We can sign big players – lets get out of the mindset that we can’t!

During the last few days I have seen us linked with a few players; Micah Richards, Robert Green, Martin Caceres and Kaka. There are some things I would like to analyse following these rumours. Having visited a few forums to get the lo-down on what Gooners think about these perspective signings (?) I noticed a few things; the first one being their views on possible transfer fees. Many value Richards around the £20 million mark and to me this is a fair price. The guy is young and the level of quality he has now can only improve. He will be a fantastic defender for years to come and class comes at a price. Rio Ferdinand moved to Manchester United for just over £30 million and this emphasises the money required to improve teams right now. I know Wenger has a great track record with finding young talents. However he would be hard picked to find one with the same ability of Richards at such a tender age. Wenger said he would sign a player if he wanted him and he had the right quality and the board had his backing money wise. No wonder with cash turnover of around £70 million!

The Kaka rumour is more of a small statement that he likes Arsenal. Quoted as saying: “I like Arsenal” should he ever consider a move from the San Siro. Not for one minute am I saying we will get Kaka but this rumour leads me onto my next point. I quote here from one forum:

“Kaka wouldn't come to us anyway; it’s a pipedream if you think we'll be in the race to sign him should he ever leave AC Milan”
“Barcelona, Real Madrid - They are the stumbling blocks of any English team that has wet dreams of Kaka”

This mindset is present in quite a few Arsenal fans’ minds and it annoys me to boiling point. 4 years ago kaka would not have joined us because we could not afford the transfer fee. Now we can afford such a figure and that is the first problem out of the way. Kaka said “Chelsea and Liverpool are more tactically-oriented; they base themselves on solidity and organisation. They are maybe less creative.” Kaka is a fantastic footballer and is currently in a brilliant team that knows how to play Football. Arsenal knows how to play better than anyone on their day and this would appeal to Kaka. He would fit perfectly into our slick passing and fast moving side and it seems he knows it. Again this is another reason Arsenal stands out. If he wants to come to the Premiership that rules out these supposed “stumbling blocks” and with Arsenal’s new found wealth we are very much near if not at the front of the running to sign him. Again I don’t want to sound like I think we will sign Kaka but I am trying to put the point across that we are able to sign such players. We have the resources, talented players are already in place, and a great manager who is settled at the club; what makes other clubs more viable options?

When Arsenal released their economic statistics for the past year I wasn’t surprised we were suddenly linked with more players than normal during September and October. I decided to look at who is out there that could improve our team and why we would sign them. With Jens Lehmann seemingly discontent at the club he may well leave during the next transfer window. Who is out there as a possible signing? Again I emphasise this is not who I think we will sign but who I personally wouldn’t mind seeing at the club:

Robert Green – The News of the World linked us to Green with a fee of £6million pounds quoted. This is not a bad price for a decent keeper. His last two appearances against Arsenal have been outstanding; he was the sole reason they grabbed a 1-0 victory at the Emirates last season and kept the game alive recently at Upton Park. Green has always had potential and is a good shot stopper but he is prone to an error and his ability at crosses can be brought into question.

Gianluigi Buffon – The Italian keeper stayed loyal to Juventus when they were relegated but it seems they have been struggling this season and are not in Europe. For a keeper of Buffon’s standards not playing in Europe is something very strange. The price would not be too high for these reasons. He may want a new challenge and to go to a team in Europe would be a necessity. Arsenal are on the look out for a keeper until Fabianski has got to the high standards the club expect, Buffon is the perfect age and his quality is unquestionable.

Jussi Jaaskelainen – out of contract in the summer, adapted to the Premier League and a quality shot stopper. He has been a key part of Bolton over the years but is rumoured to be looking for a new challenge at a bigger club. With Bolton struggling it is unlikely he will remain at the Reebok. He could be a clever signing, either in January for a small fee or in the summer for nothing

At the back the jury is still out on whether Senderos has enough to cope in the Premiership. Many times his lack of pace has been exploited and I will look here at possible signings who are maybe more adept to the English league: Micah Richards I have mentioned above

Micah Richards – I have mentioned him above but will reinforce his attributes – pace, strength, power, aerial ability and amazing work rate.

Vincent Kompany – Playing his football at Hamburg he has done the sensible thing in taking his career slowly. He has moved up the ladder gradually and soon will want to move to a bigger club. Like Richards he has pace and strength and good timing in the tackle. He has the attributes to fit the English game.

We are full in the central midfield department but out wide we may lack something. There is sometimes a lack of balance on the left as we have no natural left footed winger who will get to the byline and whip crosses in to the box. The way Wenger likes to play with an attacking midfield player playing out there and cutting in works well but sometimes I feel we need another option. So who’s out there?

Morten Gamst Pedersen – Blackburn are out of Europe and are never likely to break in to the top four. Pedersen is their main creator, with his crossing and dead ball skills. He can go past his man and pass the ball around with ease. He has adapted to the Premier League already and should he want a bigger challenge the fee would not be as high as possible other targets.

Mancini – The Brazilian has shined in Roma’s team over the last year or two. He has brilliant skill on the ball and is playing in a good football playing side. He would fit our style and isn’t afraid to take a knock, so it seems in the few games I’ve seen of him.

Up front we have four strikers; five if you include Walcott. If Bendtner decides to move on (as reports suggest) then Wenger will probably look to bring another player in:

Diego Milito – Signed permanently by Zaragoza because of his fantastic record in La Liga last season. He scores goals for fun and is a poacher. He can score headers, scrappy goals and beautiful goals.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar – The Ajax forward will surely jump at the chance to move to a top European side and test himself in a league of a higher standard. His record in Holland is second to none and the guy has done it at International level aswell. He could have the same affect Van Nistelrooy had on the goal scoring charts over here. As a Gooner I hate to say this impact was a very good one!