WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on August 28, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Adam Fradgley - AMA/WBA FC via Getty Images)
5 Signings Arsenal should make in January
by Ryan Willox
MANAUS, AMAZONAS – AUGUST 09: Alex Morgan of USA looks on prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Women’s Football match between Colombia and USA at Amazonia Arena on August 9, 2016 in Manaus, Brazil. (Photo by Chris Brunskill-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
5. Alex Morgan
This one might seem like it comes straight out of left field but there is method in the madness.
Arsenal are competing in a global marketplace. They are fighting for the hearts and minds not just of fans in North London, or even Northern Europe but on a worldwide scale.
Arsenal Ladies were once the dominant force in English football, and remain the only English side to have won the women’s version of the UEFA Champions League.
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That Champions League (or UEFA Women’s Cup) title was ten seasons ago and they haven’t added to their record of 14 top flight titles since 2012.
Ironically, they are fast becoming the Arsenal of women’s football.
Three FA Cups in four seasons have keep the championships coming, but the introduction of the professional Women’s Super League has allowed Chelsea and Manchester City to catch up.
While the Gunners have had stellar performers throughout their history like Julie Fleeting and Kelly Smith, they have lacked that stratospheric superstar.
Alex Morgan would be that player.
Imagine the benefit commercially and in terms of branding of all those suburban soccer tweens running around in red and white Morgan 13 jerseys across America and beyond.
Commercially she would pay any fees and wages back in spades.
Let’s not forget the dynamic talent that would enhance the Gunners’ attack, providing that vital spark to stem the rising tide from across London, Manchester and beyond.
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<p>That Champions League (or UEFA Women’s Cup) title was ten seasons ago and they haven’t added to their record of 14 top flight titles since 2012.</p>
<p>Ironically, they are fast becoming the Arsenal of women’s football.</p>
<p>Three FA Cups in four seasons have keep the championships coming, but the introduction of the professional Women’s Super League has allowed Chelsea and Manchester City to catch up.</p>
<p>While the Gunners have had stellar performers throughout their history like Julie Fleeting and Kelly Smith, they have lacked that stratospheric superstar.</p>
<p>Alex Morgan would be that player.</p>
<p>Imagine the benefit commercially and in terms of branding of all those suburban soccer tweens running around in red and white Morgan 13 jerseys across America and beyond.</p>
<p>Commercially she would pay any fees and wages back in spades.</p>
<p>Let’s not forget the dynamic talent that would enhance the Gunners’ attack, providing that vital spark to stem the rising tide from across London, Manchester and beyond.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Jan Oblak </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426946" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2768,w_4000/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F12%2F535153214-real-madrid-v-club-atletico-de-madrid-uefa-champions-league-final.jpg" alt="" width="4000" height="2768" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/535153214-real-madrid-v-club-atletico-de-madrid-uefa-champions-league-final.jpg 4000w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/535153214-real-madrid-v-club-atletico-de-madrid-uefa-champions-league-final-768x531.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 4000px) 100vw, 4000px"><p class="wp-caption-text">MILAN, ITALY – MAY 28: Goalkeeper of Atletico Madrid Jan Oblak in action during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Club Atletico Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro on May 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">4. Jan Oblak</h3>
<p>Perhaps a more realistic target would be Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.</p>
<p>While Peter Cech has been performing admirably enough between the sticks, the fact remains that he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning.</p>
<p>Colombian international David Ospina is a very capable ‘keeper in his own right settling for a reserve role in club football at the moment.</p>
<p>Arsene Wenger would not hesitate to call on him as required yet Ospina has never really convinced in the Premier League.</p>
<p>Either way, Arsenal are going to need competition for Ospina when Cech calls it quits.</p>
<p>What Arsenal definitely need is a real presence in goal and there is a case to argue they have not had this for almost ten years.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/CR-8cgsmaDw?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Wenger inherited David Seaman when he arrived in 1996, and Jens Lehmann was a cute acquisition from Borussia Dortmund who served Arsenal well.</p>
<p>Oblak could be that dominant figure at the back for the Gunners and at 23, signing him would echo Manchester United’s capture of a young David de Gea.</p>
<p>Atletico’s asking price of over 80M pounds will be a test of Wenger’s mettle but will the Frenchman finally put Arsenal’s money where his mouth is?</p>
<p>Oblak could been Arsenal’s ‘keeper for a decade, and what a legacy that would be for Wenger to leave whoever his successor becomes.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Saido Berahino </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-427026" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2392,w_3377/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F12%2F597620618-west-bromwich-albion-v-middlesbrough-premier-league.jpg" alt="" width="3377" height="2392" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/597620618-west-bromwich-albion-v-middlesbrough-premier-league.jpg 3377w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/597620618-west-bromwich-albion-v-middlesbrough-premier-league-768x544.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3377px) 100vw, 3377px"><p class="wp-caption-text">WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on August 28, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">3. Saido Berahino</h3>
