Arsenal Transfer Speculation: 5 New Players the Gunners Don't Need

As much as I hate talking about transfer rumors—especially outside of a transfer window—a maddening international break is upon us.

So, without any football to pay attention to, I have come across numerous stories linking Arsenal with one player or another in the January transfer window.

While there are some players that Arsenal certainly need and are worth their transfer fee, some of the men mentioned are of little benefit to the club and would be surplus to requirements.

If Arsenal should buy any of these players in the next transfer window, it will only be a waste of money and an unsettling influence to the dressing room.

Young French defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila has been frequently linked with Arsenal, but his arrival now would make the same amount of sense it always has: none.

That is simply because Arsenal are stacked with talent at the position the Frenchman plays. Alex Song is as good a defensive midfielder as there is in the Premier League, and he is deputized by two extremely eager and capable youngsters in Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin.

M'Vila can play in a more advanced position as well, but with Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and later Jack Wilshere occupying that role, there would not seem to be a function that M'Vila could comfortably fit in the squad.

Coquelin in particular has expressed his frustration, and it would make little sense to spend upwards of £25 million on a position that is already overflowing with talent.

A couple months ago, I would have said that Jan Vertonghen should have been firmly on Arsene Wenger's radar, as the boss desperately needed defensive reinforcements.

Now, though, with the purchase of Per Mertesacker, the stunning development of Laurent Koscielny and the return of Thomas Vermaelen, I struggle to see where the Belgian would fit into the side.

A man of Vertonghen's stature and talent would surely be unhappy to play the role of third- or fourth-choice center-back, even at a club like Arsenal.

I can't believe I am finally saying this, but Arsenal actually do not need another defender.

No Arsenal transfer speculation can be complete without the mention of at least one talented young attacker, can it?

Borussia Monchengladbach's 22-year-old starlet has been showing his raw talent in the Bundesliga this year, but even his manager admits that he is not ready to make the jump to a bigger club.

And seriously, do Arsenal need yet another young wing prospect, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo Miyaichi, Wellington Silva, Oguzhan Ozyakup and Sanchez Watt all chomping at the bit to get a place in the first team?

I don't believe so, and Arsene Wenger should have the sense to concur.

If Arsene Wenger wants to strengthen his central and attacking midfield options in January, Valbuena is not the man to buy.

Extremely slight of stature, Valbuena is generously listed as 5'6", and would not appear to be a player suited for the bashing a team like Stoke City would give him in the Premier League.

He does possess considerable quality on the ball, but there are simply better options available. Mario Gotze is one example. At just 19 years of age, the German has many amazing years ahead of him compared to Valbuena, who is 27.

And let's not forget that Arsenal have their very own midfield starlet, Jack Wilshere, making his grand return around the transfer window, as well.

Again, we return to the case of a young and promising winger who inevitably gets linked with Arsenal due to their reputation for signing and developing young players.

The Nigerian Musa plays at the outstandingly named Dutch club VVV-Venlo, and has impressed at a young age for both club and country.

But again, there would seem to be little purpose to signing Musa other than stocking the youth system with as much young wing talent as possible without playing Ryo Miyaichi at goalkeeper.

While Musa may be a promising prospect, he, like the other players on this list, is not the right man for today's Arsenal and would merely be surplus at a club that does not require his talents.