Strike Partner Needed

With the departure of Togolese international, Emanuel Adebayor, Arsenal's Dutch stiker, Robin Van Persie is looking for a new pal to score goals with next season. There is no doubt in my mind that the over confident Bendtner, who stated last season he believes he is the clubs best striker, thinks he is fit for the job. Eduardo has had his injury problems in the last couple seasons but he is a worthy candidate for the position as well. Does Arsene Wenger back his club's strikers enough to trust they already have what they need to succeed or does he have a plan B? Nobody would be surprised if he pulled some name out of a hat from Arsenal's youth program. The Gunners are in desperate need to perform next season. They are in need of a immediate change at the Emirates. Will they turn to the transfer window that Wenger is often times afraid to look out of? Let's see what they a brewing up top in North London and who is applying for the new job availability.

1. Nicklas Bendtner: He looks to be a good potential replacement for Adebayor. He is 6'3, same height as Adebayor. With plenty of time to grow Bendtner is only 21 years of age. He has found it difficult to break into Arsenal starting 11 in his time at the club. Obviously full of a confidence and can brush criticism, he wore a pair of neon pink Nike Vapors for part of last season. However, fearless, even in that respect, is what all strikers need to strive to be like. Sure he looks promising, but does the Dane have the talent to deliver enough goals that Arsenal requires from a starting striker next season? He appeared 48 times for the Gunners last year in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and helping out with 4 assists. Those aren't bad numbers for the youngster. However, he should have had more goals. Everytime I watched Bendtner last season, I cringed at some of the "must score" opportunities he most certainly should have been celebrating, but failed to convert. If he cleans up his act in front of the net, he could develop into a good striker, but in time for next season? We'll see.
   


2. Eduardo: Arsenal's number 9 is often seen on the sidelines due to injury. He suffered a catastrophic, compound leg break in February of 2008 due to a tackle from Martin Taylor, a Birmingham FC player. The images of the leg twisted and tangled underneath Taylor are enough to make even the non squeamish look away. The injury sidelined Eduardo for many months. When finally making his return to full fitness he suffered a series of smaller injuries keeping him out of play even longer. He only appeared 4 times for Arsenal last season, but did manage to score 3 goals. The Brazilian born Croatian international is looking to put his niggled past behind him and put together a good season this time around. He is obviously capable at playing at the highest level. He was the Croatian league's top scorer in 2006, and 2007 and has been an incredible marksman for the national team. Before his almost career ending leg break in the 2007-2008 season, Eduardo scored 8 times and had 6 assists appearing in 26 matches in all competitions. Can a rejuvenated 26 year-old fill the void left by Adebayor?
   


3. Jay Simpson: We all know how much Arsene loves his young guns. Jay Simpson will be looking to break into the first team more frequently next season. The 20 year-old is a big frame. He is 5'11 weighing in at just shy under 190 lbs. A part of Arsenal's youth academy since the age of 13, the sizely, young striker has appeared a handful of times for the Gunners. Despite being loaned out to a handful of clubs, to help the youngster's experience, he scored 2 goals in 3 appearances in Arsenal's run at the Carling Cup last season. in the 2007-2008 season, Simpson was loaned out to Millwall where he made 41 League One appearances, 34 of them starts.
   


4. Carlos Vela: Wenger has spotted another promising prospect in Arsenal's young Mexican, Carlos Vela. Known for his left foot, the boy signed for Arsenal in 2005. He was the top scorer in the 2005 U-17 World Championships. In his teenage years at Arsenal he was loaned out to a series of Spanish teams where he gradually started to make significant contributions. The 20 year-old made 29 appearances for the Gunners last season. He tallied 6 goals and 3 assists. He is a special player that can bring a spark to the match. Perhaps he could sneak into the starting XI next season.
   


5. Marouane Chamakh: Chamakh isn't a Gunner as of yet. However, when Arsene Wenger was aware that Adebayor may be leaving the club, he said he would swoop for the the Moroccan international who is currently at Bordeaux in France. The 25 year-old looks to be a decent replacement for Adebayor. We all know how good Wenger is at uncovering talent. He scored 13 goals and had 6 assists for the France based club last season. Could he be the next Adebayor? There are a lot of similarities between the two. Both are African players that Wenger has discovered succeeding in Ligue 1. Maybe Chamakh is the new Adebayor, the ideal replacement.

Whoever the replacement is needs to really make an impact. The Gunners cant afford another bad season at their high standards. They are boosted by the return of another wounded soldier, Rosicky, but will he be enough? Probably not. They need goals to succeed and Van Persie will be eager to discover who it is after he recently signed a 5 year contract extension with the club this summer.

Viva el futbol y Hala Madird

Bobby

This Week's Shock Transfer Stories and Rumours

There has been a lot of big talk of big money moves for big players going to big clubs this week. Follower's of Futbol de los Inhos (FDLI) have thrown their bits and pieces in about the big news spotted through the transfer window at their favorite clubs. The people wanna know. What's going on? Where do I start when the names of fan favorites such as Viera, Terry, and Tevez are tangled up in the press? Those aren't the only players in speculation as Arsenal's lanky goal scorer, Adebayor, Lucio, and Inter Milan's Maxwell seem to be on the front of the tabloids as well.

