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BBC Reveal Arsene Wenger’s Transfer Shopping List

By on August 26, 2013

Arsene Wenger has confirmed at his press conference today that he is looking to bring in ‘special’ players before the transfer window closes and his shopping list includes Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria, Yohan Cabaye, a defender and a new goalkeeper,  according to the BBC.

Despite boasting a transfer kitty in excess of £70m, the boss has only been able to bring in the free signing of Yaya Sanogo so far this summer. This has understandably not gone down well with the fans, but Wenger has promised action during the final week of the window and said today that he’s targetting ‘special’ players.

The BBC claim his hit list includes Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria, as well as Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye. If we could bring that trio in, I’d personally be ecstatic, but I’m not holding my breath. Benzema is the unlikeliest of the three but he’s arguably the most important. A world class striker is vital if we’re to challenge for honours this season.

Cabaye is a like-for-like replacement for Mikel Arteta. I’d prefer we were going for an out-and-out defensive midfielder but Cabaye would fit in well with the current set-up, so I’d happily welcome him if we can do a deal.

Di Maria would be a great addition but I’m wondering where he’d fit in. Many are suggesting left-wing – which would call Lukas Podolski’s future into question – but he’s usually deployed on the right for Madrid, and I don’t see Theo going anywhere. Either way, I’d love to see the Argentinean come to the Emirates. You can’t have too many quality players in the squad.

The BBC are also claiming that a deal for Mathieu Flamini is on the cards, and Wenger is looking to bring in a goalkeeper and a defender if he can – although they don’t give any specific names.

That’s sounds about right. The priority for me would be striker, midfielder, defender, attacking midfielder then goalkeeper. A defender who can cover both centre-back and right-back would be idea and the two players currently linked are Micah Richards and Mamadou Sakho. Either would be fine for me.

Goalkeeper wise, it would probably depend on the money we had available. If we splash out big on other positions then Julio Cesar would be a useful addition as he’s available on the cheap. If we can afford it, Begovic must surely be the one we go for.

I’ve detailed how I would spend Arsene’s millions in a post here, feel free to check it out.

What players would you like us to sign this week?

37 Comments

  1. ab

    August 26, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Di maria in – podolski will move to be competing with giroud for striker

  2. shooy

    August 26, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    BBC is doing what every other sports media site and blog is doing…hit whoring with speculation. Don’t kid yourself that they have any particular insight. They all feed off each other just to get you excited/expectant/ disappointed/angry. Any reaction will do for them.

  3. The Accountant

    August 26, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Is Cesar really that much cheaper after you factor in his demands for vastly inflated wages & a contract length that will exceed his useful life?

  4. JP

    August 26, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    Hopeful of Di-Maria, but do not want Poldi going anywhere. He may not be a constant first choice, but he is way above average, and provides the depth we need. Maria does play on the right, and this would give Theo more competition and cover. however, Giroud looks much better, and as ab stated, Poldi can also play the central striking role behind Giroud. As a result, I would like to see a great DM or even a great DM, and anither who has potential, that would give us more cover there, as I believe that is what has troubled us most the past few years. Some extra depth in the back 4 such as N’Kolou or a Richards would be ideal signings for me before more wingers and strikers. Also, an experienced Keeper would be nice. Casillas would be ideal, though it seems unlikely to me. However, a keeper in or near his 30’s who has been consistent; would provide great qualities to the squad, and Sczezny would be able to learn a lot w/ tons of time considering his age, to turn into a good number one in a few more years. This is just my opinion however. I respect all Gooners opinions, minus those who call for Wengers head, and make us a better away squad than a dominant force at Emirates.

  5. atid

    August 26, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    We have to be mindful of the non-homegrown quota
    The maximum we can name is 17. Even without park we have 12 so its a maximum of 5 unless diaby is delisted or podolski/fabianski sold or loaned out. The current 12 are fabianski sagna mertesacker koscielny vermaelen monreal arteta diaby rosicky cazorla podolski giroud.
    All of the keepers we have been linked with and nearly all the other players bar richards and williams have been non-homegrown. This is why rooney could be vety intetesting and if we fancy a cheap gamble how about jordan rhodes?

    • JP

      August 26, 2013 at 7:00 pm

      agreed atid. However, isn’t there a few loopholes that would make us OK for the quota w/ our current English stars. Ramsey is Welsh obviously, but I believe he counts as home-grown as well. Wouldn’t players who are foreign, but have been through our youth system or had already spent so many years in EPL before these rules; that they would be counted as homegrown. Rosicky would be one I’m thinking would have this exception. Not certain, just asking, as I’ve heard so many different pts to this. I would think we were in a way better position than the Blues, and City, as their homegrown talent is thin to the bone. On another note, I wish Fifa Fair Play was a real attribute to be introduced to the game. I feel us Gooners should complain more about the lies made regarding this stance than Wenger getting talent, as it seems he was led to believe this was real, and if it had been, we would suddenly be in a much better position than most clubs and we would be singing his praises rather than calling for his head, which is ridiculous to me. We do need to adjust our transfer strategy, but not our Manager.

