With the thrills and chills over our unrealized mega-signing of Robinho now well and truly behind us, we can look forward to the winter transfer window.

One of the main names to shine there is Andrei Arshavin, whom we ( at least on here ) were very interested in after his electrifying performance during the Euros.

Now, over the last couple of weeks I have read on multiple occasions that he may be on his way out of Zenit. He obviously wants a transfer, that much is clear from his and his agent's comments ( I also seem to recall he refused to train with his club or something of the kind in protest of his fee being too high ). He also wants to play for a big club - I know Tottenham were interested in him, but he explicitly said he would only play for one of the top 4 in England; and with our dear neighbours from North London currently in the position they are in, they are out of the race for him surely. Furthermore, Zenit have already secured the services of a replacement for Arshavin - a young lad, don't remember the rest of the details.

All of this means to me they are ready to sell. But are we ready and, more importantly, willing to buy ? We all know the guy is a class act. Every time I see him play ( though not that often) he looks like a player who can unlock defences - he just makes things happen for his team and that I believe is the mark of a great player.

We also need a player like him upfront. We wouldn't have been so adamant we sign Robinho otherwise. Here one can argue that we have some players coming good right now (Malouda, Kalou), but how much can we rely on them as the season progresses ?

He is also more of a long-term project and we all know what short term patches can deliver (Maniche and Anelka anyone ?)

On the downside, he won't come on the cheap, the reported fee for him varying around 20-25 mln, although I do expect for it to drop somewhat come wintertime. Then again, we were prepared to pay even more for Robinho, so that should not be an issue at all if we really need him.

The biggest problems with this transfer is that he is cup-tied in the CL. The only argument that can be made here is he is still going to be able to rest some key players for the CL.

Of course, it really comes down to whether Scolari wants him or not. I am more interested in your opinion, as I myself feel he will be a great buy.

I don't feel he would be a GREAT buy, but definately a worthwhile one, I think Arshavin is a good player, don't get me wrong, and yes he did have a good performance in the Euro's on a few games, but there was a few games where he was useless as well..

Also, the standard of football in Russia is nowhere near as high as it is in England, which obviously gives Arshavin more chances, easier convertions.. basically all he needs to make himself look better than he actually is, I could see Arshavin becoming a bit of a Malouda, over-hyped.. But still a decent quality player in his own right..

Personally I don't think he would do anything too amazing for the club... But hey that's just me.

If we were to buy anyone in the winter I would love to see a out and out proven goal scorer, Anelka's not brilliant and Drogba isn't getting any younger, I wish Robinho was ours :)

give him a BIG miss... overrated

I think were pretty much covered throughout the squad now.

Arshavin would need to improve his game to get in our 1st team at the moment, with Malouda and Kalou starting to show some form.

We will also have Deco back very soon, so no I dont think Arshavin is needed by us, also can I add neither was Robinho.

If we do buy a player in Jan, imo it would need to be for a center forward who scores goals when given the opportunity, someone like Michael Owen comes to mind.

Ideally if money is no object and were looking for a top draw striker, then it would have to be Benzema, but he would cost us about £80M probably.

From what I've seen of Arshavin, he seems pretty over-rated - and he's not exactly a youngster either.

As coco says, the one position we're short in is a striker, though I hasten to add I can't possibly agree that Owen would be the answer - he makes Darren Anderton look like Mr.T (Owen that is, not coco) ;)

My preference would be Huntelaar, he's young, strong, and as far as I'm aware, not cup-tied. Even if he is cup-tied I don't care - he'd still be an excellent signing for the rest of the league season and indeed for the future.

I think I have touted Huntelaar for long enough, he's young, has a brilliant attitude, and works hard whenever I've seen him play, and he's young!

Benzema would be a great option, but he is cup tied, and I don't think we need to sign someone we can't use on all fronts.

Also, with Kalou, Cole, Malouda, and Deco all filling in the attacking midfield options, I don't think we need to sign another one.

Also, if we were to break the bank on another striker, Aguero would be my top choice there too. I think he would be more realistic as a summer signing. If we were to go for Huntelaar in the winter, and Aguero in the summer, that would eb pretty brilliant!

Scott

I think we should upset old red nose and stick a hefty bid in for Tevez ;)

Arshavin is one of the few names that come to mind who could cover the support striker/attacking midfielder/winger role that Robinho was earmarked for.

