It has been well-documented that Arsenal have not won any trophies in quite a while - the 2005 FA Cup to be exact. But it appears the London club finally has some real firm transfer targets lined up to reload the Gunners stock.This may be the make or break moment for the club because its star player Cesc Fabregas has been linked more and more with a move to Barcelona, and the manager Arsene Wenger seems to be nearing his end of the line with the Gunners as his contract runs out in 2011
Fabregas himself has said he wants to return to the Blaugrana, it seems sooner rather than later even though he contracted to Arsenal until 2014, but wants to find out what Arsenal's plan of action is for the summer until he makes up his mind whether or not to move back to Spain. He has also said he wants an answer about his future before the World Cup, so that a potential transfer is not hanging over his head in South Africa.
But getting back to the transfer targets, Arsenal has already signed French Lique 1 and up-and-coming former Bordeaux sign Marouane Chamakh, who led the club with 10 goals scored in league play and five in the Champions League.
This would be a welcome addition for the club considering I have lamented for a long time how much they need front-line forward depth. When Robin Van Persie went down with a lengthy ankle injury this year, the club really struggled to find regular scoring from its forwards. Fabregas and Arshavin picked up their games - although both those players had injury issues as well - and Nicklas Bendtner also picked up his game, but trust me the guy is no stud like Chamakh
With William Gallas making absurdly extravagant wage demands about a new contract, it appears he will see the door this summer, which will hurt the Gunners' depth on the back-line, but to be honest is not the worst loss ever. He has had plenty of injury stays on the bench and since being stripped of the captaincy two seasons ago to me has not had his heart set on the club.
I love the idea of Hangeland coming to Arsenal. Although soon to be 29, the Norwegian has long been linked to bigger clubs because he is probably Fulham's best player and certainly their best defender. He would a great partner for Thomas Vermaelen, who was a revelation for Arsenal this season, and the two would be fearsome towering targets on corners and restarts in the offensive end. Vermaelen scored 7 goals this past season and Hangeland at 6-5 would be another monster in the box.
The last man that appears to be coming to the Emirates Stadium, Ivory Coast international and current Barcelona defensive midfielder Yaya Toure, who has been very unhappy at the amount of playing time he has received this season at the Nou Camp and said there is a 90% chance he will leave. Toure's brother Kolo was a stalwart for Arsenal in the center of defense until being sold to Manchester City last summer, but Yaya is an even better and more valuable player.
His agent claims, "he is the best defensive midfielder in the world." Although I am not willing to go that far, Yaya is sensational and he would be a tremendous pickup for the Gunners. Manchester United also appear to be a potential destination, but according to Yaya's agent, Arsene Wenger has the inside track.
''Unfortunately, this season, Toure has not played what he would have liked. I think that this is due to a clause in his contract renewal. He has a major financial bonus if he plays more than 60% of official matches of the season."
"Toure is the best player in the world in his position. He can play in defence or as an attacking midfielder, which he showed at Monaco, where he played in five different positions in five games," he added.
"He is happy in Barcelona but I think most clubs in Europe are interested in the services of Yaya Toure. In any case, Arsenal are interested in him and I think we can do something with the club of Arsene Wenger."
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