After leaving Arsenals Supporters’ Trust Meeting Tim Payton tweeted that two ‘decent signings’ would be ‘done by June… a (German) CF and a CM’. Assuming the German centre-forward is FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski – who just about every source has tipped to join the Gunners in the summer – that leaves a gigantic question mark over which central midfielder will be moving to the Emirates when the transfer window re-opens in the summer.
Arsenal have spent much of the last few months linked to Dortmund’s German wonderkid Mario Gotze, but he recently signed a new contact with the Bundesliga winners. Another one slips through Arsene Wenger’s grasp. So who else are the likely candidates?
The main contenders must surely be Yann M’Vila, Christian Eriksen and Younes Belhanda.
Rennes’ tenacious French talent M’Vila must surely be the favourite here. Touted as the bedrock of the French national team moving forward (similar to Patrick Viera’s role in the past) there’s little doubt that Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs. The player himself hasn’t been very coy regarding his future: “If the coach calls you and tells you he wants you to make you play, especially a French coach, it changes everything. The important thing for me is getting playing time for the France team.”
That quote seems to point significantly in Arsenal’s favour and at just 21-years-old the young Frenchman would make for a distinctly Arsene-esque signing.
But Danish sensation Christian Eriksen could also be in with a shout. The ‘new Michael Laudrup’, has earned plaudits for his enterprising and forward thinking style of football. He’s been with Ajax since age 16, earned a great deal of technical prowess and has the loves to take a shot – something that Arsenal could probably use. Manchester United have also been rumoured to be interested and there’s likely to be a fair amount of competition for his signature this summer.
Finally there’s Montpellier’s Younes Belhanda who is available at the right price according to club owner Louis Nicollin. La Paillade are currently on top of Ligue 1 and one of the main reasons behind their rise to prominence is the form of this young Moroccan midfielder.
The 22-year-old has insisted that his focus is on helping his current club to their first ever League championship: “For now, I have not thought about my future too much”, but his head may be turned by the chance to play in the Premier League.
So whilst Yann M’Vila may be the favourite, there are two other, more offensive options out there that Wenger may opt for. The main positive for Arsenal fans is that the club is getting their business done early this time round!
Who do you think this mystery midfielder is?
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Would all be good additions I think, 2 of them although unlikely would be amazing, I’ve heard we have approached marvin Martin too, while some say it’s holtby, what do people think? Also junior hoilett not a cm but can play the rosicky role, some rumours there too
i think and would love him to be m,villa to install some steel and more.. he would be a great signing for us!!
I believe next season is that season that all the gooners have been dreaming of. With some good aproach in the transfer market we can end the trophy drought.
Unlikely … But would love erikson to be the man… We don’t need another CM
Come On Arsenal…. Yeyer
Gourcuff…?still think he’s the man!
Arsenal has been linked with some top quality players in the past few weeks. And the fans are very excited ,but how many arsenal will buy,considering the professor has not manage to get rid of some dead bushes which is costing the club .500 k every week. Let wait again and see the development in the next couple months.