Arsenal transfer rumours Mar 21st – Hangeland, McCarthy and Sergio Romero
As usual on a Sunday there is quite a bit of Arsenal transfer news around. As Arsenal’s defensive problems mount it was obvious that Wenger would be linked with a few defenders, especially as William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell are all on the wrong side of 30 now.
Wenger was most disappointed to lose out on the young Fulham defender Chris Smalling in January, and the media have decided to revive Arsenal’s interest in his old team-mate Brede Hangeland. Wenger admitted that he was considering a move for Hangeland last summer, but he finally decided against making a concrete offer. Now that Roy Hodgson has finally persuaded the Norwegian star to sign an extended contract, I think there is even less chance of him moving to the Emirates, although it is certain that Wenger will be looking for another defender or two from somewhere.
The next rumour concerns the young Scot James McCarthy. He only moved to Wigan from Hamilton last summer, but has now proved that he can handle the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, and today the NOTW reports that Arsene Wenger sent his chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the 19 year-old last weekend. McCarthy certainly has the markings of a typical Wenger signing, and is one that could be a possible summer acquisition.
The News of the World also reports Arsenal interest in the talented AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero. They say that Wenger is preparing to offer up to £8m for the Argentina international after Romero indicated he is ready to move to a bigger club in the near future.
Romero said: “My career has gone very well in Holland but I came to Europe to play in the biggest leagues and I will soon be ready to move,”
Wenger has retained his faith in Almunia this season, despite a few setbacks, and the Spaniards penalty save against West Ham could be pivotal in this years title challenge. Wenger spoke up in favour of Almunia after the game. He said: “He has taken a lot of stick, not always justified I believe. He had a few problems at the start of the season but in the last two or three months I have found him to be outstanding and credit to him, he has silenced the critics.”
But the fact remains that Almunia is getting on a bit, and with both Fabianski and Mannone being inconsistent when given their chances this season, a lot of Arsenals fans think that Wenger should invest in a top class replacement for Almunia this summer, but I’m not sure he would lay out any cash when he has so many back-ups, especially as he also has the young Pole, Wojciech Szczesny, impressing on his loan period at Brentford.
I’m sure most fans would think that these three would be good signings for the Gunners, but does anyone think that Wenger will actually buy any of them?
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update:: Arsenal transfer rumours Mar 21st – Hangeland, McCarthy and Sergio Romero http://bit.ly/c0vnGw
One can only hope that these rumours are true because our defense is shockingly thin, and if we want to be able to win any trophies or possibly defend any trohies(fingers crossed)next season then we must bolster our defense first and foremost.
No. Hangeland wont be coming.
McCarthy, maybe, but not so likely.
Romero, not sure whether he can fit in Almunia position or not.
But it is still vital for AW to look for a GK.
We can’t rely the season on Fabianski or Mannone.
Its way too risky!!
Defender,I hope AW bring Nordtveit back frm loan.
romero did not impress me at all in the CL group stage, letting cescs shot roll past him into the net and with the rest of his general decision making and play.
i think people need to understand that the goalkeepers at arsenal are of a high standard, they just do not get as much protection as a gk of a team that is built on defence like a mourinho team. they are also vital to the way they play with their skills as a sweeper and distribution, which i believe in all the arsenal keepers are above average.
is it coincidence that cechs form has dipped after mourinho and his defensive organisation left chelsea, and julio cesar is now rated as one of, if not the best in the world??
just something to ponder for the doom and gloom brigade.
would’t mind mccarthy at arsenal, and as i said before we need 2 c/d next year with gallas campbell and silvest all past 30, but hopefully we’ll have djoujou next season back
to full fittess he and vermaleen could form a solid pairing,
would gallas stay knowing he’d be sub more often then not?
campbell could do another year i think,so if we go and get mccathy and maybe another teenager (not sure if any of our youngsters are ready yet please let me know)then i think we have good c/denfenders next season, as for goalkeeper romero i doubt wenger spend 8mil on a goalie so doubt that will happen. keep the faith and keep cheering the lads on have a great week every one
NO QUITE
just note to my earlier comment? just read notw article about mccarthy,and hes a midfielder not a central defender,so i doubt wenger will want him,we got loads of midfielders coming through so why buy another teenage midfielder(we have eastman wilshire randell to name a few) when we need defenders more? keep the faith everyone
McCarthy is Irish by heritage. He would be a great signing. He will be a top player.
PLEASE NOT ROMERO, this guy has howler written all over him.
as for defenders, wenger is either going to go for someone experienced or put his faith in johann, hes quality but depending on him would be like depending on rvp to last an entire season.
*YAWN* Hangeland not coming, McCARTHY who? We have enough potentials. Romero is not what we need. I’d rather see what Szczesny and Mannone have to offer, so a better goaling far in their 30s with Almunia as back up and Fabianksi sold. All in All we won’t be doing much signings unfortunately. Maybe a couple with a defender coming in, but Wemger would rely on Djourou, Nordtveit, coming back as “new signings”
I would like a world class keeper as i think a world class 1 could get a team 7-10 points through out the season thou i think almunia is decent and if he was 2nd choice i think he wud b the best 2nd choice keeper in the league.We need 5 CB we can have faith in. Vermaelen if Gallas stays Djourou. Then an experienced player and another younger player.Then Chamakh on the free and we would have a good all round squad.
I would give my eye teeth for hangeland. He is the exact player we need in the position I think is the most important to our team.
We`ll know a lot more after the Champions League even before the World Cup until then the media has to earn a quid.
Arsene enjoys giving us surprises, he`s like dad watching his kids open their Christmas presents and seeing the looks on their faces. Johnnie has been expecting a bike (Chamakh)but what`s in the other sack? We`ll have to wait and see.
Jack (not the Aussie one)>
Good points that no-one normally appreciates. Consider also that Almunia is one of those keepers who will improve with age – he’s actually still just getting to his peak.
He may not be the best in the world, but he’s as good as any of the vaguely available keepers.
I think Almunia is on form we need a defender but not agoal keeper,Mccathy will do good if wenger can trap him.
I dont think that Mr Wenger can buy a goalkeeper at 8milion
pounds,besides we have Manone who I think should be given m
ore playing time than Fabi.
GOONER FOR EVER.