The Arsenal summer so far

Ed note: We’re contonually looking for writers to add to our team. Today we feature a round up of the Arsenal transfer activity so far by Tom Marshall-Bailey.  Enjoy.  – DAG

It has been a whirlwind transfer market thus far for Arsenal, and better yet, there could be more to come. Following on from the astute addition of Lukas Podolski earlier this summer, the club have also now concluded the exciting signing of Olivier Giroud.The purchases of both Podolski, who recently won his 100th cap for Germany, and the Frenchman have proved that the club has ultimately learned from the well-documented haphazard transfer policy that occurred in the aftermath of one of the Gunners’ darkest days – THAT defeat to Manchester United.

Sealing these two early transfers gives us the added benefit of being able to bed them into our squad, and perhaps most importantly our footballing ethos, as well as signalling real intent ahead of a crucial set of contract talks with club captain and talisman Robin Van Persie. The doubt over Van Persie’s future has been the only cloud over what has been an otherwise very successful summer so far for Arsenal and a new deal for the Dutchman must surely be the next issue on the club’s agenda. Contract discussions with Theo Walcott, who of course has just one year left on his contract and is rumoured to be unhappy about how little he has been approached regarding new terms, and Alex Song, who has two years left to run, are other highly important factors in our recruitment drive this summer but Van Persie is clearly the priority.

The ironic thing concerning Arsenal’s different stance this summer, in securing two international strikers before the transfer market officially opens (July 1), is that even though it is showing Van Persie that the club mean business as they look to win their first silverware since 2005, it may also appear to be a contingency plan in the event he leaves.

Of course, the Dutchman should be excited at the prospect of linking up with two brilliant attacking options, but he may also consider the idea that the club are now perhaps over-stocked in the forwards department and are becoming less adamant on keeping him at the club. It remains to be seen what Van Persie will decide to do this summer with the likes of Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain and Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala casting a keen eye over negotiations in the coming weeks.

Either way you look at it, Arsenal can consider themselves to be in a far healthier position than last year. Only Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was being labelled as “just another kid” had been purchased and with Cesc Fabregas gone and Samir Nasri seemingly non-committal to a new contract on the table the club were, quite naturally, in a desperate situation. Following on from the Old Trafford debacle, we signed Park Chu Young, Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta.

Now, say what you like, but for me personally, only two of these have been immediate successes. And not surprisingly, the two have vast Premier League experience. Our two deadline-day buys of Benayoun and Arteta helped to steady the ship, and having played for a number of seasons over here, they were able to adapt to the club seamlessly. Mertesacker and Santos have shown promise, but both are not acclimatised to the rigours of the Premier League in my opinion and have struggled against clever attacking teams, the big German’s lack of pace still proves to be a serious worry for my health, let alone others. Park, I feel hasn’t been given a chance by Arsene Wenger, but then who am I to question his judgment?

Our two new signings will be given a full pre-season to get to know their team-mates, get a feel for the style of football we demand at the Emirates Stadium and most importantly get some solid match practice under their belts. Our plans for next season are shaping up very nicely and once you consider that two of Wenger’s five priorities, yes five, are out the way, you begin to see how Wenger, Ivan Gazidis and chief negotiator Dick Law want to set the club up nicely ahead of the new campaign. Many are already talking of a title challenge. It’s early days for that just yet, but having watched various teams since the ‘Invincibles’ flatter to deceive, it is nice to see Wenger signing experienced players to help us in our quest for trophies.

So, Podolski – check. Giroud – check. Van Persie & Walcott contracts – up next. And then the fifth part of the masterplan – Yann M’Vila.

The Frenchman has been the a player that Arsenal have been heavily linked with  since last year and both the French. Now the top two targets are on board, fans will want to see a third added to what is set to become a lengthy list of signings.

A true DM like M’Vila is certainly what Arsenal need. Song has already proved that his defensive work is far less consistent than his attacking instincts. His distribution to Van Persie at times last season was nothing less than exceptional. It has resulted in Mikel Arteta being our most defensive-minded midfielder, with the Spaniard happy to sit and look after those behind him while the likes of Song, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey orchestrate play in front. With Arteta missing though, there is no natural defensive shield, something the club has sorely lacked since the departure of Gilberto Silva. This is where M’Vila could prove such a crucial cog in the machine and at a price tag of around £17m, defensive problems which have haunted the club for what feels like an eternity could finally be solved.
Rumours have emerged that Wenger has been far from impressed with the Rennes player’s attitude after a series of off-the-field incidents including recent arguments within the French camp.

Fans have been quick to argue that Van Persie had an attitude that Wenger took a risk on and should do so with M’Vila, with the argument: “look at Van Persie now.”
Whether Van Persie’s contract is extended or if M’Vila does indeed join the already bulging options open to Wenger next season, the club can be proud of their activity in the transfer market, a far cry from last summer, at least.