Ferocious 4 To Set The Prem Ablaze

Which four Arsenal names stood out big in pre-season? Is there an attacking quartet in the Premiership able to match Jack 

Wilshere, Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo? I think not. In only the six games played where Wilshere featured 5

times, Cesc 3 times, Arshavin 6 times and Eduardo 3 times the quintet scored a total of nine goals out 20. But it wasn't just the

goals... the passing, the glimpses of speed and vision, Arshavin's brace in the last 3 minutes against Athletico Madrid, 

Wilshere's double against Rangers, all in all the ability to get behind opposition's defence and score goals. Surely this was a 

brilliant pre-season to remember.

But the question is: can they do it weekly in the Premiership? Of course, you only need two of those four players playing and

you can be guaranteed goals. So what do you think about the Ferocious 4, send in your views or can you match them with an

even better quartet.

Formations and Tic-tacs

In Wenger's most recent interview he confirmed Arsenal's new 4-3-3 formation, similar to European champions Barcelona. He said he wanted to keep the midfield tight with flexible forward play. But who to choose in the six attacking positions?

Upfront, Wenger has Van Persie, Arshavin, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott and Vela. He'd be a genius to combine all attackers or at least give them all equal gameplay. So, as much as I wouldn't like it, maybe it would be best to offload Bendtner or Vela or both, and then get the DM and CD sorted out. Its been talked about that Vela could go to Fulham plus 6 million and we'd get Hangeland. But he is cup-tied. Arsene could get Servet Cetin from Galatasaray but I don't think Bendtner or Vela would want to go in the opposite direction or even move to the Turkish league. Cristian Zapata from Udinese is another bulk in the defence but which of the two strikers would welcome the chance to play in Italy? Most likely Bendtner. So there will need to be a lot of deep thought put into this by Wenger.

As for the defensive midfielder gap, I think it would be more likely that Wenger signs Blaise Matuidi for 6 million than Daniele De Rossi for 25 million or more. But don't get me wrong Matuidi is a brilliant midfielder with a habit for scoring long range goals. 

There's no perfect way to keep everyone happy and playing at Arsenal. Get Hangeland and lose Vela. There's two negatives and two positives to that. The negatives are obviously losing Vela and that Hangeland is cup tied. But the positives are that Hangeland has Premier League experience and is a tall, brave defender and would surely form a great partneship alongside Vermaelen. Hangeland's specialities are high balls, last ditch challenges and strength. Vermaelen's specialities are speed and going slightly forward into a DM when his team has the ball. Gallas and Djourou are still capable, strong defenders - keep them. The next step would be simply to buy Matuidi and get Vieira as his tutor - no negatives.

I can't stress how much Arsenal need these two positions sorted out. Its better to lose a striker and gain a defender in Arsenal's squad, in my opinion. Adebayor and Toure gone, Eboue, Silvestre and Vela should follow. Vermaelen is here and Hangeland and Matuidi should come as well. It wouldn't be that bad because if you think about it, how many times do Eboue, Silvestre and Vela play throughout the season. Not a lot.

What's your ideal formation and starting X1 - please write it in the comment box below.

GR's Starting X1:

Van Persie, Arshavin, Eduardo/Walcott

Nasri/Rosicky, Fabregas/Wilshere

Matuidi/Vieira

Clichy, Vermaelen, Hangeland, Sagna

Almunia

       

Roma Raid or European Pick 'n' Mix

Arsene has the right to spend 75% of the funds he has earned, which equals, from the three African departures (49 million), exactly 36.75 million. He's openly stated he is ready to spend and a full-on Roma raid could be on the cards or a dip into France, Italy and Turkey. We take
a look into those two options.

Option 1:

Philip Mexes is a highly-rated CD. Daniele De Rossi is a brilliant DM, with a talent for scoring long range goals. And Mirko Vucinic is a free-scoring center forward when he gets the supply. Surely with Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri, Walcott, Clichy and Sagna throwing in crosses and through balls, Vucinic will get goals at Arsenal.

The 36.75 will not be enough to sign all three of those players but the 15 million (that Arsene
had before his sales) added on, will be. That equals 51.75. Philip Mexes market value is 14 million. Due to Roma's financial position Daniele De Rossi could sign for 25 million. Whereas the forward, Mirko Vucinic would cost 12 million. Arsene's profit would be no less than 750,000.

Since the start of the transfer window, newspaper's have frequently written about Arsene having possible interest in these players.

Option 2:

Patrick Vieira returning to Arsenal would be a great addition again even if it meant combining a playing and coaching role for players like Song, Diaby, Denilson and possibly Blaise Matuidi. Arsenal can sign Vieira on a free transfer.

Marouane Chamakh can be signed for a mere 6 million from Bordeaux and St Etienne's Blaise Matuidi costs a similar value. Servet Cetin, the enormous, bullish center half from Turkish giants Galatasaray has a market value of 8 million. And Roma would be willing to let forward Mirko Vucinic go if a price of about 12-13 million could be met by Arsenal. All of these players including Vieira would equal a total of about 32 million. That doesn't even equal Wenger's 75% of the 49 million from Adebayor, Toure and Eboue. Personally the idea of having two more strikers added doesn't need to happen, one is enough - Chamakh or Vucinic. The latter one is more clinical infront of goal.

