Gazidis on transfers

Sky Sports News brought an exclusive interview with Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis today. Several important quotes need to be read by Gooners:

"We don't conduct our business in public."

It needs reminding now and then! This practice, while sensible for business, opens the door to all kinds of speculations, even from agents and clubs using Arsenal's to push up prices in deals that have nothing to do with the club.

"I don't intend to put my voice into the mix. Arsene has been very clear and explicit on all of those subjects. I'll leave the voice of Arsenal to be his."

As we all know, manager Arsène Wenger has stated that Samir Nasri will not be sold, and that the club hopes Cesc Fabregas will want to stay. Gazidis confirms here that the manager has the backing of the board. Especially the Nasri situation has led to speculation (that word again) that Wenger has been challenging the board and owners. This can't be true after the CEO's statement today.

"We don't have positions where players are coming to the end of their careers and positions where there are holes. We have to find players who can improve on some of the positions that we currently have and add some depth."

Gazidis echoes Wenger again. The signings of Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson appear to confirm this line of thought.

So does promoting Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore, so Wenger has ruled out a left back signing. In the latest Arsenal Magazine he has also ruled out signing a goalkeeper because of Wojcech Szczesny's and Lukasz Fabianski's progress.

It leaves the defence and midfield, though. That's plenty of material for transfer rumours to come.