Arsenal’s Tough decisions

The transfer window in the English premier league is now opened and this season’s transfers shall play an equally important role for Arsenals place in the champion’s league and the FA cup which kicks off this weekend. January transfers present Arsenal’s Manager Arsene Wenger with a wide selection of players to sign for the club to clinch anything meaningful in the European football fiesta. Speculations of Wenger signing Manchester United’s Portuguese international Nani is still on and Arsenal fans are still waiting for the surprise that Wenger said he would unveil in January.

Despite the loss at the St. Mary’s stadium Arsenal’s Manager is expected to poke in to Southampton changing room and sign Luke Shaw who may be the youngest January signing.

Thierry Henry will not be loaned to Emirates stadium as it happened a year ago where he raised chances of Arsenal league standings and made the pride of London finish 3^rd after the champions Manchester City and bitter rivals Manchester united and London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs finishing 4^th and the blues of the Stamford bridge Chelsea finishing 5^th and also the European champions. With Chelsea out of the UEFA champions chase Arsenal may have tough options to face as this signings may decide the fate of the gunners in the race to win a trophy since 2005.

If Arsenal goes the reminder of the season unbeaten then the gunners will finish the race with 87 points.

Arsenal needs to strategize on attacking options as despite having a quite nice defense a lot has to be done with finishing. Walcott has showed outstanding performance in the last 6 games and he may sign the contract as off now no club has had meaningful bidding of the English international. As of 2^nd of January Walcott’s agents said they have scheduled a meeting with Arsenal on Monday 7^th January and by all planning if Walcott scores in the FA game against Swansea may boost the chance of the 23 year old Winger and now a front forward.

Walcott has proved an outstanding top scorer after the Newcastle game that left the Gunners widen its goal difference from 15 to 18 after Walcott’s hat trick hence full time score standing at 7-3. Critics have argued that Wenger may subscribe to Walcott’s demands if the game against Southampton is anything to go by.

Despite the poor performance at St. Mary’s stadium Walcott’s free kick which was converted to be an own goal may show how the striker has learned to be a top scorer at Emirates stadium.

This weekend Arsenal will face Swansea city at liberty stadium in a rather unpredictable FA cup round 3 matches. If the previous English premiership league performance is anything to go by, will Arsenal loose against Swansea. As of now the gunners may not be in a position for the premiership race but team’s composure is vital. It’s evident that Arsenal is better without Gervinho and Ramsey in the first 11. Over the last 5 games played by Arsenal, the team improved from position 9 to position 3 before settling in all time position 5.  If Wenger signs better winger and a defender and also having player rotation Arsenal may be the team London will be proud to be associated with.

Demba Ba seems to be undecided on whether he should be headed to Emirates stadium or the Stamford Bridge. His agents are purportedly to have held talks with Chelsea and so Wenger may be thinking of signing a decided player who will move the team’s position to the level of championship.

In order to get the best deal from Manchester united, Wenger may be heading for old Trafford to sign Nani who is currently nursing injury since November 3^rd during Arsenal away game at the Old Trafford where the Gunners lost 2-1. Nani will cost the Gunners €12million and a revised wage of €90,000 a week.

As it has been the trend of Arsene Wenger, he may think of signing players from smaller teams hence signing Wilfried Zaha and Liverpool’s goalkeeper is part of the expected signings. However, in the late 2012, Wenger promised the gunners that he would make big signings, so what surprise is that?

Wenger has been the manager of Arsenal since 1996. He is however, faced by the worst challenge ever as Arsenal manager for the next 5 weeks if Arsenal is to finish in the top 3 in the premier league and also remain vivid in the FA cup.

The campaign kicks off on Sunday 6^th with FA cup round 3 game with Swansea city AFC. After an impressive draw at the Etihad stadium to Manchester City Arsenal welcomes the Blues of Manchester in yet another football fiesta on 13^th January. The gunners later travels to Stamford bridge on 20th for a London Derby. Will Arsenal beat Chelsea at home? 3 days later Arsenal will welcome West Ham on 23^rd Jan. in the 1^st leg Arsenal beat West Ham 3-1. A week later Arsenal will be a guest at Anfield to battle with Liverpool on the 3 points on 30^th January. Liverpool lost to Arsenal at Emirates 2-0. On February 2^nd Arsenal meets with Stoke City at Emirates stadium after draw in the 1^st leg of the league.

If Arsenal wins the next 5 games it will see the team league points increase up to 48. The leader Manchester united now stands at 52 points with 21 games played and with a goal difference of 26 goals.

The major question lies here, will Arsenal stop Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City at Emirates, and Liverpool at Anfield, Bayern Munich and Swansea city at Liberty stadium?