Who would of guessed that Arsenal football club would have such a productive summer? Arsene Wenger is so often the butt of jokes regarding frugal spending and an unwillingness to bring in known talent at the risk of ‘killing’ his younger players, that it’s a genuine surprise when he gets ‘active’ in the transfer market.
Younger players like Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson, who must now, it seems, be dead to him. They’re on the way out and a wealth of talent is on its way in. The Gunners have already snapped up Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud and now look to be finalizing a permanent move for Malaga’s Santi Cazorla and a loan move for Real Madrid’s forgotten midfielder, Nuri Sahin (Source).
But will Arsene Wenger’s great summer of spending finish there? Let’s hope not! For all the good feeling surrounding the team right now, Arsenal found themselves someway off the mark last season. The need for real quality and competition is clear.
Which brings me to this rumour in the Mirror: Arsenal are also on the hunt for Dutch full-back Gregory van der Wiel.
The Ajax star has just a single year left on his contract (as was the case with Jan Vertonghen – how has the club been so unable to tie it star players down?) and it’s claimed that the Eredivisie Champions are keen to sell him this summer (or January) rather than risk him leaving for free next year. The Mirror claim he’d cost Arsenal just £7m! Not bad for a talented, fully-fledged Dutch international.
So would he be a smart addition to Arsenal’s increasingly strong squad or should the Gunners give this one a miss?
I’ve heard some Arsenal fans declare that the club is ‘sorted’ in that position. Really? Have the already forgotten the dismal mid-section of last season, where Arsenal went through full-backs like they were going out of fashion and ended up losing valuable points? That couldn’t possible happen again, you may claim. Remember, however, that this is Arsenal. Never underestimate the extent to which Arsenal players will get injured throughout the course of the season.
It’s also worth remembering that Bacary Sagna won’t be fit for quite some time (after suffering two major injuries in the course of one season). Is Carl Jenkinson up to the task of replacing him? I’m not sure somebody so young and so raw is ready for the step up (though I do rate him!) Then there’s Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, neither of whom have stepped up and made a major claim to the Arsenal left-back position.
So maybe the Gunners aren’t as strong in this position as was first thought? I think the most important question here is as follows: Would having van der Wiel on the books improve the squad? My feeling is yes and that Arsenal should snap him up, especially if he’s available for just £7m.
What’s your take?
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For the player he is Van der Weil for that price is another steal!
Player he is?He doesn’t start for Ajax,what makes you think he’ll cut it at Arsenal.
this is soooo true. jenkinson is one for the future no doubt but van der wiel is a player who can come in and do a good job instantly. plus if you really think about it, one of the reasons sagna gets injured often is, because of his quality and lack of competition, he is forced to play all the games when fit. i think arsenal could benefit immensely from being able to choose between two world class fullbacks. it will go a long way in detering injuries plus ensures that on any given day, whoever is played is fit and in top form.
get him in soon.
After lost in a bid to land sakho from PSG, we should no risk d loose of this dutch as mostly som team in EPL such as chelsea etal also in shopping 4 RB, they’re liable to snatch him 4rm us, Les prof. Wenger act fast
I tottaly agree, its nice to see an arsenal fan who knows what hes talking about
if you do a little research on him you will see he is a good player with a huge amount of protential
Over rated – was awful for holland at the euros
You cannot judge a player on their performance at a single international tournament.
Robben, Sneijder and Van Persie all had a terrible Euros, you’re telling me they’re over rated too?
Get him next
Van derwil would be an additional strength to arsenal squad and i beg arsene wenger to capture his signature this transfer period
Hello,