There aren’t too many Arsenal fans who wouldn’t take Cesc Fabregas back if given the opportunity. Despite the circumstances surrounding the player’s exit to Barcelona in 2011, Fabregas remains an icon and a much-loved part of Arsenal’s recent history.

The same cannot be said about Alex Song. For those who wanted to look past those party trick lofted passes to Robin van Persie in his final year at Arsenal, it was clear to see that Song really didn’t provide much to the team. He constantly neglected his defensive duties and often thought of himself as something of a creative wizard. The assists numbers may have been impressive, but in comparison to the number of times he threw away possession they didn’t look too good.

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Incidentally, Song hasn’t looked too good in a Barcelona shirt this season, either. It is quite plain to see how out of sync he is with the rest of the Barcelona team, doing nothing to offer a backup to Sergio Busquets and the duties required of that role, while at times looking tactically inept. It’s not just a vicious swipe at the player; Fabregas also admitted to how difficult he found the transition from Arsenal to Barcelona and the tactical approach carried out by the Catalans. It just so happens that the team had alternatives to Fabregas, while they’ve really struggled in the defensive department for much of the season – an area in which Song was brought in to provide cover.

Song is capable of offering a lot and has seen a very good season in an Arsenal shirt, but what good would it do to revisit the player in the near future? Such is Barcelona’s style of play that they can sometimes afford for Song not to be at the top of his game; Arsenal simply do not share that same pressing game that sees Barcelona retrieve the ball so expertly.

There really shouldn’t be any thoughts of bringing Song back to Arsenal. It’s not that it would show Arsenal in a negative light, but the question has to be asked what the player can really bring to the team.

A defensive midfielder is needed going into next season, but there are many options available around Europe who would prove to be a better acquisition than the Barcelona midfielder. On top of that and possibly even more of an important factor over his footballing contributions is that Song left Arsenal on bad terms, with reports suggesting his attitude really started to turn for the worst in his final year. It doesn’t matter how good a player is or has been in the past, Arsene Wenger will always look past a maturing player with that kind of baggage.

It’s still quite clear that Fabregas has an appetite for the Premier League. He hasn’t been able to slot into the Barcelona midfield as seamlessly as previously thought, either playing out of position or lacking the tactical discipline to link up with Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

The positive for Arsenal is that Fabregas finally has his league title and may feel a little more at ease to return to England in the near future. Of course, that’s not to imply that’s it on the trophy front for the player, but he certainly won’t feel as anxious as he did in his final year with Arsenal.

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Importantly, Arsenal will need to show another level of ambition if they are to explore the option of re-signing Fabregas. There are good players currently in the team but both the player and the supporters need to see more in the coming transfer window. It most certainly won’t be about Arsenal biting the bullet or swallowing their pride to bring back Fabregas; Arsene Wenger has mentioned in the past that is it possible we’ll see the player in an Arsenal shirt once again. More than Barcelona, Arsenal is Fabregas’ football home.

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The trials and tribulations of England’s number one Joe Hart have been clear for all to see. A series of high profile gaffes have riddled the stoppers recent Manchester City career, and if midweek was anything to go by it looks set to continue.

If Hodgson is going to pick on form rather than reputation then selecting Celtic’s Fraser Forster is a must. The SPFL stalwart has been imperious for the Scottish giants, and another performance on the highest stage of all midweek has allowed Forster to throw himself well into contention for the national side.

His displays on the continent have garnered the Celtic man an array of admirers. Speaking on the subject of the England goalkeeping jersey to the Sun, legend Gianluigi Buffon had the following to say:

“I think it is time now for England to give Forster a chance. He has shown again in the Champions League what he is capable of. He made some big saves against Barcelona.”

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“He has proved he can handle the big games and the pressure situations. Now it is time to test himself at the international level. If the England coach is picking his team on form then Fraser is his only option.”

