This summer marked the most lucrative transfer window in Arsenal’s history, as the club splashed out £82million on five first-team signings, including the deadline day acquisition of £16million forward Danny Welbeck.But to suggest the Gunners are now prepared to challenge for the Premier League title would be rather optimistic. In truth, there are still a number of gaps in the Arsenal squad that Arsene Wenger failed to address, most notably in defensive midfield, at centre-back and up top.Luckily for Wenger (and us at Football Fancast), with the summer window now over everybody is already looking forward to it’s winter counterpart.So with that in mind, here’s a list of the FIVE January signings to complete the job at Arsenal.

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WILLIAM CARVALHO

Despite being linked with several top-quality targets, Arsenal failed to land a much-needed holding midfielder this summer.

But it appears Arsene Wenger is keen to make up for lost time with news that Arsenal already in talks to sign Sporting Lisbon prodigy William Carvalho in January:

The 22 year-old has emerged as one of European football’s hottest youngsters after breaking through to the Sporting first team last season, eventually muscling his way into Portugal’s World Cup squad. Carvalho measures in at 6 foot 2, comes with an imposing physique and is famed for his simple-yet-effective style.

Here’s a look at the midfielder in action:

//www.youtube.com/embed/A8jRQbn1LzE?rel=0

Carvalho comes with a £35million release clause, which is almost certainly too rich for Wenger’s blood. But the Portugal international rejected new terms at Estadio Jose Alvalade earlier this week, suggesting the Primeira Liga side will be resigned to let him leave for significantly less.

ADRIEN RABIOT

Another holding midfielder rumoured to be on his way to the Emirates in January is PSG contract rebel Adrien Rabiot.

The 19 year-old midfielder, who once spent a season in at Manchester City’s academy, is highly-rated in the French capital and amassed an impressive 34 appearances in all competitions last season, producing three goals. Here’s a look at his stats from the campaign:

And Rabiot in action:

//www.youtube.com/embed/88HpUceQvFo

But the floppy-haired playmaker has continually rejected contract extensions at PSG, citing a lack of assurances over first team football, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

That’s understandably grabbed Arsenal’s attention but in truth, there’s a host of clubs lining up for the France U21’s signature:

WINSTON REID

Another glaring hole in Arsenal’s squad depth is the absence of an established back-up option to Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, barring 19 year-old Calum Chambers. One potential solution is West Ham’s Winston Reid, who was linked with an Emirates switch not only in January but also during the summer:

The 26 year-old may be no world-beater but he’s been incredibly consistent since the East Londoners returned to the Premier League in summer 2012, claiming the Hammer of the Year award the twelve months later.

He was in prominent form at the start of last season too before the New Zealand skipper was sidelined with an ankle injury – by no great coincidence, West Ham’s league form plummeted in his absence.

The 6 foot 3 centre-back is more rugged than your average Arsenal defender but he’s a reliable performer, proven at Premier League level, who would fit the hierarchy of the squad. Here’s a look at Reid in action:

//www.youtube.com/embed/vhYZjrgfBsA?rel=0

Furthermore, the defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal is looking increasingly unlikely. That could see him leave Upton Park for a nominal fee.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck for £16million on deadline day but it remains to be seen if a forward who netted just 20 times in 90 league appearances for Manchester United can take on goalscoring duties full time for the Gunners.

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Arsene Wenger’s forward cast requires further bolstering anyway if it’s truly to compete with those at Manchester United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea, and thus, the north Londoners have been linked with a January swoop for another contract rebel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar:

Admittedly, the Schalke assassin doesn’t offer much to open play, as shown through his uninspiring passing statistics from last season:

He’s one of Europe’s most clinical finishers however, with the 31 year-old boasting returns of 92 in 140 for the Miners and 35 in 65 for the Netherlands. Here’s a look at the striker’s Top Ten goals: //www.youtube.com/embed/EBGEdveNuY4?rel=0 Like Winston Reid and Adrian Rabiot, Huntelaar’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and although Schalke want him to sign a new deal, he’ll have to take a wage cut. That makes a January move seem all-the-more likely but Huntelaar’s age will undoubtedly concern Arsene Wenger, who isn’t best known for taking the short-term approach in the transfer market.

WILFRIED BONY

Another striking option the Gunners should strongly be considering ahead of the January window is Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony, who was linked with an Arsenal move on summer deadline day:

Since joining the Welsh outfit last summer from Vitesse Arnhem, where he netted 37 times in his ultimate season, the Ivory Coast international has claimed 16 goals in just 34 top flight appearances. Here’s some of the highlights from his inaugural Premier League campaign:

//www.youtube.com/embed/L_zt5akDKGs?autoplay=1

An aggressive , old-fashioned centre-forward who measures in at just over 6 foot, the 25 year-old would fit Arsenal’s lone-striking role well.

But Gary Monk has continually denied Bony is for sale and his scoreless start to the season will put doubts in the minds of the striker’s many suitors. That being said, his £19million release clause represents great value for money.

Liverpool hero John Aldridge believes that this international break, unlike the last one, will benefit his old club.

The Reds lost three first-team players in the shape of Joe Allen, Emre Can and, most noticeably, Daniel Sturridge the last time they were away with their respective nations due to injuries picked up.

The trio have not taken part in any game between then and now, which has coincided with an alarming drop in results at Anfield.

WANT MORE? >> Liverpool transfer news | Latest transfer news

Losses to Aston Villa and West Ham were followed a home draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton and a hard fought 2-1 victory against West Brom over the weekend.

With the Reds’ next game, against QPR, a little under two weeks away, the aforementioned threesome are expected to be fit again, while players away from their international set-ups, such as Steven Gerrard and Mario Balotelli, will be given plenty of time to rest and recover.

