Re: The Official Summer Transfer Rumours Thread

[Chumlum]

Lex does have a point. It is not his hold and link up play that lets him down but it is his finishing and composure to score.

I think it's possible to simultaneously have standards that are too high and too low. On the one hand, even the best teams have some "merely" good players. Giroud for example works hard, is talented, and has had a decent first season in the English league, stats-wise. He doesn't suck and he's not "mediocre." He's pretty good. On the other hand, it's totally fair to say that Giroud being pretty good, with potential to improve, still isn't quite as strong as we'd like to see Arsenal be - we want a first choice striker who really will knock a lot of goals in and occasionally take our breath away. But just because we want that kind of star striker, and think Arsenal should try to sign one like that, doesn't mean we should push all the heat onto someone like Giroud for failing to be that striker, and judge him way too harshly in the process. Myself, I just want to see additional quality injected into the team.

[SamuelJayC]

The Sun: Arsenal consider £12m move for Liverpool's 28-year old centre-back Martin Škrtel http://bit.ly/155m4Lv

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Not sure Martin Škrtel - "my worse season" - wants to swap Anfield bench for Emirates bench. Williams deal way more likely I'd say.

[RedOranje]

Don't ever take a sun report that deals with Liverpool seriously.

[DuringTheWar]

Well whatever way we want to dress it up, "pretty good", "decent", or whatever, he's not up to the standard standard previously set at this club, either in terms of goal scoring, or link up.

[SamuelJayC]

Grenier was invited to Arsenal-Newcastle (7-3) this season at the Emirates. Pretty good game to watch for someone you want to sign... (Via @LaurensJulien)

[Jay29]

It's possible to want to replace a player without criticising that player or labelling that player as rubbish.

Giroud's hold-up play, for me, could be better, and his lack of mobility does limit him as to what he can do on the pitch, but given the opportunity to link-up with other players and get into goalscoring positions, he's good. His finishing isn't where it should be, but he can score every type of goal and is a real menace in the air if you provide him with the right service.

I think he suits a more direct team better and direct is not how we like to play. That's why we should be looking at a striker that does suit how we want to play. Failing that, we just need better on what we have. If the unthinkable happens and we don't sign a top striker, Giroud isn't a bad option to fall back on. He only needs to sharpen up in front of goal to become a very good striker at this level.

The striking situation isn't that bad, really. I think it's possible to acknowledge that much and still wish for the club to improve on it.

[Sina]

Another Vid



Classy Performance and Brilliant Goal

[RealGunner]

There is no denying his talent. Just don't want him as a main signing.

[Gooner SJ]

There is no denying his talent. Just don't want him as a main signing.

I'm curious to know who people think we should really go for, outside of Higuain and Jovetic, as far as 'big name' strikers go. I mean, who is actually available really? I really don't think Lewandowski is an option for us.

[RealGunner]

That is a good question. I do wonder who Arsene thinks is our back up to Jovetic/Higuain.

I want us to try for Benzema. Rooney is out of our reach. Can't think of any other names

[Gooner SJ]

That is a good question. I do wonder who Arsene thinks is our back up to Jovetic/Higuain.

I want us to try for Benzema. Rooney is out of our reach. Can't think of any other names

Them Benzema wages though, coming from Madrid.

[RealGunner]

Yea that's why it's unlikely sadly.

Guess Arouna Kone is the answer afterall

[Jay29]

Outside of Higuain and Jovetic, there aren't any available top strikers or forwards with the potential to be top, really. It's unlikely Madrid will sell Benzema when Higuain is almost certain to go, while Napoli seem determined not to get anything less than £60mil for Cavani. If Ibrahimovic decides to leave PSG we could try for him, but his wages would be a major stumbling block. Mario Gomez could be an option, but I'm not sure a pure poacher is what we need. Dzeko is leaving City but I doubt they'd be too willing to sell to us when there's interest from abroad. Likewise with Tevez (his wages would also be a problem). There's Jackson Martinez, too, but he'd be very expensive.

Beyond those, I guess we'd have to look at the likes of Negredo and Soldado, both experienced and proven goalscorers who are reliable but aren't a massive improvement over we have, or at younger strikers with large potential like Benteke and Lukaku.

Being as realistic as possible, our only options for up front this summer would be:

Higuain
Jovetic
Negredo
Soldado
Benteke

Can't think of many more that'd be an improvement on Giroud.

Edit: Forgot to mention David Villa. Think he's a pretty realistic option, though not necessarily the best one.

[Gooner SJ]

Aubameyang, anyone?

