By Sir Hardly Anyone
One of the great things about the transfer rumours is that they take no account of reality. We already have a fair number of players in a position, we clearly don’t need any more, and the rumours keep on rolling. We’ve already had 111 players we are signing and 22 leaving, and they still keep going.
Any semi-reasonable person in an industry that has just made over 100 mistakes might actually give up and take on a different career such as grave digger or traffic warden, but no – these guys carry on and on and on.
But, having seemingly signed and done the medical on two more players in the past few days, Mr Wenger gave a tantalising hint that he might sign someone new. But then, being Mr W he also gave a suggestion that there would be no more.
Here’s the non-buying statement:
“We already have a big squad, and we are already short on the numbers now. We have a requested number, and we can’t have any more players anyway”
He was talking there of the 25, and you will have seen Andrew’s analysis of exactly who we can fit into the 25.
And then came the buying statement which came when asked if he thought transfers would reach £1bn:
“A billion? Higher than that. I don’t know the final level but I’m convinced there are many, many clubs in England who have a big amount of money available who have not spent yet. Many. You can say all of them. Who has finished the market? Nobody. You will see how many transfers will happen in the next three or four days. You’ll be amazed.”
Of course the bloggettas and the media want more, more, more. Not more actual transfers – that’s boring, but more and more rumours of reports or …. well you know.
1: All Arsenal:
Reports are now linking Daniel Sturridge with an Emirates Stadium switch
2: Sportzwiki
Shkodran Mustafi would be a disastrous player for Valencia to sell, according to la Liga expert Graham Hunter.
3: One nil down
Arsenal have been linked with Paraguay international Miguel Almiron, according to the latest report. Italian website Tutto Mercato Web (that’s “All Market Web” to you) has claimed that we are interested in the 22-year-old and have already placed a bid for him.
Almiron, who is primarily an attacking midfielder, currently plays for Argentinean club Lanus. He joined them following an “impressive season with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno.”
Actually the Mirror is running this one as well saying, “Gunners closing in on Paraguay international Miguel Almiron” and you can’t say clearer than that.
4: Arsenal News HQ
Wenger’s Not Done, Set To Beat Liverpool to sign James Rodriquez.
Rodriquez is with Real Mad, and is a central midfielder or a winger.
5: The Sport Review
“Arsenal revive interest with last-minute offer for France international – report
“Arsenal are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, according to reports.”
6: The Telegraph
“Mr Wenger is keeping tabs on Villarreal’s Mateo Musacchio and Roma’s Kostas Manolas.
“Musacchio is a 25-year-old Argentine who was linked with a £12m move to the Emirates earlier in the summer, and has an EU passport after playing in Spain for seven years.
“Greek international Manolas, also 25, has reportedly been close to a move to the Premier League before, but for now looks set to stay in Italy.”
7: HITC Sport
“The Gunners could make a move for Newcastle central-defender Chancel Mbemba.
“Mbemba is very much on Arsenal’s radar now, they have already done their homework and know the price – it would not be a complicated deal to get over the line,” the report reads.
Of course it is always nice to have a laugh at some of the funny things we have read as with…
Mbemba becomes the latest player linked with the Gunners after a deal for Shkodran Mustafi reportedly broke down, with Valencia not allowing the player to leave.
8: The Guardian
“Arsenal, after identifying Shkodran Mustafi as the centre-back that they wanted, refused to provide the £30m that Valencia requested; in the meantime, they seized one point from their first two league games. And now, having been told to pay his £43m release clause, they have somehow convinced themselves that the answer to their problems is “Philip Jones”.”
9. Daily Star
Arsenal ace looks set for the exit: Four clubs are battling for his signature.
BOURNEMOUTH have reportedly entered the race for Arsenal ace Calum Chambers.
10: Sunday Express
The agent of Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic claims Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing the Croatia international.