<p>Saido Berahino could not be making it any clearer that he does not want to play for West Bromwich Albion.</p>
<p>The Burundi-born England under-21 international became a hot commodity a couple of seasons ago when he notched 14 Premier League goals.</p>
<p>Since then, Berahino has long been associated with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, who have seen multiple bids for the striker turned down.</p>
<p>What better way then for Wenger to get one over on his rivals by swooping in ahead of them?Berahino would be a gamble but with his contract expiring in the summer the Baggies are likely to want to cash in in January.</p>
<p>With that in mind, he may be available at a decent price.He fits in with the general style of play at the Emirates but would likely be a bit more heavyweight than the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.</p>
<p>With less miles on the clock that those two, Arsenal would look Berahino to put a run of games together.</p>
<p>The Gunners play Swansea, Burnley and Watford plus an FA Cup tie in January – what price say six Berahino goals in those games?</p>
<p>The hope for Arsenal would be that a new lease of life in different surroundings would spark a return to form, and give the Gunners a genuine alternative to Olivier Giroud.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Julian Draxler </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-427066" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2276,w_3000/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F12%2F625921116-fc-ingolstadt-04-v-vfl-wolfsburg-bundesliga.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2276" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/625921116-fc-ingolstadt-04-v-vfl-wolfsburg-bundesliga.jpg 3000w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/625921116-fc-ingolstadt-04-v-vfl-wolfsburg-bundesliga-768x583.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px"><p class="wp-caption-text">INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 26: Julian Draxler of Wolfsburg in action during the Bundesliga match between FC Ingolstadt 04 and VfL Wolfsburg at Audi Sportpark on November 26, 2016 in Ingolstadt, Germany. (Photo by Deniz Calagan/Bongarts/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">2. Julian Draxler</h3>
<p>On the face of it Wolfsburg’s German international is much of the same as Arsenal already have.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>However, what the Gunners need are added dimensions.</p>
<p>They need players who will drive and shoot instead of pass laterally again. That burden cannot fall solely to Alexis Sanchez.</p>
<p>In tandem with a Berahino signing, Draxler would offer Arsenal that ‘plan B’ that Wenger has never seemed to have.</p>
<p>It would push the Oxlade-Chamberlain’s and Walcott’s to put up or shut up.</p>
<p>Comfortable off both feet, technically proficient and dynamic, Draxler again fits the mould of a Wenger player.</p>
<p>He would give an added option that would negate the need for Wenger to wrap his players in cotton wool.</p>
<p>In common with Oblak and Berahino, Draxler is young at 23 but proven at the higher level.</p>
<p>With Real Madrid sniffing around Mezut Ozil, Arsenal need a capable replacement, and not another French under-17 prospect.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Ralph Hasenhuttl.......or Diego Simeone </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426947" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/03/5-signings-arsenal-make-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2066,w_3000/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F12%2F625763708-sc-freiburg-v-rb-leipzig-bundesliga.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2066" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/625763708-sc-freiburg-v-rb-leipzig-bundesliga.jpg 3000w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/12/625763708-sc-freiburg-v-rb-leipzig-bundesliga-768x529.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px"><p class="wp-caption-text">FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 25: Ralph Hasenhuettl head coach of RB Leipzig before the Bundesliga match between SC Freiburg and RB Leipzig at Schwarzwald-Stadion on November 25, 2016 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">1. Ralph Hasenhuttl…….or Diego Simeone</h3>
<p>Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season after what would be 21 years in charge.</p>
<p>While there may be a temptation to match Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26, the truth is that all good things must come to an end.</p>
<p>Even with a trophy-laden final season, that is what 2016-17 probably should be.</p>
<p>RasenBallsport Leipzig coach Hasenhuttl is the golden boy of the coaching world at the moment.</p>
<p>The Austrian masterminded newly promoted RB Leipzig’s ascent to the top of the Bundesliga.</p>
<p>Hasenhuttl has been coaching in Germany for about ten years and has a track record of elevating teams on a budget.</p>
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<p>Regardless of where Leipzig finish, he will likely command a shot at a big club. Why not Arsenal?</p>
<p>Simeone meanwhile is the anti-Wenger, which is why he is a good option.</p>
<p>The Argentinian would take the elaborate, flowery football of Wenger and imbue it with strength and steel – what professional’s might call ‘nous’.</p>
<p>You would imagine Simeone as a shorter term appointment, maybe three years, which it seems is about standard for top bosses now.</p>
<p>Hiring an exact opposite might be the way to ensure Arsenal don’t endure any post-Wenger blues in the way Manchester United have following Ferguson’s departure.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
