Arsenal Could Take Advantage of Manchester City's Extravagance

Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of defenders since the start of this transfer window, but as of yet, only Laurent Koscielny was signed to strengthen the defensive line.

But that isn't enough, considering the number of defenders who have already left Arsenal this summer. There is a dire need for more defensive reinforcements as early as possible.

However, Arsene Wenger is not showing the urgency. Perhaps he's not willing to spend, even though he has cash at his disposal. Having conceded more than 40 goals over the course of last season, one must be wondering why Wenger hasn't brought in a world-class name already. It's not too late though.

The stumbling block that's mainly hindering Wenger's pursuit of defenders is the unwillingness of teams like Everton and Werdern Bremen to part ways with their star players.

There isn't any need for the aforementioned teams to sell their players, so you can't expect them to sell their best players for anything but an exorbitant sum. And you also can't expect the pragmatic Wenger to offer outrageous money.

So, where will he find players who are good enough to play for Arsenal, as well as quite within his transfer kitty? You shouldn't look beyond Manchester City to find the solution.

City have been hyperactive in the transfer window and have already signed a few top-notch players.

However, with the new FA rule stipulating only a 25-man squad, City are being forced to sell quite a few players. Arsenal must look to take advantage of this.

With the arrival of Jerome Boateng and Yaya Toure, many talented defenders of City may well like to secure a move to a team that could offer them regular first-team football.

Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards may not get that many games, with Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure, Boateng et al ahead of them in the pecking order. However, both Kompany and Richards aren't fringe players; they've got enormous experience in the Premier League and they are both young.

You may like to have a versatile player like Kompany in your team. He could easily fit into the heart of the defence as well as into the defensive midfield slot.

But with top-class midfield enforcers like Gareth Barry, Y. Toure, and Nigel De Jong ahead of him, Kompany would be thinking twice about his future at Eastlands.

Manchester City, with a need to trim their squad, would listen to any reasonable offer for players who aren't expected to play a key role in their coming season, and Kompany isn't expected to play that many games.

City would be willing to sell Komapny for a fee close to £10 million, and that's a reasonable buy.

The player would be more than willing to join Arsenal, as the first team action is guaranteed on a regular basis. He could also provide cover for Alex Song. At 24, he's wealth of Premier League experience and is a proven player in the top-most league.

The situation is not any different for Richards too. He would want out of Manchester City as quickly as possible. Having already let his love for Arsenal known in the past, it wouldn't take too long to reach personal agreements with this talented youngster.
 
He could also be available for a similar sum as that of Kompany. He's still improving and has all the potential in the world to evolve as one of the best in the world.

The plus point by signing either of these two players is the minimal risk-factor.

Both aren't new to the Premiership arena, so could straight away go into the first team, without needing much time to adapt. Moreover, there isn't any need to break the bank to sign either of them.

You all know how good Arsenal's goalkeepers are, so I am not going to question their ability. The fact of the matter is, if you need to end the disastrous barren-spell, you need a change of goalie.

The solution to the goalkeeping woes, too, could be found at Manchester City. Joe Hart was one of the star performers of the Premier League last season, while playing for Birmingham City on-loan from the Eastlands club.

However, even those performances wouldn't be enough to dislodge Shay Given as the new No.1 at the Eastlands.

In addition to that, Hart has already hinted that he wouldn't be happy sitting on the bench. And you can't keep such a talented keeper on the bench for the whole of a season, expecting your first-choice to be injured at some point in time.

Robert Mancini might not want to lose a highly-rated English player, but may listen to loan offers. A loan deal will be ideal for Arsenal, as well as for Hart, who is also vying for a regular spot as the first-choice England goalkeeper.

For nailing down a regular spot in the England set-up, he needs to play regularly, and that isn't possible if he stays at City. Hence a loan deal to Arsenal could very much be in the cards, but only if Wenger does want to address the goalkeeping situation.

On the other hand, Wenger's lukewarm approach doesn't suggest that he's on the lookout for a new netminder. After all, he has a lot of belief in the ability of Lukaz Fabianski and could stick with him. Do I need to say more?

With Fabianski guarding your goal, you could even lift the Champions League trophy, can't you? He would keep the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at bay, just like the way he did against FC Porto at the Dragon stadium last season.