Transfer Targets: Arsenal FC

 My Top 3 Arsenal Transfer Targets

1. Yann M'Vila-Defensive Midfielder. Value- 13,000,000 £

Yann M'Vila is a 23 year old Frenchman who plays for Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League. He was subject to many transfer rumors over the past 2 years with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, QPR, and Tottenham to name a few. M'Vila eventually moved to Kazan for 9.6 million pounds during the winter transfer window. M'Vila fits the mold of a Arsenal player and he is much needed at the emirates. Hes tough in the tackle, good at receiving the ball under pressure, and can distribute fairly well. There isn't a lot of depth at his position excluding veteran Mikel Arteta so he can fit right into the side. With Wenger's supposed 70 Million pound war chest he can be a steal from the Russian side.

2. Angel Di Maria-Winger/Wide Midfielder. Value- 30,000,000 £

Recent rumors suggest that the 25 year old Argentinian may be headed to Arsenal. With Real Madrid's big spending summer and their midfield packed as ever it may seem that he's down the pecking order. This signing can be beneficial for arsenal as star forward Lukas Podolski is out with a hamstring injury. If this signing does occur Di Maria could push Walcott up to his new preferred position; centre-forward. He's a great crosser of the ball and could create many scoring chances alongside Wilshere, Arteta, etc. Sources over at http://www.transfermarkt.com report that he is worth up to 30 million pounds, a record breaking transfer fee for Arsenal & co. Although his price is daunting he can be a revelation for the gunners and possibly help them push for the Premier League title.

2. Wayne Rooney-Striker/Second Striker. Value- 30-40,000,000 £

  

Long speculated to make a move this summer if the 27 year old Englishman Wayne Rooney. Many sources claim that he could make move to big clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, etc. In recent matches Rooney has been playing a recessed role behind in-form striker Robin Van-Persie and it seems to agitate him. Even though this occurs he still puts in man of the match performances, one recently against bidders Chelsea FC! He's had a dodgy relationship with David Moyes ever since he left as a teenager from Everton and it seems to persist. Rooney can create scoring chances out of nothing and is a brilliant passer of the ball., a great trait when playing behind a main striker. This player can set the emirates on fire like Titi did at Highbury. If Wenger can pull this momentous signing it will show Arsenal's intent to win the Barclay's.           

Can Arsenal pull any of these signings off??

© AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM

Corner Marking changes under Tata.

                                                    Tata Martino's Changes 

As you see in the photo above this is pre-tata Barcelona, where on corners they would utilize zonal-marking. Zonal-Marking occurs on corners where instead of marking a single player there team defending the goal marks an area of the 18 yd box. This can have its cons, players being to short or players having no aerial ability. But this can also be beneficial to a team, with these zones players don't have to worry about a singular player and their shortest player may not have to mark the tallest player on the pitch. But I view zonal-marking as a problem for the new Barca, as you see the circles in the photo above I've shown areas where there are players marking a singular man. Now I know zonal covers areas but there is one, maybe even two players in a dangerous position to score. Also the team seems to be on top of each other and this may cause more problems. This creates problems and Tata had to announce this with a change.

    
This is where Tata's change comes into play, the change seems to show more organization in Barca on corners. Even if many football pundits feel that man-marking is not as relevant today it is extremely effective. Famous occurrences where it was effective include powerful defenders like Claudio Gentile and Guido Buchwald against the mighty Diego Maradona in the 1982 & 1990 World Cups respectively. This type of marking can help Barca as their one of the smallest teams in European football right now. They can use this to mark a dangerous aerial presence and get the ball out of the box easier. Martino has a long road ahead of him but this one of the many changes that will occur under him during his Barca reign.

    © AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM