Cracks are starting to appear in Arsenal’s season after what was anticipated to be a successful debut campaign for manager Unai Emery.
The Gunners dropped down into 6th position on Sunday after falling victim to Pep Guardiola’s marauding Manchester City side. It’s not even that their performance was particularly bad. There were some admirable performances from the Arsenal men, in fact. But, as it has been for most of Arsenal’s recent history, we always felt like there was something missing. A quality that only money can buy, a spark, a player to rely on.
But a massive spending spree, necessary to keep up with the big boys, is not something forthcoming for Arsenal fans who have once again had to endure a dismal performance in the market.
Things don’t look like they’ll be improving this summer either with reportedly (as per the Mirror) only £40 million at Emery’s disposal. A minuscule amount considering how much it cost the current top two teams to secure their place at legitimate title contenders.
With their tiny budget in mind, we take a look at which two players could make the move to north London at a cut price.
Diego Godin
It’s no secret that Arsenal’s leaky defence needs addressing if they want to make a convincing push for the top four.
Indeed, summer signing Sokratis was a step in the right direction, but still not enough, and he’s now out injured for a month. Mustafi doesn’t bear mentioning, given just how soulless his defensive efforts have been at times, and has quite rightly seen his role in the squad reduced bench warmer.
What Arsenal really need is a domineering and experienced defender and we believe that man could be Diego Godin.
The Athletico Madrid captain has been at the core of their staunch defensive unit since 2010 and have overseen success both domestically and in Europe.
There’s few better than Godin at what he does and following a breakdown in talks over his future in Madrid (source: Mirror), there’s a very good chance Arsenal could get him on a free.
James Rodriguez
Signing Godin on a free should release up some extra funds for Unai Emery to play with this coming transfer window and who better to look at as a signing than James Rodriguez.
The Colombian midfielder will be available for transfer once his two year loan spell at Bayern Munich comes to a close at the end of this season and, although things haven’t quite taken off for him since his World Cup heroics back in 2014, he remains a quality player who Arsenal must consider.
Rodriguez will be a superb replacement for Mesut Ozil who looks destined to be shown the door come the summer after being exiled by Emery.