Manchester City have finalized the move for Argentina's caveman-like striker Carlos Tevez after the player spent two years on loan from West Ham United at City's cross town rivals, Manchester United. Tevez who completed the £25 million deal this week was fan favorite at Old Trafford. Despite, being constantly bumped out of the starting line-up to make room for Dimitar Berbatov, the fans obviously protested the fact they thought Tevez would be leaving the club in the summer as they made signs and banners encouraging his performances and doing the best they could to extend his welcome. Tevez admitted deep sadness to the press on several occasions, admitting that the club had made him no offer to stay. He apologized to sympathetic fans and praised them for all their support. It looked like a sad movie break up as club and footballer were set to part. Finally, earlier this summer, the Red Devils offered the Argentine a contract and a chance to stay with the supporters who loved him. His answer: No. Instead he moves to cross town rivals, Manchester City. I haven't spoken to many Manchester United fans about the issue but I'm sure they are less than pleased. It is a certainty that Carlito will not receive the warm welcome he is used to from the United faithful when City visits Old Trafford in the upcoming season.

West Londoners were shocked to hear that Chelsea skipper, John Terry was in favor of showdown talks with the club this week over a £40 million transfer to Manchester City. Often looked upon as Chelsea's fearless leader, it is a bit out of the "blue" for the always passionate center back to consider leaving the club that has made him the footballer he is today. Would Terry really want to leave the club he bleeds pride for or is he simply using it as a bargaining chip to get Chelsea FC to make a more direct approach for action in the transfer market this summer? After all, he is the captain and should have a say in what the team needs. Perhaps he is playing the club for the hope of a better contract despite being the Blue's highest paid player. Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes believes that the light blue looks tantalizing to Terry because it would be a new challenge. However, it hardly would be. He has won the league, gotten as physically close to winning the Champions League as possible without capturing its glory and won English domestic cups with Chelsea. He has a better chance with his current club than with City to do all of the listed above. Chelsea's chief executive, Peter Kenyon has extinguished any rumors of the captain leaving the club as Chelsea rejected the second bid from the Eastlands yesterday claiming Terry is not for sale. ''We are not going to sell John, so it is irrelevant what another club will offer. We are very confident he will be leading us in the years to come.'' To me Chelsea just isn't Chelsea without John Terry. It would be sad for football to see him go.

Manchester City have made yet even more noise with the Adebayor project. The Togo international seems to be moving closer to a move to the Eastlands than his early summer link with Italian Club, AC Milan. He seems to surely be on his way after passing a medical, being granted a work permit, and received permission from Arsenal to leave. Another £25 million deal looks to be in order for the 6'3 striker who scored a total of 15 goals last season for the Gunners last season in all competitions. There will surely be a void left up top as Van Persie will be looking for another strike partner. Arsenal already has Eduardo, Arshavin if needed, and Bendter along with a handful of youngsters, but can one of these forwards help restore Arsenal to glory this season or will they look to the transfer window? The pressure is on the Gunners because they have underachieved in the past couple seasons. With all the strikers at City next season, Mark Hughes could be setting himself up for criticism from the beginning with forwards Tevez, Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz, Bellamy, Benjani, Caicedo, and now Adebayor all looking for the same 3 spots at the very most. I predict exits from the Eastlands just as much as signings.

Ready for a shock? Picture one of the greatest Arsenal captains of all time wearing a Spurs kit. You might have guessed it. Patrick Viera has been heavily linked with his former club's arch rivals on a free transfer to Tottenham from Inter Milan. Any Gunners fan would be crushed to hear the news but the swoop for the French legend is becoming more apparent every hour. The Midfielder has already turned down offers from homeland club Paris Saint Germain and Birmingham City. It's unthinkable for Arsenal supporter but crazier things have happened such as Luis Figo directly to Real Madrid from Barcelona (should have treated him better). The 33 your-old states he is simply looking for the chance to play since the "Special One" has not made him a priority in Italy. He enjoyed his time in London and seems eager to return.

Viera isn't the only player on the way out of Inter Milan. Yesterday, Barcelona made one of their few transfer moves of the summer with Brazilian defender, Maxwell. The 27 year-old was agreed to a £4.5 transfer fee to help the Catalan club defend its many titles next season. The left back had fallen out of favor with Jose Murinho to teenager Santon back in Italy and will now be challenging Eric Abidal for a place under Pep Guardiola.

Well, here is one for you. Considered by many the greatest Brazil center back, Brazilian Lucio is on the move to Inter Milan. As you have read, it has been mostly one way traffic on the way out of the Italian champions but the 31 year-old is set to receive a 3 year contract. Lucio who may have grabbed the attention of Murinho, in his outstanding captaining performances in the Confederations Cup with summer with champions Brazil, has been at Bayern Munchen since 2004. He now looks for a new test in Italy.

Well I can't speak for anyone else but I would need a hell of an amount of Asprin to deal with the selection headaches Mark Hughes will face on his front line. City look a bit top heavy at the moment. Would Chelsea's JT help even out the squad? Will North London go up inflames if the Yids capture Captain Viera? I'm anxious to see.


Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid,

Bobby