After some spectacularly insipid performances in this season's crunch matches, the whole world is now in agreement with those of us who have been hoping for new blood to bolster Arsenal's talented whipper snappers. But has anyone actually suggested who we should (fairly) realistically be targeting in the summer sales? Well, they are now. I reckon our biggest problems are at central defence and central midfield with the emphasis on character and experience. So here are 10 names to start fuelling the transfer rumours.

Centre back

Carlos Marchena, turns 30 in close season, 50 caps
He’s big, scary and was pretty awesome at Euro 2008 where he made the Team of the Tournament. He’s the captain of Valencia which speaks volumes for his character and the potential for getting him is good as they are going through the kind of financial crisis that makes our debt look like loose change. Given his experience, trophy winning credentials and potential cut-price fee I’d make him the number one target.

Giorgio Chiellini, 24, 18 caps
Supposed to be the next great Italian stopper, I haven't seen him play live since the last Euros. However, he caught the eye there and seems to possess the power and strength we need. We have been linked with him regularly since then so maybe there is some credence in the connection but you have to question whether he’s old enough and experienced enough – we don’t need more ‘potential’.

Christoph Metzelder, 28, 47 caps
A big name and certainly experienced enough, he could be available for a bargain price. The reason unfortunately is his biggest drawback – the bloke is so injured he makes Tomas Rosicky look like the Bionic Man. But maybe he would be worth the risk for £1m considering he’s arguably Germany’s best defender. With a World Cup coming up perhaps he will be more focused on staying healthy.

Joris Mathijsen, 29, 42 caps
Perhaps the best experienced Dutch centre back he would offer some more stability and shouldn’t cost the earth. Captain of the Hamburg team, hopefully Martin Jol hasn’t corrupted his defensive capabilities too much.

Phil Jagielka, 26, 3 caps
I never expected a run-of-the-mill Sheffield United player to turn into John Terry Jnr but that’s exactly what’s happened and he would appear to have exactly the attitude we are crying out for. Likes sticking his head in where it hurts and keeps his concentration for 90+ minutes. Can’t see Wenger going for him, though, and he may not have the kind of experience we need – but I’d definitely opt for him over Matthew Upson.

Central midfielder

Esteban Cambiasso, 29 in Aug, 43 caps
If we work on the presumption that we’ve got a £20m transfer kitty at best, getting Cambiasso might be a long-shot but you’ve got to aim high. I’d say he is a slightly classier version of Mascherano and would be a good blend of destructive and constructive.

Scott Parker, 29, 3 caps
I know the prospect makes you feel pretty queasy considering he’s such a disagreeable piece of work but that’s exactly the reason we could do with having him on board. How many of our existing players make life uncomfortable for the opposition? I can’t imagine Wenger would ever lower himself to bringing such an ‘uncompromising’ sort of midfielder – and sadly I suspect he would probably struggle to fit in within the dressing room – but I think it could actually work.

Rino Gattuso, 32 in January, 65 caps
Old, admittedly, but perhaps we can squeeze another year out of him. Has an aura about him and steely approach which should transfer to the rest of the team. I did think it would make sense to get him when Flamini was going the other way and while we’d probably end up with the worse side of the exchange he’d still be better than Denilson. So would I be, but that’s beside the point…

Gokhan Inler, 24, 23 caps
Wenger has admitted he tried to buy him last summer and failed to deny he’ll try again this year. From what I've seen he doesn't seem a combative type but he looks like he's pretty dynamic and decent at breaking past the front line.

Igor Denisov, 24, 4 caps
Slightly left-field suggestion but he’s an all-action guy who caught my eye (along with Arshavin if I say so myself) when Zenit won the Uefa Cup last season. He doesn’t have the reputation of some others here but would provide the energy we need and would keep Andrey from feeling homesick.