And ‘Aldo’ feels that this has come at just the right time:

“The last international break killed our momentum but this one has come at the perfect time for Liverpool.” He wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

“This fortnight will allow us to get Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Emre Can back fit and regroup after a really testing period.

“With two massive games on the horizon against Real Madrid we need to improve and I’m confident we will. The return of Sturridge will be a massive boost and give better balance to the side.

“It looks like Chelsea and Man City will fight it out for the title but it’s not all doom and gloom. We’re in that pack behind them vying for third and fourth with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

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“The performance against West Brom on Saturday wasn’t great but it was all about the result. After a bad week we desperately needed those three points and in the end we did enough to get them.”

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Liverpool found themselves in a rather unique situation this summer, keen to utilise their enhanced financial firepower to build upon the momentum of their runner-up finish last season whilst simultaneously compensating for the £75million departure of PFA and FWA Player of the Year Luis Suarez.

Yet, the Anfield outfit’s £117million spend is yet to prove fruitful – in fact, the Reds appear to have taken a step back, as they currently lay eleventh in the Premier League with just 14 points from eleven games and a goal difference of -1.

Perhaps it’s time for some assessment then, and with that in mind, here’s FIVE fatal flaws of Liverpool’s summer transfer policy.

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REPLACING A STAR PLAYER WITH SQUAD DEPTH

Tottenham Hotspur proved as much in summer 2013 upon Gareth Bale’s record-breaking £87million departure to Real Madrid – replacing a world-class entity with squad depth simply doesn’t work.

You can understand Brendan Rodgers’ desire to improve his options throughout the first team, with the Reds re-entering the Champions League for the first time since 2009 this season.

Only having to concentrate on the Premier League was an integral factor in Liverpool’s runner-up finish last term, and even amid their stunning 2013/14 campaign, the Anfield side were forced to depend on inexperienced youngsters in certain fixtures, such as Jon Flanagan, Brad Smith, Luis Alberto and Jordan Ibe.

But in the absence of a similarly talismanic replacement for now-Barcelona star Luis Suarez, the Liverpool starting Xi has lacked clear focal points this season and their form has duly suffered.

Furthermore, Liverpool could well be eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages, as they currently sit three points behind FC Basel in Group B:

…which makes all of that extra squad depth, at the cost of £117million, rather pointless.

NO MARQUEE SIGNINGS

Which brings us nicely on to the hotly-debated issue of marquee signings.

There’s clearly a bit of a problem here; throughout Brendan Rodgers’ four transfer windows at the Anfield helm, he’s never spent more than £25million on a single player – Adam Lallana – and continually failed to attract major names to the club.

Not that the Ulsterman hasn’t attempted to. Since taking over in 2012, the Reds have come close to signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Willian, Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez, Isco and Yevhen Konoplyanka to name a few. But as you can see below, hardly any of Rodgers’ Reds acquisitions can be considered top-class buys:

Rodgers recently raised a valid point that many players would prefer to move to London or Manchester over Liverpool for social or family reasons, but even so, if the Reds plan to ever compete with the likes of Arsenal Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United in the transfer market, they have to make an Anfield switch as tempting as possible – even if that includes bending the club’s financial structure.

The Anfield boss appears to agree, having demanded Liverpool work ‘harder and smarter’ in the transfer market, and a similar view is held by former Charlton and West Ham boss-come-pundit, Alan Curbishley.

The predominant concern is that, in the long-term, it will reflect badly on Rodgers, suggesting a lack of pulling power, and also eliminate Liverpool from the top end of the transfer market.

MARIO BALOTELLI

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but from the off, buying Mario Balotelli for £16million was always a huge gamble.

After all, Roberto Mancini, Cesare Prandelli and Jose Mourinho have all failed to tame the enigmatic Italian, with the Chelsea boss dubbing him ‘unmanageable’ during their time together at Inter Milan, and nothing suggested Brendan Rodgers would fare any better.

Likewise, from a tactical point of view, the 24 year-old is completely wrong for the Reds. Last season, an industrious-yet-progressive attacking style, based upon relentlessly quick counter-attacking, became their identity, but Balotelli is work-shy and illusive, and rather than testing space behind defenders prefers to pick up the ball in front of them.

There’s nothing wrong with that style of play – consider Dimitar Berbatov’s Premier League exploits – but in comparison to Liverpool’s it’s chalk and cheese, and has also made Balotelli stick out like a sore thumb.

Resultantly, the Italy international’s netted just twice in 12 appearances for the Reds and is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League.

Once again, there’s harrowing similarities to Tottenham’s recruitment in summer 2013, where they splashed out a club-record £27million on flopped striker Roberto Soldado.

To think as well, the Reds could have signed the far more dependable Loic Remy, before pulling the plug over an apparent failed medical.

CHANGING THREE OF THE BACK FOUR

Liverpool’s defensive frailties under Brendan Rodgers are a long-term problem – since taking the dugout in 2012, the Reds have conceded on average 1.2 goals per match in the Premier League, which is obviously too high for a Champions League club.

But in the absence of a prolific goal threat, Liverpool’s poor performances at the other end of the pitch have become even more evident, and Brendan Rodgers’ addition of three new defenders to the starting Xi during the summer, Javier Manquillo, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno, has further exacerbated the situation.

Not to suggest any are bad players or poor acquisitions; left-back Moreno for example, is already looking like a solid find, netting this incredible solo effort against Spurs:

//www.youtube.com/embed/ZjKDj0joiGM?rel=0

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…and producing a top display against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

But clearly, they’re inevitably struggling to gel as a backline, particularly £20million signing Dejan Lovren alongside Martin Skrtel, and resultantly, Liverpool’s 15 goals conceded this term is matched or bettered by eleven fellow Premier League sides.

