As we’re now sunk into yet another interlull, Arsenal news is relatively thin on the ground. Naturally, newspapers are now working overtime to think up transfer rumours, just to fill their pages with something, but Arsenal haven’t been too heavily implicated just yet. That’ll probably come in time.
However, there has been a relative explosion of links to goalkeepers, presumably due to the newfound semblance of competition between Sczceszny and Fabianski. With Sczceszny now ‘unhappy’ according to the media, and Fabianski’s future unclear, a new goalkeeper is the order of the day for Arsenal-related talk.
Cech your facts
The most surprising (for some) link comes from the Daily Mail. Arsenal have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Petr Cech, of all people. With Thibaut Courtois making waves at Atletico Madrid, the Czech ‘keeper could find himself replaced next season. With this in mind, Arsenal are potentially interested in moving him across London to challenge Sczceszny and/or Fabianski.
The main thing that stops me from dismissing this story out of hand is that the reliable NorthBankLower reported the same thing the previous evening. Arsenal have been watching Cech for a while, and ignoring the difficulty of getting Roman Abramovich to strengthen a rival, it makes sense for Cech. Depending on summer investment Arsenal may not be a step down from Chelsea at all, and he doesn’t have to leave London. All in all, the deal suits all parties. Which makes it impossible, I imagine.
Valdes
This is the link that won’t go away. Arsenal do have Victor Valdes on the shortlist of goalkeepers, and the Barca stopper apparently has Arsenal as his first choice for a likely summer move.
Valdes is a player who has managed to evade criticism by playing for Barcelona. He isn’t great. While good on the ball, his commanding of the penalty area is poor, and he’s made a fair few gaffes. That’s not to say he’s hopeless, or that a move won’t revitalise him, but there should be other names above him on the list. Would cost a fair penny too, one imagines.
New kit! Yay!
Finally, the traditional ‘new kit rumours’ that always crop up around now have not disappointed. With rumours that Adidas will take over manufacturing of the Arsenal kit in 2014, the same time as a new home shirt is introduced, the order of the day is Adidas-designed home shirts, of a more ‘traditional’ style than currently worn.
This is the first design, in a retro style bringing to mind the 1988-90 home shirt. This would probably go down quite well, as with our lack of success has come a desire for everything related to the ‘good old days’. As long as it’s red with white sleeves, most people are happy.
The second is similar, but with red stripes on the sleeves. Again, nothing earth-shattering, but quite a nice kit. Chances are these are all false for the time being, though they may be close to the actual design. I recall this season’s purple away shirts being leaked in early April, so anything’s possible.
Now, get back to worrying about players picking up injuries on international duty. It’s practically a requirement.
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