“It’s true, there are many options and we are talking about some big European clubs,” agent Miroslav Bicanic told Index in Croatia. I heard that Chelsea representatives are in Milan and that Arsenal are also prepared to sign him. Inter are pushing to sell to one of these two clubs who are prepared to pay a sum that satisfies all concerned.”
Brozovic is described as a box to box player.
11. Daily Mirror
Mathieu Debuchy has had his move away from north London blocked.
12: The Daily Canon
As usual, its a trick. “Arsenal expected to announce new signings on Tuesday” means the two we already know about – making the point that today, Monday, is a public holiday.
So it goes on. Will there be any more? Actually I don’t have a clue. The only difference between me and the people who write the transfer rumours columns is that I admit it.
- Great Arsenal Transfer Index (28 Aug) reaches 111 players we are signing, with no apologies for errors to be seen
- Arsenal 25 Man Senior Squad – Update. A hint of more to come but with one in, two out.
- Watford – Arsenal : 1-3
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Thank you Sir Hardly,
It’s been an amusing series on the “journalistic” profession and their philosophy of if you don’t know something, just make it up; do a few searches on the web, and regurgitate all the so-called Arsenal “targets” of the past few seasons.
I think there will be more “transfer” activity at Arsenal, but this will be Le Prof trying to sort out loan deals for players like Calum Chambers (AW has already stated that Calum needs to get game time to develop) or Debuchy. It’s interesting that Mustafi has experience of playing at RB, and the rumour is that he’s going to get the number 2 shirt.
I have read the Almiron piece in a number of places. I suspect it could be the Argentine Arsenal that has some interest- as the 22 year old won’t get a work permit in the UK.
@Lanz,
That interpretation would certainly make sense, as you say there is no chance of him getting a work permit for UK.
Thats it for our spending thats for sure.probably more than Stingt Stan wante to spend anyway.If there wasnt such a backlash from the fans and the press and if we had started better you can guarantee that money would still be in the bank with the other 100 million that we are saving to pay the staff!!
I am persuaded that not for the first time, Arsene is going to spring a surprise final day signing on us.
The name that keeps cropping up on my ancient radar is Julian Draxler. And the fee will be a Club record.
Time will tell. 😉
@Nicky. I guess that would be a wish. Fans often desire a “marquee” signing to make a statement of ambition & maybe the fear factor in the opponents. Nevertheless, its difficult to see that happening at the moment- except perhaps a loan move for the likes of James Rodriguez. Till Wednesday night!
OK Nik – here’s your challenge. Provide some real evidence for your claims.
With £70m claimed by report to be still remaining in the Arsenal 2016 summer transfer kitty, the Boss could still do 1 audacious signing before or on deadline day if he still want to do it after doing the 3 signings he promised he’ll do.
Looking at the top striking quality now at Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea which is being spearheaded by Zletan Ibrahimovic, Kun Aguero and Diego Costa and backed up with other top quality options, can it be said of us that our own top quality striking force at Arsenal has matched up or has surpassed the ones at our 3 main title rivals above?
I want the Boss to holistically look at the striking force obtainable at our 3 main title rivals of, Man U, Man C & Chelsea and compare them with the one we have at Arsenal to see if we have matched the ones at the 3 clubs or we have even have the edge above them.
That edge above them could be the essential force that will tip the balance of power in our favour over and above these our 3 main title challengers in this season’s campaign. Therefore, this is the right time for the Boss to pounce from now to deadline day to undo our 3 main title contenders by doing 1 audacious signing on our 3 main title rivals who are looking to have finished with the transfers they want to do this summer.
We are 5 points behind our 3 main title rivals in the table who have collected maximum points after playing 3 matches like we did also on match week no.3. And if the Manchester derby ends in a draw as it should on Saturday after the international break, we will close the gap on 2 of them to 3 points if we can take the advantage by beating Southampton at the Ems. Anymore dropping of points by us could start to make us to start falling out of this season’s title race.
