When you’re looking for a new club sometimes all it takes is a friend, former team-mate or even international colleague to twist your arm to sign on the dotted line for their club. Something similar could be happening at Arsenal this summer, with Santi Cazorla apparently trying to persuade fellow Spain international Cesc Fabregas to move to Arsenal. Here is why he is right to.
If I said to you that Arsenal were looking to sign a striker who had scored 100 Premier League goals in 226 games, had won three Premier League titles and the Champions League. How does that sound? What if I told you that he was also available on a free? You’d probably ask me what the catch is. Well, the player I am referring to is Didier Drogba, who spent eight seasons carving a hero status for himself at Chelsea.
Gareth Barry is a player who does what he needs to do. Nothing more. He’s a solid player who has never had the glitz and glamour of a football player attached to him, but has sculpted a successful career at the top of the game. Now, as his contract at Manchester City draws to a close, I would suggest that Arsenal take a punt on the free transfer.
When Cesc Fabreagas left Arsenal to join Barcelona a few years ago, the Gunners ensured that they would have first refusal should the Spain international leave Camp Nou. Now that it seems the case, though, reports suggest that the Gunners will reject the chance to sign him, despite him being available for £30m. This, in my opinion, is a big mistake.
According to reports, Arsenal are looking to sign former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli in order to provide Olivier Giroud with some much needed support. The Italian has had a mixed time in Serie A with AC Milan and is said to be unhappy due to the acts of racism shown by some opposing fans, so he could be tempted back to the Premier League. For me, it seems like a good idea.
With news coming in that Olivier Giroud could yet stay at Arsenal and finish his two-year contract at the Emirates, it got me thinking how Arsene Wenger should play his cards this summer. Here are a few things that I would do.
Angel Di Maria has had a sterling season but he very much playing second fiddle to Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, and it seems that he will be heading out of the exit door this summer. The Argentina international has hinted that a move is on, according to the Daily Star, with Arsenal and Manchester United waiting in the shadow.
When Arsenal splashed the cash to land Mesut Ozil last summer it sparked a sense of belief around the Emirates. After going eight years without a trophy the supporters started to dream about landing some silverware, especially when they topped the Premier League table going into the new year. They fell short, though, finishing fourth, but did win the FA Cup to end their barren spell.