How will Wenger approach the summer transfer market?
Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 16 May 2011 - 11:36
Author: Chris Ebbs
As Darren Bent found himself defender-free for his second goal in Villa's comprehensive win over a soft-centred and clearly demoralised Gunners team, it was clear that manager Arsene Wenger would have to dip in to the transfer market to avoid a seventh trophy-barren year.
The steamrolling at the Emirates, however, was just a final failing in a season full of failings. The team went from ‘fighting on four fronts’ to ending the season with no trophy and struggling to hold on to third place. The problem is, that despite this being an ongoing problem, Mr Wenger has always been reluctant to dip his hand in to his pocket and solve the issue with new signings. But as the youth project fails once again to deliver anything to the north London faithful, they will be hungry to see some new signings in the summer.
So how might Wenger go about buying in the transfer market this summer? Well he’s already admitted that re-enforcements are needed, but exactly what these re-enforcements are is a different matter. Going on his player buying past, here’s how Wenger might just approach this summers player supermarket.
Counting on Cesc
The first major development that will determine a huge amount for Arsenal and Wenger in the transfer market will be whether or not Cesc Fabregas leaves.
If he does go then this should free up a decent amount of cash for him to bankroll the squad refresh and strengthening. There would also be the temptation to bring a player in to replace Fabregas, despite the fact the squad is already awash with creative centre midfielders.
If by some small miracle Fabregas decides to stay at the Emirates for the next year, then Wenger and the fans will surely be pleased to keep one of the team’s best assets. This will create another issue in itself. Where will the funds come to try and sort out a team that seems to lack a backbone, and with more players coming to the forefront and return of long injured players, we could see more excuses and ever-weakening arguments against having to splash-the-cash.
Making space in the squad
The first thing to do is clear out the waste and excess hanging around the fringes of the squad. To start with is Denilson, a player that has never quite cut it in the middle of the park and who seems to slow for the intense pace of the Premier League. Throw in the emergence of Jack Wilshere and return of Aaron Ramsey, and things are looking bleak for the little Brazilian.
Then there is the self-publicising Dane, Nicklas Bendtner. While he has found himself marooned out on the wing for much of the season – clearly not enjoying himself – when he’s had his chances through the middle has only managed to disappoint. Then there’s Emmanuel Eboue, whose last minute disaster must surely be one of his last howlers in an Arsenal shirt. These aren’t the only players whose fates lie elsewhere, and a clear out could help freshen up the squad and give Wenger some extra funds towards new players.
Right player at the right price?
If there’s something we’ve learnt from Le Prof in the 15 years he’s spent in England, it’s that he won’t pay over the odds for anyone. No matter what players he decides to bring to the club this summer, they will have to be at the right price.
As well as the transfer fee, this also applies to players wage demands. Players desperate for extortionate wages will be quickly overlooked and offer revoked. Arsene already has a reputation for not breaking when it comes to players demanding more, something that saw Mathieu Flamini and Adebayor very quickly out on a limb and packing there bags for pastures new.
Constrained by budget
One of the major stories of Arsenal’s season this year, along with the continued failures, was the takeover approach by American businessman Stan Kroenke. Previously the manager seemed constrained by running the club as a business and any player funds going towards the paying off of the Emirates stadium.
Whether this changes under the ownership of the American – when it finally happens – will be an interesting development. Will Kroenke be happy to forego winning trophies in order to keep the accounts running smoothly or will he be someone that finally steps in to give Wenger the nudge he needs?
Potential over experience
What the side needs, in more than one position, is experience. The slack defence and lacklustre midfield has shown once again that relying on youngsters and unknowns from foreign leagues doesn’t work. While he might be reluctant to pay money for over-priced English players already versed in the country’s top flight, a player like Gary Cahill – someone linked to the club for sometime – would bring the kind of knowledge and understanding of this league that has been sorely missed for at least two years.
The likeliness of this happening though seems rather slim, based on previous form. Instead attempts to line up youngsters like the German Mario Gotze is likely to be the preferred choice and with a team already spilling over with so-called promising youngsters, it’s hard to see this ongoing habit changing anytime soon.
Filling in the wrong spaces
The man in charge has admitted himself that the team need reinforcements, but so far hasn’t in which positions. One of his favourite buys is small and slight, tricky midfielders. The problem is, this isn’t what the team needs but there’s always a risk he may still go out looking for one when there are plenty of other positions that need more attention.
Final day panic
Something that has happened in the past two or three transfer markets, especially coming out once the window has closed, is the rumoured mad-dash, final attempts to buy players in the last minute,as he attempts to get them on the cheap.
There’s little suggest that this is about to change, however, if he is going to please the fans and bolster the team in time for pre-season, then Wenger will finally have to change his ways.