Arsene Wenger is ready to reshape his striking options during the January transfer window. The Arsenal manager has a decision to make regarding the immediate futures of fringe forwards Yaya Sanogo and Lukas Podolski.

But while Wenger is making that choice, he’ll also have to rethink his options for a new defensive midfielder. Mooted prime target Sami Khedira seems content to remain with Real Madrid.

The German World Cup winner’s decision is the best place to start this particular round of transfer speculation:

 

Khedira Wants to Stay with Los Blancos

Khedira has explicitly made clear his desire to stay in the Spanish capital as part of the 10-time European Champions’ squad. The rugged 27-year-old made the claim to German publication Stuttgarter Nachrichten (h/t Off The Post writer Rob Parker):

If we can reach a solution, I’ll be very happy. I’m confident that soon I will get more of a chance to play. There are other players in my position but that competition is healthy.

As good as Khedira can be, Arsenal may have dodged the proverbial bullet with this one. Khedira has been blighted by injury woes for some time now.

In fact, he’s made just seven appearances in all competitions this term, with six coming off the bench, per ESPN FC. The same site details how Khedira made only 21 appearances during the previous season.

That dubious fitness record makes Khedira a questionable candidate to really help an Arsenal squad crippled by its own laundry list of injuries. With Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all injured, Wenger needs durable players for his midfield.

There’s also the not-so-small matter of Khedira’s wage demands. Back in the summer, when links between Arsenal and Khedira were strongest, the Gunners were reportedly put off by the player’s demands.

Khedira apparently wanted at least £150,000 per week, according to Daily Mirror reporter Darren Lewis. Given the player’s injury record it’s understandable Wenger balked at a deal on that scale.

It’s equally understandable when you consider that Khedira isn’t exactly the defensive-minded destroyer Arsenal probably need. At his best, the Los Merengues ace is a player who loves to drive forward on powerful runs aimed at arriving late into the box to finish off an attacking move.

Wenger’s squad already has that type of player in the form of a fully fit Ramsey. The rest of the Arsenal midfield is geared to let technical flair players such as Santi Cazorla shine.

What this midfield really needs is a natural anchor to shield the defence and win the ball for forward-thinking maestros. B/R’s Ryan Bailey and Janusz Michallik recently discussed players more suited to this particular role:

If Khedira is determined to fight for his place in Madrid, the decision won’t hurt Arsenal too much in the long run. Neither will thinning the ranks up front.

 

Wenger Trying to Loan Sanogo in Bid to Keep Podolski

Attack is the only area of the team where Arsenal are well-stocked. At least in theory. With that in mind, Wenger is attempting to thin the ranks, but he’s trying to be selective about it.

Part of the plan apparently involves offering Sanogo on loan. That could be Wenger’s ploy to keep the frustrated Podolski around a little longer.

A report in La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football-Italia.net) suggests Wenger has made such an offer to Serie A side Inter Milan: “Instead, he asked Inter if they would like to take 21-year-old French forward Sanogo on loan for six months. There could also be an option to buy at the end of the season.”

This follows reports that Inter are still keen on acquiring Podolski. That’s according to Daily Express writer Jamie Anderson:

The deal will consist of a season-long loan with Arsenal asking for a fairly sizeable £5million fee, but Inter are only prepared to pay £3m.

Podolski has yet to play a 90-minute Premier League match this season, and is clearly irked at having to warm the bench for Arsene Wenger.

Podolski’s future is always a contentious issue for the Gunners. The Germany international is certainly work shy, but few can dispute his quality in front of goal.

Podolski is arguably Arsenal’s classiest and most efficient finisher. Even in a season when he’s barely featured, the 29-year-old has had little trouble finding the net.

Podolski has scored three times in just seven substitute appearances, according to the official club website. But even that level of unerring consistency can’t sway Wenger to trust the ex-Cologne and Bayern Munich striker more often.

However, the Gunners chief did appear to quash any reports of Podolski’s marginalised role being the precursor to an inevitable sale, per the club website: “If you find players who are happy when they don’t play you have a problem. He [Podolski] will play.”

Certainly, in terms of proven scoring ability, it makes more sense to retain Podolski than Sanogo. The latter probably needs a loan after struggling to make the grade at Arsenal.

Granted, the raw 21-year-old hasn’t been helped by injuries. But that can’t mask the fact that the one-time Auxerre product hasn’t seized his opportunities, scoring just once in his brief Gunners career.

Aside from Inter, FC Lorient are reportedly keen to take Sanogo back to France, according to Get French Football News.

Whatever his choice, Wenger has the luxury of ample options up front. Star summer signing Alexis Sanchez is flourishing. Fellow new arrival Danny Welbeck certainly isn’t, but at least he’s a willing worker.

Thankfully, Theo Walcott is back from injury and ready to re-establish himself as Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking threat. Wenger will need him to after natural centre-forward Olivier Giroud earned a red card during the 2-1 win over QPR on Boxing Day.

His imminent suspension will stretch Wenger’s resources somewhat and could put an experienced forward like Podolski back in the frame. Wenger could even call on promising but little-used prospect Joel Campbell for help.

Whoever leaves this January, Wenger still has the strikers to cope. His real issue will be reinforcing the ranks in midfield and at the back.

Khedira might not have been the most suitable target. Wenger still needs to prioritize finding that player in January.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311549-arsenal-transfer-news-latest-rumours-and-speculation-as-january-window-looms
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