Arsenal spent £83m on five new players last summer and after a rather mediocre season with a leaky defence, Arsenal fans are once again questioning Arsène Wenger and whether they need to dip in to the transfer market in the summer. I think they need to get rid of deadwood but acquire the right players in the right positions.
1) Petr Cech
Wojciech Szczesny hasn’t had a good season at all and when he was replaced between the sticks by David Ospina, the Colombian had a good start but hasn’t really reassured Arsène Wenger that they need a new goalkeeper. Chelsea are blessed with two of the world’s finest goalkeepers and Petr Cech surely won’t want to be second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois much longer and the Czech has epitomised his class and experience on many occasions this season for the west London club. This signing would make Arsenal much more assured at the back knowing they have a world-class keeper between the sticks. It’s still a doubt whether Jose Mourinho would sell to Arsenal but he would probably cost between £10m-£20m.
2) Raphaël Varane
Arsenal haven’t had a solid, stable defence since they last won the league title, yes they’ve had good defenders but they’ve not worked well together. Varane has proved he is a fantastic defender on occasions this season, his stamina, strength and agility make him one of the hottest defensive prospects across Europe- and one of many young French talents. Partnerships are something which Arsenal have had when they won titles but have failed to establish a real partnership since 2004, Varane would work fantastically alongside fellow Frenchmen Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy. Because he is one of the most courted defenders across the continent, competition for his signature will be fierce and his asking price would be between £25m-£30m.
3) Morgan Schneiderlin
One of the most improved players in the Premier League, after admitting wanting to leave the South Coast in the summer, Schneiderlin stayed put and has been a revelation under Ronald Koeman and a key player in Southampton’s Champions League bid. He has been linked with Arsenal ever since January 2014 and until he moves, speculation won’t end. Despite the form of Francis Coquelin in recent months, Arsenal are still susceptible on the counter-attack, but with Coquelin and French counterpart Morgan Schneiderlin in defensive midfield, Arsenal would be a much tougher side to break down. Again, the asking price will probably be between £20m-£25m.
4) Marco Reus
More a luxury buy than a must-need but signing Marco Reus would signal Arsène Wenger’s intent in the transfer market and his ambition towards leading Arsenal to the title for the first time in over a decade. Reus is one of the most coveted players in Europe and there are many, many clubs vying for his signature, but the way Arsenal play and the way Marco Reus talks about players like Tomas Rosicky being his idol, this is the ideal signing. Also, with the German contingent currently at Arsenal, Reus would bind well with Mesut Özil on the pitch as well as other Germans Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski off it. The price tag would be high but probably worth it, between £25m-£35m.
5) Gonzalo Higuain
Arsenal have lacked a world-class striker since the departure of Robin Van Persie in 2012 and Gonzalo Higuain is wasted at a Napoli side who aren’t playing consistently in the Champions League. Arsenal have been linked with Higuain before and a move to north London may be the best option for him. Whether Wenger would spend £30m on Higuain is probably doubtful but with Arsenal lacking firepower in big games, Higuain is the ideal man to lead the Arsenal attack, and the asking price would be around £30m.
