da 888： This player has been grabbing the headlines and been keeping me and many Arsenal fans out there on the edge of our seats. His contract dispute and stalling has led to many, displaying their anger towards the Frenchman and there is speculation of Nasri leaving the club this summer. I personally don’t want to see Nasri leaving, but there is no player that is bigger than the club. In case, IF Nasri does leave, here are 10 possible replacements.
da dobrowin： 1. Eden Hazard- Age: 20- Height: 5’6″- Nation: Belgium- Club: Lille
One of the most talented youngsters in world football, Lille star and Belgian international Eden Hazard, who recently won the best player in France Award, has been linked with the best clubs in the world including the Gunners, in which Wenger is known to be a huge admirer. Hazard is skillful player, who has extreme poise, skill, excellent with both feet as well being creative with the ball. He is one of the main reasons for Lille’s title triumph this season, and is tipped for a great future. He is, in my opinion, a great talent and would be an excellent replacement for Samir Nasri, almost a like for like replacement. He is valued by transfermarkt.co.uk at around £19.8m, but it would take more than that to persuade his club into selling him, as the club have stated that it would take “silly” money to persuade them into selling their prodigious talent, as well as huge interests from many clubs, it would probably cost around £25-30m to acquire Eden Hazard.
2. Charles N’Zogbia- Age: 25- Height: 5’7″ Nation: France- Club: Wigan Athletic
This player has been linked numerous times to a move to the Gunners, N’Zogbia is a talented Frenchman, who mainly plays as a left winger. He is quick, well built, skillful and a good crosser with a strong left foot. N’Zogbia is also a reliable set piece taker and is a one-timed capped French international. He has the skills and attributes of an excellent winger and player, and he deserves to play with a big club. He is valued by transfermarkt.co.uk at around £7.9m, which is a very affordable and attainable price, he is a good option and possibility as a replacement.
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3. Balasz Dzsudszak- Age: 24- Height: 5’9″- Nation: Hungary- Club: PSV Eindhoven
Another talented winger, who has had two straight sensational seasons with his club PSV Eindhoven. The Hungarian-international was heavily linked with a move to the Gunners last season and is believed to be a target for many of Europe’s best clubs. Dzsudszak is a player blessed with pace, skill, as well as being crafty, an excellent dribbler and an excellent left foot. Dzsudszak is an excellent player in my opinion, who could do very well at Arsenal. He is valued by transfermarket.co.uk at around £11.4m, though I believe it would take a bit more than that to acquire him, probably in the £15-18m pound range…. still affordable.
4. Jesus Navas- Age: 25- Height: 5’6″- Nation: Spain- Club: Sevilla
This player would definitely be an excellent target and signing. He is one of the most talented and gifted I’ve seen, who still hasn’t got the recognition that he deserves. Jesus Navas is blessed with skill, quick feet, the ability to run at defenders and is an excellent crosser. Navas is a top class winger, one of the best not only in Spain, but all of Europe. Would be a great signing for the Gunners and top class replacement, if Nasri leaves. According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Jesus Navas is valued at around £22m. This would be a difficult transfer due to Navas’s loyalty to Sevilla and his high value, but it’s worth a go, especially as Sevilla won’t offer him Champions League football next season and a move to a top club, would give him a better chance of being a regular with Spain’s national side.
5. Ricardo Alvarez- Age: 23- Height: 6’2″- Nation: Argentina- Club: Velez Sarsfield
A player that the Gunners are hugely interested in, this player caused major headlines when he was rumored to be Arsenal’s first signing of the season. Alvarez is an attacking midfielder, blessed with skill, as well as being an excellent dribbler despite his height. He has been likened to Real Madrid star, Kaka, and is a player that is expected to move to bigger and better things. He is valued by his club, Velez Sarsfield, at around £12m.
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6. Ibrahim Afellay- Age: 25- Height: 5’9″- Nation: Holland- Club: FC Barcelona
A player that was acquired just a few months ago by Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven. Ibrahim Afellay, has long been linked with a potential move to the Gunners, who primarily plays as a central attacking midfielder, but can play in any position in midfield. He is known for his incredible skills, especially in dribbling and running at defenders. He is creative, great passer and has an excellent right foot. Afellay hasn’t been given as much playing time as he hoped for with Barcelona, and is being linked with a move away from Barcelona. Of course, any transfer deal with Barcelona would most likely involve Cesc Fabregas and press reports are suggesting that Afellay could be used a makeweight for a potential deal. I believe Afellay would be an excellent signing and is like for like replacement for Nasri if he leaves. This transfer is highly unlikely, unless Cesc Fabregas is involved in the deal. According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Afellay is valued at around £12.3m.
7. Willian Borges da Silva- Age: 22- Height: 5’7″- Nation: Brazil- Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
A player that has been heavily linked to the Gunners this summer. The 22 year old attacking midfielder, who usually plays in the left of midfield, starred in this year’s Champions League along with his club, Shakhtar Donetsk. His performance in the two-legged second round match against AS Roma, was what got him into the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the Gunners. He is blessed with skill, poise and is an excellent dribbler as well as being creative. He is a bright talent with a bright future, and is expected to be a fixture for Brazil’s national side in the future. According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Willian is valued at around £13.2m.
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8. Andre Ayew- Age: 21- Height: 5’8″- Nation: Ghana- Club: Marseille
The son of the legendary Abedi Pele, Andre Ayew is one of the most talented young African stars and is a rising star in Europe. Andre Ayew, primarily plays as a left winger, who’s known for his charisma and his hard-working attitude as well as his pace, skill, and good crossing. Andre Ayew has been linked with the Gunners and has starred with Marseille this term, winning the fans’ Player of the Season award. Ayew is an exciting player and would do very well as a Gunner, his value according to transfermarkt.co.uk, is around £8.8m.
From within the club:
9. Henri Lansbury- Age: 20- Height: 6’0″- Nation: England
A player who has been at the club ever since he was 9 years old, Lansbury has played in each level at the club, from the youth sides to the reserves and then the first team. Lansbury, can play anywhere in midfield and is known for his excellent passing and timely runs and his work-rate. He put in a fine performance against Tottenham in the League Cup, scoring a goal and putting in an excellent shift. Lansbury, was loaned out to Norwich, where he led the side to promotion. Lansbury, is a player who understands what it means to be a Gunner, displayed by his goal celebration against rivals Tottenham. He has a good passing range, works hard and is a reliable player in my opinion. I don’t think he is the perfect replacement for Nasri, but I believe he would do well.
10. Ryo Miyaichi- Age: 18- Height: 6’0″- Nation: Japan
Arsenal’s latest bright prospect and rising star, Ryo Miyaichi, who’s making or made waves with Feyenoord where he put in excellent performances, displaying his skill, pace, dribbling ability, as well as his ability in running at defenders and making them look amateur. Miyaichi, has been one of the sensations of the Dutch Eredivisie and became a fan-favourite at Feyenoord. Many Gooners want to see Miyaichi finally play as a Gunner in an Arsenal shirt and some consider him a replacement if Nasri leaves. Miyaichi is a talented player and I would love to finally see him in an Arsenal shirt, but another loan spell would do him the world of good, but if Wenger thinks he’s ready then I can’t wait to see him play in the Gunner shirt.
Despite the talent and quality of these players, I really hope that Nasri does stay a Gunner, but no player is bigger than the club and Nasri must realize that…. I hope he does.
What do you think? Are these good enough replacements? Which player do you want to see replace Nasri if he leaves? What are your thoughts on the whole Nasri situation? Please share your thoughts and opinions.
Article courtesy of Omar Almasri at Clean Sheets All Round