Laurent Koscielny wants fellow France international Yann M’Vila at the Emirates next season, and has vowed to convince him to join the North London side. Meanwhile Gunners captain and talisman Robin van Persie has hailed Juventus as a ‘great team’, but remains silent over his future.
M’Vila, who is believed to be Wenger’s number one transfer target this summer, is currently injured and fighting against time to be fit for France’s Euro 2012 opener against England. This may turn out to be a good thing for Arsenal’s hopes of landing the highly rated combative midfielder, and Koscielny’s seen enough to be convinced that the Rennes star has ‘enormous quality’ and fit in well at the Emirates.
Arsenal’s centre-back told Goal.com:
I don’t know what plans the club have in terms of signings
I only see what appears in the newspapers because Wenger tells us nothing about that. But I would like one of my French team-mates to join us for next season.
Yann is a player with enormous quality. He is strong on the ball and has great vision.
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He can triumph in an important competition like the Premier League.
Would he be good at Arsenal? Of course.
I will try to convince him to come when we are together at the Euros
Koscielny is now the latest French Gunner to express his approval for the acquisition of M’Vila with Bacary Sagna before him. If the defensive duo are able to talk him into the move it will be huge signing for Arsene Wenger’s side, and could allow Alex Song to play a more box-to-box role with Wilshere able to play a bit more advanced upon his return. Not saying Arteta, Ramsey or Rosicky will be out of the picture, but the potential for Wenger to rotate players will be a welcomed situation.
The signing will also go someway in convincing Robin van Persie to stay at the Emirates next season. Speaking of the Dutchman he gave an interview with Italian newspaper Tuttosport, and was questioned asked about the links with Serie A champions Juventus.
He said:
Juventus are a great team. But I have agreed with Arsenal that I will not discuss my future.
All I can say is that it is my intention to have a great Euro 2012 and win it. And then go on to win the Champions League.
I’ve never felt so strong and I just want to continue winning. At this point in time all I want to do is focus on the European Championship. There will then be time to address other matters.
The main worry in his quotes is the ‘win the Champions League’ part. He won’t go to Juventus that’s for sure, but as rumours continue to heat up about Manchester City maybe he is thinking that the cash-rich Premier League Champions have a better chance of winning the illustrious European Cup than Arsenal.
The Gunners managed to make it out of the group stages of the Champions League last season unlike City, however were knocked out at the hands of AC Milan after their first leg thrashing. Arsenal still have every chance of winning the UCL than most teams, and if they can reinforce their squad with some more quality players to provide real depth to challenge on all fronts, then Wenger may well see his side progress right through the Champions League competition next season.
So does RvP see Juve as a potential club for his future? No, certainly not, as they may well dominate in Italy but not in Europe. So Gooners please don’t get too worked up over this rumour.
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