Arsenal fans have found the month of January more difficult than most in recent years with Arsene Wenger seemingly using the transfer window as a way to further distance himself from the Gunners’ fanbase with his repeated failure to add the players he so blatantly needs, to his squad.
Even Wenger however – a man who is famous for his reluctance to complete big money transfers when it matters most – must surely be forced to enter the transfer market this month with Arsenal fans perhaps on his back more than ever before.
The end of 2014 and the opening day of 2015 saw Gunners fans turn on their boss more than ever before with a banner having been previously unveiled away at West Bromwich Albion politely asking Wenger to step down.
The two incidents that followed were somewhat more aggressive with a video emerging online of Arsenal fans furiously booing their manager at a train station following a 3-2 defeat away to Stoke City.
Whilst a Gunners fan found himself detained by police on New Year’s Day having run down the touchline at St Mary’s to berate Wenger – who sat there looking all miserable in his over-sized coat.
Some new signings may be what it takes to lift the mood around the Emirates Stadium but as we enter ‘silly season’, we have gone through the rumours and identified five deals we simply can’t see happening this month.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the 5 Arsenal rumours that simply WON’T happen this month.
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Edinson Cavani
Some reports continue to link Edinson Cavani with a £50 million move to the Emirates Stadium. The Uruguayan has grown unhappy at Paris Saint-Germain having been continually asked to play out wide but he would not get any guarantees of being a central striker under Wenger either.
The Arsenal boss is a big fan of Olivier Giroud whilst Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and returning star Theo Walcott will all be competing for a central striker’s position during the second half of the season.
And asking Wenger to spend £50 million on a striker? The man doesn’t even like buying milk for his cat!
Paul Pogba
The French international has gone on to establish himself as one of the best young midfielders in world football since leaving Manchester United and has been consistently linked with a return to the Premier League in recent times.
Arsenal are amongst the clubs said to be interested but Juventus have made it clear they have no desire to sell their prized asset – particularly at the half way point of the season.
Pogba would demand a massive transfer fee as well whilst Wenger has been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Mario Suarez and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin to resolve his defensive midfield dilemma – more realistic and affordable targets this month.
Marco Reus
The Borussia Dortmund man is perhaps the most wanted player in all of Europe at present. Whilst he does look set to leave the Bundesliga giants, Arsenal face a fight with domestic rivals the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool for his services whilst European super-powers such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be in the hunt for his signature.
With so much competition and given Arsenal’s record of landing their top targets in recent years, this is a deal we simply can’t see happening this month.
Iker Casillas
The goalkeeping situation remains a concern with Wojciech Szczesny changing from the sublime to the ridiculous on what seems like a weekly basis.
With Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and even North London rivals Tottenham boasting goalkeepers capable of producing world class saves and winning points at critical moments, Wenger must be aware he needs a proven goalkeeper to take the Gunners to the next level.
Reports suggest Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas is a target but the Spaniard seems unlikely to move away from the Bernabeu at the half way point of any season – whilst Wenger is stubborn enough to keep the faith with Szczesny.
Mats Hummels
For a while it seemed Arsenal were in pole positon to complete the signing of German World Cup winner Mats Hummels. With Borussia Dortmund struggling towards the foot of the Bundesliga, it seems Hummels wants out but now reports suggest Manchester United have moved into pole position to complete the deal.
Arsenal instead have turned their attentions to West Ham United defender Winston Reid – a safer and far more affordable option for Wenger given his contract at Upton Park expires at the end of the season.
