The summer transfer window promises to be an interesting one for Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger planning a large-scale clearance sale plus a number of big name signings in a bid to boost his squad’s chances of a trophy next season.
To say Wenger hasn’t spent big on his squad, is an understatement. Ebenezer Scrooge spent more on Christmas presents than the Frenchman has on players.
But this seasons failures have revealed Arsenal’s frailties, to both fans and players alike and it’s time for real investment in quality players in key positions. With the likes of Bendtner almost sure to leave in summer, speculation is rife as to who will be joining him at Wenger’s Emirates car boot sale.
The latest name to be linked with a move away from North London is 27 year old striker Marouane Chamakh. At first, this news didn’t surprise me when I first heard it on TalkSport. But I’ve looked into Chamakh and he hasn’t been a bad player for the Gunners this season. He’s scored 7 goals in 25 appearances, during his first season, making him Arsenal’s joint second highest goal-scorer. (Incidentally, top scorer is Van Persie, with 12….the same amount as Newcastle’s Kevin Nola….free-flowing football and all that!)
Whilst not a great return from a striker, there’s enough time for the Morrocan to break into double figures and at 27 he’s about to enter the peak of his career. That might not satisfy Arsene Wenger however.
He’s been linked with a move back to France, with Marseille apparently very interested in the striker. It’s thought that the idea of first-team football appeals to Chamakh, who hasn’t had much whilst he’s been with the Gunners. Wenger’s fire sale will continue throughout the summer, and it’s not yet known how much Marseille would need to sign Chamakh.
It’s not so much where the money comes from, as where it goes though, Arsenal fans….
Follow Peter Turner on Twitter @petermagpie
