da betsul： Amid a purple end to a promising 2014/15 campaign, many believe Arsenal are just a few shrewd signings away from being genuine Premier League title challengers.
da spicy bet： Resultantly, Arsene Wenger is expected to keep himself very busy in the transfer market this summer – at least, by the reckoning of the tabloids, who remain relentless in their Gunners-based rumour gathering as we approach the opening of the offseason window.
But the transfer market is always filled with inevitable booby-traps; the low-risk-high-reward signings that amount to nothing, the bargain bosmans who break their legs on the first week of training but end up on the wage bill for the next four years, the big names who struggle to live up to their preceding reputations, the ‘next Paul Scholes’ prodigies who end up more like the next Nicky Butt.
So to ensure the north London outfit avoid an error-free summer on the inward front, we’ve listed the FIVE targets they should avoid at all costs.
BENEDIKT HOWEDES
Available for just £13million through a release clause, Benedikt Howedes could prove to be a smart piece of business for one of Europe’s bigger clubs.
He’s renowned for his versatility, capable of playing anywhere across the backline or in midfield, lifted the World Cup with Germany last summer, boasts experience in the Champions League and has served as Schalke captain since 2011. Not bad for such an unspectacular fee.
But what does the 26 year-old actually offer Arsenal’s squad apart from further depth? Arsene Wenger added to his centre-back options with Gabriel Paulista in January, whilst both full-back positions are firmly covered through the likes of Mathieu Debuchy, Callum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal.
Throwing another World Cup winner into the mix is hardly the worst thing Wenger could do this summer. Yet, it’s money that could be better spent in other areas – or a more specific position withn the starting XI.
Furthermore, despite his heroics for Die Mannschaft last summer, the 6 foot 2 defender has put in some horrendous Champions League displays over the last few seasons.
SAMI KHEDIRA
Arsenal need to sign a physically-imposing midfielder this summer and Sami Khedira, blessed with fantastic aerial ability, strength and undying stamini, fits the bill perfectly.
He’s widely viewed as one of the top defensive midfielders in world football, proving such status last summer by lifting the Champions League title with Real Madrid and the World Cup with Germany in just a matter of months. And better yet, he’ll be available on a free transfer at the end of the season when his Bernabeu contract expires.
There’s only one problem, however; that spate of success during summer 2014 was a rare island in a sea of recurring injuries for the 28 year-old. Due to his constant sideline bouts, Khedira has managed just 24 La Liga appearances over the last two campaigns.
There’s already far too many injury-prone midfielders within Arsenal’s squad; Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Aaron Ramsey – the list continues.
Although Khedira represents exactly the kind of player the Gunners should be targeting this summer, his injury record – especially when combined with his likely wage demands – makes the Bernabeu star a risk simply not worth taking.
ANDRE AYEW
Set to leave Marseille on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, Andre Ayew will be arguably the best value-for-money winger-forward on the market this summer.
He boasts 60 goals in 193 appearances for L’OM – including eleven this season – claimed the Goal King (top scorer) award at the 2015 African Cup of Nations and has an incredibly physical, direct style that should make him a natural suitor to the athletic demands of Premier League football.
But is the 25 year-old a particularly better option than what Arsenal already have? He might score a few more goals than Danny Welbeck or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but in my opinion Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez are both considerably above his level.
With the former potentially moving on this summer, the Ghana international could be deemed an effective low-cost replacement. But ahead of a campaign in which many expect Arsenal to challenge for the title, it seems like a bit of a sideways move. He’d add depth to the squad, but not quality to the starting Xi.
ISCO
Isco is a fantastic footballer and he’s probably been treated a little unfairly by Real Madrid since joining them from Malaga in summer 2013,often finding his role in the starting Xi dependent upon the fitness of the club’s somewhat more lucrative names.
The Express claim he could resultantly decide to leave the Bernabeu this summer, with Arsenal mooted as potential suitors.
But if there’s one thing the Gunners definitely do not need in the coming transfer window it’s yet another No.10. Arsenal have so many already most are now playing out of position; Santi Cazorla in deep midfield, Jack Wilshere transformed into a box-to-box and Aaron Ramsey playing everywhere apart from the central attacking berth that made him one of the most exciting prospects in English football during his teenage years. Meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky waits patiently in reserve.
The north Londoners have finally figured out a system that gets Mesut Ozil into his rightful position just behind the striker. Adding Isco to the equation will only recreate the problems that plagued the German international during the first 18 months of his Emirates tenure – not to mention the fact Arsenal would apparently have to pay a club-record £45million fee to land the Real Madrid playmaker.
RAheem Sterling
Do I think Raheem Sterling could play for a better club than Liverpool? Judging on the fact the 20 year-old ranks second for goals, assists and successful dribbles per-match and first for created chances per-match within a Liverpool squad that are currently fifth in the Premier League, yes.
But would I actually take a punt on him this summer amid rumours he plans to force a move away from Anfield? At Liverpool’s apparent valuation of £50million? Certainly not.
No doubt, the 2014 Golden Boy winner is a sensational talent, potentially the best of his home-grown generation. But placing the weight of such an almighty transfer fee on his young shoulders could completely debase the Liverpool prodigy’s career.
With Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez already proving highly effective together in the attacking midfield berth, it’s a risk Arsene Wenger doesn’t need to take. Other areas of the squad – particularly defensive midfield and centre-forward – should be taking priority.