Perhaps this isn’t a failure of transfer policy exclusively – Liverpool’s back four has needed a shake up for some time – but Rodgers should have anticipated the dangers of forging an entirely new defence overnight.

SPENDING IT ALL

Liverpool spent a whopping £117million this summer, marking the most lucrative transfer window in the club’s history, as a result of the added revenues of Champions League football and the £75million sale of Luis Suarez.

But did Brendan Rodgers really need to spend it all in such a ferocious fashion? Take Arsene Wenger for example – he may often draw criticism from fans, but the Frenchman is one of the Premier League’s shrewdest when it comes to picking his moments in the transfer market.

The Liverpool boss, on the other hand, appeared hell-bent on spending the entirety of his transfer bounty during the summer. That’s probably the largest budget he’ll ever be given access to however and currently the Reds don’t have too much to show for it.

It’s understandable that Rodgers went all-out during the summer, but some deals, such as Adam Lallana for £25million, don’t strike good value-for-money and although he may have entered the current season with a weaker squad than desired, patience from the Anfield gaffer – perhaps waiting for some better, contract-rebel-based deals in January – would have proved wiser in the long-run.

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Twelve games into the Premier League season and there has not been a single sacking among the managers of any of the 20 top-flight clubs.

Given that Sunderland’s Paolo Di Canio was booted out as early as September last year and the duo of Roberto Di Matteo and Mark Hughes had already been handed their P45s by Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers respectively by November the season before that, it certainly seems as if we’re overdue a managerial casualty this campaign.

Whilst sack race speculation has been rife, with talk of some high-profile departures at the league’s biggest clubs, getting rid of an underperforming manager is ultimately pointless if a replacement hasn’t been identified. Bearing this in mind, here are five gaffers that the Premier League’s strugglers may wish to target should they decide to give their current crop the chop…

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CLICK ON KLOPP TO REVEAL THE FIVE

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Got any questions? Follow me on Twitter @GruffuddOwen

1. Jurgen Klopp (Arsenal)

After the euphoric relief of clinching their first major trophy in nine years last season with their FA Cup triumph, the mood at Arsenal has taken a turn for the worse this campaign. The Gunners have stuttered in the league and have not looked too impressive in Europe either, which has led many Arsenal fans to believe that long-serving manager Arsene Wenger should have gone out on a high by leaving the club at the end of last season.

The North London club have been accused of stagnating under the Frenchman, who may have taken his beloved side as far as he possibly can. A new method and a fresh lease of life is clearly needed, and Jurgen Klopp – currently of Borussia Dortmund – would be the ideal manager to instigate this.

Not only has the German tasted success with Dortmund – having led them to two Bundesliga titles, not to mention a Champions League final in 2013 – but his lively, enthusiastic approach to the game, his preference for slick, attacking football and his reputation for nurturing young, homegrown players make him an ideal fit for the Gunners.

2. Diego Simeone (Liverpool)

Brendan Rodgers is on the brink at Liverpool. His side has been woeful this season, with the defence producing calamitous display after calamitous display and the attack proving to be useless at adapting to life without Luis Suarez. Unless the Reds boss can turn things around very quickly, his time at Anfield will soon be over.

Should the Merseyside club part ways with the Irishman, they could do much worse than to elect Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone as their new man. The Argentinian led Los Indios to La Liga glory last season – a phenomenal achievement given the financial dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona – and they also came agonisingly close to lifting the Champions League for the first time in their history, losing to city rivals Real in the final. Simeone has gained much praise for how disciplined and organised his Atletico side is, especially in defence.

They conceded just 26 league goals last season – the fewest in La Liga – compared to Liverpool’s 50 in the Premier League. The Reds are crying out for a manager who can bring back a degree of solidity to their backline; they need look no further than Simeone.

3. Marcelo Bielsa (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero may be single-handedly keeping Manuel Pellegrini in his job at Manchester City for the time being, but if last year’s league champions continue to struggle as they have done so far, City’s notoriously impatient owners will not hesitate to sack the Chilean.

Marcelo Bielsa would be a fascinating choice for the Citizens – known as El Loco for his meticulous attention to detail, his sides are famed for being ultra attacking and highly exciting to watch. Bielsa likes to utilise wing-backs in advanced positions, which would suit City’s forward-thinking duo of Aleksandar Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta, and the fact that the 59 year-old is Argentinian suggests that he will be able to get the best out of his compatriot Aguero in attack.

Currently managing Marseille in Ligue 1, Bielsa would relish the opportunity to manage a club of City’s size, although his lack of silverware in Europe could count against him. More can be found on the method in Bielsa’s madness here.

4. Frank de Boer (Aston Villa)

Despite a hugely promising start in which they won three and drew one of their opening four games – including an excellent away victory at Liverpool – Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa have since picked up just two points in the league, conforming to their pre-season tag as possible relegation candidates.

Villa fans have not had much to cheer about since Lambert was appointed manager in 2012, and patience is wearing thin; they have scored just six league goals all season – the fewest in the league – and have not recorded a victory since their win at Anfield in early September.

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Ajax’s Frank de Boer may be an ambitious option, but let us not forget that Villa are historically one of England’s biggest football clubs; Villa Park is the sixth-largest stadium in the Premier League, and the Birmingham side also won the European Cup in 1982.

Indeed, there are many similarities to be drawn between Ajax and Villa: both tasted great success in the past but have faded in recent times, both place great emphasis on developing homegrown players, and both have been forced to cope with selling their brightest talents. De Boer has made no secret of his desire to manage in England one day; at Aston Villa, a club that shares much in common with Ajax, the 44 year-old could make the transition from Dutch football a seamless one.

