Arsenal working on FOURTH big-money signing… very controversial one

Details: Written by Jason Phillips; Published: Sunday, 27 July 2014 17:48

For the most part, when February strikes, the official Arsenal blip has caused the sides title challenge to come crumbling down after much positivity and optimism.

Revitalising Plans

With injuries galore hampering the Gunners progress, it has been suggested expletively to Arsène Wenger in the stands that he should spend some…money.

However, with the record signing of Mesut Özil last summer revitalising the first-team squad, it seems as though the clubs hierarchy have changed their mind of the direction of which they must acquire players.

This season has seen the management continue in the same vain, but even though Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy and David Ospina have joined, there is still a major gap within the team.

Mind the gap

The gap is not seen as a hole within the first 11, but missing ingredients in the squad to make sure the club can compete in all four competitions for the upcoming season.

Time and time again, key first-team players have got injured, resulting in makeshift, low quality players to have to fill in for their place, often ending up in below par results on the pitch.

This year, Wenger has decided that enough is enough and that having two quality players in each position will do the trick.

Laughing stocks

Calum Chambers has been linked with Arsenal in the past few days, BBC reporting that a medical has taken place and that the Southampton right back will join the club for a £16 million fee.

Supporters ridicule the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool for signing unproven players for high sums of money and this is a deal that looks a clone of their Premier League counterparts.

With Debuchy set to start games next season, shouldn’t the limited money at Arsenal’s disposal be spent on the position that lost them the league last season?

Waiting for fruition

Olivier Giroud is prone to inconsistency, while Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski cannot be seen as out and out strikers ready to lead the line against Jose Mourinho and the rest of the league’s attacking threats.

AC Milan claim that Mario Balotelli would be available for around £16 million, the same type of price that Chambers is being valued at.

Theo Walcott and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain cost similar, but one cannot claim that their long-term investments have come to fruition just yet.

Even though it is encouraging to see an expensive and quality squad forming, shouldn’t we focus on improving the first 11 when the season is less than three weeks from kick starting?

Ticking the boxes

A player like Balotelli would tick the boxes. He would be value for money, a position that needs strengthening, he would get people flocking into the Emirates for the new campaign, all wearing their new Puma shirts with his name on the back.

His high wages would be earned back by merchandise revenue instantly and with Arsenal’s sponsors keen to tie their player into the Gunners brand, they will pump more money into the club as a result.

Arsène Wenger claimed in 2007 that, “you only win big trophies with big players.”

If this is the case, then it is important to invest in the ‘top top quality’ players that can win Arsenal the league next season.

You can’t win anything with substitute right-backs

Sir Alex Ferguson could tell you and show you that you don’t win leagues with expensive substitute right-backs.

Big name strikers however can take you all the way and make a club the world-class outfit that they all strive to be.

Spending big money for a quality squad is a step forward that is for sure. But is it the right direction in the quest for trophies next season?

Have your say - Spend £15M on..

Poll results:

Chambers - 37.8%

Balotelli - 62.2%

Latest:

Comments

-1 #51 alexis gooner 2014-07-29 06:29

I think it will be a fifth now that we brought chambers in. It might be cavani tho because he wants to move to the PL. I hope it will either khedira, bender,schneirderlin or carvalho if it is in cdm position. If its in the striking position I hope it will be cavani, benzema or reus. Reus maybe since he us under puma. I would like to see pogba in cdm area too but looking at pogba n how he plays, he is kinda another box to box n playmaker player. He is a good at keeping m holding the ball in position n also control the pace of the game but in terms of depending, he is just ok. We need a player who can do both of that,be that holding player n also that defensive player. Arturo vidal has both of that but he is not moving away from juventus. Khedira or schneirderlin might be the choice we need.

#50 joseph agun 2014-07-28 21:57

definately, arsenal need a top striker, giroud is not it. to win the league or CL, we need a real real striker to come and join giroud.

+1 #49 over and over again 2014-07-28 19:54

Olivier Giroud is way better than Balotelli as a football player. And he is perfectly suited for our style of play. Few players today can combine physical strength, generous attitude for the teammates, capability of interplay, individual technique and personal commitment at such a high level as Olivier. He deserves to lead our front line, and we need no more strikers. On the other hand Balotelli is the master of inconsistency, and Arsene won't buy a player with such a poor attitude. For me, the only signing that would add value in the squad is the one of a powerful midfielder like Khedira.

+1 #48 ben 2014-07-28 18:21

In my opinion Balotelli is very similar to Giroud. They are both tall and great in the air. Only thing is Balotelli will come in with an attitude and mess up the team chemistry. Give Campbell a try. Hes shifty and has the speed which is a great change to Giroud. As for defensive midfield we have Wilshire that I think can do that job or maybe even Vermaelen can step in. But both have some question marks. Would like to see a DM signed before season starts.

