Transfer Window: Who could be coming and going at Arsenal this January?
1 comment January 3rd, 2008
So the Christmas festivities are over and it’s down to the gritty business of the January Transfer Window. Although Arsene has already made clear his intention not to buy, that doesn’t mean that the Emirates’ particularly swish doors won’t be revolving at all. Just take a look at this possible list:
INS
Johan Djourou (Birmingham)
Not technically a new signing, but the return of the Swiss giant will be a timely boost, what with Alex Song and Kolo Toure departing for the African Cup of Nations. With Arsene having already voiced his desire to rest William Gallas this weekend, Djourou could be handed an immediate return alongside Toure, who (along with Emmanuel Eboue) will face Burnley before beginning international duty. If not, we’ll see him in action against Spurs in the week. I watched Djourou several times for Birmingham and was rather unimpressed: he appeared panicky and lacked his usual composure in possession. Hopefully a superior calibre of team-mate can see him fulfill his potential in the second half of the season.
Carlos Vela (Osasuna)
The worst kept secret at Arsenal is the Carlos Vela is back in the country. After initially being signed way back in November 2005, it seems Arsene has found way around the hordes of red tape surrounding his transfer.
Although we’re still awaiting confirmation of his registration as an Arsenal player, whispers suggest that his stay in England is a permanent one. Regarding matters on the field, it makes sense: with Robin van Persie injured, we’ve looked a little light upfront. Furthermore, much of Vela’s time at Osasuna has been spent on the left-wing – an area where we desperately need strengthening.
If you’ve never seen Vela play, check out this edited video of his performance against Real Madrid. Some promising stuff:
OUTS
Matt Connolly (QPR)
The former reserve team captain , who will most fondly be remembered for being part of the 6-3 win at Anfield as a substitute, has joined Queens Park Rangers for a rumoured fee of £1m. Considering his lack of experience it’s big money, but he’s clearly a player of some promise. Powerful in the air and strong in the tackle, he has prospered on loan at Colchester United this season. With QPR seemingly a club on the up, it’s a good move for him, and I’m sure we all wish him the best of luck.
Fran Merida (Real Sociedad)
Fran Merida is in a tricky situation. Not yet ready for the Arsenal first team, he is stuck in the reserves, where the games are too few and the quality similarly lacking. Moving on loan to a Championship club would guarantee a lot of very heavy tackles which would put not only his legs at risk but also his volatile temper. The solution? Real Sociedad, and Spain.
If (as expected) Iakku Badiola wins his electorial battle to become the club’s President, Fran will join up with them this month, probably just until the end of the season. Should he go, the chance to play regular competetive football in a country that encourages the beautiful game can only be a good thing.
Jay Simpson (Millwall)
Young striker Simpson has had his loan spell in League One extended until the end of the season. My heart wants the local lad to become the next Ian Wright – my head says he won’t be coming back.
Jens Lehmann (possible – Dortmund/Wolfsburg)
Towards the end of his post-match press conference on New Year’s Day, Arsene stated that he a) expected Jens to stay, and b) was planning to pick him against Burnley on Sunday. If the latter proves to be true, it still wouldn’t convince me that the former was a genuine possibility. With 2008 just around the corner, Jens must know that his only chance of regular first-team football is either at another club, or involves the assassination of a certain Manuel Almunia. If he stays, I’ll be amazed.
Lassana Diarra (possible – Everton/Aston Villa/Tottenham/Portsmouth)
Poor old Lassie. Having forced his way out of Chelsea after being held back by the likes of Essien, Lampard and Ballack, he obviously assumed forcing his way past the likes of Gilberto, Fabregas, Flamini and Diaby would be a breeze. Sadly for Diarra, he underestimated the Arsenal boys, and has found himself in the same old boat as before.
It’s funny one. Despite his moodiness, I would be gutted to lose Diarra because although he’s not top of the pecking order at the moment, I believe he has the potential to be better than Denilson, Diaby, Song or even Flamini. In fact, I think he could be the medium-term partner for Cesc Fabregas. In the short-term however, Flamini is King, and Diarra has been relegated to the bench or worse. He won’t have been amused by not getting on against Portsmouth and Everton (unlike his equally melancholic pal Abou Diaby), nor will he have been chuffed not to have even made the bench against the Hammers.
If he really is insistent on moving, why not loan him out for six months? After all, we still don’t know what’s going to happen with…
Mathieu Flamini (possible – Juventus/Villareal)
Strange though it seems, one of our players of the season so far isn’t guaranteed to be here next season. We all know how close he was to leaving last summer, and it seems that whatever his contract demands are, they’re yet to be met, meaning he’s free to sign a deal with anyone from… well, now.
It’s clear that with Denilson, Diarra and Diaby in the wings, Arsene has a strong hand. Saying that, I would love to see Flamini stay and hope we get a deal tied up soon. It’s a situation that will need a careful eye on over the coming months.
Justin Hoyte (possible – Aston Villa)
West Ham was Hoyte’s first Premier League appearance this season. For an U-21 International and one of the country’s brightest young prospects, that’s not really enough.
On the other hand, Hoyte is a massive Arsenal fan, has a regular Carling Cup place, and could get more games with Eboue and Toure away at the ACN. Villa were interested in the Summer and could be again – now Hoyte has to decide what it is he wants.
Gilberto Silva (possible – Juventus/Valencia)
Probably the name I’m saddest to see on this list of possible ‘Outs’. Despite being arguably our most experienced and successful player, Gilberto wasn’t on the bench in either of our last three games. Arsene gave a belated excuse of flu, but I suspect it’s far more likely that Arsene doesn’t want to injure him and jeapordise his chances of a move.
It’s understandable that his time has come, and I hope he can get a good move to a sunny clime and Champions League football. I also hope we can pick up a few quid for him, though I suspect the fee will be lower than many of the speculated figures. I just hope we don’t regret selling him – with Toure away, his ability to play centre-back might prove useful…
—
So there we have it. Quite a list of ‘Outs’ there – hopefully they don’t all leave or we’ll have less depth than an empty swimming pool.
Whatever happens, it promises to be fairly eventful. Tata for now.
