With two days remaining and most Arsenal articles on whether it not Villa will sign for us I thought people may appreciate something different and an article on the potenial ins and outs at youth level for Arsenal.
Potenial In’s
Florian Thauvin- 20 year old from Bastia who can play in any of the 3 of our 4-2-3-1 formation behind the striker. Young and french so obviously Newcastle have been linked as well, this sounds like an old school Wenger signing so some potenial to it. @JamieSanderson has been saying for a couple of weeks that Arsenal have contacted Bastia but made no formal bid.
With Walcott potentially moving to CF and Gervinho likely to come back tired from AFCON someone who could play out wide would be handy but with Miyiachi and Gnabry hot prospects, as FM would say, already at the club do we need another player who is 2 or 3 years away from first team or someone who can deliver now.
Usefulness- 5 He is highly rated and can play anywhere from LWF to ACM to RWF but with other talented youngsters in those positions at the club I think money could be spent better elsewhere.
Likelihood- 6 Sounds like a typical Arsenal signing and Wenger does love to delve into the French market. Think we may have left it too late though and Bastia would push up price, maybe more likely to make deal in summer.
Adam Maher 19 year old winger he plays for AZ, not going to lie first I heard of this was from this blog http://highbury-house.com/2013/01/29/dutch-gem-on-his-way-in-eisfeld-out-the-david-villa-story-gathers-pace/ . Think it may be the managers gambit to try and increase speculation about player and if “Arsenal” are supposedly interested he can quote other clubs a higher figure. Not that this player doesn’t look like a good prospect he has 6 goals in 22 appearances this season and even ahs 2 appearances for the Dutch National team.
Usefullness- 3 Like Thauvin I think we already have enough talented wingers, he is 5 ft 8 so doesn’t even add height to the team.
Likelihood-0 As I said I think its smoke from his manager to try and increase speculation and asking price.
Luke Shaw The 17 year old left back from our regular hunting ground of Southampton initially appears an ideal understudy to Keiran Gibbs with Santos falling out of favour due to numerous sub-standard performances. Shaw has had 17 appearances so far this season for Southampton and has impressed with his compusure at such a young age. Long linked with Arsenal he has unfortunately just signed a new contract with Southampton.
Usefulness- 7 Think he would be a great understudy to Gibbs, like Jenkinson able to fill in if theres an injury but with a lot of potential to improve. Especially with Santos on such high wages, reported anywhere between 40-60k Shaw appears a better option who would command a lower wage and better performances.
Likelihood-1 No doubt about Arsenal interest and think we may go for him at some point in next couple of years but this transfer window chances are slim as we have left it late and Southampton are in pole position with Luke Shaw’s new contract. One for the future though.
Potenial Out’s
Thomas Eisfield- As stated at the top, strong rumours circulating that Arsenal are close to agreeing a loan deal for Thomas Eisfield to Ipswich. After impressing earlier in the season in pre-season and a strong substitute appearance against Reading, Eisfield has recently found gametime hard to come by despite numerous injuries and a loan spell appears ideal. Probably not good enough for Premier League yet, a Championship club such as Ipswich appears ideal and with an experienced manager like McCarthy he would be under good stewardship.
Likelihood-9 Rumours circulating for a while of Eisfield out on loan, obviously needs game-time if not Ipswich it will be another Championship club.
Chuks Aneke-Having just returned from an impressive loan spell at Crewe in League 1 where we accumulated 4 goals in 17 appearances, Aneke appears to be highly sought after by numerous clubs. Aneke returned last week after Crewe tried to extend his deal to no avail this is rumoured to be due to the fact Aneke and Arsenal want to evaluate all the offers and see if they can find him a Championship club.
Likelihood-8 The supposed next Abou Diaby should be off somewhere it’s just a matter of Arsenal deciding where. Great prospect and highly sort after the only problem is trying to pick the best place for him to go.
Ignasi Miquel The reserve team captain has in fact scored for Arsenal this season in the Capital One Cup, has seen less first team action then last season but now with Djourou out on loan if Arsenal don’t sign a defender he wil be staying as fourth choice and may get game time against Blackburn in the FA Cup. His lack of pace is his main weakness but has sublime fitness levels and a strong passing range. Needs regular game time though and despite a few offers Wenger needs to keep hold of him due to the only other option at club being Squillaci.
Likelihood-2 Only one of Djourou or Miquel was leaving this window.
Serge Gnabry A man with a Champions League and Premier League appearance this season, like Eisfield his fast rise to fame was only matched but his fast fall to being back in the reserves. Hasn’t featured in a first team squad since November and a loan deal would be ideal for him. Surprising few clubs have come in for him and I think he may end up staying despite needing game-time at a level above the Reserves. Has been injured recently which may have deterred some clubs but a loan spell to Championship or League One would be ideal just for competitive English football
Likelihood-5 A club like Bristol City bottom of Championship but desperate of players could be ideal maybe Arsenal should contact them. A relegation battle would age him quickly.
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Comment’s are encouraged.
The way things are going and what Arsene has been saying that “We have sufficient players number-wise” the likelihood of signing any player in this January transfer window is minimal
In my opinion I think we will get one first team player then maybe one youth team player. Though we need more then 1 additional player for first team squad, I have a bet when asked he will say well Gervinho will be back in a couple of weeks and our squad is strong enough…. though 6th in Premier League and out of League Cup to bradford says otherwise and the fact Cazorla, Arteta play every game almost as no alternatives.