High praise from someone held in such regard in goalkeeping and indeed footballing circles. Buffon is right and for me this decision is anything but a gamble, it is prudent selection. Forster has proven himself consistently in Champions League over the last couple of seasons, and his ability to deal with the rigours of SPFL physicality will hold him in good stead for the upcoming games against Poland and Montenegro. A save percentage of 80.9% for Forster compared to 74.4% for Hart between 2010 and 2013 would according to Bloomberg’s statistics point to a need for change in goal. Do we temper this slightly because the Premier League is more competitive? I’m not convinced personally.

For me the bigger risk is continuing this indulgence of a player clearly painfully out of form. What does it say to Joe Hart and indeed other players when someone like Hodgson continue to persist with him through such dark times. Some may argue it shows long-term faith but personally it falls woefully short of the meritocratic ethics we should be instilling in our national side.

I still believe that Joe Hart is the long-term England number one, but for him to get to that level he needs to pushed by those in and around him. Giving Forster a chance will take Hart out of the spotlight and firing line whilst ensuring he is given the necessary kick to re-find his best form.

Maintaining faith is a gamble for Hodgson in itself, especially considering how crucial the upcoming games will be for England’s World Cup hopes. On current form I just cannot see Forster doing any worse than what Hart has done of late.

There may be a school of thought that would suggest that giving a goalkeeper his debut at such a pivotal moment is non-sensical. Defenders and keepers need to strike up a relationship which takes time, something that England do not have at the moment.

This issue is a genuine concern, but England’s finest international stars should be able to deal with it. Considering how shaky communication seems to be between Hart and his defence of late I really don’t see the risk being quite as great as many would make out.

Picking Forster ahead of Hart just sends out all the right messages. The national side do not pick on reputation but performances, the way it should be in my opinion. How can rising stars ever be motivated to impress the national selectors when they know a select few are guaranteed a berth?

The title suggests that the decision to pick Forster would represent a gamble, but personally England’s World Cup charge is more under threat if Hart continues to play.

Forster is high on confidence and riding the crest of a wave, whereas the City man looks a shadow his former self. Dropping him is not only a benefit to England in general but the player himself. People are kidding themselves if they think games against Montenegro and Poland will be easy and the decision over who to play between the sticks could be crucial to whether we qualify or not.

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My belief is that Hodgson just doesn’t has the guts to make the changes necessary and this a concern for England as a whole going forward. The safer bet is to play Forster, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the England manager see’s fit to keep the faith with an ailing Hart.

Will this be the decision to cost England a place in Rio?

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In recent weeks Joe Hart has become no stranger to public scrutiny. A series of high-profile errors for club Manchester City has seen England’s no. 1 drop to the bench in the Premier League, an outcome that has prompted speculation over both his domestic and international future.

And tonight will be no different, as the 6’5 stopper looks set to make his first appearance in three weeks when he lines up in England’s friendly with Germany at Wembley.

To say then that the stakes are high for the goalkeeper would probably be something of an understatement. A solid performance would help reassure fans that he is still a good first choice at international level, and perhaps take the focus off him when he returns to Manchester. A poor game, however, will serve to compound what is an already precarious situation for him.

With the World Cup in Brazil now just a few months away, Hart will be anxious to put his ‘blip’ behind him as quickly as possible – a process that is likely to require a significant, if unwelcome, test of character.

This story though, is one which the majority of us have seen before, when a certain Paul Robinson was the subject of a very similar situation.

Following a freak goal against Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier, mounting pressure saw the then Tottenham man dropped for the final match of qualification, which proved to be the end of his time as England’s goalkeeper.

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While that eventuality appears to still be quite a long way off for the 26-year-old Hart, who’s England record boasts just two defeats, it’s fair to say that the jury is further out than it has ever been on whether Roy Hodgson should stick with him.

It was Fraser Forster who took his place when he played against Chile on Friday, turning in a solid display for his first international cap, while Norwich’s John Ruddy also on one cap, is similarly waiting in the wings.

Both are very good goalkeepers, but with a lack of international experience and ability levels that don’t clearly eclipse those of Hart, the odds of them usurping his place for the upcoming tournament seem improbable at best.

