Arsenal fans must be sick to death with be reminded how long it is since they’ve won a trophy. Arsene Wenger is driving many supporters crazy with a seeming inflexibility toward change.
One signing to compliment his existing strategy would do it. Arsenal may have achieved less than they wanted to, but their season has not been the disaster some would try to tell you it has (just look at their league placing).
Arsene appears adamant he won’t buckle and pay over the odds – even if over the odds is the going rate (if that makes sense) for players. So here’s a solution. Bolton Wanderer’s Johan Elmander – on a free.
Gary Megson shelled out £8.2m for Elmander in 2008, making the Swedish striker Bolton’s record signing. Now however, with Elmander attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Fenerbache, Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted that the Wanderers will struggle to keep hold of their star player. Coyle recently told The Metro:
“When the season ends, we will certainly have one last go at trying to persuade him to sign a new contract… But if there is a club out there in the top bracket that can offer him the lure of Champions League football, then he will do what any player would.”
Although reports have emerged suggesting that Elmander has struggled to adapt to life at Bolton, he has been sporadically brilliant throughout his stay with the Trotters. He was particularly brilliant in the first half of this season, before Daniel Sturridge arrived at the club and took the spotlight away from him. He remains the club’s top-scorer having notched up 10 goals in the Premier League this season – not bad considering he’s been forced to play out wide to accommodate Sturridge.
Where the Swedish International will end up next season is anybody’s guess, but I highly doubt that he’ll remain with Bolton. If there’s genuine interest from the likes of Arsenal and Juventus, they’ll be able to offer Elmander increased wages and Champion’s League football. Whether or not he’s got the quality and ability to make it at a top club, however, remains to be seen.