However, he's still going to be overpriced, and he will be a gamble as he's only really got 3 outstanding matches at the Euro's, and Zenit's good run against sub-standard opponents in the Uefa cup last season to show for himself. And if we get him in January, he's going to be cup-tied.

I wouldn't rate him any better or worse than what we currently have in Joe Cole, Malouda and Kalou. If we got him, it would definately help our current squad depth problems, but I don't think he's going to automatically walk into the first team in front of any of those guys.

If we could get him for >15 million, then maybe we should do take the risk. If Zenit are still holding out for something around the 20 mil mark, then forget it.

P.S. Don't agree with anyone who thinks a 27 year-old is "too old" for us to think about signing. At 27, we should get at least 5 good years at the peak of his career. Anyone who thinks players don't get any better after age 24 plays too much Football Manager. Look at Drogba for a good example.

However, he's still going to be overpriced, and he will be a gamble as he's only really got 3 outstanding matches at the Euro's, and Zenit's good run against sub-standard opponents in the Uefa cup last season to show for himself. And if we get him in January, he's going to be cup-tied.

Sub-standard teams like Villareal, Marseille, Leverkusen, Bayern Munich & Rangers? I could understand your point if they'd got to the final by playing teams from Malta, Luxembourg & Slovenia, but they clearly didn't.

P.S. Don't agree with anyone who thinks a 27 year-old is "too old" for us to think about signing. At 27, we should get at least 5 good years at the peak of his career. Anyone who thinks players don't get any better after age 24 plays too much Football Manager. Look at Drogba for a good example.

I think 27 is too old for an over-rated and extremely over-priced player. Arshavin just isn't good enough, and at 27 he's not likely to improve much either.

From what I saw last Summer, Arshavin had one, maybe one and a half good games, which set the rumour mill and publicity machines going full swing, followed by a dramatic loss of form, to the extent that in his last game of the tournament, it was difficult to remember he was even on the pitch.

I think we should upset old red nose and stick a hefty bid in for Tevez :P

Spiced up with the threat of a lawsuit over Mikel and that bid need not even be hefty. :huh:

For 20-25+ Mil I just don't think it is worth it.

25 Million = 4 Joe Cole's. Okay we got a hell of a deal on that one but just to put it into perspective.

Edited October 13, 200817 yr by Kev123

arse shavin in winter? not for me, i like to have a nice downy bungholio for winter, keeps me warm when playing footie in the freezing cold and rain.....

arse shavin in winter? not for me, i like to have a nice downy bungholio for winter, keeps me warm when playing footie in the freezing cold and rain.....

So you do all of your arse shavin in the summer then, dkw?

So you do all of your arse shavin in the summer then, dkw?

hell yes, need to cool down it these red hot summers we have ..... :P

arse shavin in winter? not for me, i like to have a nice downy bungholio for winter, keeps me warm when playing footie in the freezing cold and rain.....

:D :D :D

Great post!

Scrap Arshavin! He's an over-rated player, go for Sergio Aguero! Young, Skillful & really talented, we should go for it.

My thinking is like a lot of the others in that he's a good enough player who would only strenghten the squad but not add anything that wonderful to the team. At 27 he's not going to improve a whole lot and would omly push some of the youngsters further down the line.

Any signing we are to make in future I think should be no older than 23. If you look at our squad over the past few years it's getting progressively older and I'd guess maybe the oldest squad of the big 4.

Edited October 25, 200817 yr by goose

Kenyon has already practically said the wallet is closed and no-one will be coming in January...so you can forget arshavin

Kenyon has already practically said the wallet is closed and no-one will be coming in January...so you can forget arshavin

a lot can happen between now and then.

i'm of the same ilk as most people here, don't bring in Arshavin.

a lot can happen between now and then.

i'm of the same ilk as most people here, don't bring in Arshavin.

im really struggling to take this thread seriously, everything in it is a double entendre. "dont bring in arshavin" "scrap arshavin" etc... its like a carry on film.

Given the price tag they want for him, it's unlikely that they'll bring him

Arshavin wants Barca or Chelsea or Man Utd. And at this moment, we are the only ones in need of a playmaker. But do we have the money? Source

Meanwhile, Scolari has asked for a playmaker who can dribble for Chelsea : Source

Edited December 17, 200817 yr by kalpitv

If they can't get the money for Alex, Malouda or Kalou I can't see where the money shall come from as Scolari has to sell before buying.

Ah and I forgot Ivanovic may leave, too.