Arsenal chasing Villa, while Adrian remains as a back-up option

Details: Written by Barnaby Merrill; Published: Friday, 04 January 2013 21:00

There has been a development in Arsenal's pursuit of David Villa, which relates to their parallel negotiations for Adrian Lopez from Atletico Madrid.

The out-of favour Barcelona striker is keen to move, but his club aren't keen to deal, despite their history with Arsenal.

First choice

Arsenal are targeting Villa as first choice, both for the immediate impact he could bring and the size of the signing for morale and stature.

They think they can secure Villa for a fee of around €17, slightly below their opening bid.

Barcelona will not release Villa on loan and don't really want to sell him, but he isn't considered 100 percent ready to play a large role at the moment.

Because of this, Arsenal are concentrating on chasing Villa, while Adrian remains as a back-up option, but negotiations for him are on the back burner. If Villa can't be secured (which is a bit rich of Barcelona, considering the bargain price they paid for Fabregas), Adrian will be purchased.

The Atletico man is seen as a long-term successor to Villa if he fulfils his potential, having been a huge success at lower levels. He was almost signed in the summer to replace Robin Van Persie, only for Olivier Giroud to come in before a deal could be finished.

Versatile

Villa struggled recently at Barcelona playing as a left-winger, but he can fulfil that inside-forward role with ease, as well as playing as a number 9, his best position.

His issue is that he's been unable to return to top form with reduced playing time and hasn't always impressed. When he first returned however, he looked the same as ever despite his broken leg.

With Arsene Wenger favouring players who can play all over the front three, Villa fits the bill to an extent, though you'd assume he'd generally be utilised off the bench as an impact striker, or as part of a 4-4-2 formation.

Arsenal can help him return to top form, as long as he gets the minutes. The fact he's cup-tied can work to Arsenal's advantage, as he would remain fresh for domestic games.

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Comments

+2 #20 Steve 2013-01-06 08:42

How come wenger doesn't want to sign tienne capoue? The defensive midfield position is one of our major problem this season & capoue is the right player for that position, he is far better than m'villa or biglia. Another problem we have in arsenal is the atitude of the players, they do not work hard at all, i can only single out very small amount of the players in the team that works hard. And wenger doesn't stand up during a game to shout at them to do the right thing.

#19 Michael 2013-01-05 21:47

I think he would be a great singing!! proven goal scorer !! Just what we need. And a good left back /a DM / goal keeper / CD/

+2 #18 The BearMan 2013-01-05 19:25

Every time Wenger hear RvP scores 4 MU he must say to himself, "I hope no one notices What a FOOL I am".

"I used to think la boss was a genius, but Fergie exposes his weakness every time".

When this window closes we would answer RvP question:

Does Arsenal under Wenger lack ambition?

#17 James 2013-01-05 19:18

Villa would fail at Arsenal through lack of service. Nothing about this transfer makes sense or fits in with Wenger's philosophies.

+4 #16 Amlydave 2013-01-05 17:33

Wenger is just playing with people's intelligence. He's aware Barca doesn't want to let Villa go, why then is he dragging with them. This is a club Arsenal has sold many players to. I expect Wenger to look elsewhere even though the hidden truth is that Wenger is being deceitful. He's planning to remain where he's not likely to buy until the transfer widow closes.

#15 Aben 2013-01-05 14:36

Even with 1 leg, villa could be better than many current strikers tha often cannot shoot, winger, pse,pse this time!

#14 Mohd 2013-01-05 14:32

It's obvious the present squad aint good enough to win the FA cup.Wenger has to buy high quality and not potential.After all he has sold wc players.If not,it could end in tears and he could be made to pay for finshing outside the top 4.

+2 #13 Alan Radmall 2013-01-05 12:03

Arsenal must sign a world class player - but there are not too many available at this time. A respected World Cup winner and a great goal scorer will do a lot to improve the team and help us qualify for Europe next year. This alone is estimated to be worth R40 million. So lets do the deal - now.

+10 #12 RomanianGunner 2013-01-05 11:00

Let him go u catalan bastards!!:D they took so many good players frum us and they don't want to give us nothing . i really want to sign Villa

-11 #11 Ajmi 2013-01-05 08:30

if we sign both it would be better.. both are Spanish... it's just like Manchester city... they have Argentinian strikers and they haven't lost a game with both of them starting... but we need to focus on defence too. look i believe we will be signing 4 players.. if adrian lopez and villa came... sunzu( defender) yann mv ila( hard tackling defensive midfielder) and both adrian and villa
it would look like this

sagna vermaelen merte
mvila
wilshere cazorla
oxlade poldi
villa adrian

3-5-2 formation

a trophy winner :)

+5 #10 temigunga 2013-01-05 05:52

Why can't you sign both and you have money!? It does not bring sense taking a 31 years old than a 24 yrs old who is strong and long term fulfillment!

+12 #9 Wayne 2013-01-05 00:59

We will see, How many times we been let down and i bet we will again.

+9 #8 Ben 2013-01-05 00:45

The person that claimed he's an impact striker: so would most players at Barcelona! An experienced, composed finisher is exactly what we need. Him and Theo up front would be awesome.

+7 #7 Wartguy 2013-01-04 23:54

Be nice if they'd just do it...or at least do something before all the names are gone as usual!

+12 #6 Sunny Ntui 2013-01-04 22:23

Can somebody please tell Wenger that we are getting sick and tired of his foot-dragging antics. He should go ahead and sign whoever he wants on time so as to get the team ready on time for the challenge that lies ahead.

-1 #5 Wuba 2013-01-04 22:19

Sagna Merti Vermal Gibbs

Walcot Wilsh M'villa Cazorla

Villa Giroud

oh my god the best arsenal first team ever plz wenger sign those two players

+7 #4 nore 2013-01-04 22:19

17 million for an off-the-bench impact striker, you're having a laugh.

+10 #3 austin madungwe 2013-01-04 22:07

sign villa coz of his ability to cut from the wings when scoring goals

+14 #2 Alhassan S Conteh 2013-01-04 21:55

I believe Villa broken leg in a team like arsenal is better than the front runners we have presently apart from Theo, he is strong very versatile and hard to beat on the ball.He can adjust quickly with his goal scoring just as Van Persie is doing at Man. U.Wenger better sign now, no game playing this time and also get Lopez immediately before other clubs get them.

-9 #1 Ogura Hard 2013-01-04 21:39

I wouldn't support Arsenal to go for Villa, ITS BETTER to sign Adrian to do the business. we have had a lot of broken legs in a team and they haven't recovered to their levels since. Eduardo, Ramsey & Diaby, why should we add on others? If it was a fox, then we rather bring back Eduardo.

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