  6. Big Gooner

    August 26, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    Why question where these players would fit into a starting 11 the point is we need to build the squad like chelski an city have done

  7. ajah nonso

    August 26, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    i wuld neva bliv anytin d internet tells me anymore bcos i knw that dey ‘re all lies especially wen it concerns arsenal

  8. Paul B

    August 26, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    Wenger will bring no quality in, he only knows how to sell quality, every Summer we listen to his lies, this is his final year of his contract and I hope he goes.

    • JP

      August 26, 2013 at 7:32 pm

      You listen to press lies my friend. The transfer market is not over, so Wenger has not lied to you or anyone. Gazidis made these statements. Who would you prefer manage our club other than Arsene? Wouldn’t you hope they bring in someone to deal w/ transfers, rather than rid of a consistent manager? Don’t understand why so many people want him gone. I personally hope all these haters go support city, chelsea, or any other oil funded clubs, as thats the vibe they put off. Im a yank, but watch absolutely no American Sports. Real Football (not american) is my religion, and The Arsenal is my temple and it has been that way for 25 years, so I feel I have the rite to say these things. I respect all gooners opinions, but I do believe so many of us have listened to media gossip rather than Factual information. Would you say Santi,and Giroud were terrible buys? Hardly anyone knew who either of them were before we bought them, proving that Wenger can spot talent despite their international status. the 2 along with Poldi were older more experienced, so I have to argue that he has slightly dealt a bit differently than before.

      • Mark Simpson

        August 26, 2013 at 10:18 pm

        I agree we could use someone who is good at getting transfers signed and sealed. Dein was fantastic at that an that’s what I believe is missing. I also believe that Giroud and Podolski were good buys. All those Giroud haters out there!! He is 3 in 3 so get off his back. One thing I don’t understand is why Podolski and Giroud ar not on the pitch at the same time more often. It seems to work better for both of them when they both start!

    • kevin

      August 26, 2013 at 7:36 pm

      Only knows how to sell quality,… Fab and RVP,…. what a list you’ve created.
      Going against the massive list (including buying both the above) of world class superstars that you’ve seen, or not seen as it seems can only have been a fat for the last 3 years, it’s rather daft to say such a thing.

  9. yobos

    August 26, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    all wenger haters pls get a life, it should b d person dat negotiates transfers dat is to b sacked n not mr wenger. No mr gud coaches around europe can do wat wenger has done wit arsenal over d years, d likes of mourinho,guardiola,ancelotti,pelegrini etc can not work in a club dat does not but big players n household name players n still qualify 4 d ucl every year

    • hazardousmatt

      August 26, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Yobos – spot on fella. We need someone like David Dein to do the negotiating.

  10. Faizul

    August 26, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    @ajah, do you have keys missing on your keyboard.

  11. fewfw

    August 26, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    Benzema is not a ‘special’ player. He is overrated, overpriced and overweight.

  12. paul

    August 26, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    wenger lovers, he said it himself that the club nd him analyzes every player, dat partly means they analyse d worth 2, what wenger calls quality or special is wot they bid for, i love wenger but y does d club bid less 4 gud players, y does it play the fans. Luk at suarez’s bid, wot does 40000001 bid mean, if they really wanted suarez, wont liverpool consider 50mills or is 50mills 2 much, d 1dollar on d clause is a joke, it means d club wants liverpool 2 count d bid as a joke. Wenger never wanted marquee signings, he still wants unknown players 2 turn in2 class, he admits nd defends dis policy, the club needs quality nd proven signings 2 complement d quality we have, not players dat will take time 2 reach peak, those young signings wud always b raw. Sanogo wud probably take 2-3yrs, by then, ramsey wud want trophies,koscielny,cazorla,arteta,sagna,per,thomas nd co wud b more dan 30. They?d never peak at d same time

  13. Gab

    August 27, 2013 at 4:21 am

    I believe we not buy of those names apart flamini who is free agent.

  14. Rems

    August 27, 2013 at 5:53 am

    Because I too want wenger gone doesn’t make me a lesser fan of arsenal done any1 supporting arsenal, am passionate abt my team nd will alwys love it whether we loose 8-2 or 3-1 its still my team!

