If he really did say that then Wenger has to jump on the case and try to force through a January move even though it most likely will be slightly more expensive than signing him in the summer. Then again Real might enter into a bidding war in the summer and give him false promises of first team chances and the likelihood of winning trophies. Wenger more often than not will not promise a player games just to tempt him if he doesn't believe he'll be able to give them that (not that that is the case with Hazard as he'll definitely get games) but with everyone offering him games (some more genuinely than others) and with extravagant sums being thrown at him he'll find it difficult to decide I'm sure.

who'd we ship out to fit him into the squad? he wants to come to us because he'll play here, so who are we going to sell? arshavin? bendtner? walcott?

My guess is that Vela, Rosicky and Eboue (not necessarily in that order) will be shipped out within the next eighteen months to pave way for younger players, but also a new signing or two.

Hazard could play both as a forward and an attacking midfielder so he'd be a good squad option to have around. The biggest obstacle is probably that new, improved long-term deal he signed last season. Lille don't have to, and consequently won't, let him go on the cheap. They'll squeeze as much money out of the transfer as they can possibly get. Up until that point I thought that he might join us since he's a big fan, but the way things look he's more likely to end up at one of the oil clubs.

hazard would be a wide forward in our current system, and selling those three wouldn't really open any playing time for him (though i agree that they're expendable). walcott and bendtner are already complaining about not playing. i think it's pretty straightforward that one of the 3 i imentioned would have to move to accommodate hazard.

I'd get him in and decide who should make way later to be honest - it's nice to see a quality player who might actively want to come here. I think Arshavin, Bendtner, Walcott is a pretty accurate hitlist of players but add Rosicky to that.

At the moment it doesn't feel as if Vela will make it at Arsenal, but I think his future at the club is linked to Cesc's.

I'd be surprised if Arshavin was here next year.

I agree, i can't see Arshavin being here for too long.

Burnwinter wrote:

I'd get him in and decide who should make way later to be honest - it's nice to see a quality player who might actively want to come here. I think Arshavin, Bendtner, Walcott is a pretty accurate hitlist of players but add Rosicky to that.

You think it's likely that Walcott will be sold? :hmm:

Arsh/Hazard and Nasri/Walcott. What else is there to consider?

Unless we actually start playing him, I'd be surprised if he wanted to stay.

There's plenty of games, so it's possible to keep both options happy. And that's without considering form and injuries.

Hazard is wonderful, but would not be the first priority for me. I generally like the options we have a wide midfield. I think both Nasri and Walcott have made strides this year. Hopefully, Walcott can find a little bit of health.

I would rather spend my money on the back 6 players bar Sagna and Vermaelen.

Hazard is fantastic, if he wants to come here we shouldn't let the opportunity pass. Arshavin is getting old and we have no depth in the left forward position.

Normally I would say we don't need another wide midfielder currently but Hazard is too big a talent to let pass.

The question is what do we really need most right now? What would improve this team? We have a lot of creativity in the team. What we really lack is defensive solidity. Our defenders are inferior players to our attackers, and our coach is not a great defensive coach. He's probably one of the top 3 or so offensive coaches in the world, but could improve in the back.

Given that, if I had a transfer budget, I'd be tempted to use the better part of it on the back 6 positions to make up for the deficiencies outlined above. Much love.

The defence definitely needs looking at, but that has been the case for some time though.

Hazard is a special talent and when the guy is actually making noises himself that he wants to come here, it's not an opportunity that should be passed up. I think it's easy to say we are already creative enough when in reality that might not be the case.

We've got Fabregas, enough said, and Nasri has really stepped up this season. Arshavin has the stats to backup what he provides the team with but he isn't getting any younger and I woudn't be comfortable on betting he'll be here next season. Aside from that, who else is there? Rosicky is next to useless these days, Wilshere shows the potential to create but is also quite 'Denilson-esque' in his play too often and the likes of Song, Denilson and Diaby can provide something here and there but are far too erratic to be relied upon and whether Song should even be trying to provide for us is one of the biggest debates amongst Arsenal fans right now.

Hazard can create both through a pass or a dribble, and we've only got Nasri who can do that consistently at the minute. Arshavin, bless him, tries but for every successful dribble/pass there are 35 other attempts that go hilariously (frustratingly is probably the more suitable word) wrong. I want Hazard at Arsenal regardless of whether the futures of the likes of Arshavin, Rosicky, Vela and Eboue (heh) are secure or not.

Luka, I hear you. I'm a big Hazard fan. I'd like him. Elsewhere, I've said I'd like Benzema. He's a perfect Henry-type project for Wenger. It would be so nice to see a higher quality of player on the team we so cherish.

I wish it could happen, to the extent that I would favor a mass clearout of the scrubs on our team to raise money/save salary dollars. I would go to the extent of selling all of Vela, Rosicky, Bendnter, Denilson, Song and Eboue, Almunia, and replacing them with about 2 really good outfield players and a goalie. We finally have much better depth than most top European teams. Wenger has done very well in that regard. Now what's killing us is we just don't have enough players of the highest quality on the team.

Captain wrote:

Arsh/Hazard and Nasri/Walcott. What else is there to consider?

Basically.

Zico wrote:

Luka, I hear you. I'm a big Hazard fan. I'd like him. Elsewhere, I've said I'd like Benzema. He's a perfect Henry-type project for Wenger. It would be so nice to see a higher quality of player on the team we so cherish.

I wish it could happen, to the extent that I would favor a mass clearout of the scrubs on our team to raise money/save salary dollars. I would go to the extent of selling all of Vela, Rosicky, Bendnter, Denilson, Song and Eboue, Almunia, and replacing them with about 2 really good outfield players and a goalie. We finally have much better depth than most top European teams. Wenger has done very well in that regard. Now what's killing us is we just don't have enough players of the highest quality on the team.

There's just a lack of Henry in our team. A player of the highest quality. Lets not fool ourselves, no matter how good our past teams are, Henry was the key. Our team is now good, but we are lacking a special talent. Arshavin was the special talent in a big part of his career here, but he isn't consistent enough nor does he have the physical presence to really dominate defences sometimes especially in England.

Hazard can be the one. I know our pressing issue now is a DM, but if Hazard turns out to be Ronaldo or something then...