Hazard & M'Vila Wait on Arsenal Future

Arsenal must qualify for the Champions League on Wednesday if they stand any chance of signing two of their top transfer targets, Eden Hazard and Yann M'Vila.

The match against Italian side Udinese now has a massive, added importance to it, with Arsenal's late activity in the transfer market relying on them getting through to the group stages of Europe's biggest club competition to match the ambitions of two of Ligue 1's brightest prospects.

Arsenal's raid on the French League also includes a big interest in Marvin Martin, Sochaux's attacking midfielder, who has impressed in the French national side as well as in domestic football, playing in a role similar to that of Samir Nasri at Arsenal. Martin assisted 17 goals last season, and in one game this year has already scored one goal.

He is a flare midfielder, as is Hazard, with the latter being a long term target of Wenger's, while Rennes' Yann M'Vila has only recently come into the Arsenal managers line of vision as he searches for depth in the defensive midfield role.

Lille are said to be asking for over £20 million for Hazard, and despite rumours that M'Vila was subject to a rejected £17.5 million from Arsenal, Rennes are supposedly rating him at just over £12 million. According to the Independent, Martin would be the cheapest signing of the three, with Wenger confident he can snatch the 23 year-old for £10.5 million.

With this information, it is understandable why Arsene Wenger is absolutely prepared to cup-tie Samir Nasri against Udinese which may potentially see Manchester City pull out of the deal to sign him, meaning the French midfielder would leave for free next season.

Arsenal may lose out on the £25 million fee City are prepared to pay, but last year, despite only reaching the knock-out round of the competition, Arsenal made £26.2 million, so with Nasri as well as any of Martin, M'Vila and Hazard, getting through on Wednesday is absolutely crucial for Arsenal's future.

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Arsenal Target Midfielder Marvin Martin

Arsenal have made an informal approach for the young Sochaux midfielder, Marvin Martin, and are ready to make a bid for the 23 year-old when they receive the first payment from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas, according to the Metro.

It is an interesting rumour, and looking at Martin's qualities on the ball, it is a very unsurprising move from Arsene Wenger. I took a look at Marvin Martin back in June when Manchester United were rumoured to be interested in bringing him in as a future replacement for Scholes, and I liked what I saw.

I would love to see how the French creative midfielder fares in the Premier League, and considering his age, nationality and relatively small price tag of around (although probably a few million over) £10 million, it looks a typical Arsene Wenger signing is on the cards. Below is an extract from the article I did on the player a few months ago, providing some useful information on the player for Arsenal fans who know little about him. Bare in mind, the article was written in the context of United's interest:

"Marvin Martin is a 23 year-old Frenchman currently playing for the Ligue 1 side Sochaux. He had a stunning season last year, especially in terms of what United would be looking for; creativity. Four goals (one of which was a stunning chip from the edge of the area), and an extremely impressive 17 assists. Indeed, the player himself confirmed in an interview in May that to create goals is his role in Sochaux: "that's my role in the team. I'm here to try and create goals." 


Martin was nominated for France's Young Player of the Season award, which was eventually won by Mamdou Sakho, and has been described as a player with "very good technique on the ball" and "excellent vision." He is also a very good passer of the ball from watching him in action. His rise to "stardom", if you like at Sochaux has been very quick, yet from reading his interviews, he seems a down to earth and grounded young man, who is not phased by the links to big clubs. When the interviewer was bigging him up, Martin responded maturely: "Let's not get carried away! I'm still a long way off being a star." and on that wonderful goal he scored said: "But one goal doesn't make a career!"

United could do far worse in this young man. Apparently, there are a few French clubs understandably interested in signing the player, with a £7 million bid from Lille already being rejected. The Sochaux club president retaliated angrily to French clubs' interest in Martin, saying: "I repeat for the 18-millionth time: Marvin is staying."
[view the complete original article with video] 

The Arsenal manager is known for delving into the French market, and has done so frequently in the past - the most recent success story being that of Samir Nasri, whom he bought from Marseille. However, Wenger will be looking to replace Fabregas and Nasri very soon - it is though Martin would be bought as a replacement for Fabregas - so if he does join, expect him to be deployed in the central midfield role, creating chances as he did for Sochaux last season.

There remains the insistence from the French sides' club President that the player will not be sold, but a considerable sum would surely soon change his mind. Nevertheless, we will see in the coming weeks if there is any truth behind the rumours, and looking at the potential Martin has, Arsenal fans will be hoping so.

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Manchester United's Sneijder Back-Up Plan? - Video

When you are forced to say goodbye to arguably the best midfielder of his generation, it doesn't come as any great surprise that you are hard pressed to find a replacement worthy of filling his legendary boots. Despite hoping that every year he would extend his stay, the announcement of Paul Scholes retirement came as no surprise to Manchester United fans who had expected the sad day to come for a few seasons. It has however, prompted the endless transfer rumours to circle continuously as to who Sir Alex Ferguson would buy to replace the 17 season hero of Paul Scholes, and I am here to add to report an addition to the list of possible replacements.

Wesley Sneijder is seen as United's prime target, considered by many as the perfect fit for the club - a quality, experienced midfielder in his prime who would slot like an old jigsaw piece into the United side to do what he does best; create chances and score goals for his team mates. However, the old, experienced Sir Alex Ferguson would be a fool (and he isn't) if he didn't have a back up plan if a Sneijder deal were not to materialise. Indeed, reports today confirm that Sir Alex is no fool, by linking United with a man who is literally the perfect fit for Paul Scholes, in that the pair are separated by half an inch of an inch in height.

That man is Marvin Martin, a 23 year-old Frenchman currently playing for the Ligue 1 side Sochaux. He had a stunning season last year, especially in terms of what United would be looking for; creativity. Four Goals (one of which was a stunning chip from the edge of the area), and an extremely impressive 17 assists. Indeed, the player himself confirmed in an interview in May that to create goals is his role in Sochaux: "that's my role in the team. I'm here to try and create goals."

Martin was nominated for Frances Young Player of the Season award, which was eventually won by the Arsenal target Mamdou Sakho, and has been described as a player "very good technique on the ball" and "excellent vision", and is a very good passer of the ball from watching his highlights. His to "stardom", if you like at Sochaux has been very quick, yet from reading his interviews, he seems a very down to earth and grounded young man, who is not phased by the links to big clubs. When the interviewer was bigging him up, Martin responded maturely: "Let's not get carried away! I'm still a long way off being a star." and on that wonderful goal he scored said: "But one goal doesn't make a career!"

United could do far worse in this young man. Apparently, there are a few French clubs understandably interested in signing the player, with a £7 million bid from Lille already being rejected. Despite the Sochaux club president retaliating angrily to French clubs' interest in Martin, saying: "I repeat for the 18-millionth time: Marvin is staying.", it is thought that the club would seriously consider a bid of £15 million - far cheaper than the £35 million plus that Manchester United would have to pay for Wesley Sneijder.

While Manchester United's own youth, particularly Tom Cleverley may have the potential to replace Paul Scholes, United fans would be a touch disappointed if a top quality, proven talent is bought in to play in the creative midfield role. The Wesley Sneijder deal has become slightly more likely in recent days, with him speaking in "Cristiano Ronaldo style" about his future; "only God will decide my future", but it still remains a deal far from completion. If Sir Alex really has come across Martin from scouting him, then I suggest, in my opinion, for £15 million, it would be an absolute steal, and United would get a player who has a lot more years in him while possessing the top quality needed.

Below is a video of some of Martin's assists, and it has the chip I was raving about in there too. Excuse the odd Pirates of the Caribbean theme music:

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