But then, it is not Hart’s ability that is really in question. Indeed, it is basically indisputable that when on form he is world-class and perhaps the first player truly capable of taking on the mantle of England’s former international stalwart David Seaman.

What is also indisputable, however, is that at present his top-flight performances are not up to these very high standards.

Such a downturn in form is far from irreversible and most players will go through patches when playing well is a lot harder to come by. The difference of course, is that it is much easier to forget these when it concerns an outfielder as opposed to a goalkeeper.

Goalkeepers are generally played consistently and thus not party to a squad-rotation system. When dropped for any reason other than injury therefore, it is often taken as a statement of lost confidence on behalf of the manager, at domestic level at least.

This, when taken in conjunction with the attitude of the British press, an entity that wastes no time in criticising the individuals it helps to build up as idols, it’s understandable that a player’s and particularly goalkeeper’s confidence could be affected by these events.

Tonight though, could prove to be a turning point. A good display, or failing that, one that prompts no comment, would help stem the flow of unwanted analysis that has been directed towards Hart recently, which could go some way to helping him regain his goalkeeping vigour.

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And speculation over the potential of arrival of a new stopper at City in January, unlikely to have done a lot for him up to now, might similarly die down with a return to form.

Speculation over Hart’s future then, is really a little premature. Football is, after all, a very fickle business, a fact that regularly causes us to lose sight of the fallibility of those who engage in it at the highest level. Nobody can play well all the time and if anything, the current questions over his performances are a testimony to how good he is known to be.

Come next summer, I firmly expect him to be lining up in the World Cup, and for Manchester City long before then.

Can Joe Hart get over this rocky patch of form?

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It’s no secret that Liverpool need further quality in depth, signings to keep them challenging at the top of the Premier League table. The team’s run of results don’t change that, despite going into Christmas day as league leaders. But it’s also very difficult to paint a damning image of the club off the back of two high-profile losses. The two issues are not exactly intertwined.

Liverpool needed the 5-0 win at Tottenham to put wind in their sails. They went into the game at Manchester City with all the confidence that they could be the first team to hand a defeat to City at the own ground this season. Brendan Rodgers’ side looked like they belonged. They outplayed City for spells in the game and should have gone ahead early when Luis Suarez put Raheem Sterling through on goal. City weren’t at their best without their talismanic striker, Sergio Aguero, out injured, but you felt that Liverpool were playing a hand in the home side’s sluggish start.

Liverpool don’t have the squad to challenge Manchester City or Chelsea, but they’re nevertheless doing a good job of it this season, almost defiantly. Rodgers has to take a lot of the credit. He’s recalled Sterling, who was extremely poor in the past, and entrusted him to spearhead counter-attacking operations. His pace more than troubled City and Spurs. Jordan Henderson is another who has been instrumental in Liverpool’s good form of late, doing much more than offering simple industry.

But Liverpool failed at City because of poor officiating, not because they couldn’t match up to one of the other big names in the league. How much of a difference would a handful of star signings have made on the day? Liverpool did miss plenty of good opportunities, but there is no guarantee that even the most clinical of finishers would have put them away. Liverpool had done enough to take a draw from the game but were left with nothing due to the inadequacy of one of the officials.

From a Liverpool perspective, you could make a similar case for their loss at Chelsea. Rodgers’ side weren’t played off the park; they were very much in it, taking the early lead and missing out on a penalty towards the end. There were many questioning Howard Webb’s decision to let play continue after Samuel Eto’o’s foul on Suarez in the box. Again, would a handful of world-class additions have made much of a difference when the outcome of the game at Stamford Bridge was arguably decided by the official?

There are shortcomings to this Liverpool team. Can they sustain what they’re doing at present? They have one fit centre-forward and a lack of creativity in the middle of the pitch. But that’s an issue that speaks of the wider picture; City and Chelsea weren’t great and Liverpool were good enough to get results.

