One thing most Arsenal supporters will agree upon is that Wenger needs to strengthen the squad. This season has shown Arsenal don't yet have the quality or experience to really challenge for a title. And considering it has been four years since Arsenal's last trophy, this transfer season is arguably the most important yet.
Most Arsenal supporters I've heard believe the squad needs two things:
1. A tall, strong center back.
2. A tall, strong defensive midfielder.
Considering Arsenal's defensive record this season, this is understandable, and Wenger, apparently, is on the verge of signing 23-year old Ajax center back Thomas Vermaelen for approximately £10m ($16m). I don't know much about him--wikipedia says he's Belgian, 6'1 and a full international. But former Arsenal center back, Tony Adams, has claimed Vermaelen is not ready for the Premiership, while Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has fully endorsed Arsenal's interest. I'd tend to lean on Adams' side here, though I can't but suspect that Adams' comments are something of a ploy to divert attention.
Also recently, Mamadou Sakho has been linked to Arsenal, his agent claiming Arsenal are the most interested. I don't know much about Sakho, but he's 19 and has captained his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, at 17 years old. And leadership, despite his age and relative inexperience, is something Arsenal completely lack.
Cristian Zapata of Udinese has also apparently claimed Arsenal's interest. I have a feeling this claim is more to drive up his price (players usually get around 10% of the transfer fee... and Arsenal apparently placed a bid on him last year). But I personally think he'd be a better signing than Vermaelen, though he'd probably cost a good bit more than £10m.
For the defensive mid position, Wenger is apparently experimenting with Nasri, seeing if he can adapt to the position, and in the last couple games of the season, he's played there. I personally think that would be a waste of attacking talent.
Who I think Arsenal should buy/sell:
First, Arsenal should NOT sell ANYONE on the first squad if they cannot get a replacement, aside from perhaps Rosicky, who will never be 100% fit again.
That said, who I'd like to see REPLACED are...
Emmanuel Adebayor: His ego is too big, and while confidence is good, big-headedness is not. He's looked lackluster this season and his transfer saga last summer, quite frankly, made him look like a dick. The qualities he showed during his best season, '07-'08, and even the seasons before--primarily his work rate and persistence, has disappeared. He's always offside, and its incredibly frustrating... he just refuses to put in the energy to go onside. If Arsenal can get £20m ($33m) for him, I'd say take it.
Kolo Toure: I love Toure, but he's lost it ever since the African Cup of Nations last year. We saw during the winter transfer season that he will refuse to be just a squad player (I'd love to see him as a third string center back). To be honest, the only reason I think Arsenal should keep him is to lure is brother Yaya to the club. I hate to say it, because Toure has been absolutely fantastic for the club, but for £15m ($24.5m) he should be let go.
Mikael Silvestre: Ugh. He sucks.
Who I'd (realistically?) like to see at the club:
Mattieu Flamini: He's a jerk for leaving--I think that's the general consensus among Arsenal supporters. Regardless of what we feel about him though, Flamini still claims to love Arsenal and he's Fabregas' bff. He knows the team, he knows the Premiership, and he'd easily slot right back in, and most people agree that he was an integral part of Arsenal's early success in the '07-'08 season. I think he's been recently played more for Milan (after being unable to get a game) but he still faces competition with Gattuso and Ambrosini and Serie A has (or rather, will) definitely lose some of its sheen.
If not Flamini... David Albelda: I've always liked Albelda, who would come cheap and bring some leadership and steel to the midfield. He's aging (31 y/o) but I think he would be a great option for the club for two or so years. People call for Marcos Senna, but I think if Albelda hadn't been inexplicably dropped from Valencia a season or two ago, he'd have been in the Euros and would have been rated higher on the international stage.
Vermaelen/Sahko: The two center backs I mentioned earlier.
Who we won't EVER see at the club. I think...
David Villa: I'd gladly trade van Persie and Adebayor for Villa. I thought he was a somewhat realistic target considering Valencia's financial situation, but I am 100% sure we'll see him at Madrid.
Edin Dzeko: He's going to Milan.
Yaya Toure: He's at Barcelona and would only realistically come if Kolo can pull him in, which probably won't happen.
Giorgio Chiellini: The future of Italy's defense, he probably wouldn't leave Juventus for Arsenal. I'd love to see him at Arsenal though....
Give them a CHANCE!
Arsenal are, of course, known for their youth. As such, there are several players that I think should been given a chance.
Carlos Vela: He's quality. Only 20, a natural finisher whose made the chip shot his signature. He needs more big-game experience though--the few times I've seen him in a game against quality opposition, he's tended to disappear, but again, he's only 20 and just needs experience.
Aaron Ramsey: He's been great for Wales, or so I hear. Still only 18 (he's 2 months older than me...), I hear people call him Fabregas' natural successor, as we all know Fabregas will eventually leave Arsenal, probably for Barcelona.
Alexandre Song: He's REALLY impressed me during the latter half of the season. He goes upfield a little too much when he plays defensive mid, but I think he's a really solid passer, strong, and can win a header.
Kieran Gibbs: He gives Clichy, who had a mediocre season, some competition. I think he'll ultimately be better than Clichy.
Nicklas Bendtner: He kind of got his chance this season, but a lot of Arsenal supporters really got on his back about missing easy chances, etc. He's only 21, he works hard, he kind of reminds me of Adebayor before he became lazy. And he absolutely loves the club. I think the SUPPORTERS have to give him a chance because Wenger has obviously put his faith in the Danish striker. I think he'll be absolutely massive for the club, especially if Adebayor leaves.
We probably won't see a signing until August 31st though, judging by past experience.
