Deadline day brought an almost unprecedented number of new first team players to Arsenal. Others have left, primarily on loan.
As the formal deadline passed, manager Arsène Wenger had added André Santos, Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun to the squad. The ubiquitous "long term deals for undisclosed fees" is out on the website. Arteta, Santos and Mertesacker have signed permanent deals, while the Israeli forward joins on loan from Chelsea.
This strengthening on the very last day of the Silly Season is not typical of Wenger at all. Several papers have called it "panic" today. It can't really be judged until the signings have settled in and played. However, the fact that Arteta at 29 now has signed for four seasons does imply that Arsenal haven't held the upper hand throughout the negotiations.
Several sources say that Everton turned down a bid of Nicklas Bendtner plus cash, holding out for the lump sum of £10m. After having a quick think about it, Wenger looks to have agreed.
Bendtner joins Sunderland on loan instead. After stating and repeating all summer that he wanted to leave for a top club, he ends up in the middle of the Premier League table. The biggest downer for anyone leaving Arsenal since Sol Campbell "went abroad" to Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, Joel Campbell is sent on loan to Lorient in Ligue 1 after failing to gain a British work permit. The Costa Rican is joined by Gilles Sunu, who leaves Arsenal permanently to join Lorient, where he impressed on loan last season.
Henri Lansbury has gone back to the Championship on loan, signed by - of all people! - Sam Allardyce of West Ham.
The rumour page is updated now, even if arsenal.com is down and I haven't read a proper confirmation of Arteta's transfer. I choose to believe the Press Association and Sky Sports, however, both having their hands on Arsenal's official press release.
I'll post a summary of this Silly Season in a day or two. Then the blog will go in hibernation again... until the January window approaches.
Showing posts with label Mertesacker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mertesacker. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Friday, 26 August 2011
Speculations in concentrated form
Never is the Silly Season sillier than just before deadline day. This year it's special, too. Never before, at least not for as long as any tabloid hack can remember, has Arsenal had so much money to spend.
The speculation is deafening. Instead of summing it up here, let me point you to the roundups of the Daily Telegraph, the Independent, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Express.
In it, Arsenal are linked with Gary Cahill, Per Mertesacker, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Christopher Samba in defence; Yann M'Vila, Lucho González and Marvin Martin in midfield; and finally Kakà and Eden Hazard in attack.
And there may be more. Look for yourself.
[Added:] The speculations will be nourished also by Arsène Wenger being very open and honest with the press: needing three more players. But take note: he says nothing himself about buying them...
The speculation is deafening. Instead of summing it up here, let me point you to the roundups of the Daily Telegraph, the Independent, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Express.
In it, Arsenal are linked with Gary Cahill, Per Mertesacker, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Christopher Samba in defence; Yann M'Vila, Lucho González and Marvin Martin in midfield; and finally Kakà and Eden Hazard in attack.
And there may be more. Look for yourself.
[Added:] The speculations will be nourished also by Arsène Wenger being very open and honest with the press: needing three more players. But take note: he says nothing himself about buying them...
Friday, 12 August 2011
'... to be sorted very quickly'
In tonight's interview snippet on arsenal.com, manager Arsène Wenger looks like he hasn't slept last night and doesn't expect to tonight either.
He says he expects the future of Cesc Fábregas to be 'sorted very quickly one way or the other'. He says that the situation for Samir Nasri is 'stable' (as if he lay in hospital!) but admitting that he would ideally have it sorted before the season starts.
Wenger's wording is still very careful, far more careful than anyone else's. Most English media are already adding up rumoured European transfer fees to guess how many Arsenal can afford to sign after the sales have been made. It seems most fans also believe the deals are done, and on Twitter many rude goodbyes can be read.
I have been disappointed with Arsenal's communications strategy this summer. As always the club refuse to comment on any speculation, wild or true. I've many times written that it makes them vulnerable for lots of rumours. At the same time, the manager and CEO have tried to be honest about the transfer window in general terms. Here they have fallen into a trap.
Statements about 'a very active transfer window', 'an ambitious club' who want to 'keep their players' and the desire to be done with the dealings early in the window hike up the expectations. Especially after the whimpering end to last season, the club should know that the fans are expecting proper strengthening of the first team squad, not least when it comes to depth and competition for places.
But instead of basing any communication strategy on the mood of the club's surroundings, they seem to have stumbled from press briefing to press briefing with only the latest news and hopes to report.
It's all well and good to never respond to speculation. But in that case, it's better to shut up altogether and never comment anything that hasn't been confirmed. Boring, yes, but impossible to misunderstand at least among serious fans and media.
But the club must remember that speculation cannot be controlled. and that everyone around Arsenal get involved in it. If there are to be answers given, they need to be coherent. And for that to happen, the thinking behind the strategy needs to be coherent. I'm sure it is, but it doesn't look like that from the outside.
A press conference is called tomorrow, earlier than the usual pre-match briefings, at 9 AM. Speculations are wild. While 'everyone' now suggests that Fábregas and Nasri are about to leave, that briefing may bring confirmation. But is Wenger to be believed - and he deserves that belief so much more than the English media! - no decisions have been made either way yet.
There might be players coming in as well, and personally I have a strong feeling that Arsenal aren't waiting for the two wantaway stars to let themselves be persuaded to stay. It looks to me as they're only waiting on replacements to be confirmed. As selling them both equals 'not being ambitious', it's a PR nightmare to actually sell them without new stars coming in at the same time.
However, Thursday's rumours have been about the Birmingham defender Scott Dann, the Brazilian international midfielder Jadson of Shakthar Donetsk and the usual suspects Juan Mata and Gary Cahill. Absurdly, Wenger is also quoted in the respectable German sports paper Kicker as saying that Arsenal have four central defenders and have no need of Per Mertesacker.