The lack of quality throughout can and likely will be exposed elsewhere down the line at a much less obvious time, for example in the way Hull convincingly took all three points from Liverpool just prior to this good run of form.

Wherever Liverpool finish this season, they will need reinforcements of better quality than they already have. Importantly, though, the results in these recent big games haven’t condemned Liverpool to a lesser standing. They were good enough to stand up to the two strongest squads in the league.

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After a nervy first half on Wednesday night, Edin Dzeko’s fifteenth and sixteenth Premier League strikes of the season kept Manchester City on course for their second title in three years. The Bosnia and Herzegovina striker’s recent hot streak in front of goal couldn’t have come at a better time for the Citizens, who now likely only need a point from their final fixture at home to West Ham to finish the season as champions.

Having now been at the club for nearly three and a half years, is Dzeko finally being appreciated at City?

The striker was Roberto Mancini’s ninth signing back in January 2011 when he arrived from Wolfsburg for a cool £27 million. Dzeko had announced himself on the European footballing stage through his strike partnership with Grafite. In 2009. the pair were integral to the German club’s inaugural Bundesliga triumph, scoring a German record fifty four goals in just thirty four matches. In doing so, Dzeko and Grafite surpassed the legendary former Bayern Munich partnership of Gerd Muller and Uli Hoeness.

But like so many foreigners, Dzeko initially struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. In his first half season in Manchester, the forward could only muster two league goals from fifteen appearances.

Under Mancini’s management, Dzeko came to be regarded as something of a “super sub” at the club. From the beginning of the 2011/12 season up until the Italian’s sacking, the striker delivered a healthy return of twenty eight league goals from sixty two matche, a ratio which becomes even more impressive considering thirty of these appearances came from the bench.

Despite these strikes, Dzeko never seemed to completely win over the faith of his manager. When given the opportunity to start, more often than not the striker struggled to impress. With Mancini regularly favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation, Dzeko understandably found it difficult to dislodge Sergio Aguero from the starting lineup.

City fans have at times been heavily critical of the forward’s performances. Accusations that he is cumbersome and lacks the work rate of the Argentine fan favourite have frequently been levelled at the striker. Dzeko has also been criticised for not offering much other than a goal threat who is occasionally guilty of missing simple chances.

During his time in Manchester, the striker has frequently found himself behind many in the pecking order. Considering the embarrassment of riches at the club’s disposal, the £27 million man has often found himself as City’s third or even fourth choice option. Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez and more recently Alvaro Negredo have have all enjoyed the manager’s favour ahead of the former Wolfsburg striker.

But under Manuel Pellegrini, Dzeko has enjoyed something of a renaissance. The Chilean’s preference for 4-4-2 has given the striker greater game time, making twenty two starts so far this season. In the current calendar year, Dzeko is the Premier League’s top scorer with twelve strikes so far, with so many of these proving crucial in City’s title pursuit. The striker opened the floodgates on Wednesday night and delivered braces in crucial away day victories at Everton and Manchester United.

This recent hot streak has seemingly finally won over the City faithful. But the statistics show that the formerly maligned striker was arguably subjected to some particularly unfair criticism.

A recent report on CaughtOffside, published prior to City’s victory over Villa, shows that Dzeko is incredibly sixth in the all-time Premier League minutes per goal record for strikers. Despite being a “super sub” for so much of his time at the Etihad, the striker has, on average, netted once every 136 minutes. Even without ever managing to win over Mancini’s favour, Dzeko still managed to bag fourteen league goals in consecutive seasons.

Bearing this goalscoring return in so few starts, it is remarkable to think that the striker has only now seemingly won over the City supporters. It has somehow taken nearly three and a half years for the Citizens to realise that they have more than one prolific striker currently on their books.

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Unfortunately for Dzeko, the struggle for recognition is an issue which has plagued him for both club and country. Despite netting ten in ten appearances during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s successful World Cup qualifying campaign, the striker was still subjected to booing from his own fans during a recent friendly defeat to Egypt.

