During the transfer window, rumours constantly swirl around about all number of players, who may or may not be moving to various clubs based on reliable or unreliable sources that may or may not exist. Another thing the media love is a transfer saga.

If you can take one player and string out an alleged move across a long period of time, with a huge cast of clubs, sources and opinions, that’s a journalist’s dream. Publish any old tripe with this guy’s name in it and you’re guaranteed hundreds of clicks.

Robin Van Stapleton’s back for good

Having yesterday told you that Robin Van Persie was open to discussing a new contract, I now regretfully report that AFCAMDEN, one of the most reliable Arsenal accounts on twitter, and the most loyal RVP supporter I’ve seen, is now pretty sure he’s going to United.

United have made a new bid of 20 million plus 2 million in add-ons (according to Jamie Sanderson in the Metro), and it’s up to Arsenal whether to accept it. Sir Alex Purplenose has been talking to Wenger himself, and it seems likely that Van Persie will be allowed to move on. I’m sure he’ll give United many ageing, injury-punctuated moments.

Here’s a great video that just about sums up my feelings about the Dutch former captain now (NSFW. Not at all. If you’re offended by strong language, don’t watch it either) :

Sahin to Liverpool?? Really?

Having claimed that Arsenal were on the verge of signing Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid yesterday, AS today claimed that Liverpool exec Ian Ayre was flying out to Spain to finalise a deal instead. Apparently Arsenal dithered too long on terms and Brendan Roger’s  friendship with Mourinho tipped it.

I’m taking everything I read about Sahin with a pinch of salt unless it comes from a reliable source, and all of the reliable sources are saying Arsenal.

Clearly AS wanted a twist in the tale to get more views. Hard to see Sahin being willing to give up Champions League football for a year and play with the stellar likes of Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey and Charlie Adam.

I still laugh daily knowing that’s the level Liverpool are at now.

But my point

I’ve said this before, but don’t take rumours to heart. Every so often the Arsenal rumour mill turns negative, with every story in a day being about how Arsenal are selling this player and that player to this rival and so on. This makes people angry at Wenger and the board, saying they must all be sacked and so on. This causes divisions in the camp, and ultimately we aren’t all happy Gooners, which we really should be at the moment. Don’t believe positive rumours unless backed up, and do the same with negative ones. I’ve noticed this is usual Arsenal fan logic with rumours:

Good news= Disregard, mock.

Bad news= Believe instantly, be very cross and reactionary.

Don’t let it get to you! We sell Song, there must be a reason. He’s got three years left on his contract and Wenger knows when to sell. Nasri might have won the league but he hardly played and is now a hate figure in France. Fabregas has admitted he’s not been that happy at Barcelona. Adebayor’s had to play for Spurs! If Song goes to Barcelona he won’t have a good time, but Arsenal will have even more money to spend on a replacement (based on this summer I think that will happen, yes.)

Anyway, ciao.

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