After a slight stutter against Chelsea, Arsenal continued their good start to the new season with a 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park. It was a particularly impressive victory given the fact that the Hammers were well and truly up for this one. They battle hard, won every aerial battle and Andy Carroll made a right nuisance of himself. But goals from Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla proved to be enough.
Despite grabbing a victory, the feeling remains amongst some fans that Arsenal will need to strengthen this January if they’re to make a concerted title tilt. With the likes of Chelsea playing some fantastic stuff, Manchester City looking good and Manchester United with plenty to prove, Arsene Wenger’s side really have their work cut out this season.
So it doesn’t surprise me that the Gunners still find themselves linked to new players. The question remains, however, as to whether Arsenal need to make further purchases.
According to CalcioMercato, Arsenal are chasing Inter Milan’s ace midfielder Ricardo Alvarez. The 24-year-old is a player of some talent. Some time ago, he was considered to be the long-term replacement of Wesley Sneijder at the San Siro. But since Sneijder has stuck around for an unexpectedly long time at Milan, Alvarez has wound up being more of a stand-in than a replacement. It’s a shame, because he’s a player that deserves more opportunities that he’s currently getting (indeed, he started just 15 games last season).
It’s claimed that he’d cost the Gunners around €12m, which isn’t too expensive for a player of his pedigree.
Despite his ability with his left foot, his vision and nous, I don’t see why Arsene Wenger would be interested in bringing the Argentine to the Emirates. He’s commonly deployed in the trequartista role, but why would Wenger sign another player like this, when the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta could do the same job. In at least two out of three cases, I’d go as far as to say they’d do a better job.
Arsenal don’t really need another midfielder. They need an additional striker. I can’t help but hope that Arsene Wenger avoids wasting his time on a player that would add very little to this squad.
Don’t get me wrong. I think Alvarez is a top player – I just think Arsenal’s midfield is too competitive for him at the moment.
What’s your take? Would Ricardo Alvarez be a good addition at the Emirates?
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Well, ricardo alvarez can also play on the wing and as you have said, he is a player of some pedigree so why not? besides real have, ozil, modric, alonso, essien, kaka, diarra, khedira and sahin. clearly one can never have too many options. but i do believe that come the transfer window our first move should be to offload chamakh, squillaci, denilson, bendtner and park permanently. then bring in a defender (mapou yanga mbiwa maybe) to complete the set of four top class center halves.
i think we need a striker and a central defender.
It depends on how you look at it. Personally, i have no doubt giroud will come good. And soon. He has just been unlucky in front of goal, but as his confidence builds due to his first goal, so will the goals. I also think that Walcott will be transformed into a striker. Add that to poldi who can play there and i think we arent too badly off in that department. Maybe a fourth striker like Adrian lopez who won’t mind competing for a place. But not llorente.
RIGHT….our Midfield is second to barces..we can now count on striker now..i think Llorente, falcoa can help giroud compete a little
Any further midfield addition must be of a defensive make please.
Agreed, someone just like Arteta
And what the fuck do we do with the likes of Coquelin and Frimpong and not mention Diaby. For Christ sake how many midfielders do we need
lets concentrate on developing our defence, for now we hav goog mids and attackers…..we occasionally get shaky at the back..
ricardo alvarez mambo tosha wenger pliz purchase him.
if arsenal is looking at him, which we ahve for a long time, expect him to play on the wings. a la robert pires style, would not fit in central midfield.
marcus mate haev u ever seen alvarez play.. he is one of the slowest players i have ever seen in my life…. please do not say why not… if u dont even know how the player plays… a lazy arshavin is 10 times better than alvarez.
I’ll admit i have only seen youtube clips of him. That said, i wouldn’t discount a player because of pace alone. Maybe his skill compensates for that. And more so, it is a fact that we have excess midfielders in wilshere, cazorla, arteta, ramsey, diaby, coquelin, frimpong and rosicky. Wenger knows this, so if he does get alvarez it means that he sees something special in him. So i wouldn’t dicount him just yet.
We really need fellaini in our defensive midfield with premier league experince
I will go for falcao anyday,anytime
And yes, if we could get him i would love us to go for Falcao. but with a 48M price tag we all know those are fairy tale dreams.
I still believe that Arsenal should buy Alvarez if he is available, along with Isco. it should be kept in mind that Arshavin and Rosicky are at the twilight of their Arsenal careers and I for one dont see either of them in the side beyond this season. Even Arteta is 29 and may only be at Arsenal for another 2 years. Also, not every reserve player makes it in the side. Arsenal may sell a few players in January, it will be good to find new players and gel them in the side. Arsenal dont need to buy any strikers, since they will have Campbell, Afobe and Wellington Silva back from loan next season.