If City do indeed secure the point needed on Sunday to lift the Premier League title, much of it will have been down to Dzeko’s contribution in the current calendar year. It may have taken them a while, but it seems City fans are now finally appreciating the efforts of their £27 million striker.

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Maybe it’s the boredom of being away from the pitch and the day-to-day of being associated with a football club, but Paul Scholes hasn’t taken long or shied away from getting stuck in to a number of topics.

And what’s the problem with that? Would we prefer sterile, safe punditry? Scholes, whether or not we agree with him, has generated debate.

Scholes held no punches in his assessment of Wayne Rooney, citing that the player had peaked at 26 and may not be around too much longer after he turns 30. It’s an interesting angle. England has a player who should be among the best in the world but isn’t even the best in his own league. There are at least five players who you’d consider better than Rooney in the Premier League, and that’s without giving it much thought.

But Scholes has dug into this debate and offered something genuinely useful. Rooney isn’t the player we thought he’d become. There was plenty of discussion about whether Rooney should be dropped from England’s World Cup team in Brazil, and Scholes supported the idea by suggesting the player’s irregular form and overall disappointment for the national team didn’t warrant an unconditional starting place.

There isn’t really much of an issue with Scholes being candid on topics that do matter. Since retiring (for the second time), he’s completely abandoned his quiet on-pitch demeanour. And isn’t this the kind of former player we ought to be listening to? Scholes is lauded as one of the best products this country has produced, so good that the England team’s visceral approach to the game couldn’t accommodate him.

Jack Wilshere has been another disappointment for the most part. Scholes’ critique of the Arsenal midfielder wasn’t off by any means. And so what if he ruffles a few feathers? If it gets Wilshere playing better and improving on his current game then there really is no harm done. Wilshere and Scholes were said to have had a private conversation following, and during his game for England against Costa Rica in Brazil, Wilshere did show plenty of signs of promise for what could come next season.

Scholes’ latest offering is on Manchester United’s £34 million signing of Luke Shaw. We’re all thinking it: it’s an insane amount of money to spend on a teenager, let alone a teenage left-back. The wider issue is what such signings – the high value placed on English players – does for the national team, with teams looking abroad for cheaper alternatives.

In addition, Scholes isn’t wrong for wanting a 30-goal centre-forward for over £30 million.

Scholes’ input since hanging up the boots for good has been edgy and enjoyable. Why lament the abundance of boring coverage but then question the input of someone who’s willing to offer something interesting?

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We don’t really need consistency from Scholes in him replicating his quiet nature on the pitch to his assessment of it. They’re two completely different worlds.

Scholes has offered interesting insight to the game. We don’t have to agree with everything he says, but there’s no harm done in him disrupting a market saturated with generally boring or, at times, pointless statements on the game.

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Alan Pardew’s bacon may have been saved for another week by Papiss Cisse’s late two-goal come-back to draw against Hull City on Saturday, but the Newcastle manager’s position is still verging towards untenable.The former West Ham and Charlton gaffer’s Tyneside tenure has been riddled with controversy, ranging from rumours that he first met Mike Ashley in a casino to receiving a seven-game touchline ban for head-butting David Meyler last season, and the Magpies now find themselvesÂat the bottom of the Premier League table with just three points from five games and a goal difference of -5.The supporters want Pardew sacked, or at least 86% of them do, according to a poll taken at the end of last season. And with that scenario becoming increasingly likely, it’s time for the Toon army to start getting excited about potential successors to their under-fire manager.So without further ado, here’s FIVE likely Pardew replacements that will leave the Magpies faithful dreaming of former glories once again.

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TONY PULIS

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His attritional philosophy may often divide opinion, but Tony Pulis has to be considered a strong candidate for any managerial vacancy outside of the Premier League’s top six.

The 56 year-old built Stoke City into the mid-table powerhouses they are today, and performed nothing short of a miracle at Selhurst Park last season by masterminding Crystal Palace to an eleventh place finish in the top flight, earning him the 2013/14 Manager of the Season award.