    Y must we loose to villa b4 he realises he must bring in players? If it ws his believe dat we need not bring in players he must stand by dat.

    I dnt hate wenger, I just disagree wth his current approach. I ws heartbroken whn fabregas, nasri , song nd rvp left. Do u think wth all da players he brought in, carzola would agree to renew his contract had it been his last year of his contract? I dnt think so.

    He now has to pay inflated prices since his transfer window starts a week be4 it closes.

    Y is it that players leave so easily @ da emirates dis transfer window and so hard to get in? Now sanogo is a target for every1 (I mean dis is a signin we shouldn’t even be talking abt, poor kid) because wenger has done nothin abt da transfer.

    Da media will report all thy want 1 minute cassilas is angry @ madrid, da next we in for valencia keeper, madrid has accepted our offer for di maria, benzema doesn’t wana join arsenal… Higiaun ws enough for me. I’l wait for done deals.

  15. Rama temba

    August 27, 2013 at 7:25 am

    I cant belive if wengar buy this seron.

  16. nastic34

    August 27, 2013 at 7:40 am

    i think podolsky shud compete wit giroud arsenal shud not sign bezema,di maria shud play eleven and cesar and micah richards will be a great addition but arsenal shud add two attackers lyk nani and suarez

    • Gonner

      August 27, 2013 at 5:54 pm

      i thing Bezema,Di Maria Micah Richards,Julio Cesar and Cabaye are the best additions we can have dis season to compete for the title

      • Gonner

        August 27, 2013 at 5:58 pm

        Podolski can as well move to schalke on loan because Di Maria is better

  17. Abu Rahman

    August 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

    We should be mindful of the fact that while trying to build Arsenal FC the way Chelski and Oil Fc were built, we should also be wary of the financial losses that would bring as experienced by both clubs these past few seasons. Anzhi FC is another clearer example of the picture I’m trying to paint. This current Arsenal team has quality. We only need few quality additions in specific areas. We should be careful of what we wish for. It is true that we haven’t won anything for eight or so years, but we can take solace in the fact that we ‘ve got a World class Emirates Stadium plus the fact that the Arsenal brand has continue to grow and attracts more fans, sponsorship and endorsement especially in Asia and Africa. Now that we ‘ve achieve some stability and financial balance, what then do you expect? Trophies. Yes, trophies of course…..and surely, they will come. A lottle more patience please.

    • may7heaven

      August 27, 2013 at 9:24 am

      Abu – I see you’ve totally swallowed the party line on this one. AFC have £154 million in cash reserves. The club is owned by Stan Kroenke who has little knowledge of football and no particular love of AFC. He is a businessman. The goal of businessmen is to make money – as much as possible. Wenger is his puppet. We buy players as cheaply as possible and sell them as soon as other clubs allow us to make a healthy profit. This is how business works. Our values are business values not sporting ones. The new Asian and African fans you speak of will soon switch their allegiance to clubs who have better players and who genuinely compete for silverware. Recently even our business model has come unstuck as we bought very average players (Denilson, Chamakh, Traore, Squillaci, Senderos, Bendtner, Vela, Park Chu-young, Fabianski, Gervinho, Santos)and put them on wages so high that we hardly give them away. We are not building anything – we are managing minimal expectations and maintaining interest by unfounded rumours – that we all want to believe.

  18. may7heaven

    August 27, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Begovic is ideal but won’t even be considered. Ditto for Mata and Lewandowski. Totally agree with Fewfw about Benzema being ‘overrated, overpriced and overweight’ – he looks like a shoe-in then.

  19. Emma

    August 27, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Why not burak yilmaz for god sake d guy from galatersary wenger try to sign dis guy he is cheap as €15m

  20. breezee

    August 27, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    why can’t we gunners understand that wenger is de best manager 4 us. why if u spend de little money u ‘ve on one or 2 big names n they don’t produce like city n other clubs do, n u ‘re left wit nothin 2 buy de next summer, there u will start complaining again remember city just bought fernadino,negredo,navas, and jovertic yet they re still losing to club like cadiff..

    l

  21. bergkampisgod

    August 27, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    It would help if you all understood how the club works. Wenger tells the board who he wants how much to pay the club and how much to pay the players, until the last 2 parts change we will go nowhere. Wenger refuses to pay big money as he puts valuations on players and refuses to go above that, the issue is he is not in the real world he doesnt understand the market has moved and is inflated thats why we didnt buy higuain or suarez wenger had his valuation and that was that, The choices are take away that power or take away the manager.

  22. Faderin fatai

    August 27, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Leave arsene wenger alone na baba-ijebu.He is going to cry 4 dis 2013/2014 season.imbecil

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