The REAL transfer targets for Arsenal this year…

Over the past few weeks I have kept this blog quiet in an effort to keep the content of the blog respectful and realistic. I publish only stories which include players that could realistically join Arsenal, doing so from sources I have and media content. Over the past few weeks the Arsenal ‘transfer gossip’ columns have been turned up a notch and that pie which resembles the summer transfer window is nearly ready, with only seven games remaining before the end of the season. As a result of this I have decided to write the post which gives readers a more ‘realistic guide’ to who we’ll be attempting to prize to Arsenal this year.

Number 1: Per Mertesacker

The big German centre back has been tracker by us for a few years now. We bid in the region of £10million last summer and was told he was not for sale at such a price, and as a result Wenger walked away. This year, however, Mertesacker’s performances have been under par to say the least, along with his team mates; currently Werder Bremen lye 11th in the Bundesliga and it has been admitted by Mertesacker that a move maybe on the cards, albeit whilst still his main priority is avoiding the drop:

“England has been an issue for a few years now, but I cannot make a decision yet,” he told Die Welt newspaper.

“Of course the Premier League is attractive, but right now there is only one issue for me and that is avoiding the drop.”

His contract runs out in 2012 and the player will be unlikely to re-sign should relegation occur, or even otherwise. In such a scenario Wolfsburg would be forced into selling , and, as I said above a fee of around £10million would get our man. Wenger does want another centre back, regardless of whether he says we have ’4 world class centre backs’ already. The player seems very loyal and doesn’t speak out in the media every other day, unlike most modern players. I’m sure if we see a centre back coming this year it’ll be this man. Talk of Gary Cahill is wide of the mark; we simply can’t afford him, if the fee is nearer £20million than 10. We have been watching him, like Mertesacker, for a while now, but with Manchester City and Liverpool in the fight he won’t be coming here. (I’ll eat the new away shirt if he does! Yes, blue stripes, what were they thinking!? It’s hideous.) Ps Thanks  to Arsenal Insider for the reveal, the picture is below: Anyway onto transfer target number 2… Number 2 – Alex Oxlade Chamberlain Although many newspapers are saying there will be massive clear outs this year at Arsenal, this is unlikely to happen; players coming will only match those coming out, with the exception of Mertesacker and possibly this man (okay, boy) Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. He needs no introducing as many of us heard vast stories about him in January. A wonderfully skilled kid, an attacking midfielder, super quick feet and English, hence all the hype around him in our media. Southampton want £10million for the player upfront, and if not want him back on loan for a year. Chamberlain wants to join us, over his other suitors which include Man Utd, City and Liverpool so its just negotiating a fee which is important. I haven’t much more information on this at the moment but I do expect to see Chamberlain join us this summer; whether he stays at Arsenal for the season or gets loaned back is to be seen.
Number 3 – Dependent on departures

If other players are to ply their trade at the Grove some of our current squad will have to leave. This is simply how it is with the 25 man squad ruling and is why you get so many stories in the press about players leaving Arsenal. Almunia will leave Arsenal, as his contract is up and won’t be renewed and as reported by The Goon Blog, Nicklas Bendtner will likely be off, with his agent offering him around to German clubs, as a result of not getting enough first team action. Rosicky could be off as well, however it depends whether a decent fee can be negotiated for him.

If Bendtner leaves we have been watching many strikers around the world and if Rosicky leaves the Hazard situation may heat up. However if interest from Chelsea materializes we can forget him.

To conclude

I wouldn’t expect many incomings to Arsenal this year, even though the papers would have you believe otherwise. I am one who would like a very nice £15-20million signing however being realistic its not going to happen, unless Hazard arrives. I will do a post on the possible players leaving Arsenal in the next few weeks. Till then, shout for the lads and lets keep our title hopes alive versus Liverpool today! Come on you Reds!!

Oh yes! With the royal wedding coming check out this mock up video below, it is genuinely the funniest thing in ages! You will wet yourself!