5. Glen Hoddle (QPR)

A slightly controversial option, this; Hoddle is currently first-team coach at QPR under Harry Redknapp, and has found it difficult to get back into management after his dismissal for making some pretty tastless comments during his time as England manager in the late 1990s.

Nevertheless, Hoddle continues to be regarded as one of England’s most tactically astute and progressive coaches, and if the Rs continue to flounder under Redknapp, he would surely jump at the opportunity to return as the main man in the dugout.

One gets the feeling that Hoddle has something of a point to prove; his hunger to succeed after so many years in the wilderness could be what the Loftus Road outfit need to survive relegation from the Premier League.

Now, let’s get our serious hats on for a minute… European finance is on the verge of disaster. Issues in Greece have thrown the Euro’s strength in doubt, with debt-laden nation no longer seeing the value in money… Okay then! So, how does this link with the world of football? Well, should the continental currency collapse, or take a knock, then some of the biggest stars from the likes of Spain, Germany, France and Italy could find their bank accounts take a hit as their clubs will be smashed by the issues, which may lead to an exodus.

And with the Premier League operating with the pound and having just agreed a staggering new TV deal, the financial lure of the English game could be too much for the big boys to resist… & here are FIVE mega stars that could come on over!

Lionel Messi

Although ‘Ronny’ has taken the Ballon d’Or twice in a row, Messi is still considered, by football purists, to be the very best player on the planet. The Argentine is simply a magician on the ball and has been a part of the furniture at Barcelona for some time, but amid suggestions he has some tax worries, he may be swayed by a big pay cheque… Man City and Chelsea have been linked with him.

Cristiano Ronaldo

CR7 is, possibly, the best known player on the planet and is a true superstar. His scoring record at Real Madrid defies any form of logic, and despite edging towards the back end of his career, he’s still sure to be one of the players the biggest clubs chase should there be any signs of unrest. Manchester United are the English side most likely to move for him after being linked with a swoop for their former idol last year.

Marco Reus

A new contract at Dortmund earlier this week shocked European football, yet there have already been links with a shock move away from the Bundesliga side. Champions League qualification appears to be way beyond BVB now, with relegation more of a fear, and a financial hit could be catastrophic for a side with many big names. Most top Premier League clubs have been linked with him, so interest could be high.

Paul Pogba

From a free transfer out of Manchester United to Juventus two and a half years ago, Pogba is now valued among the best stars on the planet in terms of price-tag. The French midfielder is widely seen as one of the very top players in his position right now, with his displays in Turin having been excellent. Money is already tight in Serie A, so United and Chelsea could swoop…

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic

With league medals from almost all of Europe’s top leagues on his mantle, ‘Ibra’ could well complete the set in the Premier League. The Sweden international is not rated by some, but his track-record is undeniable, while his arrogant persona would make for headlines on an hourly basis in England. Chelsea have been linked with him…

Steven Gerrard will always be a Liverpool legend. There is no doubt about that. But this season the Liverpool captain just hasn’t been his usual dependable self.

After a few costly mistakes – including that awful sending off after 38 seconds against Manchester United – it is unlikely we will see a vast amount of Gerrard for the remainder of the season. Many fans are saying he has stayed at Liverpool for one season too many and should have retired from his boyhood club while he was still loved, admired and needed by the team. It is not nice to say about one of this generations greatest English players but sadly he is now seen as a bit more of a hindrance than a help.

After England’s terrible World Cup, Gerrard announced that he would be retiring from international football. Steven Gerrard’s current contract is set to run out at the end of this season and he has already signed for David Beckham’s old team, LA Galaxy. Many fans were surprised that Gerrard decided to stay at Liverpool for one last season expecting him to move in the summer transfer window.

So why did he decide to stay?

The first explanation of why he decided to stay was that he really badly wanted to lift the Premier League trophy. Gerrard has won the FA Cup, League Cup and of course the Champions League trophy in that famous match in 2005, but the one victory that has eluded him is the Premier League.

Last year was one of Liverpool’s best seasons in the last decade. Everything was going right for them and in the anniversary year of Hillsborough it looked like the writing was on the wall for a perfect remembrance for the 96. Everyone though the Premier League trophy could be theirs, neutral supporters everywhere were egging them on to do it.

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This leads us nicely onto the second explanation; the incident which caused social media go crazy with memes, vines and pictures.

Gerrard got so close to finally getting his hands on that trophy until that fateful slip. While at the time it was awful for Gerrard – he was ashamed and gutted for himself and for the fans – but did that slip affect him more than we thought?

Maybe Gerrard decided to stay because he thought he could redeem himself. He was guilt ridden – and let’s face it – after seasons of brilliance, he didn’t want to be remembered for that one mistake.

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Both the reasons, I suspect, played a part in Gerrard’s decision to stay and sadly it looks like that decision might not have paid off. While fans will always worship him as a Liverpool hero, this season has been one to forget.

With quite a bit left to do for Liverpool to try and secure a Champions League spot for next year, I don’t think we will see much of Gerrard for the rest of the season. Maybe he should have bowed out last year. I have a feeling he is regretting not getting on that plane to America earlier.

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Radamel Falcao’s future could still lie with Manchester United, according to Monaco’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, as reported by The Guardian.

Falcao has largely been a disappointment since joining the Red Devils on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 side Monaco last summer, scoring just four goals in 22 Premier League appearances.

And it was widely expected that United, who have first option to buy the 29-year-old for £43.5million at the end of the season, were going to decide against making his Old Trafford stay a permanent one.

But Vasilyev insists United have not yet made a decision on their intentions where Falcao is concerned, and that it is still possible that he could be at Old Trafford next season.

WANT MORE? >> Man United transfer rumours | Latest transfer rumours

He told The Guardian: “I saw the Manchester United people last Sunday and they have not yet decided if they would exercise the option.