He picked up the Eagles in November 2013 at the foot of the Premier League table with just seven points on the board – a situation not dissimilar to where the Magpies currently find themselves.

Most importantly for Newcastle fans following their slump into the Championship in 2009, relegation-threatened 2012/13 campaign and current demise this season, Pulis boasts the impressive feat of having never been relegated as a manager, throughout spells with Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Plymouth, the Potters and Palace.

But the former defender left the South London outfit by mutual consent at the start of the current campaign, reportedly due to a dispute over transfer policy with co-Chairman Steve Parish, so it remains to be seen if he’d be willing to work with Mike Ashley, who has infamously dominated Newcastle’s recruitment throughout Alan Pardew’s tenure.

The Tynesiders will have to act quickly too; Pulis has strongly been linked with the vacancy at Cardiff City, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s resignation last week:

DAVID MOYES

David Moyes may have endured a horror-story ten months at Manchester United, leading the Red Devils to the worst title defence in Premier League history since the 38-game season began, but his prior accomplishments with Everton have not been forgotten.

The Scot transformed the Toffees from relegation candidates into top six regulars during his eleven years at Goodison Park, in that time winning the 2003, 2005 and 2009 LMA Manager of the Year awards.

That level of consistency – Everton finished outside of the top seven just three times under Moyes – is exactly what Newcastle need to bring them back towards former glories, and the 51 year-old’s ability to work with modest resources will particularly strike a chord with Mike Ashley.

The former Preston boss needs to rebuild his reputation after the hellish United stint, and following rejection from Galatasaray earlier this summer, will be prepared to take on a less coveted club.

But Moyes was on £4million-per-year at Everton and £3.5million-per-year at Manchester United, so the Newcastle owner will likely have to pay a premium rate for his services.

Steve Bruce

Once harangued out of the Sunderland dugout for being a ‘fat Geordie b*****d, Newcastle United boss could well be the managerial role Steve Bruce was born for.

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He’s enjoyed consistent Premier spells with Birmingham, Wigan Athletic, the Black Cats and now Hull City, guiding them to Europa League qualification via the FA Cup last season, and as a boyhood Toon supporter, would gloss over many of the entrenched issues between Mike Ashley and the fanbase.

The 53 year-old admitted in November 2013 his regret in not becoming Newcastle boss when the opportunity arose during his St. Andrew’s days, but he also labelled recent links with the Magpies post ‘disrespectful’ last week.

And although he appears to have the firm backing of the tabloids, who have lined him up rather vigorously as Alan Pardew’s replacement, Bruce made further suggestions he’d turn down the Tynesiders this weekend by backing their under-fire manager:

Also tied down to a long-term contract with the Tigers, Ashley would have to fork out a significant compensation sum to even hold talks with the former Manchester United skipper.

NEIL LENNON

Neil Lennon left Celtic on his own terms at the end of last season, after claiming three consecutive SPL titles, two Scottish Cups and masterminding some of the most memorable European nights in the club’s history – including this Champions League victory over Barcelona:

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The northern Irishman’s move to English football feels inevitable and he was linked with a plethora of managerial vacancies in the Premier League and Championship throughout the summer, including Norwich City and West Brom.

No club has taken a punt on the 43 year-old just yet, and admittedly, a lack of experience in the English top flight will work against him. But the former Crewe and Leicester City midfielder boasts enormous potential as a manager and his feisty passion will certainly gain the support of the Toon Army:

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That being said, Mike Ashley needs to act quickly – Lennon has been linked to both the Cardiff City and Fulham posts:

FABRICIO COLOCCINI

Could this actually happen, or is it simply a Toon Army fantasy? For that matter, would it even be a good idea?

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Either way, The Telegraph claim Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini is amongst the contenders to take over from under-fire manager Alan Pardew:

The 32 year-old is an absolute novice in managerial terms and probably envisages his playing days lasting a little longer, having eyed a prodigal-son return to Argentina with San Lorenzo back in January.

