Emmanuel Adebayor looks to be heading out of the Emirates
Stadium this summer. He has been heavily linked with moves to AC Milan, Inter
Milan, and surprisingly Chelsea. Many fans (including myself) have criticized
Adebayor for his disappointing performances in the games that were most
important this season. Okay, true, he had a sublime effort against Villarreal
that might go down has one of the best this season, but I forgot he was on the
pitch until he scored that goal. As well he was invisible in the FA Cup
Semi-Final against Chelsea, and in
both legs against Man United for the Champions League he was terrible. In the
2nd leg he managed a mere two shots the whole game. For a striker that claims
to be one of the best in the world and talks about winning trophies for
Arsenal, he sure fails to back his talk up when it counts the most. Many fans
only regrets is that we did not cash in on him last season. However, at this
point in time, I honestly think Arsenal cannot afford to sell him. Right now he
is the only capable striker we have that has the ability to be a "game
changer." Yes, I know selling him would open up funds and offer Walcott,
Bendtner, and Vela a chance to step up, but right now I just don't see any of
them replacing him yet. As well, van Persie's contract is near up, and if we
let Adebayor go, and then RvP, we are going to have a torrid time winning the
Carling Cup, let alone the Champions League. I am for selling Adebayor, but the
market just doesn't have the people that Arsenal will buy to replace him. David
Villa and David Silva are both too expensive for Arsenal's likes, and Santa
Cruz is another injury-prone striker.
It won't take a rocket scientist to explain why Arsenal is
focusing on defense this summer transfer window. Arsenal's defense has looked
lost at times, and with constant injuries to Gallas and Clichy,
fans have seen Arsenal play nine different defenders in the back this season
(two of which, weren't defenders). That's why Brede Hangeland
looks set to be one of Arsenal's top targets this summer. The 6 foot 5 center back from Fulham is
going to cost in the region of £15m, and should sure up Arsenal's defense
immediately. Hangeland has been part of an extremely impressive Fulham side
that has let in only 32 goals this season (and yes that is less than Arsenal,
who let in 36). £7.5m rated defender, Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax
has also been linked with a move to the Gunners. Other defenders connected with
a move to Arsenal so far have been Bolton defender Gary
Cahill, however he’s going to cost the Gunners £20m....Everton
defender Joseph Yobo is also on the wish list, however he
recently signed a new contract with his club.