“It’s not his best season, but they kept the opportunity to make a decision at the end of the season.”

But despite Man United having first refusal on the Colombian’s signature, Vasilyev has admitted that Monaco have recieved content from a number of clubs regarding Falcao’s availability, though he insists negotiations with these clubs have not yet begun.

“We are not in any other negotiations, even if big clubs are interested,” he added.

“The decision is with Manchester, then we will discuss with the player what he wants. I would like to have more visibility.”

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With Robin Van Persie’s future still to be decided and Javier Hernandez expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, Louis Van Gaal will definitely be in the market for a goalscorer between now and the beginning of next season, with Falcao still very much a possible option.

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Twitter and footballers don’t always mix. Having 30,000 people hurl abuse at you for a designated ninety minutes each weekend is one thing; receiving updates from millions on a twenty-four-hour basis, describing why they hate you in intricate, precise and sometimes poetic detail, is another.

But one footballer, albeit now retired, who’s embraced his social media following is Crystal Palace and Arsenal hero Ian Wright. Upon reaching a whopping 1,000,000 followers on Twitter last month, the former striker felt compelled to give something back to his fans, and thus, #OneMoreGame was born.

To celebrate his milestone, the Gunners icon is returning to the pitch for one last outing – with some of his Twitter followers playing alongside him. And as if the occasion wasn’t already special for those fortunate enough to be selected, the match will be held at Wembley on Tuesday 21st of April, arranged by Ball Street and Vauxhall England.

As keen to tell us more about it as we were to pick the brains of a man who scored 113 Premier League goals and made Chicken Tonight a national sensation, Football Fancast met up with Wright at Ball Street’s media day for #OneMoreGame.

So why don’t you start telling us a bit about #OneMoreGame and where the idea came from?

Well, I was closing in on a million followers –  and I never envisaged getting a million followers, especially when I started on Twitter.

As soon as you go on there, everybody’s just so abusive and it was really nasty. So I came off Twitter three times, but eventually I said ‘ you know what’ and just stayed on. When you start speaking to people you realise they’re writing nasty things but they’re not actually meaning it; they’re just saying it for the reaction.  What I got in reply was a lot of; “Oh I didn’t think you’d answer, but I think you’re this and that and I think you’re a legend, sorry mate!”

So I stayed on and started getting towards a million followers, so I said Matt and the Ball Street guys that we should do something special – a million’s a pretty big number. The fans don’t get enough as it is. Everybody gets something out of the game at the moment – the players get money out of it, as do the managers and the media – except for the fans. They don’t get rewarded for their loyalty and their faith in their team, so I wanted to give the fans something. The opportunity to play at Wembley with me in my last game.

You can’t talk to Ian Wright about playing at Wembley and not mention the 1990 FA Cup final. You can’t even say the word Wembley without wanting to bring it up. It was the elephant in the room, the rugby ball in the onion bag, so we nudged the Eagles icon in the right direction. What are your memories of playing at Wembley?

I was very, very fortunate to win medals, win the Premier League and win the FA Cup a couple of times, but when you boil it down, my greatest memory would be the time I went with Crystal Palace. Simply because we were the underdogs. It was a great occasion for the club, and you can’t say whether or not Crystal Palace are going to go back there again at some stage, so it was almost like a once in a life time thing.

And to get there. I broke my leg twice that season, and we beat Liverpool 4-3 in the semi-finals after losing to them 9-0 earlier in the season. I missed that one and thought I was going to miss the final as well because of the leg, but I ended up getting on, scoring twice and being seven minutes away from winning it. It was my greatest moment in football – especially the first goal. It brought me to the public consciousness and that’s when things really started to happen for me.

Compared to a final in which he etched his name in footballing folk law by scoring twice from the bench, only going on to lose in the replay to Manchester United, the 1998 FA Cup final was a complete contrast. In his last act as an Arsenal player, Wright was an unused substitute as the Gunners beat Newcastle 2-0. Do you feel like there’s unfinished business for you at Wembley?

Not really, not in that particular instance. It was really strange because Arsene Wenger, you see he’s very football minded, he’s very disciplined in his thoughts. So in the evening, when we were at the dinner, he came and apologised for not bringing me on, simply because he was so wrapped up in it all.

It didn’t bother me. I think a lot of Arsenal fans were saying ‘Oh I’d love Ian Wright to come on’. I warmed up a couple of times and started to realise I wasn’t going to come on. But it was fine, because I’d had a lot of injuries that season and I’d just come back, so Arsene Wenger himself apologising was more than enough for me. And the times we did win it were magnificent. I always wanted an FA Cup final winning medial because that was the game I used to watch as a child. Growing up it was the game I always wanted to play in.

The #OneMoreGame campaign gave us the perfect opportunity to test Wright at Football Fancast’s world-famous (totally not a rip off of one-to-eleven) segment Fantasy Five-Aside – previously challenged by such footballing dignitaries as Chris Waddle, Jeff Stelling and Ray Parlour.

OK Ian, Chris Waddle, Jeff Stelling and Ray Parlour all had absolutely fantastic teams so no pressure. The first player is the greatest player you’ve ever played alongside.

Dennis Bergkamp.

And the second is the greatest you’ve played against.

Zinedine Zidane.

Your footballing role model growing up for No.3?

I think I’d have to give it to Kevin Keegan, he was the one I thought about a lot when I was a kid.

Somebody playing now you wish you could’ve played with?

In world football? I’ll take Messi. I’d love to play with Messi.

Wouldn’t we all. And finally, any goalkeeper.

See, David Seaman’s amazing. I have to go with David Seaman.

