Wednesday 6 January 2010

The likely hitmen for Arsenal in January

The talk on the town is that a striker is at the top of Arsene's agenda for the transfer window, and if Nicklas Bendtner fails a fitness test on friday then this will be even more likely to happen. Obviously Arsene is not a man for throwing around money as if there were no tomorrow, meaning that signing the likes of Dzeko, Villa et al is not going to happen, even if one assumes that Arsene rated these over-hyped players.

I have assumed that Arsene would want a ready made player who can handle the pace of the Premiership, for that reason it is highly likely that any signing will come from an English club. He would either want someone older and experienced on a short term deal to fill the void, or someone younger on a longer term deal who would have some resale value. This is my list of players that would roughly fit Arsene's bill:

Cartlon Cole - a young English powerhouse that can be unstoppable on his day. He is strong in the air, skillful, very able at holding the ball up and has a very decent goalscoring record in the last couple of years (17 goals in 40 premiership games). At 26 he would be in his prime, counting against him is his recent run of injuries. However with West Ham needing cash he may be available for a reasonable price, being English and young anything under ten million would represent decent value in today's market. Arsenability - 7/10.

Loius Saha - This 31 year old Frenchmam has only six months left on his Everton contract. His goalscoring record is impressive, 10 goals in 17 Premiership games this season with a fantastic record at Fulham and a decent record at Manure. When fit he is a handful, quick and very sharp when running on the shoulder of the last defender, handy in the air as well. His injury troubles of the last few years will count against him but he may well be available for a knock down fee given his contract. Arsenability 6/10.

Peter Crouch - This tall bean pole like English striker has been included just to check that people bother reading these posts properly. A very average player who relies upon using his freakish limbs to foul defenders, despite his size his goal scoring record is distinctly average, he has also demonstrated a significant self esteem problem by signing for Tottenham Hotspur. About as likely to be offered an Arsenal contract as Harry Redkapp is to fill in his tax returns honestly. Arsenability 0/0.

Kenwyne Jones - This 25 year old powerful Sunderland striker hails from Trinidad and Tobago. He has recovered well from a serious cruciate ligament injury in 2008. His goal scoring record is decent but not breath taking average around a goal very three games in the Premiership. He is the right type of player for Arsenal and Sunderland do have Bent and Campbell already on their books. Having just recently signed a long term deal with the Mackems he would not come cheap. Arsenability 2/10.

Hugo Rodallega - This beast of a Colombian is only 24 years old. He has had a good season for a struggling Wigan side, scoring 7 Premiership goals in 19 games, previously he average a goal every other game in the Mexican league. He may be only 5 foot eleven inches tall but he is very strong aerially, he is also pacey and capable of running on the last defender. Unfortunately he would not come cheap, Wigan do not let their prized assets escape without being adequately rewarded and this would make any deal with Arsenal less likely. Arsenability 4/10.

As Arsene says there is always a lot more media talk than actual action when it comes to transfer windows. A lot will also depend on the fitness of a certain young Dane. However if one assumes that we are going to buy then I would say it will be Cole or Saha, simply because they will be much cheaper than any other options, one because of his club's circumstances and the other because his contract is almost up. I would be interested to know what anyone else thought on the striker situation.

ps the game against Bolton looks like it will go ahead
pps cancel that, the game is off

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do not think we need a forward goalscoring player at this moment.

What we do need is someone who can hold on to the ball; a target man, whilst RVP and NB are out.

Goals can come from our wider players and midfield men.

I suggest we move Diaby up front for the big games once Denilson and Cesc are back for the midfield.

Diaby can hold on to the ball and can also score the odd goal or two.

Buying a forward will only complicate things once the players return.

1979gooner said...

I do agree that things could get complicated if we buy when RVP and Bendtner are both back fit next season.

However this is why Saha on a short term deal would be a very clever move indeed.

Anonymous said...

Wenger has said he will buy. But the list you have offered, with the exception of Rodallega, are all VERY unlikely to come to Arsenal. He will not buy a quick fix player. He will no doubt unearth some youngish gem from europe to fill the void.

1979gooner said...

anonymous,

I doubt what you say for the following reasons:

1. Once RVP/Bendtner are fit next season then we will not need another striker, hence a short term fix is likely.

2. Some young talent from the continent will not be able to instantly deliver in the Premiership and that is all we need this new player for, it is for five months of output.

Maybe I'm way off with my predictions, but if Wenger can bring in Saha for a year or two's deal for an outlay of four/five mill then that would probably fit his bill i reckon.

Kiran said...

How come I don't hear any waffle about Roman Pavlyuchenko? It's clear he's on his way out, Redknapp pretty much announced it in a press conference. With one Russian in our team, wouldn't two make for better linking up, especially as they're international team=mates?

1979gooner said...

Can't see that happening. He hasn't really done anything decent at Spurs. He wouldn't come cheap either.

Anonymous said...

Since when are we likely to buy a player based in England?

Our new striker will come from Russia or eastern europe, mark my words.

davy gunner said...

you say that he will only be looking for a striker for the next 6 months but i think he may look longer at that- i mean, much as we love van p, when has he ever not had at least one bad injury in a season? besides that, competition is always good- btw, out of your list, i would say cole. on another note, what chances of eduardo playing in the centre tonight? he was much more effective there on sunday.

Anonymous said...

Palyuchenko woulld come DIRT CHEAP. Redknapp said he was surplus and he himself goes on in the press about being let down. Hell if Robbie Keane is 3rd choice at sp*rs, Pavlyuchenko will probably pay to move anywhere else...