[Chumlum]

Slightly less high-profile (though in a few cases more expensive), we might mention also Wilfried Bony, Jackson Martinez, Luis Muriel, or Leandro Damiao as options - all of whom might prove better than Giroud.

Or might not.

Though I doubt he'll end up at Arsenal, I really do think that Dzeko would be an improvement on Giroud, too.

[RedOranje]

I don't believe Benteke, Negredo, Bony, Muriel, Damiao, or probably even Soldado would be an improvement on Giroud, honestly. Soldado would provide better finishing while Benteke and a couple of the others may provide a more physical presence up top but none would be an all-round improvement over Giroud and would, IMHO, actually hurt Arsenal's play with their more specialized games compared to Giroud's ability to do many of the tasks of a CF well.

[Gooner SJ]

I don't believe Benteke, Negredo, Bony, Muriel, Damiao, or probably even Soldado would be an improvement on Giroud, honestly. Soldado would provide better finishing while Benteke and a couple of the others may provide a more physical presence up top but none would be an all-round improvement over Giroud and would, IMHO, actually hurt Arsenal's play with their more specialized games compared to Giroud's ability to do many of the tasks of a CF well.

Well said, agree with this. I think that Giroud really had a great season apart from the obvious sitters he's missed. I think another year at the club will lend him to being more composed in front of goal, and as long as he stays on his feet more instead of trying to tackle the ball into the goal (on the break), I expect him to have a good year next season.

[Jay29]

Of the strikers mentioned, Negredo is the most similar to Giroud in style and is the better player, though not by much. There's not much difference in their level of finishing despite Negredo's superior numbers, but Negredo is better at holding the ball up and linking up with others and is more mobile. This may not justify the £18mil+ it'd take to buy him, but he's an option.

We have to consider that we may not be able to get the striker that best suits how we want to play and is an improvement on what we have. In that case, we'd have to decide whether to go with Giroud for another year in hopes he improves or more options become available later, or go with a different type of striker and adjust how we play slightly.

[RedOranje]

I can't agree that Negredo is a better player than Giroud... at all.

[JAY-Z]

Yeah, pretty much I agree with Red. Why would you spend 18m + pounds on Negredo when he is not much or not even better than Giroud? It does not makes sense..

[CBarca]

I can't agree that Negredo is a better player than Giroud... at all.

You sir, are correct. Congratulations.

IMO Arsenal ought to go big or go home, buy Higuain or Jovetic or someone of similar quality or don't get anyone. If you're not going to get someone top class use that money for a top class DM/physical presence that you guys have so desperately needed for so long.

[Gooner SJ]

I can't agree that Negredo is a better player than Giroud... at all.

You sir, are correct. Congratulations.

IMO Arsenal ought to go big or go home, buy Higuain or Jovetic or someone of similar quality or don't get anyone. If you're not going to get someone top class use that money for a top class DM/physical presence that you guys have so desperately needed for so long.

I like the way this guy thinks.

[Sushi Master]

Buy Rondon, FFS. He's built for the PL.

I personally still maintain that all the deadwood must be sold (what was it, 200k in wages?) before going after the big players. Then, agreeing with CBarca, a player of quality or an extremely high potential striker must be bought.

But FFS, a DM is a must. A Vidal, Martinez type. A bull, but with enough skill to work in Wenger's tactics.

[TalkingReckless]

Buy Rondon, FFS. He's built for the PL.

I personally still maintain that all the deadwood must be sold (what was it, 200k in wages?) before going after the big players. Then, agreeing with CBarca, a player of quality or an extremely high potential striker must be bought.

But FFS, a DM is a must. A Vidal, Martinez type. A bull, but with enough skill to work in Wenger's tactics.

Rondon isn't known for his goal scoring abilities

[Highburied]

I can't agree that Negredo is a better player than Giroud... at all.

You sir, are correct. Congratulations.

IMO Arsenal ought to go big or go home, buy Higuain or Jovetic or someone of similar quality or don't get anyone. If you're not going to get someone top class use that money for a top class DM/physical presence that you guys have so desperately needed for so long.

*whispers*

I agree with this kid.

Our theme for this summer: 'IT'S NOW OR NEVER'!

We have to take advantage and act quickly.

Why?

Man city, Man Utd, Chelsea will start the season with new managers. I doubt the will have instant success, they need time to build a winning squad. While they need time, we have to win those fixtures but always depends how much money we spent on transfer window.

Gone are the days when the titles are won with bargains.

[GenBlizkin]

We signed Anelka, Henry and RVP for 15mill Combined. There will be another one out there, we just have to find him.

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