Wright famously turned professional later than most footballers, aged 22, after a Crystal Palace scout noticed him scoring for fun at Greenwich Borough. It’s an unusual route to the top, especially in the Premier League era. Is there a stigmatism stopping amateurs getting those chances today? The idea that if you’re that good, you would’ve been noticed already?

No, simply because people like Rickie Lambert have recently done it as well – I guess I’ve done it and Les Ferdinand did it too. I think if you’re good enough you will be found. Obviously you want to be found as soon as you possibly can but sometimes people go through their young stage, the teens, and it just doesn’t happen because they’re not developed enough. Even up to 18 or 19, I still wasn’t of the stature I was when I eventually signed for Palace.

What do you think the biggest difference is between your generation of footballers and the current one? Both on and off the pitch?

I think they’re under a lot more pressure, on and off the pitch, than we were. There’s a lot more playacting, which is quite frustrating, and they’re much more scrutinised off the pitch – I think it was just starting around my time.

But I must admit they do look more finely tuned. Obviously, you have to be really fit – and we were really fit – but with all the nutrition and the different techniques of warming up and training, they do look more finely tuned, more sharp. There’s a lot more injures now but maybe that’s because they are so finely tuned. Also the game has got a lot quicker – it seems like it’s got a lot quicker anyway!

Do you think you’d make the current Arsenal team then?

This current one? I like to think I could make that team, yeah.

So you’ve stood the test of time?

If we’re talking about The Invincibles, in and around that time, I’m not sure. But after that, after Thierry Henry left, I feel I could’ve made the Arsenal sides. But that Invincibles side was amazing – I wouldn’t mind being on the bench for that team.

It’s been an interesting season for Arsenal. They started slowly but have claimed 33 points from a possible 39 since the turn of 2015, and now look set to clinch runner-up spot in the Premier League. They’re also in the semi-final of the FA Cup. What’s your take on Arsenal’s year?

Well it’s gone how you’d expect Arsenal’s season to go; they began pretty slowly, got a head of steam, started to do really well, are finishing strongly and will probably end up in around fourth like they normally do.

It seems a little bit like Groundhog day but hopefully they can get to the FA Cup final and finish third or second. For me,  that will be a good season. I know we couldn’t have done much more on last season. So if we can finish third or second that’s got to be an improvement and if we win the FA Cup that’s got to be very positive. 

Who do you think they should buy this summer? I read your comments about Raheem Sterling.

I’m sure Raheem Sterling will sign for Liverpool, I’d just like to see Arsenal making waves. I saw Raheem say ‘it’s flattering’ after he got mentioned with Arsenal and it is flattering when teams want you. Of course it is! But it’s one of those – I’m not sure if Arsenal will get him simply because Liverpool will do all they can to keep him. I would just like to know Arsenal are trying to sign players of that calibre.

We’d been bigging up Wrighty all afternoon. Now it was time to bring him down a peg or two. He’s better than Shaun. He’s better than Shaun. Bradley Wright-Phillips, he’s better than Shaun. True or false?

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I can’t answer that question! The weird thing is, they weren’t even that competitive with each other when they were kids. But I’ve seen them both do things that I’m very, very proud of that impressed me so much and I’d never ever, ever answer that question!

When you’re home alone, do you ever put on your Just Did It t-shirt and sing Chicken Tonight?

No! My Just Did It t-shirt’s in a hotel somewhere unfortunately. And I’ve got to say, with the Chicken tonight thing, I’m very flattered because I think that’s like thirty-odd years and people still talk about it.  In respect of advertising, it’s been an absolute success – it’s done its job.

When’s the last time you listened to Do The Right Thing?

I don’t listen to Do The Right Thing. Absolutely not, no.

And finally, Arsene Wenger vs George Graham. No holds barred, straight up street fight. Who wins?

Haha, oh dear. I think George Graham might with his old rugged Scottishness.

Wenger’s got reach though?

He’s got reach but George Graham’s got that Scottish ruggedness. He might take him, I’m not sure. Hopefully it never happens!

Hopefully it does, it’d be hilarious. Thanks Ian, you’ve been a pleasure.

Ian Wright was talking at Ball Street’s media day for #OneMoreGame. Please subscribe to Ball Street’s YouTube channel to follow Wrighty’s journey to #OneMoreGame – https://www.youtube.com/user/

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After a 4th placed finish, Manchester United will find themselves back in the Champions League next season – though they’ll have to win a playoff to reach the group stage proper.

With that in mind United will need to strengthen this summer, both because the strains of Europe will require reinforcements and because they’re still a work in progress.

Last season United looked good at times, but they didn’t score enough goals. And without David De Gea, they may have conceded too many as well.

If they’re to spend big this summer – and Van Gaal has a huge budget – this could be the team they line up with come September 1st.

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Hugo Lloris/Victor Valdes

It seems like David De Gea is on his way towards the exit door and seeking a move back to the Spanish capital. Most United fans might see their current goalkeeper as part of their dream XI, and perhaps he should be in there, but let’s be realistic. It looks like he’s leaving, and there are two good replacements for him here that won’t weaken the team too much, and may even give United a little extra money to spend in order to lure a big star somewhere else in the lineup.

Lloris is tried and tested in the Premier League, along with De Gea he was one of the best last season. He’s an excellent shot stopper but above all else, his sweeper-keeper abilities make him a great fit for Louis Van Gaal.  The French captain won’t come cheap, however, and most of the money taken from any sale of De Gea might well be needed to tempt Tottenham into a sale.

