What a game! Stunning goals and overall two teams playing well!

Full Highlights

1-0 Merida

1-1 Insua

2-1 Bendtner

This week and continuing from the close of the summer transfer window Arsenal have been linked with many players, the majority being more young possible acquisitions. However today I have set out to attempt to reveal what players are realistic signings in January.

Eden Hazard

Hazard is an attacking midfielder currently playing for Lille in French Ligue 1. He is very short at only 1.7 metres tall but is super quick and already has a great passing range at only 18. The Daily Mail and Daily Mirror both have reported this story and although both papers don’t have the best rumour to signing ratio it sounds like a signing Wenger would make. The Daily Mirror reported he was so keen to scare off interest he would offer around 5 million in January. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd and Inter Milan have all shown interest but Hazard has declared himself that as a child he dreamed of playing for Arsenal or Real Madrid.

Gregory Van Der Wiel

Van Der Wiel is the 21 Year Old right back of Ajax. It is reported that Wenger was keen on the player after spotting him whilst watching Vermaelen. Ajax rate the player in the £7 million bracket and seeming Sagna is ageing in the Wenger age range it seems it may happen. i don’t belive Wenger see’s Eboue as the replacement for Sagna and he is only a year or so behind his age so it seems a realistic chance, if not in January but in the summer. After Thomas Vermaelen has been so good Wenger may be tempted. Gavin Hoyte is the only right back coming from youth and Pedro Bothelo who’s on loan seems a bit of idiot, causing havoc wherever he goes.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Another young right back this time playign his football  at Osasuna. He is a very bright proposition and Wenger believes he can steal him from the Spanish club for only 2 million. Azilicueta is 20 and would be a good signing due to his potential and at only £2 million would attract Wenger like nothing else.

The list is a bit short isn’t it?

Hence the title realistic signings that is the answer to your question. Currently Wenger knows he will need to replace Alex Song On the window but is not sure how to do it. I don’t believe he will go for Vieira and I think St Etiene will price themselves out of a sale by rating Matuidi at around £15 million. Wenger probably is eyeing a 27 year old player who is unsettled or is wanting a new challenge who we haven’t heard of but I’ll leave that to him.

REMEMBER TO TUNE IN AFTER TONIGHT’S GAME V LIVERPOOL FOR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS!

Good times lay ahead, we know that anyway. But…. Good times could be 99% assured this season should we sign two players this January. I know it is a while off January at this time but I’m sure Wenger is already looking ahead so shy shouldn’t we. I’m not gonna mention the papers because as soon as the window shuts they are looking for the next window moves, but anyway.

This January we could do with a back up Centre Back for Vermaelen and Gallas and a experienced player who can take the CDM role when Song Leaves for the cup of nations.

Song has been playing brilliant so far this season and is continuing to improve every game he plays in red, but in my opinion because Denilson will only be reaching match fitness by the time Song leaves, we can’t just throw him into the team with little fitness and awareness. This could be catastrophic.

Ramsey is not the sort of player who can play that role because he likes to get forward, and although I believe he is good enough, he has virtually no experience to get us through tough game, which I’m sure await.

People are bringing up the idea of Viera, I believe this is the wrong way to do things. Sorry to all those who want him back but he won’t be the player of the past. I would prefer a player of around 27 or 28 with the legs for our play but with tons of experience. Such a player I’m not sure of but I know I will get suggestions in the comments so fire away.

We need good back up Centre Back. Silvestre and Senderos are not good enough. Full stop. We have Nordveit but he’s on loan in Germany and won’t be recalled and Djourou who is good is injured for the duration.

Therefore a good CB is a must. Who I shall let you decide in the comments again because I’m getting lazy. So keep the comments coming!

With these two additions I’m sure we would win two trophies this season, my bets are The FA Cup and League. Am I mad or down to earth, you decide!

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not prepared to send Fran Merida out on loan this season.

The 19-year-old Spaniard enjoyed a short spell back in his homeland in the 2007/08 campaign after being allowed to join Racing Santander.

There had been talk of a similar deal being struck this summer, with the teenage midfielder keen to experience regular first-team football.

