We've recorded our first win of the season, albeit just a 1-0 victory. Chelsea have come out of the blocks firing, with a thumping 4-0 victory against Pompey but United were held at home by a disciplined Newcastle side. Liverpool grabbed a late winner against Sunderland despite Sunderland being the better team and of course the "top four side this season" Sp*rs lost once again on the opening day of the season to an Aliaidiere inspired Middlesborough side...

Our performance was decent, a good display, decent passing and a goal from Samir Nasri. We had Eboue in defensive midfield and based on Saturday's performance, he is arguably better in that position that right wing or righ back. Will he stay there, who knows? Arsene maybe. But it was evident that against the big teams, our central midfield may not survive. Okay, so we have Cesc and the forever injured Diaby to come back, but we know we can't rely on an injured player to fulfill a void. Arsene says he wants to buy and acknowledges that the team needs "another body" and I fully expect him to buy someone very soon.

Will Arsene buy the defensive midfielder we need this week?

It’s International week (boy, do I hate the mid-August friendly – it makes no sense!) and that may give Arsene the time to focus on this new signing.

So, it’s time to take a scour of the transfer market and see who is available and whether we’d be in for them…

Gökhan Inler

Gökhan Inler is a Swiss international who currently plays for Udinese in the Italian league. He’s known as a bit of a “hard man” and has also interested Juve and Milan. His compratriots Senderos and Djourou are already at he club and Inler is a similar age, just 24. We’ve been in discussions with Udinese and if the player does have a £7.8m buy out clause as discussed in some papers, the signing may be a reasonable one price wise for a decent player. Inler’s agent has said:

 ”It’s true to say that I have had a meeting with Wenger and we had a very positive discussion”

Although Udinese’s general director has insisted they won’t sell.

‘Enough talk about Inler. His agent and I have already said it but I will say it once and for all: Inler is not for sale.’

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry is a very good player indeed; we all know his strengths and ability to play alongside a more creative player – cite Barry and Gerrard for England. He is also quite creative with good passing ability. But I don’t think Barry is what we need. We have Nasri, Cesc, Rosicky and Denilson all of whom have the creativity required for a central midfielder. What we lack is a “terrier” such as Gattuso or Flamini – a player with high energy levels and good stamina.

Barry has been part of the saga between Aston Villa and Liverpool whereby Villa demanded £18m for the player. He’s now cup-tied for the Champions League so I really would be surprise for us or Liverpool to sign the player now.

Xabi Alonso

A lot of fans are quite excited at the prospect of Alonso joining us this season. He’s fallen out with Kop boss and it’s been obvious his chances would be limited with Mascherano and Gerrard the first choice and their boss looking to bring in Barry.

However, Xabi Alonso is a player we don’t need. Macsherano replaces Alonso in midfield for Liverpool because he can tackle and cover defensively. I don’t think Xabi has this to his game. I don’t think he’s fast enough pace either to hold down this position.

Ever Banega has signed for Valencia, so is out of the picture…

Jean II Makoun has signed for Lyon so is no longer an option…

Lorik Cana currently plays for Marseille and their president has said they will not sell. They don’t have a replacement and don’t need the money, so I can’t see this happening…

With Djourou playing well alongside Gallas, it’s possible we’ll recruit from within. A comment in June from Timao read:

Wenger has said he wants Song as a centre-back. So maybe Kolo Toure will move into the DM role? Either way, it is the centre of defence that we need to strengthen. Our ability to defend aerial balls into the box is not good enough. Maybe two good central defenders is what we need and Flamini’s job can be done by any of Diaby, Kolo, Song or Djourou – or Gallas???

Of course Gallas won’t be, but could you see Kolo in that role? We know Denilson can act as cover and Diaby when he’s back, so all in all, based on the above, I’d expect Inler to join as I can’t see anyone else realistically being an option…

Your thoughts always welcome…]]>