da brwin：
da pinnacle： This summer marked the most lucrative transfer window in Arsenal’s history, as the club splashed out £82million on five first-team signings, including the deadline day acquisition of £16million forward Danny Welbeck.But to suggest the Gunners are now prepared to challenge for the Premier League title would be rather optimistic. In truth, there are still a number of gaps in the Arsenal squad that Arsene Wenger failed to address, most notably in defensive midfield, at centre-back and up top.Luckily for Wenger (and us at Football Fancast), with the summer window now over everybody is already looking forward to it’s winter counterpart.So with that in mind, here’s a list of the FIVE January signings to complete the job at Arsenal.
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WILLIAM CARVALHO
Despite being linked with several top-quality targets, Arsenal failed to land a much-needed holding midfielder this summer.
But it appears Arsene Wenger is keen to make up for lost time with news that Arsenal already in talks to sign Sporting Lisbon prodigy William Carvalho in January:
The 22 year-old has emerged as one of European football’s hottest youngsters after breaking through to the Sporting first team last season, eventually muscling his way into Portugal’s World Cup squad. Carvalho measures in at 6 foot 2, comes with an imposing physique and is famed for his simple-yet-effective style.
Here’s a look at the midfielder in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/A8jRQbn1LzE?rel=0
Carvalho comes with a £35million release clause, which is almost certainly too rich for Wenger’s blood. But the Portugal international rejected new terms at Estadio Jose Alvalade earlier this week, suggesting the Primeira Liga side will be resigned to let him leave for significantly less.
ADRIEN RABIOT
Another holding midfielder rumoured to be on his way to the Emirates in January is PSG contract rebel Adrien Rabiot.
The 19 year-old midfielder, who once spent a season in at Manchester City’s academy, is highly-rated in the French capital and amassed an impressive 34 appearances in all competitions last season, producing three goals. Here’s a look at his stats from the campaign:
And Rabiot in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/88HpUceQvFo
But the floppy-haired playmaker has continually rejected contract extensions at PSG, citing a lack of assurances over first team football, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
That’s understandably grabbed Arsenal’s attention but in truth, there’s a host of clubs lining up for the France U21’s signature:
WINSTON REID
Another glaring hole in Arsenal’s squad depth is the absence of an established back-up option to Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, barring 19 year-old Calum Chambers. One potential solution is West Ham’s Winston Reid, who was linked with an Emirates switch not only in January but also during the summer:
The 26 year-old may be no world-beater but he’s been incredibly consistent since the East Londoners returned to the Premier League in summer 2012, claiming the Hammer of the Year award the twelve months later.
He was in prominent form at the start of last season too before the New Zealand skipper was sidelined with an ankle injury – by no great coincidence, West Ham’s league form plummeted in his absence.
The 6 foot 3 centre-back is more rugged than your average Arsenal defender but he’s a reliable performer, proven at Premier League level, who would fit the hierarchy of the squad. Here’s a look at Reid in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/vhYZjrgfBsA?rel=0
Furthermore, the defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal is looking increasingly unlikely. That could see him leave Upton Park for a nominal fee.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck for £16million on deadline day but it remains to be seen if a forward who netted just 20 times in 90 league appearances for Manchester United can take on goalscoring duties full time for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger’s forward cast requires further bolstering anyway if it’s truly to compete with those at Manchester United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea, and thus, the north Londoners have been linked with a January swoop for another contract rebel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar:
Admittedly, the Schalke assassin doesn’t offer much to open play, as shown through his uninspiring passing statistics from last season:
He’s one of Europe’s most clinical finishers however, with the 31 year-old boasting returns of 92 in 140 for the Miners and 35 in 65 for the Netherlands. Here’s a look at the striker’s Top Ten goals: //www.youtube.com/embed/EBGEdveNuY4?rel=0 Like Winston Reid and Adrian Rabiot, Huntelaar’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and although Schalke want him to sign a new deal, he’ll have to take a wage cut. That makes a January move seem all-the-more likely but Huntelaar’s age will undoubtedly concern Arsene Wenger, who isn’t best known for taking the short-term approach in the transfer market.
WILFRIED BONY
Another striking option the Gunners should strongly be considering ahead of the January window is Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony, who was linked with an Arsenal move on summer deadline day:
Since joining the Welsh outfit last summer from Vitesse Arnhem, where he netted 37 times in his ultimate season, the Ivory Coast international has claimed 16 goals in just 34 top flight appearances. Here’s some of the highlights from his inaugural Premier League campaign:
//www.youtube.com/embed/L_zt5akDKGs?autoplay=1
An aggressive , old-fashioned centre-forward who measures in at just over 6 foot, the 25 year-old would fit Arsenal’s lone-striking role well.
But Gary Monk has continually denied Bony is for sale and his scoreless start to the season will put doubts in the minds of the striker’s many suitors. That being said, his £19million release clause represents great value for money.