Arsenal’s search for a striker this deadline day has proven to be a real damp squib.
First of all, the supposed pursuit of Radamel Falcao – a race that Arsenal supposedly led – has been lost at the prying hands of Manchester United this afternoon. Falcao will join United on a one-year loan deal worth £6million – just days after Arsenal were quoted £20million for a season long loan.
Falcao will join former Gunner Robin van Persie in the United attack freeing Danny Welbeck to supposedly join Spurs, rubbing salt in the wounds.
Arsenal officials were thought to have spoken to Falcao officials in Monaco at last week’s Champions League draw in Monte Carlo but he now looks set to join Van Gaal’s side.
Bacc-up
Alongside him in the disappointment stakes is Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca, who grabbed 14 La Liga goals last season and looked to be the subject of a £12.5million bid from the Gunners.
However Sport Witness claimed on Twitter amongst a host of others claiming that any deal was dead in the water:
@Sport_Witness “Nothing in the usually very well connected Seville press about Arsenal and Bacca.”
His release clause was an astronomical £28million however the Colombian was said to be available for just over £12million having bought him for just £5.5million last year.
Swans keep Wilf
That deal will not go ahead, much like any deal for Wilfried Bony who is the latest frontman to turn down the Arsenal prospect according to sources.
Bony would be allowed to leave for £24million as Swansea look to double the £12million they spent on him from Vitesse Arnhem last summer, but again sources have quelled any talk of the Ivorian moving from the Liberty:
@GoonerTalk “Bony's agent told me that he thinks the Ivorian would 'suit Arsenal's system' but confirmed that a move is 'highly unlikely' at this point.”
CarvalNO
An entire summer of interest in Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho looks to have been wasted as the Portuguese midfielder looks set to stay put in the Primeira Liga having played 90 minutes last night:
"I have a deal with Sporting and I am a player of Sporting. I am feeling good and it has not entered my head to leave on the last day."
Reus
The Gunners were set to test Dortmund’s resolve with a bid over £10million higher than Reus’ release clause but there has been no talk of any deal going ahead this deadline day.
Defoe
The only deal that might have looked like going ahead was for former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who was offered to Arsenal on loan from new side FC Toronto.
Telegraph's Matt Law claimed that Arsenal turned down any possibility of moving for the former England striker.
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We could've had Balotelli for a steal, and he went to our rivals in Liverpool. In addition, the messing around with transfer negotiations lost us Remy, who we should've wrapped up early in the summar and only now tried to steal from Chelsea(too little much too late). Raboit and Manolas transfers were bungled, and now we'll panic buy and overpay for second-class players. We have no steel in holding midfield, and needed Carvahlo or Rabiot. Flamini looked lost during the Leicester game at times, and is much too slow to keep playing holding midfield.
Wenger, where is your checkbook? Have you lost it?
If we fail to win the league and I am fully expecting for Wenger to step down as manager.
You cannot make glaring omissions in management like leaving the striking responsibilities to an unproven and unsuitable player like Sanogo and not expect to have any repercussions.
Sanogo is not a very good player and certainly not good enough to win the league with - everyone except Wenger can see this…