After the excitement of the Cologne game, it’s not surprising that Arsenal related speculation has quieted down. Very few rumours have emerged today, but we’ve had a bit of consolidation on some longer-running ones.
Is Van Persie staying?
This has been the most notable story of the day, which just about sums up the quality of speculation. A number of gentlemen on twitter, the kind who are more inclined to tell the truth, have reported that Van Persie is willing to discuss a new contract with Arsenal, having spent most of the summer trying to move away, as you all know.
This would support rumours that he’s happy with Arsenal’s new additions and his statement was simply an attempt to get Arsenal more active in the transfer market.
I’m not having that I’m afraid. Arsenal aren’t told what to do by a player, in any circumstances. First of all it’s the principle, and secondly, how do you think Arsenal plan their transfers? I’m pretty sure they don’t pull names out of hats at the beginning of July. They definitely aren’t given them by Robin Van Persie. I mean, he wanted us to sign Van der Vaart and Affelay. Instead we got Podolski and Cazorla. I’d rather have Dick Law doing our transfers, thanks.
If he stays, great, if he goes, fine. The relationship probably won’t be the same with the fans, but as long as he gives some decent performances I’m sure the Gooner faithful will forgive him. A bit.
Striker incoming (maybe)
I only just noticed this, but Olimpiacos striker Kevin Mirallas was interviewed on Sky Sports about alleged Arsenal interest, and he’s as good as said his agent has agreed personal terms and it’s just a matter of his buyout clause being met, though of course in rather more broken English, and calling his agent his “manager”. I’ve heard of agents claiming teams want their clients, but never a player doing so to drum up interest, so I’d have to say this looks pretty likely.
Confession: Never seen him play. YouTube clips can be misleading, so I wouldn’t bother with that. He’s got mixed reviews from what I’ve read. There are doubts whether he could be as prolific in the English league, but if Wenger really does want him you’d think he wouldn’t be too terrible. Hell, he’d be fourth choice if Van Persie stays, so he could be allergic to netting and we’d probably never notice.
Nuri Sahin Update (not one of those rubbish ITK ones. I’m great).
According to both AS and Marca, the Spanish newspapers. Nuri Sahin will secure his loan move away from Real Madrid this week. This is something that’s been reported for ages, he’d supposedly agreed with Arsenal yonks ago but that appears to have been premature. Arsenal are in pole position to sign him though, and despite interest from Liverpool and Spurs (hah) he should be here by the end of the week.
There’s been a little bit of confusion about what the deal is, and it seems to be that Arsenal will get him for a year’s loan, and if Real ever decide to sell him (wouldn’t count your chickens) Arsenal are supposed to get the first offer or something.
Nuri Sahin would be an excellent addition to our already chock-full midfield, and probably a better defensive addition than, say, Yann M’Vila, as he’s got the discipline and creativity in a similar mold to Arteta, though possibly better.
He might go to Liverpool though.
Nonsense
My favourite rumour for today was that Arsenal are going to sign Angel Rangel from Swansea as back-up to Sagna, with two (unnamed) players going the other way on loan as part of the deal.
Make of that what you will. Why we’d be shopping for mid-table right-backs is beyond me. I mean, this isn’t last season’s transfer window.
Then again, it probably means we lack ambition, like when we didn’t buy all those Blackburn players.
Bye! Love you!
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