Option 2 seems a more realistic raid and certainly one that would lift Arsenal's title hopes.

Please feel free to comment and give your view.

9 Choices for the Gunners

Since the departure of Kolo Toure, rumours and transfer talk have really began to heat up. Of course all Arsenal's transfer specualtion surrounds the three "weak" positions; central defender, defensive midfielder and a striker. In total nine players have been mentioned and here they are:

CD:

Cristian Zapata (10 million)

Brede Hangeland (10 million)

Naldo (7.5 million)

DM:

Blaise Matuidi (8 million)

Daniele De Rossi (30 million)

Miguel Veloso (16 million)

CF:

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (18 million)

Mirko Vucinic (18 million)

Andre-Pierre Gignac (20 million)

Hangeland cup-tied, De Rossi is pricey!

Arsenal's interest in Brede Hangeland may have stalled as the defender featured in Fulham's Uefa Cup qualifier against Vectra making him cup-tied. This would mean if a transfer did ever go through with Arsenal he wouldn't be able to feature in Arsenal's Champions League campaign.

But early morning reports from the Independent have claimed Arsene Wenger's main transfer target is Daniele De Rossi from Roma. De Rossi is a hard-tackling, tough defensive midfielder and is what Arsenal need most now. Many have said the price (30 million) exceeds Wenger's transfer spending money. However Arsenal have not given up hope as Roma's perilous financial position could force a sale of a cheaper price.

Could Veloso, Hangeland and Huntelaar be the answers?

 

I really want to dig deep into how Arsene could invest these coming weeks. So this morning i read through some Gunner headlines and came up with a plan and a very realistic one too…

Now with Emmanuel Adebayor and most likely Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue gone I guess Arsene has about 48 million in his back pocket. So with that he must firstly get a defensive midfielder and the ones that have been talked about are Mahmadou Diarra from Real Madrid, Miguel Veloso from Sporting Lisbon, Blaise Matuidi from St Etienne and Lee Cattermole from Wigan. Diarra provides height, speed and strength – the three important factors of a defensive midfielder. But his age and fitness problems could put Arsenal off. Veloso possesses two of the three factors; speed and strength but stands at only 1.80cm. His brilliant free-kicks also add a touch of class and he would definitely suit Cesc Fabregas for partner. Blaise Matuidi is young but has already proven his ability as a defensive midfielder. He also even scores some long-range beauties. Lee Cattermole seems perfect for Arsenal as he is good on the ball and a strong, dirty player. He is still young but really proved his skills during England U-21’s road to the U-21’s European Cup Final. Miguel Veloso and Lee Cattermole seem the suitable contenders for me.

 Then comes the need for a partner for Robin Van Persie. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scores goals, and would be a fantastic partner for Robin. Yes, Huntelaar didn’t have a incredible second half of the season with Real Madrid but to be fair to him he had some competition for a starting place and only seven months ago he was flying high for Ajax. Huntelaar would probably be about 16-18 million. Another striker is Andre-Pierre Gignac, which I’ve heard lots about. I watched a few videos of him, very good and a natural goal scorer. But at a price of 18 million, it’s unpredictable. Mirko Vucinic from Roma looks good and reasonable, with Wenger apparently preparing an offer of 13 million plus Bendtner for the Montenegro man. Vucinic has recently been quoted as one of the best strikers in Italy. But surely any of these big frontmen would certainly please Robin Van Persie.

 Lastly but just as important as a striker: a tall defender and Brede Hangeland from Fulham or Naldo from Werder Bremen would fit the job perfectly. If Arsene bought one for me it would be Hangeland as he has Premier League experience. Vermaelen and Hangeland would be great at the back together. They both possess great aerial ability and composure in difficult situations.

 Then a X1 capable of winning the League would be:

 Van Persie  Huntelaar

Arshavin  Fabregas  Rosicky

Veloso

Clichy  Hangeland  Vermaelen  Sagna

Almunia

 The great thing about the attacking players is that it can be rotated; Eduardo for Huntelaar, Walcott for Rosicky, Nasri for Arshavin, Ramsey for Fabregas and Van Persie for Vela. As for the defensive options, keep Gallas, Djourou and highly-rated Kieran Gibbs to rotate the defence during the season and make Fabianski the Carling Cup and possibly FA Cup keeper. If Arsene Wenger does not opt for Huntelaar and focuses on Vucinic then he could possibly use Bendtner as part of the exchange. Although Wenger selling Bendtner does seem unlikely after the player just stated his desire to continue playing for Arsenal and Wenger being an big admirer of the Dane.

 The maths is simple. Wenger has no less then 48 million from the three African departures. Real Madrid would except an offer of 17 million for Huntelaar. If Arsenal managed to lure Hangeland to the Emirates it be for 13 million. And to sort out Arsenal’s defensive midfield problems, Veloso would come for 12 million.

48 million – (17mil + 13mil + 12mil) = 6 million profit

Arsene could use the 6 million profit for reinforcements, to pay back some debt or to buy a young, uprising talent from Brazil or France.

 Feel free to post a comment. Hope you enjoy your day Gooner fans!