It’s already an altogether less rushed and more successful transfer window for Arsenal compared to last summer.
Alexis Sanchez, David Ospina, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers (TBC) have come through the door in an impressive bout of spending.
At the start of the summer many Arsenal fans would have said that the club most needed another forward and a really strong presence in central midfield.
It would be easy to argue that they have brought in a top forward in the shape of Alexis Sanchez. He’s obviously a winger by trade but can play through the centre to devastating effect, as we regularly saw at The World Cup. With him and Theo Walcott more than capable of helping out Olivier Giroud, the need for another striker is less pressing now.
But it doesn’t take a highly paid Frenchman to work out that Arsenal need more muscle in the middle.
You do hope and also sense that Arsenal are keeping some of the gunpowder dry in order to make another big signing – a midfield general.
We all know about the Sami Khedira to Arsenal hype. That one may still happen. But if Arsenal are prepared to pay the money then there may be a better, and certainly longer term, solution available out there.
There have been reports of late that Arsenal have made a bid for the brilliant Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho. These reports have helped to make Arsenal favourites to sign the player with bookmaker Skybet at odds of 1/1 – evens.
Manchester United have long been favourites for his signature with the bookmaker, but Arsenal have come in of late and could now be in pole position to sign The Octopus.
As usual, with Arsenal, it all comes down to whether they are prepared to pay the asking price. The player seems available and gettable if Arsenal shell out the requisite cash.
We think that this guy could go on to become a leader for Arsenal. He’s got everything and, even at 21, makes the game look easy in the same way as Cesc did at his best – time on the ball and a great passer who loves his one and two touch football. But he’s also strong in the tackle and disciplined in front of the back 5.
Let’s see him in action. Arsenal fans: an even better purchase than Khedira?
Elisha W. Browne
Jul 28, 2014 at 7:51 pm
I’m one of those that needs Sami Khedira at the Emirate stadium this coming season.
Ian Hawthorne
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:15 pm
I am also one of those that need, nae must have, Sami Khedira at the Emirates. He may not be an out and out holding midfielder (yes, we need one) but when a player of his stature and ability wants to play for your club, you have to be stark raving mad not to buy him. Sami is a fantastic player and a proven winner and could lead this club on to great things. BRING IT!!!
will
Jul 28, 2014 at 7:51 pm
As usual arsenal have not got endless supply of Russian or Arab money if you owned a business that could run at a loss you would beat any business in world
JOSEPH
Jul 28, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Wenger , i can say you have tried a little bit. You have been able to get 20% out of 100%. Try and get more percentage before the window closed down. Get a player that get both physical and technique performance , a player that fear no one. @j.f.1
Sule Danladi
Jul 28, 2014 at 9:08 pm
Yes, I suggest that, Arsenal should sign in Khedirah and Carvalho immediately. I LOVE them with passion.
Gab
Jul 28, 2014 at 10:19 pm
For you have done a great signings. But it remains defensive medflider nd one proven striker
.
lambu
Jul 28, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Try as u can to get Carvalho please arsenal. Or at least Sammy.but do not go for another goalie.
gunneral
Jul 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm
He is slow and ponderous……
lambu
Jul 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm
We need also another striker though not necessary but essentially. For a season is vevery long. Anything can happen while on the run.
lambu
Jul 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm
I hope this season to be ours!
linesman
Jul 29, 2014 at 3:33 am
Exciting summer so far but wenger has not srenghtened the weak areas from last season
paul moses
Jul 29, 2014 at 4:48 am
he is good ,
but arsenal now need more experience say like khedira or sniderline.
Prince
Jul 29, 2014 at 5:41 am
Yes striker defencine milfeder
LAROW
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:10 am
I trust wenger! Any player he goes for is brilliant enough. Please sign this william and forget about old cargos like khedira, we don’t need them.
chuks
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:37 am
joseph wot do u mean by he is 20% out of 100% i hope u knw wot ur sayin!! aftr d signing of sanchez,debuchy,ospina nd nw calum ur saying hez jus 20%.4 me i tink hez around a 80% wit 2 prfct signings 2 b made 100% is sure. up gunners
Delford Magaya
Jul 29, 2014 at 7:09 am
Wenger has done so well in transfer deals, but we need a strong man in defensive midfield, this is the position which was never fulfilled since the departure of Emmanuel Petti, Patrick Viera and Gilberto Silva. Arsenal have so many players in midfield who are quite good but they dont have a strong character like the three retired players I mentioned above. They need one strong defensive like Khedira, he does not panic even under pressure, he knows when to go forward, when with the ball, he know how to pass accurate and he can defend as well, he is very technical, mobile and can make our midfield being the best.
Ray
Jul 29, 2014 at 8:00 am
Its been great so far, the fact that we got our business done early, and perhaps leave the transfer deadline day for any late surprise bids on players who become available last minute, as a bonus but not essential. (as Ozil was).
However, for this to be a successful window and go into the season with some optimism its far from over. We need to keep all our players to give us the depth of squad I haven’t seen for quite some time. The exhaustion and injuries towards the end of last season cost us heavily. I want to see Jenkinson deputise the RB role, not go on loan – hes good enough, I hope we’ve bought Chambers to cover at CB otherwise 2 of our signings would of just been to replace Sagna.
We need a solid, defensive mid, who can go a full season, sticking in challenges, putting himself on the line and breaking up play. Flamini is good cover, but he can’t go a full season. I rate Khedera highly, but I don’t see him as the answer due to his injury record. can we afford to have another injury risk in the squad? I’m in 2 minds about this, I wouldn’t be dissapointed if we sign him, but I’d be worried. This Carvahlo or Scheiniderlin look like the better options.
