Wenger after Ben Arfa

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/1...-as-ideal-replacement-for-exit-bound-walcott/

Emirates Stadium side prepare move for St James’ Park star.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa has he resigns himself to losing contract rebel Theo Walcott.
The Gunners boss has long been linked with the Magpies attacker and is ready to re-ignite his interest in the in-form wide-man having seen Ben Arfa display a consistent run of Premier League form over the past twelve months.
Arsenal have already frozen Walcott from their first team plans and have handed the youngster just one Premier League start this term and having opened contract negotiations with a number of other players the North London club’s silence over moves to retain the England international speaks volumes.
The Arsenal wide-man looks set to leave the club as the Gunners refuse to meet his wage demands and it’s plausible that the former Southampton man will be sold in January to avoid the 23 year old being picked up for nothing when his contract runs out in the summer.
Ben Arfa came close to moving to Arsenal during his three year stint at Marseille and the 25 year old flair player has seen a return to form over the past year, leading to a recall to the national team.
Though the Newcastle United attacker is said to be happy with life in the North-East he may be tempted by a move to Arsenal where he would link up with a number of his national team colleagues at the Emirates Stadium outfit.

 

Personally I think and hope HBA will want to stay... plus... can you really see Wenger paying £20m plus for him... cos that's what Ashley will hold out for...

the only down side is that we were linked with Djorou and he may be thrown in along with Walcott maybe to sweeten the deal.

 

Walcott would not come to SJP so you can count that part out

 

Caughtoffiside.... hardly a great source.

Wenger will have to pay 25-30m for Ben Arfa, and I doubt Arsenal would be willing to shift that amount with their current financial plan.

 

He won't go in January but it will be tough to keep him in the summer if we don't qualify for europa again.

 

He won't go. We won't sign Walcott as his wages are to high... As for djorou I would have him at the right price. Hba sends all the right signals that he likes it here... I think if he where to leave it would be abroad. No offence arsenal.

 

There is a lot of unrest at Arsenal, fans not happy. To keep up with City , Chelsea and co Wenger has to spend.
I would hope that we could keep HBA but if a club came in with a huge bid, he would be off.
Watched MOTD and Walcott lookednlively also surprised Wenger started with Wiltshire after just comig back from injury.

 

Do you remember when Cabaye, Tiote and Ba were all definitely going to Arsenal in the summer?

 

HBA not moving imo. ALL THIS NONSENSE ABOUT ARSENAL AND THEIR MIDFIELD AGAIN


Wilshere Ramsey Arteta Diaby Cazorla Rosicky TheOx Gervinho ParkChuYoung

Tell me where would HBA fit in, and I haven't even mentioned the Arshavins and the Walcotts that they haven't even sold.

 

If Arsenal play a 4-3-3, with everyone fit:

--- Podolski --- Giroud --- Ben Arfa
-------------Cazorla-------------
-----Arteta----------Wilshere----

Or alternately, Podolski up front, Giroud dropped, Cazorla/Walcott/Gervinho up front.

Ramsey and Diaby can come in to midfield, as can Rosicky. Two players for each slot.

Park is a striker.

 

More like 15m im afraid bud.

 

A concern of course but Pardew would be loathe to lose and I'm not sure Arsenal would stump up the cash required. They are under a lot of pressure from the fans to spend big however.........

Lets hope Benni would fancy staying but I have to say if a big enough bid materialised from Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, Man City or a big foreign club I think we'll do well to hold on. I've said many times eventually that kind of talent ends up at Europes elite. We might as well enjoy while we can as far as I'm concerned. He is a special talent.

 

If true the writing is on the wall regardless of anyone that thinks Ben Arfa loves the toon etc etc! money talks and if it's on of the top clubs he'll be off if his valuation is met, if his valuation isn't met he'll not want to be here anymore and he'll leave the next window.

I hope to god we keep our best players but

1. Arsenal will be in europe every year
2. offer twice our wages
3. agent will make the move go ahead because he will get millions
4. Regardless of what we like to think Arsenal is a bigger club.

If we do sell one of our best it will be for good money and we can improve our squad as a group but I'd rather it be anyone than Ben Arfa