Spanish second division outfit Levante were reported to be looking to strike a deal, with Merida believed to be interested in making such a move.

However, Wenger insists the youngster will be going nowhere as he remains part of his plans for the 2009/10 campaign.

“Wenger has spoken with Fran and was very clear with him,” said Merida’s agent Joseba Diaz.

“The season will be very long and he could be needed at Arsenal, so there is no chance of a move.”

Despite initially expressing an interest in a loan switch, Merida claims he is happy to stay at Emirates Stadium after being given assurances by his manager that he will be given every opportunity to prove himself.

“The fact that the coach wants me to stay has given me a lot of confidence and that is very important for me,” he told Radio Nou.

“From this moment I will be giving my all to earn an opportunity in the first-team.”

Sunday’s papers is awash with loads of transfer news this morning which hasn’t been the norm for quite a time now; I will digress.

Eboue to Fiorentina

I haven’t posted this story on Arsenal-highlights this week because I was unsure of it’s roots but it seems now that there is firm proof that Fiorentina among other clubs will bid for Eboue, although personally I can’t deem it to be the £8 million which the media have reported.

The Viola coach, Cesare Prandellim, has admitted he would love to have Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue at Fiorentina next season:

“Eboue is a very important player,” he said. “In attack he is second to very few players in his role.

“I’m not going to look at other positions because first we want to evaluate what we have in order not to make the slightest mistake in the market.

“We have to make targeted moves. Eboue has characteristics which we are definitely looking for.

“We want to attack a lot on the wings and so we need players who are good at forcing their way through and with good technical skills too.

“I repeat that this Arsenal lad has a stand-out driving force.

“I don’t want to think about other roles at the moment, also because he is not yet our player.”

To add to Fiorentina’s move Athletico Madrid has been linked after a move last January failed as well as according to his agent other Spanish links.

£7 million bid for Chelsea striker Kalou

The news of the world is reporting this morning that Arsenal are planning are £7 million bid for Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou. Kalou earlier in his career had a trial at Arsenal before moving to Feyenoord then in 2006 he moved for £8 million to Chelsea. Arsene has continued tracking him ever since, and Kalou admitted last year he would love to work under Wenger.

Kalou may be eager for a move seeming last year he only made 17 appearances for the blues and scored 10 goals. he wants to hold down a regular starting place and maybe Arsenal can provide that. Whether he is the type of player I and most want us to sign is another issue.

£15 million bid for Huntelaar + Lee Catermole

Contradicting reports that Harry Redknapp has flown out to agree personal terms with the forward, The Sunday Express prints that Wenger is about to bid £15 million with the unwanted forward of Real Madrid. Although The News of the world are reporting that Redknapp has flown out to Amsterdam to agree personal terms after an £18 million fee was arranged. How could this be after yesterday the Spurs boss said financially it would be out of his reach?

The Sunday Express are also reporting that Arsenal are also planning a “£10 millon bid for Lee Catermole which would be a good signing in my view.

Wenger leading the chase to sign Brazilian wonderkid Wellington

Finally the News of the world is saying Wenger is leading to sign the Brazilian wonder kid Wellington after beating competition from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd and Chelsea. The 17 year old had a week long trial in December and impressed Wenegr in a youth game versus Norwich. The player has yet to sign a contract with Fluminense and is ready to sign a lucrative deal to England.

Nigel Clough current Derby County manager is very near to securing Mark Randall on loan for the season an hopes he can complete the move before their pre-season tour.

“I think we’ve got the okay from Arsenal that he will be joining up with us on Tuesday and hopefully he will feature in two out of the three games, probably Tuesday and Saturday,” said Clough.

“This week will be ideal to have a look at him with a view to a loan – maybe to January or maybe for the whole season.

“There is no point coming training. You can only see a certain amount in training but this way we can see him in games.”

My opinion on the deal

I think this is a good deal for both parties because Mark Randall can gain good championship experience throughout this season because he wouldn’t of been playing first team football for Arsenal and it also slips a few quid from our wage bill. Not much but every little helps!