Just when Arsenal looked to be back to their best, with four Premier League victories on the trot, they met with a banana peel on New Years Day, when Southampton held them to a 1-1 draw.
Let’s be honest – the Saints were probably the better team on the day and even had a goal dubiously ruled out that probably should have stood. It was hardly vintage Arsenal, but that’s been the case on a number of occasions thus far this season.
Defeats to Swansea City, Bradford City, and Norwich City, along with a home draw to Fulham rounds out what’s been a fairly disappointing 2012 for the Gunners.
But onwards and upwards: if Arsenal are to climb back up the table and hold out for a fourth place finish, they’ll need to make some sensible additions in the transfer market. But who should they look to bring in?
One strong candidate is ‘German wunderkind’, Lewis Holtby. The Schalke 04 midfielder has made waves throughout Europe as a result of his all-action performances. Arsenal will know him well – he tore apart the Gunners midfield at the Emirates during a Champions League group stage game this year, helping his side reach a 2-2 draw after being two goals down.
That day, he moved the ball about quickly, put it in smart areas and was Schalke’s beating creative heart. He looked like a player who would fit in nicely in this Arsenal side.
According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old is now eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club and it looks like Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in contention.
It’s clear that Holtby’s future lies away from Schalke. What his next stop should be is unclear, but I think Arsenal should attempt to prize him away from Spurs.
Holtby is a genuinely gifted young footballer, who plays his football in the ‘Arsenal way’. Quick, smart passing, utilizing his technical ability and triggering attacks – he’s the kind of player that Aaron Ramsey could have been, had a career-threatening injury not knocked all the ability out of him.
The thought of him and Jack Wilshere in the centre of the park together in three years’ time, is mouth-watering.
We’ve all seen Arsenal’s problems this season – it’s time for Wenger to act and once more prove the Gunners’ dominance over Tottenham. Let’s hope that the Frenchman can pull off a deal.
What’s your take? Would Holtby fit better at the Emirates or White Hart Lane?
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“Trust me” say John. Well. He obviously is party to the finances and contracts details of Spurs.How blessed we are that with such specialised knowledge he deigns to post for us mere mortals. .
Trust me = Charlatan or Moron. Hmm difficult with Honest John. Would you buy a used car off him?
Hey loser spuds , keep watching the pathe news black and white footage of your team in the 60 s. only 50+ years ago, half the life of association football itself. Show that to holt by before ordering a cab to take him to our proper stadium
Ermm, Alan. Lewis Holtby, note the actual name!, has SIGNED a contract with Tottenham. Do yuou gfeel as big a plonker as your comment now shows you to be. Might I suggest that you learn to compose sentences in English with capital letters. Love the idiotic ” Show that to holt by before ” (Que). Reminds me of the old proverb.-Better to keep quiet and let people think you’re an idiot rather than open your mouth and confirm it!!! I notice that the official announcement came only 15 minutes after your infantile comment. Timing is everything. Thanks for the comedy turn but adults’ ribs can only take so much aching.
too late…. COYS !
Deal is announced on the Spuds twitter official Twitter feed. Another lost talent by Arsenal. What a shame. No other “top” team in EPL seems to have trouble dropping money on top talent, just Arsenal.
I mean there is no way both Arsenal & Spurs got a chance at winning the epl. Both run the club based on profits generated. Even though arsenal has a higher wage structure than spurs , there is no way if someone going to pay say £180k Pw for bale he is going to stay at spurs. Modric the same.. This will continue.. U think footballers are like u and me staying loyal to their own clubs. They are professionals and are earning a living for a relatively short career. Unless u say bale is a spurs fan . Yes he can be exceptional at stay . But truth he ain’t a spurs fan and already indicated a desire to leave for some bigger clubs.
How can anyone take Arsenal seriously? All talk, no action for years.
Holtby went to Spurs because they have got a future, unlike Arsenal.
They’re building a new stadium, recently employed a young and talented manager, have promising and young players in the likes of Lloris, Bale, Sandro, Caulker, Sigurdson as well as exceptional talent like Vertonghen, Lennon, Dembele, Adebayour (when he can be bothered).
Arsenal clearly have problems, and it’s down to one man, your manager. He’s stuck in his era and thinks every signing will be his next Henry.