-2 #47 Rakkai 2014-07-28 18:19

Balotelli is trouble with a capital attitude, not the first player with great ability that won't make it on the world stage. You wouldn't even talk about him if it wasn't for his off the field prowess! . One of our best signings is the new fitness coach as injuries have cost us a couple of trophies in the last few years. Stop banging on about top 30 goals strikers. I mean, how many available striker are there that can deliver this sort of return in the PL. I don't consider Giroud a big time striker but I am excited at the idea to see him link up with a line of pacy forwards. Arteta has good stats but he lacks pace big time so to me CDM is what's missing. Khedira is powerful but a box to box and people suggesting Pogba would be a good option at that position don't know a great deal. Pogba is a potential world class creative midfielder with great technique but he does not chase or break down play.

+1 #46 may7heaven 2014-07-28 18:15

You'd have thought that conceding 17 goals in just 3 games, against your closest rivals, would cause any manager to ask questions about their defense. Success is dependent on having power in the middle & options in attack. Yet we've never really replaced PV4. Pogba is his heir apparent: he'd protect the back 4, save our embarrassment and win us things. N'est-ce pas Monsieur Wenger?

+1 #45 No Doubt 2014-07-28 16:41

Quoting blink:

If we can get Balotelli for £20m or less he would be an absolute steal in my eyes. On his day he is virtually unplayable. Power pace technique the full package. If suarez who also has issues & is currently banned is worth 75m!! Even if it all went tits up with Mario you would always get 10 - 15m back minimum so no real risk.

I for one would favour the move. I like Mario and think he deserves to play in a supportive non-racist environment. With a good manager he could really blossom so that he could be more consistently professional and reliable. It all depends if Arsene wants to take the challenge on...

-1 #44 No Doubt 2014-07-28 16:38

Quoting peter:

what about converting vermaelen to a dm.A good defender that has scored some good goals.

I kind of like this idea and had thought of it myself a while back. He's a bit too erratic at CB for me, but given that he likes to roam forward, maybe he'd take to DM. Worth a shot!

+4 #43 Bb 2014-07-28 15:35

I don't know about balotelli he is not worth the trouble
he will bring what we really need is a dm to help out
Our defensive performance all tough we need a
25 -30 goal a season striker balotelli is not the answer

+1 #42 peter 2014-07-28 15:31

what about converting vermaelen to a dm.A good defender that has scored some good goals.

+3 #41 Jøn 2014-07-28 14:55

1 mos important thing Wenger always signed cool
minded players not like bolatelli who invite troubles
arsenal is a soft technical engineered team so all we
need to do is keep calm and let him
do his job a CDM who helps defenders and create
chances and replaces arteta like Sami khedira and
good news is that he lay down his wages to join us
I think reus is lot better than bolatelli.

+5 #40 #Aaron James Ramsey 2014-07-28 14:28

My watchlist:
1. Paul Pogba
2. Marco Reus
3. Arturo Vidal
4. Sami Khedira
5. Karim Benzema

+8 #39 kessa 2014-07-28 14:03

chambers gets my vote. will be a future england star player imo if developed at arsenal.

+17 #38 Tom 2014-07-28 10:35

Balotelli is trouble, Chambers can fill 3 positions at the back, and we are still in the market for more, Cry when we spend cry when we dont spent, give Wenger a break it is still early days, have faith for once

-7 #37 myke Nigeria 2014-07-28 09:34

Arsenal need striker who can compete for highest goal scorer not Giroud who score 25 goals in all league competition. We need Balloteli or any top hungry goal scorer who can even bench Giroud. Nevertheless wenger $ arsenal board are trying........

+6 #36 RadioRoy 2014-07-28 08:33

There's a saying that good attacking play can win you matches, but a good defence will win you titles. And IMHO Balotelli is definitely not the answer. If we're after another striker, I'd rather see us trying to get Benzema or Higuain. What we really need is a player like Mascherano. A player that can shield our defence and step in as a 3rd defender when our fullbacks are bombing forward. As much as I like Khedira, I don't think we need another box-to-box-player. We've got Ramsey, Wilshere and the Ox among others to do that job.