The other option is Victor Valdes who is also tried and tested, however he hasn’t played much football in the last year and a bit. We don’t know how much of a gamble it would be to put him right into the side if De Gea were to leave, but everything that was said about Lloris is true about Valdes – we saw his shot stopping abilities first hand against Hull and his sweeper-keeper credentials are well-known. The plus side of Valdes is that he’d be free, freeing up £25m or so to spend on another player

Antonio Valencia

Full-backs first, and United have been playing Antonio Valencia here for much of the season. The Ecuadorian international has been in good form. We know all about his pace and strength, and he can put in a mean cross too. The beauty for United is that when they have so much of the ball, it’s counter attacks they have to worry about defending – they won’t have to worry about defending against teams who build sustained pressure. This means that the full back positions become less about defending and more about joining the attack, and Valencia can do that nicely.

When United do have to defend, they’ll be able to rely on his strength and speed to get back and help out with the counter attacks, but they won’t need to rely on his defensive capabilities quite so much. So although United might like to sign a right back, it’s not a huge priority.

Marcos Rojo is a capable deputy both for this position and for the centre back positions too.

Luke Shaw

United spent a lot of money on Shaw at the start of last season, and injury stopped him from making a big impact this season. The youngster did well, though, and he looks to have all the qualities necessary to become a top Premier League full back. Still only 19, Shaw has a lot to learn but the best way of teaching him is to give him game time.

But he makes the team on his own merits, he’s strong, he’s quick and is good with the ball at his feet. He can cross too and like Valencia, he can play in a system where he can get forward and chase back on the counter

Mats Hummels

Probably the biggest ‘will he, won’t he’ of the last few seasons, Mats Hummels is unceasingly linked with Manchester United and for good reason too – he’s a world class centre back, he’s big, strong, positionally aware. He is experienced, has a World Cup winners medal and a Champions League runners-up medal.

But the biggest reason United want him is his ability on the ball. He’s a cultured, classy defender who can pick a pass and keep possession. United need this kind of player to stop attacks and set up attacks of their own, but they can also use him as an out-ball when attacking. The perfect Van Gaal defender.

Raphael Varane

Another name touted with a move to United is Raphael Varane. It might be unlikely for United to pull off the transfers for both Varane and Hummels, but this is a dream XI we’re talking about here.

The young frenchman makes the team because of his ability on the ball and his ability to stand up to attackers and not dive into tackles. Varane is of a similar mould to Hummels, which perhaps makes their pairing unlikely, but given that both of these defenders are so highly thought-of around Europe United fans would surely love to see them both at their team.

More likely might be a move for either Varane or Hummels and pair the new signing with Phil Jones. Jones is more of a physical defender than Varane or Hummels, and the partnership of physicality and subtlety would make United fans reminisce about Ferdinand and Vidic. Who knows, maybe Jones would flourish playing alongside such a top class defender.

Michael Carrick

The lynchpin of Van Gaal’s team, United simply must keep Michael Carrick fit and on the pitch.

Whilst United’s attackers set up base camp outside the opposition 18-yard box and the full-backs bomb forward, Michael Carrick slots in between the two centre backs and creates a back three, leaving United less vulnerable to counter attacks. When he gets the ball he can be used as a pivot to vary the angle of attack or simply as an out-ball when United run out of ideas.

On the ball, Carrick is a maestro and can pick a pass as well as anyone in the Premier League. He is the most important player that Van Gaal has, not just because of how good his is, but because of the system that United use. Rooney sometimes plays here, but he just doesn’t have the range of passing, vision or composure that Carrick does. Very few do.

Carrick is United’s Pirlo, and they’ll need to make the most out of him while he’s still there.

Ander Herrera

Another great passer, Herrera is more adept at playing slightly further up the pitch. His range of passing is also wonderful and he popped up with a goal or two last season. Next season he’ll simply continue his role in the Manchester United midfield.

Marouane Fellaini/Angel Di Maria

This is a dream XI, so I don’t like to put in too many double choices, but sometimes it just depends on who the opposition is.

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Marouane Fellaini has been used this season as a midfield powerhouse cum aerial threat. Against the teams Van Gaal feels will sit back and defend deep, pace and guile seem less effective, and working the opportunity to play the ball in high to Fellaini will work better.

Against the teams where pace will yield better results, Angel Di Maria – assuming he stays – is a good player to have in this role. He’s a midfield scurrier these days, rather than an old fashioned winger, and with the arrival of Memphis Depay he doesn’t have the pressure of providing the pace and directness that United fans seem to look for from him. Di Maria’s job is to get around the midfield, get on the ball and make things happen, but that doesn’t mean setting up chances from the wings himself. Against teams where guile and subtlety will work, Di Maria is a great player to have in your side.

Wayne Rooney

There’s not much to say about Rooney, really. He’ll be given a role in Van Gaal’s team where he can get on the ball and pass, but we’ve seen all of last season that Rooney is at his most effective when he’s played up front. It might be the case that rather than going 4-3-3, United will look to put Rooney up as a second striker with Depay at the tip of a diamond who drifts into wider positions.

Memphis Depay

Depay is touted as a Di Maria replacement, but there’s still room for both players in Van Gaal’s team. The Dutch manager is unlikely to want to utilise both players as wingers – though he does have that option if the game calls for it – and Depay could be used as an all-purpose attacking midfielder, drifting wide or into the middle depending on where he can get space, pick up the ball and run at defenders. He also has a fierce shot and an eye for goal, as reflected in his 22 league goals last season – making him top scorer in Holland. He’ll give United a more direct threat.

Gonzalo Higuain

One of the best strikers in the world, Higuain is always linked with the world’s biggest clubs. This might just be the perfect time for United to tempt him to the Premier League.

Napoli have missed out on Champions League football for next season, and United are in the hat, but with the Old Trafford futures of Robin Van Persie and Radamel Falcao uncertain United could be looking for a new striker.

Higuain is strong and knows how to finish, he’d fit in perfectly not just to the Premier League, but also to Van Gaal’s system. Both these things are important, and could see Higuain hit the ground running at top speed.

