8/10/2019 Arsenal Transfers Article
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Arsenals new signings are vital pieces, but the jigsaw isnt
complete yet.
By Nathan Russell (@nathanhrussell)
The World Cup seems like a distant memory now and so do the
images ofArsenal manager Arsne Wenger playing beach soccer whilst
his Premier League
rivals seemed busy at work. Its not even August yet and the
Frenchman has
played catch-up by signing four players in 18 days. The first of
those signings,
Alexis Snchez, had a fantastic World Cup, scoring twice and
contributing two
Man of the Match performances. The 25-year-old scored 19 times
and notched
up 11 assists in 34 La Liga appearances last season and his
ability to play as a
striker will undoubtedly add to Arsenals attacking options next
season.
The Gunners first order of business was actually to replace the
outgoing Bacary
Sagna, who joined Manchester City after his contract expired at
the end of June.Wengers second signing of the summer took care of
Sagnas departure. Arsenal
have replaced their mainstay right-back with the man who kept
their former
defender out of Frances World Cup starting lineup for 12m.
Signing one of the
most impressive goalkeepers at the World Cup, Colombias David
Ospina, for
3.2m, followed this great piece of business. Hell give Wojciech
Szczsny a run
for his money and will add much needed strength in depth in
goal.
Then came a transfer that surprised many Arsenal fans. Calum
Chambers became
the third youth product to move from Southampton to ply their
trade in the red
and white of Arsenal. The 19-year-old, who is currently captain
of the England
under-19 side, can play at the centre or right of defence and
also further forwardin midfield. Hes another addition to a
fantastic group of British young players
currently under the tutelage of Arsne Wenger at the Emirates
Stadium. Two of
the four signings in Debuchy and Ospina have been replacements
and the North
London club are arguably one signing away from having had a
brilliant summer
in the transfer market.
Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Mario Balotelli
throughout the
summer but they have more pressing concerns about a defensive
midfielder. The
Gunnersstriking position could be filled by the likes of Olivier
Giroud, Theo
Walcott, Alexis Snchez, Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo. It is
widely documented
that the club is after a holding midfielder as they would
currently have to rely on
an ageing Mikel Arteta or an injury prone Abou Diaby to play
that particular role.
There have been reports that Real Madrids Sami Khedira has
lowered his wage
demands and Sporting Lisbons 35m-rated William Carvalho is also
on the
radar. Morgan Schneiderlin looks close to a move to the other
side of North
London, although it remains unclear whether Wenger has other
priorities or
whether the 24-year-old wants to work with his old manager in
Mauricio
Pochettino.
Whether its one of the names mentioned, with Lars Bender alsoin
the mix
despite having signed a new six-year deal in October, Arsenal
definitely need aholding midfielder to sure up a midfield that
suffered in big away games last
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season. If Thomas Vermaelen leaves in search of first team
football then he will
also be replaced. The club has also identified the fact that its
medical team have
also needed new personnel and appointing fitness guru Shad
Forsythe may
prove to be the most important addition if they can avoid a
repeat of last season
with regards to injuries. The Gunners have identified the
players that needed to
be replaced and the problems, specifically in terms of fitness,
that need to befixed. Arsne Wenger has done a fantastic job in
piecing his squad together thus
far but its missing one vital piecein the signing of a defensive
midfielder, a
position that will be crucial to Arsenals fortunes next
season.