1979gooner said...

davy,

i'd much prefer to see eddy in the middle tonight

Anonymous said...

this may sound a bit crazy but think about it i think Ricardo Fuller would fit great as a centre forward in a creative team such as ours. he is big powerful, posess great control and dribbling skills and can be very imposing, not to mention great speed, and he can provide the odd goal. arsenal play team football so whilst we would like our target man to produce goals, his ability to hold up d ball and link with players such as arshavin and nasri is more important as goals can come from anyone in this squad

Rick said...

Rodallega could be what we need. Strong and capable of scoring. Plus we can send a player or two to Wigan on loan plus cash.

Rick said...

Luca Toni or RVN on loan for 6 moths would have been fine ...

Anonymous said...

either ricardo fuller or benitez from birmingham will do for me

Rhinogooner said...

I like the look of Rodallega, 1979. Has a cracking shot from outside the box as well.

I've thought Darren Bent would be a good fit ever since he played for Charlton. Wouldn't mind Mr. Wenger buying him. But seeing as he just went to Sunderland in the summer, I suppose it's unlikely.

If we just want a six month loan, how about bringing Henry back? Revert to 4-4-2 to accommodate our current squad. That's the reason we went to 4-3-3, right?

Arshavin, Henry, Cesc together- I'm salivating at the prospect.

I should add that I think a DM is a higher priority than a forward. And a CB that can fill in seamlessly for Gallas or Vermaellen on occasion.

Scoring goals has not been the problem and won't be in the second half of the season either. It's shipping them that we need to tend to.

1979gooner said...

Rhino,

Agree about the shipping goals problem.

Strange the game was postponed today. Weather wasn't that awful in London, I know a few people would slip over and hurt themselves but that's life isn't it?

GlancingHeader said...

Given Portsmouth's financial situation, is there anyone there that might have a high Arsenability score?

Rhinogooner said...

Seems strange to me as well. Must have been cancelled for the safety of the traveling supporters from 'oop norf.

Or to allow time for Coyle to settle into his new role ;-)

stevie888 said...

Out of ur list I had Saha as the most likely but then he has a bad history of injuries.

What about Santa Cruz? Unlikely to keep a place at City, hes the kind of target man we need but is a good finisher?

1979gooner said...

Santa Cruz is decent.

I just don't see it happening with him on massive money at City and having only just signed a long term deal there. He's no spring chicken either.

Anonymous said...

All these comments about how it will be all right when Bendtner is back......... perleeeze.... I am dreading the return as equally as I was chuffed to find he was out. He is one player who cannot play the Arsenal way. No first touch, no vision, very poor strike rate
(and goals against anyone but the smaller teams are rare as hen's teeth). Loses possession more that Theo (maybe they had a bet). If we do need a striker Dzeko is the man. Go on Arsene, stop hoarding and spend a few bob,

1979gooner said...

Bendtner has been playing very well prior to his injury.

His goal scoring record isn't bad, 1 in 3 last season and quite a few substitute appearances.

If he can stay fit then he can bang in 16 league goals, he's also a very good all rounder footballer.

1979gooner said...

sorry i meant that he could bang in fifteeen league goals/season if fit

he'll never be a 20/25 a season man but his all round work rate and contribution makes up for it in my opinion

he's a young lad and will continue to improve, if he's still no delivering in three years time then fair enough, from what I've seen though he's coming on with every season he gets under his belt

Unknown said...

Huntelaar would be a great loan deal and i believe we would sign him up afterwards

Anonymous said...

a very dissapointing list especially to see Cole on top there. This is most likely to happen that wenger will sign either of these players.We are better off without them as atleast Vela will get his chance even if Bendtner is unfit.

Anonymous said...

we can currently sign adriano on a free, he isn't cup tied for anything and desperately wants to go to the world cup

stevie888 said...

Theres no way we would take on Adriano, i would be up for Huntelaar on loan tho

Anonymous said...

i think nicky pink boots bendtner will come good and end up giving us 20-25 goals consistently.

i think he has had some massive goals. against the spurs off the bench on his first touch.

earlier in the season against standard liege (we were down 3-0 at the time, and he scored right before halftime).

i do think carlton cole would be a great fit. he was great against us in the league game. he can hold the ball up and is very physical.

rahul

Ted said...

Chamakh is the player that Arsene wants, either for free in the summer, or for a fee now if Nikky B fails his test on Friday.

Richie said...

@Ted

Chamakh has ruled out a move before the summer.

I'd love Kenwyne or Cole, though the latter is injured at the time and that might complicate things.

Ted said...

I still think it will be Chamakh. What he actually told France Football was that he did not want another media circus in January, and that he wanted to play the rest of the year in Bordeaux.
I bet that will change very quickly if Arsenal and Bordeaux can agree a price.

CoolGooner said...

I'm sympathetic to Wenger's reducing certainty about buying a striker. Strikers naturally have attitudes to reinforce their confidence; unfortunately, that can reduce the harmony already existing in the present squad who are determined to grind out the points to prove to Wenger that they have enough quality to cope as is. Surely it's not worthwhile to create a new problem (reduce squad confidence & harmony) while trying to solve another (replace an injured top striker)? IMHO this situation isn't as easy to resolve as it seems to most fans. The best solution may be someone willing to stay on the bench sometimes - a young, developing, quality striker or a quality striker over 30yrs old.