It's less than 2 weeks away from the opening of the new season and a month until the transfer window shuts. I've always done a few previews before the season starts and this will be one of the parts of the season preview. It will be mainly based on Arsenal except the final one which I will analyse the contenders for the season.
In short so far....Arsenal has been a disappointment in the transfer market. Manchester United has flexed their muscles early on and done all the work at the start. They look really settled and there's still a small chance they may nick a possible transfer of a midfielder, namely Wesley Sneijder.
We were promised a busy summer transfer window and so far it has completely fooled everyone. Regardless of ANY big surprises Arsene Wenger or Gazidis tries to pull out in the coming weeks, it can hardly compensate the fact that any new arrival should be given the maximum time to integrate with the team in pre-season. If a potential signing is not from England, there's even more reason to have done it earlier.Based on the two arrivals, business is far from being done.
There are more speculation of players leaving than players coming in this close season. We've got Clichy and Denilson leaving the club and very certain departures of Bendtner, Almunia and Eboue. Losing Clichy is a big blow regardless how to look at it, 25 year old for $7m, how on earth did this happen.
On the arrival front, we've got new signings in Gervinho and Jenkinson. Again, it hardly shows any conviction for a title push.Gervinho was barely targeted by any of our rivals and Jenkinson came for $1m. That takes net spending so far to 11m + 1m - 7m = $5m. Man Utd has already spent $55 million, a staggering 11 times more.
We need a defender, we need a defender, we need a defender. Our centre back positions were hugely vulnerable last season,not to mention for the past few years and it has cost us success for years. Only Vermaelen is a decent quality centre back we can depend on and I would have expected business to already be done sometime after July 1. But No, we missed out on Phil Jones, somehow were not interested in Roger Johnson, made no bid for Christopher Samba, put in a half hearted bid for Gary Cahill,made no contact for Scott Dann and put in a big lower than last season bid for Phil Jagielka. Can we take things a lot more seriously Mr. Wenger? That defence has been a calamity and disaster for awhile now, we've conceded so many late goals and lost so many points for that.It makes me really angry the more I think about it. Squillaci, Koscielny and Djourou being in the first eleven is not going to win us anything.
And we go to the biggest stories of the summer, the possible departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Cesc obviously has the desire to leave because he loves where he came from but somehow decided to leave there many years ago. This protracted saga is not doing anybody good and I finally give in, if Barcelona meets out valuation then we should let him go. But there's still every reason to buy a new player to show some ambition, not wait until we sell Cesc and clubs taking the advantage of us having a warchest and inflating prices of our targets. We love you Cesc but your constant desire is negatively affecting the morale of the club, we wish you all the best if your potential employers do come through with the money.
The next issue is really embarrassing. Our player of the season only has one year left to run on his contract (Nasri). How the fudge did everyone in the club not lift a finger and tie him down earlier. His good form was in the first half of the season and didn't anything occur like offering him a new contract? This puts the club in an absolute dilemma, selling him throws the club into more uncertainty or the option of losing him for free next season sounds absurd financially. The club is willing to lose $23million pounds just to show ambition. Why waste that kind money? Buy someone now and let him go if he doesn't want to sign. I really thought it was a smokescreen like Wayne Rooney where the saga ran its course and surprise,surprise he signs a new contract a few days later. Nasri's case definitely isn't the same, the issue of him leaving has been here for awhile and that matter hasn't resolved in a comfortable time period. There's surely something happening in the background and it doesn't look good.
On the arrivals front, apart from the two new signings, we've got some players promoted to the first team and some coming back from going on loan.
1) Carlos Vela
All Arsenal fans can remember of him is his commendable record in the Carling Cup where he has scored some wonderful goals. His lack of contribution in other competitions has put a question mark over his future. I was actually quite excited when he signed some 6 YEARS ago, but like many huge 'potentials', Vela certainly hasn't proven it. It's most likely his last chance to shine and I hope he does.
2) Armand Traore
When he first made an appearance in the first ever Emirates Cup back in 2007, I was extremely happy with what I saw. He was only 16 but he played like he was 20. He had the pace and was very calm with the ball. Few years on, he hasn't yet broke into the first team. His key strengths are his attacking runs and crosses but there are still doubts he has the defensive qualities required for a full back. Arsene Wenger not making an acquisition for a left back clearly signals the revival of Traore as he will be the main understudy to Gibbs. Lots of unfulfilled potential again and I really hope for the best. Not many players going out on loan ever makes a comeback, he is one of the few.
3) Emmanuel Frimpong
Emmanuel was clearly earmarked to be in the first team last season, only to suffer a season ending injury which was a huge blow. He is probably a straight replacement for Denilson in the middle of the park. Still young without much experience, I would prefer not seeing him making more than 20 starts.
4) Henri Lansbury
His goal against Spurs in the Carling Cup last season will have a part in every Gooner's mind. He has been named many times on the bench for the first team but mainly for the Carling Cup but rarely for the League. He does look like he has a good future ahead of him. Again, the lack of experience is going to make him not such a valuable asset to the team. Another player coming back from going out on loan. He was close to being sold just a few weeks ago but Arsene decided against it in the last minute. Another player with a final lifeline..
5) Craig Eastmond
Yes, he went out on loan too. I did remember him making his debut in the centre of midfield and Arsene told the press he liked Eastmond because he was intelligent. He does not appeal on the physical side of things and this worries me a lot because when we get dominated in the middle of the park, we're always doomed. I'm less optimistic on Craig, with Song, Frimpong, Ramsey and Diaby already occupying those places. It may not be a surprise if he does get sent out on loan.
6) Ryo Miyaichi
Sorry, it's getting a bit repetitive at this point about players coming back from being on loan. I've seen Ryo make appearances in the Asia tour and Germany. And also judging by Feyenoord's comments about him, he seems like an exciting prospect. I hope he gets the work permit to play though.
At the moment, the current squad may not finish in the top four. Champion's League football has always kept Arsenal at a minimum acceptable standard of being a respected top European team and our earnings are highly weighted on this lucrative competition. There has been rumours on potential arrivals. At the moment, the more probable concrete ones are Juan Mata from Valencia, Phil Jagielka from Everton and Costa Rican Joel Campbell. If we do get these three players, it probably still won't win us anything but a top four spot might seem more likely. I can't believe the club is considered to be out of contention for the league, it's just very disappointing.
The other rumours are Gary Cahill, Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and a few others. They are quality players but I don't think it will happen to be honest.
If the three players are to join the club with Cesc and Nasri staying,it just might be a surprise to everyone. There's still time to do some business in the transfer window and I really hope lots of good news is on the way.
The next post should be about the contenders for the League and I'll probably include a wrap up at the close of the transfer window. There's so many big moves that have already taken place and it will be interesting to see how the next few weeks unfolds.
~deyao~
