Will He? Won’t He?

Courtesy: traveldailymedia.com

*FAN SUBMISSION by Matthew Marsh from Dovercourt, Essex (United Kingdom); our first international article.*

As the winter transfer window opens, everyone gets excited about all of the soccer stories that come out of the press starting way back in November. There’s one club that is in the transfer gossip headlines more often than others; for nearly six years the club has always been connected in bringing in big names with big price tags. In recent years, big names have been sold with average price tags. Who am I talking about? Of course, it can only be Arsenal FC.

I believe the club started to go downhill from the moment Vieira was sold, and then David Dein left after a bust-up with the board; it was then that the foundations were shook. Henry, Flamini, Hleb, Pires, Adebayor, Toure, and Gilberto all left before the latest big names (Fabregas, Song, Clichy, and the influential Van Persie).

Now, in a season of so-called promise with the great acquisitions of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, and Olivier Giroud, things were looking-up. However, we are in the beginning of January 2013, and Arsenal are sixth in the league;  four-points from fourth spot, five-points less than the Spurs, and a massive 18-points from the top spot. Plus, Arsenal was knocked out of the Capital One Cup by minnows Bradford City; things are looking grim.

And now, the stories are flowing: will Walcott sign or not? Is Arsenal supposedly going to spend big money on the new world class striker and defensive midfielder?

Well, you can forget about the world class striker for two reasons: as we all know, Arsene Wenger won’t spend big, and if Walcott signs a new contract as a striker (as stated in his terms), then Arsene will say we just acquired ourselves with a new striker.

And as for a defensive midfielder, I don’t think that will happen either, since Diaby is now back from injury, and for some reason, Arsene Wenger has always been a keen admirer of him. So the question remains; will he spend big in this transfer window? I believe the answer is no.

Will he still be the manager next season? Well, he’s gotten away with it for past seven seasons, so why not one more? Or does the problem exist deeper in the foundations of the club? A majority of the board has been criticized in regards to the handling of club affairs.  Also, with the prospect of David Dein vying to get back on the board, along with his red and white holdings, in which I back 100-percent, then anything can happen. I believe we have the financial power, and top scouts to bring in big names at the right prices. Especially since Arsenal is one of the top-five richest clubs in the world. There are no excuses when we have the most expensive ground to go to.

Fans shouldn’t have to put-up with paying a hefty price to see average footballers. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Santi Cazorla is a top-top player, along with Wilshere, but we need more than two or three top players; a few new additions to the club will produce the most positive results, but it has got to be the right additions.

Courtesy: MSN/Fox Sports

Baines, at left back, would be a superb signing as Gibbs is always getting injured. M’Vila would be quality in Arsenal midfield, sitting in front of the back four, but behind Cazorla and Wilshere. However, will Wenger be able to control a temperament similar to Nicolas Anelka in his day? David Villa: what can I say? You just have to look at his stats for club and country.

The biggest stumbling block will be the players’ wages. If all else fails with Villa, then you don’t need to look any further than Dzeko; he can be signed on-the-cheap somewhat easily. And that is all Arsenal needs; no teenagers, just established footballers.

Watch this space.