Some light at the end of Arsenal’s transfer tunnel?
Losing three key players in one summer would be a blow for most teams but the possible departures of Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from Arsenal could be seen as a disaster for Arsene Wenger. But Wenger could use these departures (and the reasonable sums of money from them) to his advantage and finally address some of Arsenal’s long-standing problems.
Clichy and Nasri look to be heading to title rivals Manchester City (with Chelsea and Manchester United still in the hunt for Nasri) whilst Fabregas’ long-winded transfer saga to Barca looks like it could finally be coming to an end. Whilst losing at least these three would be a blow, it would allow Wenger freedom and enough cash in the transfer market to bring in experienced Premier League stars that he so desperately needs.
Instead of investing in replacements with the years ahead in mind, Wenger needs to re-shape his team and add experience and leadership to a small squad.
The likes of Leighton Baines, Scott Parker, Joey Barton, Chris Samba and Charlie Adam are less-exciting names on paper than Nasri or Fabregas but they would offer players with Premier League experience and leadership figures on the pitch.
If key players were too leave then you would hope that Wenger would have sizeable funds to re-invest and with the exception of Baines (with Everton likely to demand a big fee if he were to go), the likes of Barton, Adam, Samba and Parker would present good value for money.
On the pitch they would also address key problems that Wenger has faced in recent years. Too many of Arsenal’s current squad (including Clichy, Nasri and Fabregas) go missing in action when times get tough and some of names mentioned above know how to fight and scrap for points (albeit the likes of Parker, Adam and Samba were fighting at the other end of the table last year). They all also offer potential leaders on and off the pitch, strong characters who can drive and unite a young Arsenal team forward.
Scott Parker for example won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and arguably outperformed most Arsenal players over the whole season, making 40+ appearances for the Hammers. West Ham may have been relegated but the leadership and battling skills that Parker showed over the campaign could be invaluable for Wenger. The only doubt over Parker would be his failure to perform for a previous top club Chelsea.
The signings of youngsters Hector Bellerin and Carl Jenkinson, and the possible deals for Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin are all promising purchases but none offer Premier League experience and can’t be expected to replace Nasri, Fabregas and co if they do depart. Gervinho is the oldest of the four at 24 and his possible arrival is still a risky move from Wenger with his only experience coming in France and Belgium (Marouane Chamakh is an unfortunate Arsenal example).
Wenger’s direction in the transfer market over the next few months will depend on who jumps ship in search of silverware but also whether he is willing to change a transfer policy that has left the Gunners trophy-less for years.
For Arsenal fans and Arsene Wenger the summer ahead looks to be another of transition but if the Gunners can get their transfer dealings right, it might not be as bad as all the transfer rumours make it out to be.
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utter drivel…
clichy is esily replaceable.
nasri has played well in only half seasons, the beginning of last year and the end of the year before, and was hopelessly lost at the end of last year. see hleb as an example of what will happen to nasri.
cesc was horrible the last part of the year, injuries or not.
tired of the whole lot of you people that seem to lose touch with reality.
we sold henry, pires, vieira, and a whole host of invincibles and yet we remained in the top four and challenge every year for honours.
losing the likes of these three will make no difference, we will remain in the top four with younger, hungrier players and we will be more financially sound for it.
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John (Different One) Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Agree that Clichy is replaceable – also I lost count of the number of times that he got caught upfield last year and we got hit through left back. Cesc I fear has to go – he is not a captain on the field – great player possibly the best we have but not a captain. His ego wont cope with being busted back and a real captain appointed (Vermalen??) so he has to go. Both he and Sami need to look at the long list of players that have left the Arsenal over recent years and ask – which of them did well elsewhere – the prof moulds a particular type of player and the the only players who have done well since leaving were those who left because they didn’t play his style – all the rest have failed to develop (yes I even in Henry and Vierra who became bit players at their new clubs)
Top four isn’t good enough as an ambition – it’s like playing for a draw – we need to be playing to win and consoling ourselves with top four as second prize.
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Gooner4Life Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
I also agree that Clichy is very replaceable and that unfortunately Fabregas will have to go as constant speculaton about a move away can’t be good for any of our team least of all him! What frustrates me though is that the ready made ideal replacement for Cesc is Nasri! IMO he played far better last year when in Fabregas’ position then he does out wide and what kind of message are we sending the rest of the premiership/Europe if we constantly develop players and get to within touching distance of that elusive trophy only to lose a large portion of our first team and in this case potentially losing them to our direct competition?
In Arsene I trust, so please repay this trust with a squad that can deliver the goods!
Again IMO we simply wouldn’t be here now had Wenger put his hand in his pocket and signed the central Defender and maybe Keeper that everyone can see we need so badly back in January!
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jessop Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Why is it utter drivel when basically the author is drumming home your point that Arsenal won’t suffer from their exits.
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John Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
because we don’t need to sign half of europe or overpriced players to maintain our status in the top four
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I think your comments go bananas. I should give you the right information.
1. It is sure Cesc and Nasri are gone for good. You lost one image.
2.Theo and VanPersie are on temptation. that is image two.
My friend what do you want from Arsen. Arsen is not a current affair football man. Is a rough trader in football bisiness. He is for profit not in coaching. The only thing he can buy is from his old firm(french team) that is it. Did you see him biding for Samba, or Barton or any one in Engand except the lowe league division. Why, every one know he knows a profitable player but not a player that can be an icon to build an image.
So long as Arsen is there,,,,, I just say I love you aresenal but I am taking a one year bar of myself from the stadium. You should do the same.
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That guy john, u poor fool, u give it about loosein henry and co, and not sufferin! U ok when they played we won trophys, they went we became a top 4 team but we are the wrong end ov the top 4 every year, we dont need younger players we been doin that for 6years and wa av we won, nuffin!!! We are a feeder club we make other teams stronger buy makein these young players world class and sellin them,
Ive been a gooner for 16yrs and its time things change, the bored and the manager, need a resuffle,
We aimt gonna b a top 4 club much longer wiv spurs and man city pushin there way in,
But if 4th and money in the pockets ov the arsenal bored is wa makes u happy, then ur a fool,
Wenger should start puttin money in, get proven players while he can, coz even top player are begin’in to see wa is happin and are startin to aviod arsenal,
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Barton, Adam, and Parker?????
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all i want is if wenger cannot splash the cash let him leave b4 things got spoilt.4 the player going lets say au revoir.cos in my adage they says trees dont makes a forest.kindly tell mr kroenke to wake up frm his slumber, if he cannot control wenger ,let the russia magnate comes in chikena.
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kudos 2 al gunners fan 4 dere patient since.. d only solution 2 arsenal pro is lack of experience player, if wenger can provide dis den gunner will collect at least 2 trophy….
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A decent article and glad to see someone showing some positivity towards the subject. Arsenal don’t need those three and we will be better fully committed footballers at the football club.
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Good article.
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Wenger should pls find a solution to all dis… Honestly i don’t want Nasri to go but if he wants to. Au revoir
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Clichy can go afta all I don’t think he’s offered arsenal anytin..cesc hmmm someone I named my son afta..this guy has always behave like a baby who has been kidnapped n so cannot wait to b wt his family..I only wish him a safe transition where he think can provide him medals wt out his contribution ok.cesc all de best..nasri I’m soo disapnted that u want to live ur fathers desolate house who do u xpet to win de medals wen u miss a glarring chance @ c.c.final.now my gud friend van p. N brother walcot let’s support de poor intelligent oldman….for hapi are those who hav time 4 their lovers……n de rest of de guys more grease to ur elbows…fellow fans let rally behind them n de long awaitn,bragging rights will come….wish u all gunners de best.
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