-13 #35 ephson 2014-07-28 08:30

if wenger does not fish out super mario or any serious natural c. forward who can give us a good finish by finding the net and decide to use giroud as his main c. forward to lift a trophy, then we will all know he is a visionless manager and he therefore deserved to be sacked with no explanation. community shield is just at the corner with a team of million quality strikers

+9 #34 papis jabbi 2014-07-28 05:32

We the fans needs world class cf to score 25 to 30 goals

+17 #33 Jonah 2014-07-28 05:05

We have to give joel a chance to prove us wrong. Remember costa rica vs italy? Mario was outshined by Campbell. Remember Uruguay vs Costa Rica? Cavani was oushined by campbel
Obviously Campbell is world class

-1 #32 blink 2014-07-28 04:20

If we can get Balotelli for £20m or less he would be an absolute steal in my eyes. On his day he is virtually unplayable. Power pace technique the full package. If suarez who also has issues & is currently banned is worth 75m!! Even if it all went tits up with Mario you would always get 10 - 15m back minimum so no real risk.

+3 #31 mani sanchez sarma 2014-07-28 03:44

The problem with Arsenal is,Arsenal don't have backup player if the key player first-team players have got injured.Most of season Arsenal faceing the same problem.Last season Arsenal did well until ferbury,due to key players got injured,there is no replace for that place.Look other club team they have good players as backup.We have the money to buy players so spend the money buy a good players.We need DM and a good striker so badly.Don't tell me Arsenal have Giroud.Giroud not good striker,he can play as CF.

+2 #30 Sam T.Seiwon 2014-07-28 02:09

Balotelli is the best addition we also need now,wenger please,do not let us down by not singing him,he's the player that every fan will wish for on their team,,,please Wenger try an sing this great man..

-5 #29 George gunner 2014-07-28 01:02

Arsenal must have players run with the ball at defenders.Too much passing gives time the latter time to regroup. Moreover the gunners precision passing requires time and space.
When these are denied,the gunners invariably lose the big games. Another thing is Walcott.He has been with Arsenal for at least seven years. It's about time he fulfills his promise otherwise Wenger better let him go and stop buying kids.Too much time has been wasted.

+13 #28 Bri Buzz3210 2014-07-27 23:56

I will keep saying it problem with balotelli is his sulky attitude he is liable to be suspended a lot and as he possesses little common sense he would not add any sort of harmony to our squad.

+1 #27 Levi 2014-07-27 23:01

I think if we do sign khedira Arsenal should play with a false 9 like Germany, we've got the midfield talent and also the pace, I think poldi or Walcot could really do the false 9 job well, giroud isn't a world class striker let's face it.

-1 #26 go gunners 2014-07-27 22:59

Why in the world would arsenal sami he looks to inflatted with a wage bill thts 100 tyms the club can pay And I think it would be a wasteof money But he is class though.
But why not sign tht midfielder from southampton looks like a excellent piece of business And it would help the club to propel to such heights

+2 #25 Adah 2014-07-27 22:22

I feel self pity when fellow gooners are critical of a striker like Balotelli. What had always and continue to let us down is the bad boy poster we don't have. Our idea of Mr nice has never helped us instead Referee's use it to taunt us. Every team has a bad boy so we the fans are urging Le Prof Arsene Wenger to give us our own.

+11 #24 Dawes 2014-07-27 21:06

To be honest, I'd rather pay for someone like Jackson Martinez. He desperately wants to plan for Arsenal and is World Class. We will get more out of a player who wants to be at the club.

-6 #23 Ogban 2014-07-27 20:47

Cash in on Campbell now his stock is up there. Can't see much of a future for him in Arsenal with the likes of The Ox and Gnabry having established themselves already

+5 #22 jay 2014-07-27 20:44

Ballotelli is an expensive trinket we do NOT need. Campbell instead all day long.
A DO is a must this season and schniederling has it all for me. Khedira to expensive.

-1 #21 ifeco 2014-07-27 20:38

Wenger should go to the serbian league and get us a physically strong and mature defensive mf those serbian players are very strong

+5 #20 ifeco 2014-07-27 20:34

If we can get either Baloteli or Falcao then the league is ours but with giroud as our point man we will continue to lose to big teams because anytime we play big teams the presure is always on us because we dont have a sharp striker that can put presure on the opposite team, lets face the truth

+9 #19 Danish Gooner 2014-07-27 20:16

I cant beleive people think we should sign that nutter Balotelli.He would be red carded half the time like he did at City,he is still the smae immature nutter that he was at City,he spells nothing but trouble even tough he is gifted.

+2 #18 Andre Hatlevik 2014-07-27 20:01

What Arsenal FC needs it's Shad Forsythe who will get what we need out of Diaby and Lars Bender but since we need a DM now and it's said he has dropped his wages Arsenal should go for Khedira and now that Arsenal FC has Shad Forsythe Falcao would become the best player he could become under this man. And need I remind you all our best signings has come from just Monaco AS in they're history books. 1.Arsène Wenger 2.Thierry Henry!!!!! Falcao deserves to be the best he can be imagine Alexis and Falcao up top a true finisher and the worlds best header!!!!!! This man is a beast and perhaps the biggest Puma flagship in the entire world. Who are Arsenal FC's main sponsors Puma!!!!! And Falcao would only become a more respected Puma representative!!!!!! And earn much more cash as a Puma man!!!!!!

