Yesterday, I brought you the news that Arsenal were prepared to sell Alex Song to Barcelona for around 20M, not because they had no choice, but because Wenger was sick of his attitude.

Today that was confirmed by the BBC, along with the news that he won’t play against Sunderland (unsurprisingly).

We also got some tidbits about his exit. He’s purported to have had a raging row with Wenger, demanded to leave (Arsene was only too happy to oblige, having made his mind up), and cleared out his locker today.

The full story is in this Metro article by Jamie Sanderson.

I’ve got Sahin to say

Continuing his sterling work, Jamie Sanderson then had this to say about Nuri Sahin’s loan move to Arsenal, as well as confirming that Arsenal were looking for a “true” defensive midfield player. I’ll rank them in order of quality and likelihood. (some of the targets from the above Metro article).

Victor Wanamaya (Celtic): Unlikely, average.

Yann M’Vila (Rennes): Fairly unlikely, good, but attitude problems.

Etienne Capoue (Toulouse): Possible, very good.

There are others of course, but those seem the most likely candidates. My preference would be Capoue.

Defensively minded?

Another interesting story is that Arsenal have made an approach for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, the Montpelier captain, but were rebuffed. He’s in the last year of his contract at the French club, and this is one that could be a goer for deadline day.

I love deadline day signings. They’re such fun.

Additionally, Arsene Wenger has confirmed the chase for both Nuri Sahin and a defensive midfielder in interviews today. In his press conference yesterday ahead of the Sunderland game, he admitted Sahin is “one of the players we are following”, and in a separate interview for Arsenal Player (I won’t link, because not everyone is an Arsenal member), he confirmed that if (when) Song is sold, “We will take someone in that defensive area, definitely”.

I like the sound of that “one of the players we are following”, don’t you?

Nicky B’s going up in the world

Naturally, for a striker of his incredible calibre, Nicklas Bedntner is allegedly the subject of a bidding war between Inter and AC Milan. Read that again. Yes, it’s true. Don’t know why. He won’t be here anymore. That’s what’s important.

Yes, Inter and AC Milan. I’m really not joking. I apologise to fans of both clubs.

Housekeeping and revenge

To nobody’s great surprise, Thomas Vermaelen was named Arsenal captain today, with Mikel Arteta as vice. This is apparently the first time in a while Arsenal have made a player captain for his leadership skills, rather than to anchor him to the club for a while longer, which is welcome. Naturally there are already jokes about him leaving next season, but he’s contracted until 2017, and while I don’t totally believe his claims he will never leave Arsenal,  I think he’s got a bit more integrity that a certain Mr Van something.

In an interview with Jack Wilshere after he was awarded the number 10 shirt, he made a nice jab at our former captain. He mentioned it was an honour to wear the shirt, after so many great players had worn it, “like Denis Bergkamp”.  No mention of Van Persie there. No siree. Or William Gallas, but then again he should be stripped of the shirt if he mentions him.

Finally, Arsenal have confirmed their squad numbers.

Podolski will wear number 9, having stepped aside to allow Jack Wilshere number 10, while Santi Cazorla inherits number 19 from Wilshere.

Park Chu Young is now number 30, but who cares about Park Chu Young?

And fear not, if you bought a shirt with an old squad number, you will be fully refunded.

Goodbye!

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