the way he charges through the field, he really does deserve the comparison for once.

[NexivRed]

Barkley has far more potential than Fabregas and excites the shit out of me whenever I see him play.

Have you totally forgotten what Cesc was like when he broke into our side? He was absolutely light years ahead of where Barkley is now. I'm absolutely stunned any Gooner would even bother comparing them.

Barkley has played as a No10 this season but his goal and assist stats are virtually non existent. He's a great powerful dribbler with a good physique, but what is his best position? He can't really tackle, has a poor first touch, and doesn't have particularly good positioning (not surprising for a 20yo to be fair), so doesn't currently seem suited to CM, but to play higher up the pitch you surely need more productivity than he's providing at the moment.

He has a lot of potential, don't get me wrong. I don't mean to sound too down on him. But I'd be absolutely stunned if he ever reached Cesc's levels or even close.

[Shook]

Personality wise Arsenal are a bit yawn. Balotelli would shake things up a bit, and we need a new bathroom anyway.

[The Fox]

I think I'd rather have Balotelli than Benzema personally. Think his 'bad side' is maybe a bit overplayed, he just needs to put it together on a more consistent basis.

Mind you that's very theoretical. Based on actual concrete evidence I concede Benzema is better/more suited, and much less risky.

[carlito]

Balotelli is a poison fucking apple.

[The Fox]

Maybe more trouble than he's worth, hard to say. He'd be a risk and I don't expect Arsene to gamble on it, but in terms of raw talent he's probably the best we could get.

I said I'd like Cavani earlier but a) he's probably not for sale, b) he'd be a lot more expensive than Balotelli, and c) he's nearly 28 so is probably going to start declining soon enough.

Potentially Balotelli is a better player than Benzema and even Cavani (on his day he's a better predator than the former and better link man than the latter), but can he reach that potential consistently? I guess you'd have to say probably not, based on his career so far. I gather he's been very hit and miss for Milan as well.

I realise I'm sort of talking myself out of my original point as I go along here.

[Gotters]

I think both Balotelli and Benzema come with baggage, one is a bit nuts and extremely volatile, the other seems a bit moody and prone to disappearing into his shell.

On a good day Ozil and Benzema would be a fantastic combo but if they both were in a huff it would be pretty poor.

Keep seeing Micah Richards is available, I'd like us to go for him, he's versatile, a good age and I think a bit underrated.

[The Fox]

Bit harsh negging carlito for that, it's hardly a controversial opinion.

I don't think there's any really perfect centre forward we can sign, really. Balotelli has all the tools and will be available, but is a proven liability so would be a huge risk. Benzema is technically great but doesn't seem to have the strongest mentality, and will only be for sale if Real can somehow get Suarez/Cavani. Mandzukic is available for sure, but he's 28 and is basically a slightly better Giroud. Morata looks the business on paper but you're basically just buying potential. Other than that I think you're looking at wide forwards such as Alexis or Reus, and the latter at least is probably not for sale.

RE: Richards, good player on his day but far too injury-prone to be getting in as a first choice guy.

[Revival]

I thought your lot were in for Loic Remy?

The Vela buy back is confirmed btw (Daily Mail link - apologies)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2654363/Carlos-Vela-way-Arsenal-3-5m-confirms-Real-Sociedad-president.html

[Gotters]

resigning Vela is a bit odd - I know why clubs re-sign their heroes but re-signing a failure is a new move.

I know he got a few goals in spain, and its a small fee for a sub or back up - guess he should be viewed as a squad signing

[Rev]

resigning Vela is a bit odd - I know why clubs re-sign their heroes but re-signing a failure is a new move.

I know he got a few goals in spain, and its a small fee for a sub or back up - guess he should be viewed as a squad signing

He wasn't really a failure, he just didn't quite make it.

I think it's a brilliant signing personally, he's a completely different striker to Giroud, he's fast and he's started getting goals. That's just what we need, with the bonus of being ridiculously cheap.

[The Fox]

I dunno about Vela. From a business perspective and in terms of bang-for-buck it's brilliant, but it's still a bit underwhelming and probably precludes us from getting a better wide forward in.

RE: Remy, really don't think he's good enough at all and I don't think he's what we need in terms of playing style either really.

[hauk]

Agree that it's a good bit of business to buy back Vela, I guess that's the reason we insert buy back clauses - in case someone comes good.

My only concern is that this will turn out be another Gervinho. With Gervinho we obviously wanted Hazard from Lille, but went for the cheaper option and in the end we should have just coughed up for the superior player. In this instance I think it's fair to say we probably wanted Griezmann, but Vela comes at a much cheaper price.

[Rev]

It's more than that though, they know he's got a good attitude, he knows what role he'll be taking, etc. He wouldn't be coming in just for being cheap. And I know it's a long way from reliable, but transfermarkt puts him at £17.5m and Griezmann at £22m, certainly not massive differences.

We could (should?) probably buy both though.

[The Fox]

Santi is better on the left, and we also have Poldi. On the right we have an injured Walcott, and Wilshere is better on that side. Ox can do either flank really. I'd argue if we want cover on one flank then we're shorter on the right side, and that's where Vela has been playing.

I remain hopeful that we're just trying to draw out other prospective buyers for him in order to get our 50% sell-on fee, and that we'll go for a better forward than him.

[Steve007]

So we could be re-signing someone who says he didn't like London & England and was delighted to get away and move to Spain (http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/arsenal/carlos_vela_reveals_arsenal_doubts_as_gunners_ponder_3_3m_swoop_1_3623203)

Forgive me, but I can't get excited about this one. If it's a summer of bargain basement signings then come August, I may be forced to rant for another 10 months.

[The Fox]

Well hang on, he's only "bargain basement" because of the buyback clause. On the open market I'm sure he'd fetch £15m+ after his most recent season. Not huge money, no, but then even though we're relatively rich now compared to a few years ago, we're still not in a financial position to spend £30m+ in every position.

It's a worry though because the problems he had before could well still apply, were he to come back. I'm not arguing with it from a business perspective, and if he can settle in London then he could even offer a lot on the pitch too. But I'd like to think that, if it is true we want to bring him in, we'll also sign another forward.

1 Vela

2 Big bucks striker

3 Right back

4 Defensive midfielder

5 Reserve keeper

6 Promising young centre back (assuming No4 does not offer adequate cover in this role)

Assuming no one else leaves then I think that lot would sort us out pretty nicely, though I have a suspicion that No4 won't happen this summer.

[carlito]

I think we're nailed on for a DM, the demand is there and there seem to be a fair few options we could go for.