We need a fox in the box. I hope we keep Campbell and give him a chance at breaking through and I like Giroud, but we do need a prolific goalscorer too. Wenger said hes not buying a striker but I’m hoping that’s just a smoke screen.
Personally I would of like to see us take a risk with Balotelli, given the price hes available at and Wengers 1-to-1 skills to try and reform him I could see him being a good risk to take, one where the stakes wouldn’t be too high.
Gabriel
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Yes! Give me Mario in that box.
Hoping for a strong DM too.
If TV5 is sold…then who do we have(Miguel?…not sure he has improved)
billy
Jul 29, 2014 at 8:57 am
bring back alex song. no nonsence defensive mid fielder.
Gazza.esq
Jul 29, 2014 at 9:47 am
Billy if you had ever watched Song you would see he was not is not and never will be a defensive MF. He couldn’t tackle without conceding the foul and lacked the discipline to stay back shileding the defense. Arsenal have not had a genuine quality defensive MFsince Gilberto left
Kofi
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:40 am
Wenger,pls sign balotelli and put fears in ur opponents,just as chelsea has costa and drogba.
trust
Jul 29, 2014 at 10:49 am
Wenger l think carvahlo and balloteli will do
Zoran
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:33 pm
I think AW won’t but another striker because he will convert Alex into a central striker ,we have ox and Theo on either wings.after what we went through last season he has to see we need a proven striker.what do u guys think?
Rabiu Ibrahim
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Instead of Baloteli go back for Martinez is the one that really try most for this World Cup. For Defensive MF Barca has already corrupt Alex Song carrer is not good as he is before that is why we are warnin U about Fabregas last tym, Diaby or Arteita there are not gud enough 4 dat. Look at our last Pre season against Red Bull I no that as they bring Diaby our game change but he is havin 3 problem 1 is dat he no pass ball 2. He too the dribb around the pitch. 3. He no tacked ball. That is why he is having injury problem every day because of selfish. So Arsen wenger do what is gud 4 us this season 2 make our self proud of our team. UP GUNNERS
(I ALSO WISH ALL MY ARSENAL BROTHERS & SISTERS THAT ARE MUSLIM. I WISH THEM ALL BARKA DE SALAH)
felix
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:05 pm
wenger pls u have to go for balloteli
TC Tai
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:14 pm
So far so good, but without a strong midfield character like Sami Khedira joining, we are still nervous, can’t forget the whitewash by other BPL top teams, really embarrassing! Arsene Wenger cannot hesitate on Khedira or at least equivalent.
TC Tai
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:19 pm
That few whitewashings were really painful for Arsenal supporters, please do not hesitate, sign Sami Khedira ASAP.
George Gunner
Jul 29, 2014 at 1:57 pm
With all the influx of new players,expectations will be high.
Wenger could be under pressure from the moment the ball is kicked.
The thing is after winning the cup,fans expect more but I will reserve judgement.
The bookies have made Arsenal 4th favourites.Wenger had a great chance to win the epl but blew it.Believe me another similar scenario will lead to calls for his head.
jayjay
Jul 29, 2014 at 3:05 pm
The thing is with the 4 signings we have mad have we really improved the first 11 dramatically???? I mean yes the squads stronger but Ospina is on the same level as Szcesny, Debouchy isnt as good as Sagna, that guy was solid for years and just because he got in the french team ahead of Sagna doesnt mean hes better, deschamps left out Nasri remember.
As for Chambers he is one for the future
With Sanchez I am assuming he will replace Cazorla in our starting 11, assuming Walcott is wide right, and Ozil is in the middle…….Sanchez and Cazorla are very similar in ability levels to me.
What we need is a top defensive midfielder to replace Flamini/Arteta….a top striker who is a natural goalscorer to replace Giroud and then a proper left back
See if Wenger would have signed Khedira, Rojo and say someone like Benzema they would have walked straight into our starting 11 without doubt…..a LB, DM and CF is what we really need and he hasnt signed one of them….he has just strengthened an area we were already strong in
Bonaroca
Jul 29, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Bonaroca:; I am of the opinion that the most important need is a Viera type player who is capable of controlling the game and Carvahlo at 21 years is that type. He should be a very good investment apart from having experience in European league and also an International player which means he will be available in the future to help the up and coming young players who by time will replace the veterans with in a couple of years.
Emeka
Jul 29, 2014 at 5:07 pm
How come no one notice we really really need a cover for Gibbs. I love Gibbs but he is prone 2 injury & Monreal is a big flop. Each time he plays our opponet know he is a weak link. Pleassssse Wenger get sum1 as cover 4 Gibbs. I also would like 4 us 2 get a really tough, no nonsense defensive midfielder. Seems the Williams guy is good. I really pray we do beautiful this season. My mates that are Chelsea & Man u fans have made so much fun & jest of me over these few years. Go Gunners!
ikefrank ebuka
Jul 29, 2014 at 5:33 pm
I LOVE ARSENAL SO MUCH AND I WILL LIKE TO SEE MORE SINING
Ibrahim Y. Yusuf
Jul 29, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Yes AW & IG have tried but still DM and killer striker is what we needed more esp the DM to solve our major problem. I hope he is gonna gve some new talent player that come backs 4rm loan a chance to show there experience such as campbell, miguel, gnabry, akpom e.t.c. Esp the striking.
*Amos karinguri
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:08 pm
If wengar will sign khedira arsenal spud will be strong!
Omotosho Sunday Adekunle
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Arsene wenger u av done a great job but mre effort coz ds season is ours
stillagnner
Jul 29, 2014 at 6:28 pm
You gunners have all spoken well. In my own opinion, i think w should sign SAMI he isgood.We all saw him at the world cup. I think he is good if not Wenger wouldnt have gone forhim anyways………STILLAGUNNER