West Ham may be in the early stages of a new era, with a new manager, new style of play and bunch of exciting new players. But there still remains a sense of familiarity in east London.

The Hammers have made hard work of their Europa League qualifying rounds thus far, and they’ve been less than convincing in their friendlies. New boss Slaven Bilic was never going to come in and get instant results from a group of players so used to playing hoof ball over the last four years, but some fans are already growing frustrated with the fact that they’re having to worry about a third qualifying round second leg trip to Romania on Thursday. Just how has it come to this already?

One thing that appears to have remained from previous eras is the Hammers’ rotten luck with injuries. A season rarely passes without the Irons losing a key man to a long term lay off. Last year, injuries to the likes of Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho, Alex Song and Andy Carroll arguably prevented the east Londoners from keeping up their early season flirtation with a top six finish – they ended up in 12th.

And just a month in to their new season (the Europa League qualifiers started on July 3rd), they’ve already lost Enner Valencia for up to three months with a knee/ankle injury, while Andy Carroll isn’t scheduled in for a return to action until October. This leaves Slaven Bilic with just Diafra Sakho, Mauro Zarate and young Elliott Lee for options up front, which isn’t ideal when you’re faced with a Europa League schedule and an opening day Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

So it’s no surprise to learn that buying at least one goal scorer is Bilic’s main priority this month, as well as adding some extra strength to other areas in the squad.

So we asked Hammers fans to vote for the players they want signed the most before the summer transfer window slams shut. The results, unsurprisingly, aren’t exactly unexpected. Though they are very much on the cards to becoming reality if reports are to be believed.

Here’s the top five players Hammers fans are crying out for this month…

5. Moussa Sow

The Senegal international has been linked with a move to the Boleyn Ground, even before Enner Valencia’s injury last Thursday.

The Fenerbahce striker’s first team opportunities in Istanbul have been limited since the arrival of Robin van Persie and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has reportedly identified him as the ideal man to come in and score some goals.

Bilic will know all about Sow’s ability from his time managing in Turkey with Besiktas and will no doubt have in mind the fact Sow has played alongside star striker Sakho for the national team, eliminating any fears of the two strikers failing to develop an understanding.

The fans also appear to have identified the pros of bringing Sow to the club, with 263 fans giving him a thumbs up in our poll.

4. Alex Song

Alex Song’s loan switch to West Ham raised eyebrows all over Europe last summer, and it wasn’t a surprise when the midfielder hit the ground running and bossed the Hammers’ midfielder during the opening half of the season. He was a key part of the side that occupied a top four spot over Christmas.

West Ham have made it no secret that they want to sign Song permanently this summer and with negotiations with Barcelona ongoing recent reports claim a deal is pretty close to being agreed.

With a Europa League schedule to negotiate alongside a league campaign, strength in depth will be vital for Bilic, and having an experienced midfielder like Song to call upon could prove vital for the Croat.

And West Ham fans are hopeful that Song will be donning the famous claret and blue next season, with a huge 342 giving him a big thumbs up.

3. Charlie Austin

Despite suffering relegation with QPR last season, Charlie Austin remains a much sought after striker who has been linked with the likes of West Ham and Newcastle this summer.

That’s partly down to Austin’s impressive tally of 20 Premier League goals last term, which ultimately proved that he’s a top flight striker and one that needs to continue playing at the level in order to boost his chances for England.

QPR are stubbornly holding out for £15million for Austin’s services and both the Hammers and Steve McClaren’s Newcastle have baulked at such a hefty price tag for a player with just a year remaining on his Loftus Road contract.

However, the Hammers claim to still have money in the bank for further reinforcements and despite trying to sweeten up the west London club with a £12million offer plus Matt Jarvis, may eventually give in and stump up the full asking price.

The Hammers faithful appear to be desperate for their club’s owners to do just that, with many on Twitter tweeting David Gold and demanding he does all he can to get Austin in claret and blue before the window shuts.

That’s reflected by the fact 360 fans voted him in as their third most wanted signing this month.

2. Javier Hernandez

Javier Hernandez’s Manchester United future looks to be in the balance after his unsuccessful loan spell with Real Madrid last term.

Old Trafford chief Louis Van Gaal hinted earlier this summer that Chicharito still has a part to play for the Red Devils, but you’d expect the Dutch boss to cash in if the right offer is put on the table for the Mexico international.

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Tottenham are also thought to be eyeing a move for the striker, but reports this morning claim the Hammers have made an offer of almost £12m to tempt United in to selling.

There’s no doubting how much of a coup a signing like this would be for West Ham, and it would certainly signal their ambition of reaching the proverbial ‘next level.’

Just the fact the Hammers have been mentioned in the same sentence as the striker this summer has had the fans excited, and 413 Irons fans who took our poll voted him in as a player they really want to see signed before the end of the window.

1. Alen Halilovic

The Croation wonder kid has previously been labelled ‘the next Luka Modric,’ which means his reported imminent switch to the Boleyn Ground is a surprise to everyone across Europe.

The Barcelona midfielder wants to be playing regularly and the Catalan giants look like they’re going to let him leave the Nou Camp this summer in order to fulfil his needs. Compatriot Slaven Bilic is an admirer of Halilovic and looks to have moved quickly to get his man before anyone else hears of his availability.

West Ham have already signed midfielders Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini this summer but would have been mental to pass up the chance to sign Halilivic for just £5m, which is the fee they are reportedly paying Barcelona for his services.

So it’s no surprise 475 West Ham fans voted him in as the number one player they want to see in claret and blue by the end of the month. And if today’s reports are to be believed, they won’t have to wait too long – a deal is expected to go though by the end of this week!