From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...13.5m-deal-for-Valencia-winger-Juan-Mata.html Arsène Wenger is hopeful of making a new signing before this weekendâs Emirates Cup, with Arsenal progressing on a number of targets, including Valencia winger Juan Mata. A new centre-back is also a priority and, after failing last week with a bid for Evertonâs Phil Jagielka, Wenger is also now considering a firm offer for Gary Cahill or Chris Samba. The Arsenal squad returned to England on Wednesday following the clubâs training camp in Germany, with Wenger keen to add at least one player before the end of the week. Much will clearly depend on negotiations with Barcelona over Cesc Fabregas, who will not feature in this weekendâs Emirates Cup. However, progress has been made on Mata, who would cost an initial £13 million, rising to £17.5 million. Mata is primarily a left-sided attacker, with his potential arrival likely to pave the way for Samir Nasri to move into the Fabregas role behind a main central striker. ----- Mata in by the weekend would be fantastic. But with Gervinho already in...where would he play!? RF: Theo / Gervinho LF: Arshavin / Mata CF: RvP / Chamakh AM: Ramsey / Nasri Is that the likely competition for places? That's how I see it, how about you?
Hypethetically if we keep Fabregas & bring in Mata and we could field two quality teams. ----------------Sczezney--------------- Sagna---Cahill---Vermaelen--Jenkinson ------------Song----Wilshere------------ -----------------Fabregas---------------- Gervinho--------VanPersie---------Mata ---------------Fabianski------------------ Eboue----Djourou----Koscielney---Gibbs -----------Diaby----Ramsey------------- ---------------Nasri------------------- Walcott------Chamakh----------Arshavin
What? Just because they won't happen. --------Benzema------------ ----------------------VP-------- Mata------------------------Walcott -----------Song---Fabregas------- LB----Subotic---Verm-----Sagna- ---------------Szczesny------------- There's a good 4-4-2 for you all
Obviously I want to keep Fabregas. His number is on the shirt that I am currently wearing. But at the same time, if the creative responsibility is shared more, with Rambo, Wilshere and Mata, we might not necessarily be weaker.
I was just going with the signings listing by the OP. If I had to choose It would be Subotic or Hummels but I do think Cahill is a better defender than Squillaci, Koscielney or Djourou. He would offer more balance in defence alongside the more technical Vermaelen. Koscielney's too simular. (but a good player) Djourou gets caught knapping FAR too often (as did Clichy). Despite his size he is'nt the least bit aggressive or robust. Squillaci ...well the less said about him the better.
Benzema is far superior to Chamakh. He would be a good addition, seeing as RVP is likely to get injured at some point, and Bendtner will leave.
I'm not sure if you've been watching Chamakh, but he's not doing anything to suggest that he will improve. He is playing like a complete donkey; he can't even trap a football. Vela - not good enough Miyaichi - we can't rely on him for goals. If Bendtner leaves, we only have RVP and Chamakh who are actual strikers (Walcott and Gervinho play on the wing). It's obvious to me that we then need another striker who is actually a striker, and not a wing forward or similar. I'd like to know; if we don't sign any more players, do you think we can win the title?
I agree with Lord Jayram that we don't need another striker. The things this club need are 1. A Plan B 2. Defensive Strategy 3. CB and LB I would rather keep Cesc than Nasri and playing Walcott in a striking role gives us a pretty potent strike force. Vela has scored some pretty good goals for us as far as I can see. Who knows what he may be able to do with more first team experience? Ryo Miyaichi could be all that he's made out to be so really, no more strikers please Arsene. Just a few more pieces of magic and we will have a team that can go for any competition. If as has been reported that Ivan Gazidis is saying that there will be more to come then perhaps we need to be a patient for just a little while longer. Yeah I know, I'm finding it tough too.
Our system and coaching may change though.... My thinking is that Arsene cannot entertain another season as last year's and surely in two years of his youngsters playing the passing game at times getting stuck, he will have noticed or have had a quiet word in his ear that there has to be a Plan B. If this lesson is not learned for the coming season then I would agree with you that winning the premier league would be unlikely. If Arsenal adapts and that includes shoring up the defence, then I think there is every chance we could surprise and confound the critics. I'll update my view when the transfer window closes
It's the weekend and no new signing, surprise, surprise. To cap it all Spuds are reputed to have offered £22 Mill for Mata (BBC Transfer Gossip). What planet is AW on?
unlucky for you i doubt you will. i didnt even know arsenal are in for subotic. id just stick with gary cahill or samba as they can both do a job for you. mata is a great player with great potential and quite a bit better than arshavin in my opinion so will be a gread buy. benzema would obviously be a top class signing. and i think gibbs can do a job at lb but considering how injury prone he is another would be important. jose enrique