However, if the Boss honestly believes in his mind the 3 top quality players he has brought in are okay to make our squad deal with any title or titles threat our 3 main rival clubs posed to us, then he may not sign that top top quality player from the market anymore.
I highly doubt any of reported transfers will take place. Mr Wenger has pretty much put the story about a huge transfer to bed and I think it’s highly unlikely we would make third 30+ million transfer this summer. Remember, we have already made Mustafi one of the most expensive defenders in the history of football and Xhaka’s transfer is reportedly second biggest in the Arsenal history.
We got a striker who is mobile, pacy, with pretty decent shooting range and an eye for the final ball. People were drooling over Mahrez who had similar numbers to Lucas’ ones so there is no reason not to be excited about Lucas except for that No.9 curse. Still, the last time Lukas/Lucas wore that number for Arsenal, it wasn’t that bad.
We got a German defender who had played at the biggest stage against the best strikers in the world. It will be interesting to hear his former manager Gary Neville making comments on Mustafi.
Xhaka has already introduced himself. I would just add that Arsenal had had defensive issues after Petit and before Gilberto despite Vieira’s presence in the middle. Xhaka is now there to give us what Petit used to be to our team.
Finally, Holding is one for tomorrow even if he has already shown his potential.
I really dislike long inputs in the comments section..
“Brevity is the soul of wits.”
Xi gunner.
Sometimes the long inputs are necessary for one to drive home the point that his trying to make for which if summarized, the short inputs will make it impossible to say all he wanted to say.
The bottom line which I am trying to underline is, is our squad which the Boss has recently reinforced with 3 top quality additions this window at the team strength level of the ones obtainable now at Man Utd, Man City & Chelsea?
Sissokho would just complete this squad for me – with Newcastle rumoured have dropped the price by half, for a straight cash offer. That would be around £17 million.
Arsenal has got a little tougher, no more being flung to the floor in shoulder to shoulder tackles.
Lets see what the new additions bring to the team, both look (u tube)solid and capable and Arsenal type players.
Nicky:
would love Julian Draxler, and dont worry about any proof, i thought that Draxler would be perfect for Arsenal too.
Xi_gunner
That depends if the comments are an attempt at wit in the first place.
Some of them do tax my attention span, but nobody, repeat nobody ever shows any semblance of wit or humour. ?
Just because we would love a certain player Draxler included we tend to believe it a little more. Realistically when our head rules our heart we know the main deals for us are done.
Samuel – don’t forget that Arsenal no longer target the title. We are aiming for 4th place and the 2 incoming players should ensure that.
Furthermore as Tony has rightly pointed out on here there is no evidence to suggest that we would do any better by signing a world class striker. We have scored 6 league goals so far and all scored by different players. Attacking strength in depth!
Tony i can put links to 2 of these points but will wait 3 days till the 3rd one comes true.Ill ask you to point out which part of my post isnt true.Is it the bit about our spending is done??
Is it the bit about about still having 100 million in reserve to spend??
Or is it the part about when there has been a fans backlash in the past the club havent spent big?? i leave it to you…..
Top Guns
‘Samuel – don’t forget that Arsenal no longer target the title. We are aiming for 4th place and the 2 incoming players should ensure that.’
What a stupid comment.
Mick – you believe otherwise?
4th would still be a great achievement anyway
Top Guns
Wenger and Gazidis have stated often enough what the priorities are. Fourth place is a minimum aim, not the primary one.
Of course if you can provide evidence of anyone at the club saying that fourth place is the main aim and winning the league is no longer a target then I will gladly retract my comment.
Any semi reasonable person in an industry who has just made 100 mistakes would give up ….
That is my favourite line Tony. Sums up journalists really.
I love Mr. Arsene Wenger.. Great man!!
I think this squad is perfect. No more signings.. But we need to improve our game..
I trust Arsene to do this..
Nik, I am sorry if I suggested to you that something you said wasn’t true. What I normally say, and I suspect I meant to say here was, “can you provide the evidence?”