Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are in a gloomy mood after the weekend’s results saw them concede first place in the Premier League and slip to third in the table, failing to capitalise on Manchester City’s draw with West Ham.
The defeat to struggling Chelsea on Sunday afternoon has raised question-marks regarding the Gunners title credentials and our fans are praying for some transfer movement this week, believing a top-class signing could prove to be the catalyst towards success.
With Real Madrid said to be preparing to cash-in on midfielder Isco, the eyes of the Arsenal fans in the bar have lit-up and their hoping the Spanish midfielder can be the third major signing from one of Spain’s footballing giants in four years.
One signing may not be enough to land the Premier League title in this crazy season though and Arsenal fans are fiercely debating who else could move to the Emirates Stadium before the window slams shut next week.
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Hit Isco below to see FIVE players who could follow the midfielder to Arsenal!
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Granit Xhaka
With Tomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta all seeing their contracts with Arsenal expire in the summer, the Gunners are in need of midfield recruits. With their eyes cast across European football, there is perhaps few better than Granit Xhaka.
The 23-year-old Swiss international recently hinted at an exit from Borussia Monchengladbach, whilst officials have conceded they will not stand in his way. However, Arsenal may have to wait until the summer but by negotiating a deal this month, it could save the Gunners a fierce battle.
Raising the price could also see Xhaka move to the Emirates Stadium within the next week, where he’d bolster the midfield ranks and fill the void left by Santi Cazorla’s injury.
Lars Bender
Another midfield option for Arsenal that’s been eyed for the past few years is German international Lars Bender, who seems ready for a switch after excelling with Bayer Leverkusen in recent years. For Arsenal, he’d provide major squad depth.
Competing within Arsenal’s ranks for regular football, Bender could provide direct competition for Francis Coquelin and his ability on the ball means he could also be a partner for the Frenchman in games where Arsenal need a stronger spine in the middle of the park.
Unlike Xhaka, a regular first-team spot wouldn’t be as decisive and Bender would likely be happy to compete for places and earn his opportunities in Arsenal’s fierce battle across all competitions.
Ben Chilwell
With reports of Arsenal making another bid for Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell over the weekend, the 19-year-old left-back seems to be the transfer most likely to go ahead. Not a direct improvement on the first-team squad, instead the teenager would be the long-term successor to Nacho Monreal.
Chilwell could develop into a star at Arsenal alongside fellow young defenders Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin, whilst there’s no denying that the impact of Arsene Wenger and Steve Bould onto the youngster’s career will help develop him into a fine footballer.
Chilwell could be considered the final-piece in Arsene Wenger’s strong British core, with the Gunners already boasting the likes of Chambers, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Victor Wanyama
In yesterday’s crushing defeat to Chelsea, it was clear that Arsenal lacked a midfield enforced in the middle of the park. Francis Coquelin is that man and his return from injury is still a few weeks away, whilst a continuation of his problem could spark disaster for Arsenal’s season.
Victor Wanyama could therefore be the answer, with the Kenyan international boasting Premier League experience that could see him become an instant success. Southampton could lose the player in the summer, as he has just 18 months remaining on his deal, but a lucrative offer from Arsenal could be hard to resist.
Crucially, Wanyama would be eligible to feature in the Champions League against Barcelona and his involvement could have a telling impact on Arsenal’s chances of progression.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Not a name we expect many of you to recognise but reports over the weekend stated Arsenal are keeping tabs on Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, identifying the teenage stopper as the ideal long-term successor to Petr Cech.
With doubts still being cast on whether Wojciech Szczesny can be Arsenal’s first-choice in the coming years, Arrizabalaga could be the answer to the questions posed. The 19-year-old goalkeeper has impressed on-loan with Real Valladolid this season, which has intensified Arsenal’s interest.
However, negotiating a deal with the Basque side is notoriously difficult as they place hefty price-tags on their stars due to the fact their regulations mean they only employ players from the Basque region. Therefore, Arsenal will find this deal more difficult to negotiate as a result.