But he’s also seen as an adoptive son of the Tyneside community, with his floppy hair iconic and the defender boasting over 200 appearances for the Toon. Here are some of the highlights from his seven-year spell:

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It’s the kind of cost-cutting measure Mike Ashley tends to go for and the exact same decision Swansea City made regarding Gary Monk last season. The Welsh side are now fifth in the Premier League table.

But the Argentina international has been as instrumental as anybody in Newcastle’s plight over the last few seasons, enduring questionable form and rarely showing the organisational qualities expected of a captain centre-back.

I’m sure Magpies fans would prefer to see some leadership from the pitch before he moves to the dugout.

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Nine points dropped from a WINNING POSITION already this season…

The Swansea collapse on Sunday was another disappointing day at the office for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, prompting much talk of ‘same old story’ from Gooners. It seems bizarre that after so many crumbling performances in recent years that the Frenchman has done very little to repair the glaring issues, leading to frustration in the stands and underachievement on the pitch.

So just what can be done at the Emirates Stadium? Here are FIVE options to give the Londoners a little more ‘backbone’.

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CLICK ON KONDOGBIA TO REVEAL THE FIVE

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William Carvalho

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Dubbed the ‘new Patrick Vieira’, Carvalho looks to be everything Arsenal are missing in the centre of midfield. Strong, energetic, pacey and able to get forward, the Portugal international is the complete package and is viewed, by many, as the best young enforcer in Europe behind Paul Pogba.

Mathieu Flamini is a red card waiting to happen, Mikel Arteta can no longer get about the pitch as he’s needed to, whilst the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky are too attack-minded to mop up in front of the backline. Carvalho to solve the problems? At £20m, he could.

Sami Khedira

For much of the summer the Gunners were linked with the German, and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, January could be the best time to nab the 27-year-old. Khedira is another all-action midfielder who’s able to get up and down the pitch and protect or support, making him a useful tool to his side.

Arsenal’s German contingent may be key in convincing the World Cup winner to reject Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, so Wenger should probably consider an £8m-£10m move.

Mats Hummels

In a period in which there are very few top class centre-backs around, Hummels appears to be the pick of the bunch. That’s not to mean that he isn’t of the quality of some of the great defenders of the past 20 years or so, with the Dortmund ace a genuinely excellent enforcer.

Manchester United also want the 25-year-old, but weekend reports indicated that the player himself is more open to joining the Gunners thanks to their proven Champions League qualification track record. At £30m-££35m it’s a no brainier, right?

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Rangy and combative, Kondogbia is an excellent holding midfielder. Another player to have been handed the ‘Patrick Vieira’ tag, the current Monaco man was linked with the Gunners before joining the French heavyweights upon their return to France’s top tier.

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“There’s a lad at Monaco called Geoffrey Kondogbia who is very similar to Patrick Vieira and he played at the Emirates Cup.

“It would take a lot of money to get him, but he’s physically imposing and he would be the perfect buy.”

The words Arsenal hero Perry Groves. ‘Nuff said.

Gerard Pique

Bags of experience and a real winning mentality, Pique is the calibre of centre-back needed to stem the flow of goals at the wrong end for Arsenal. The Spaniard has recently fallen out of favour at Barcelona, and although Chelsea and Manchester United are leading the race, the Gunners could yet steal in to nab the World Cup winner.

Pique’s composure on the ball and ability to function in ‘the Barca way’ are certain to appeal to Wenger, who is known to like his defenders to be able to play out from the back. A £20m-£25m fee will be needed, but such sums could easily be made up with a top four finish this season.

Morgan Schneiderlin has revealed that he will not be leaving Southampton in January, despite strong links with Tottenham during a summer of uncertainty.

The French international was heavily aligned with a move away from the South Coast club during the last transfer window, with reports suggesting that he demanded to be allowed to leave following the sales of big name players such as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren.

But despite this, the Saints held firm to keep hold of the 24-year-old.