+19 #17 Old School 2014-07-27 19:59

When Wenger said the below, it was people like you he was talking about.

“Our society has changed much deeper than we think it has. Sometimes for good because people are better informed, but as well sometimes for bad because people who really take action, people who have responsibilities are not respected as much as before. When you have an opinion you’re tempted to think you are right, because you do not have to prove you’re right. It’s just an opinion. Today everyone has an opinion and people who have real responsibilities are less respected.”

-7 #16 wtf? 2014-07-27 19:48

I still can't believe we sold Bendtner... Best striker to ever do it in PL history

+14 #15 #Aaron James Ramsey 2014-07-27 19:44

Chambers. Young and very good. Balotelli is lazy. But the only thing that matters now is too sign a DM, Khedira or Pogba. Pogba would have been great In a few years he will be top five footballers in the world.

#14 readie 2014-07-27 19:42

its so obvious what we need why the *** does he do it?????get the bender that big german is what we need!!!!! ps shoulda got remey watch him next season

+1 #13 Subo 2014-07-27 19:01

Super mario is dump. He scored less goals than giroud last season, anyway hes too similar to giroud. We need a suarez type striker. But i dont think theres too many top quality strikers available at the minuite. Maybe cavani?

+17 #12 Ian Hawthorne 2014-07-27 18:58

The only thing concerning me is the fact that we still haven't bought a defensive midfielder. Everybody knows we need one and have done for 6 years. Every other part of the squad is looking good. BUY A DM.

+20 #11 Udhay 2014-07-27 18:53

Wenger is going to make Chambers a centre-half eventually. Balotelli although a big name signing, probably might hurt squad harmony, with his frequent antics and training bust-ups.

-8 #10 igor 2014-07-27 18:52

We need a DM lars bender or khedira.Also we should have got aurier instead of debuchy.Just my opinion....

+16 #9 Neal 2014-07-27 18:32

Yawn. Balotelli would cost £16m upfront, Chambers might cost £16m subject to performance clauses. You're not comparing like with like, and that's before wages come into it!

+21 #8 Bozza 2014-07-27 18:25

We only just got rid of Bendtner and now you want us to sign another petulant young striker with an inflated opinion of himself. There's a reason Balotelli is available for 16 mil... that's all he's worth! I agree we could do with another striker but not him.

+28 #7 Kosher65 2014-07-27 18:25

Arsenal already has a world class CF - we just signed him- SANCHEZ!!

+11 #6 Berkaap 2014-07-27 18:23

All arsenal need is Paul pogba

+14 #5 TMS 2014-07-27 18:23

I'd much rather keep Campbell as third choice behind Giroud and Sanchez

+12 #4 TMS 2014-07-27 18:22

Quoting Dr. Green thumbs:

Pretty superficial evaluation here. Balotelli may tick all the boxes but you totally ignore his many warts he has as a player, his lack of consistency (especially in the ultra physical premier league when with Man City) and the obvious attitude/affect regulation problems that he has shown no signs of controlling. There is a reason that a striker who ticks all the boxes is available at a cut price fee. Better to bring in a lesser name with some pace and a different playing style from Giroud to give a different look - how long is Super Mario gonna' be cool with splitting time with Giroud/Sanchez/Walcott/Poldi?

Plus signing a back up for Debuchy who is clearly better than Jenkinson is a very good thing. Our problem is not with the first 11, it's with having a good enough squad, and this is what Wenger is addressing.

+17 #3 Kosher65 2014-07-27 18:21

If Balotelli is signed, you cannot recoup the transfer and wages cost by selling more shirts! The idea that we need another expensive striker is one dreamt by fantasists like you. Quite apart from factors like whether the player mentality and character is right for the club. We have Campbell with great potential,Giroud and Sanchez.

+12 #2 Dr. Green thumbs 2014-07-27 18:15

Pretty superficial evaluation here. Balotelli may tick all the boxes but you totally ignore his many warts he has as a player, his lack of consistency (especially in the ultra physical premier league when with Man City) and the obvious attitude/affect regulation problems that he has shown no signs of controlling. There is a reason that a striker who ticks all the boxes is available at a cut price fee. Better to bring in a lesser name with some pace and a different playing style from Giroud to give a different look - how long is Super Mario gonna' be cool with splitting time with Giroud/Sanchez/Walco tt/Poldi?

-1 #1 Meder 2014-07-27 18:14

Arsenal needs world class CF to score goals in style!

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