First of all, a round up of our current team though the prism of the 8+17 Homegrown rules with those who have left, or very likely to leave in grey.
Homegrown players over the age of 21 (7+4)
Djourou (Center Back)
Mannone (Goalkeeper)
Song (Defensive Midfielder)
Walcott (Wide Forward)
Gibbs (Left Back)
Ramsey (21) (Central Midfielder)
Szczesny (21) (Goalkeeper)
Denilson
Vela
Bendtner
Lansbury
Non homegrown players (13+4 out of a Maximum of 17)
Podolski (Right sided AMF)
Giroud (Center Forward)
Chamakh (Center Forward)
Diaby (Central Midfielder)
Koscielny (Center Back)
Rosicky (Central Midfielder)
Sagna (Right Back)
Van Persie (Center Forward)
Vermaelen (Center Back)
Mertesacker (Center Back)
Gervinho (Wide Striker)
Arteta (Central Midfielder)
Santos (Left Back)
Squillaci
J Y Park
Arshavin
Fabianski
Under 21's likely to be a big part of next season.
Ryo Miyaichi (19) (Wide Striker)
Francis Coquelin (20) (Defensive Midfielder)
Jack Wilshere (20) (Central Midfielder)
Carl Jenkinson (20) (Right Back)
Ignasi Miquel (19) (Center Back)
Campbell (19)
Oxlaid Chamberlain (18)
Benik Afobe (20)
Kyle Bartley (20)
Emmanuel Frimpong
What does this mean?
With the departures of Benayoun and Almunia seemingly leading directly to the purchases of Giroud and Podolski, we've probably been very conservative up until now in the purchases we have bought. Between, Squillaci, Park, Arshavin and Fabianski, I'd expect only 1 to stay allowing us the option for 3 new, senior level signings. Of course more players could leave, including RVP or Wallcott, but as far as any solid news - well, there hasn't been any, and that includes your favourites, Chamakh, diaby, and Djourou of whom I believe will be with us next season.
The 'homegrown' section follows a similar pattern mostly due to players returning from loan. I'd expect we'll probably end up keeping 1, although I wouldn't be surprised to see none being with us next season.
Tips for transfers?
I'd expect 3-4 additional signings before the end of the transfer window.
Defensive Midfield - almost certain that we're in the market for one, and given our pattern of play, our over reliance on Song, and the general analysis from last season where within the games we lost, our ability to stop breaks, through balls or control midfield where weaknesses, especially against lower level teams - it seems that this is a priority transfer this summer. M'Vila, Javi Martinez seem to be the most likeliest options right now.
Goal Keeper - A senior goal keeper to replace Almunia and to provide reliable competition, and cover to Szczesny would be my next big tip for transfer activity. This would ideally suit someone towards the end of there career so don't expect any super star signings here.
Homegrown Midfielder - If more homegrown players end up leaving than expected or particularly good deals emerge (eg, walcott, ramsey), expect AW to start looking at players like Junior Hoilet and Victor Moses for re-enforcements in midfield.
The Marque Midfielder - This is just a hunch, but based of solid reports that Arsenal has, at least, been at the negotiating table of some of the bigger signings of the summer (Kawaga, Hazard) - I would suspect that Wenger is looking out for THE big signing, a flair player that would roam the midfield and create chances. It may even be dependant on RVP or others deciding to leave, bad news on the injury front or how much he might be forced to spend on a CDM, however as a dark horse I wouldn't rule out a late bid on players like Ben Arfa towards the end of the transfer window.
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Originally Posted by McNamara That Ghost...