WANT MORE? >> Southampton transfer news | Spurs transfer news

Since then Schneiderlin has impressed in the first-team, helping the Hampshire outfit to secure 13 points from seven games – leaving them third in the Premier League for the current international break.

Talk of a move to Spurs in January has started to populate gossip columns once again in recent weeks, but now Schneiderlin has confirmed that he has no intention of making a move until at the end of the season at the very earliest:

“I played against Liverpool at Anfield and all the Southampton fans applauded me and chanted my name.” he is quoted by Sky Sports. “It was so heart-warming. I knew then I would spend the whole season at Southampton.

“Maybe now we will achieve something amazing here. Champions League qualification would be fantastic. I hope to play in the Champions League one day, of course. I want to play every three days. But why not play in the Champions League with Southampton?”

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Non-League fixture lists are set to face another winter of discontent as the weather ruins grass pitches, but this is changing. From next season the Conference is allowing 3G (“third generation”) pitches for multiple reasons; they provide a better playing surface; they are more financially viable; they give a community benefit.

The Conference will become the highest level to allow 3G surfaces in English league football, which is far behind Europe. There Champions League, Europa League and International matches are often played on artificial pitches – in 2007 England lost 2-1 to Russia in a European Championship qualifier on one in Moscow.

One argument against artificial pitches is that football should be played on grass to respect tradition. However on that basis we would still be using a pig’s bladder and competing only been rival villages, as they did in the Victorian ages!

Plastic pitches where banned from English professional football in 1995 after QPR, Luton Town, Oldham Athletic, Hyde and Preston North End unsuccessfully tried them.

Synthetic surfaces have since improved, evident in other sports – Rugby Union and League sides Saracens and Widnes use them with little complaints. Moreover extensive research indicates that there is no noteworthy difference in injury risk between using 3G and grass surfaces.

Maidstone United have pioneered the renaissance of 3G pitches through their Gallagher Stadium, which testers considered “as good as Wembley”. They are currently in the Isthmian Premier League and can now attain Conference status, after an initial vote on 3G pitches for this season was voted down 21-11.

A second vote saw the opposite result leaving Minister for Sport Helen Grant, who is also a member of parliament for Maidstone and The Weald, “delighted that this sensible step has been taken”. The FA and Football League deserve credit for encouraging the Conference’s U-turn through allowing 3G pitches for all FA Cup from this season onwards.

A primary argument against 3G pitches for Non-League clubs is the vast cost of their installation, approximately £300,000. However, surely a deal could be struck with a funding organisation like The National Lottery to match club funds towards the pitch.

Local councils could then provide a loan and stipulation that the pitch is hired out for a certain number of hours a week at reasonable prices. Enthusiastic amateur footballers would relish the chance to play at the ground of a semi-professional club, whilst enabling the club to pay back towards the cost of the pitch.

Alex Horne noted that 3G pitches can cope with extra use, as they “are a useful asset capable of 50-plus hours per week compared to around five from grass surfaces”. These ‘extra’ hours also allow Non-League clubs to rejuvenate and revive their youth academies, which are currently facing stringent cuts.

Paul Scholes has rightly advocated this benefit of 3G pitches, citing Germany as an excellent example – they have over 4,000 3G pitches, England has fewer than 750.

3G pitches can facilitate improvement in the  quality of Non-League football played in the Conference, through rewarding clubs for playing a passing game – as Brian Clough said “. Currently many Conference pitches are difficult to pass and control the ball on due to being undulating services with an uneven covering of grass, if there is any. Cold winters bring rain which exacerbates this problem, but 3G pitches avoid the disruption of fixture cancellations and backlogs.

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This brings huge financial benefit which clubs like Braintree Town would die for – The Iron lost 12 successive home games last year! This means sides maintain the sustainable turnover on which they are often reliant, namely match day revenue, whilst pitch maintenance costs largely disappear.

England is unrivalled in the volume of clubs and supporters following the semi-professional game, it seems only fair that all involved have the chance to attain facilities that will provide a dependable fixture list and 3G pitches should be an important part of that.

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