I hope for as long as I can that this is just spin, and a part of an Arsenal communication strategy I really don't understand.
He says he expects the future of Cesc Fábregas to be 'sorted very quickly one way or the other'. He says that the situation for Samir Nasri is 'stable' (as if he lay in hospital!) but admitting that he would ideally have it sorted before the season starts.
Wenger's wording is still very careful, far more careful than anyone else's. Most English media are already adding up rumoured European transfer fees to guess how many Arsenal can afford to sign after the sales have been made. It seems most fans also believe the deals are done, and on Twitter many rude goodbyes can be read.
I have been disappointed with Arsenal's communications strategy this summer. As always the club refuse to comment on any speculation, wild or true. I've many times written that it makes them vulnerable for lots of rumours. At the same time, the manager and CEO have tried to be honest about the transfer window in general terms. Here they have fallen into a trap.
Statements about 'a very active transfer window', 'an ambitious club' who want to 'keep their players' and the desire to be done with the dealings early in the window hike up the expectations. Especially after the whimpering end to last season, the club should know that the fans are expecting proper strengthening of the first team squad, not least when it comes to depth and competition for places.
But instead of basing any communication strategy on the mood of the club's surroundings, they seem to have stumbled from press briefing to press briefing with only the latest news and hopes to report.
It's all well and good to never respond to speculation. But in that case, it's better to shut up altogether and never comment anything that hasn't been confirmed. Boring, yes, but impossible to misunderstand at least among serious fans and media.
But the club must remember that speculation cannot be controlled. and that everyone around Arsenal get involved in it. If there are to be answers given, they need to be coherent. And for that to happen, the thinking behind the strategy needs to be coherent. I'm sure it is, but it doesn't look like that from the outside.
A press conference is called tomorrow, earlier than the usual pre-match briefings, at 9 AM. Speculations are wild. While 'everyone' now suggests that Fábregas and Nasri are about to leave, that briefing may bring confirmation. But is Wenger to be believed - and he deserves that belief so much more than the English media! - no decisions have been made either way yet.
There might be players coming in as well, and personally I have a strong feeling that Arsenal aren't waiting for the two wantaway stars to let themselves be persuaded to stay. It looks to me as they're only waiting on replacements to be confirmed. As selling them both equals 'not being ambitious', it's a PR nightmare to actually sell them without new stars coming in at the same time.
However, Thursday's rumours have been about the Birmingham defender Scott Dann, the Brazilian international midfielder Jadson of Shakthar Donetsk and the usual suspects Juan Mata and Gary Cahill. Absurdly, Wenger is also quoted in the respectable German sports paper Kicker as saying that Arsenal have four central defenders and have no need of Per Mertesacker.
I hope for as long as I can that this is just spin, and a part of an Arsenal communication strategy I really don't understand.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Cards close to the chest
Before this weekend's Emirates Cup, the manager held a press conference where two themes predictably stood out: the future of Cesc Fabregas and the strengthening - if any - of the Arsenal squad.
Arsène Wenger reiterated that Arsenal's captain isn't for sale. I really can't be bothered to write more than that - it's the only message the club has given throughout the whole soap opera.
Wenger was also true to form when claiming that the players he already has got are good enough to win titles. Even though conceding that at least one central defender is needed, it'm more like a mathematical question.
And, yes, getting Johann Djourou back is like a new signing, or as he this time put it: "We have lost Silvestre, Campbell and Gallas and have only signed Koscielny. Djourou is coming back so you could say we have got two but are still two short."
There are a number of potential targets, but at the moment the priority seems to be Per Mertesacker, Werder Bremen's German international. The club's interest in Phil Jagielka seems to have ended with Everton being unwilling to negotiate. But these reports are, of course, all unconfirmed by the club.
Wenger's well-rehearsed lines of support for his existing players are what leaders and managers are expected to utter. Admitting defeat at this stage, two weeks before the league season, would damage morale.
But he left a little bait for all the websites and media outlets with transfer rumours to make up and report: "I have always done business very early and very late [in the transfer window]."
More on Wenger's press conference in the Daily Mirror or the Independent.
Arsène Wenger reiterated that Arsenal's captain isn't for sale. I really can't be bothered to write more than that - it's the only message the club has given throughout the whole soap opera.
Wenger was also true to form when claiming that the players he already has got are good enough to win titles. Even though conceding that at least one central defender is needed, it'm more like a mathematical question.
And, yes, getting Johann Djourou back is like a new signing, or as he this time put it: "We have lost Silvestre, Campbell and Gallas and have only signed Koscielny. Djourou is coming back so you could say we have got two but are still two short."
There are a number of potential targets, but at the moment the priority seems to be Per Mertesacker, Werder Bremen's German international. The club's interest in Phil Jagielka seems to have ended with Everton being unwilling to negotiate. But these reports are, of course, all unconfirmed by the club.
Wenger's well-rehearsed lines of support for his existing players are what leaders and managers are expected to utter. Admitting defeat at this stage, two weeks before the league season, would damage morale.
But he left a little bait for all the websites and media outlets with transfer rumours to make up and report: "I have always done business very early and very late [in the transfer window]."
More on Wenger's press conference in the Daily Mirror or the Independent.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Rankings are now top 3
The Silly Season is as tight as ever. Pre-season is up and running, the squads are settling in together. But who will Arsenal sign before the end of the transfer window? The rumours are abounding, but repeating themselves more and more. Three rumours on each list should suffice.
This is my "most likely" list - or rather "least surprising" list - of today:
3. Loïc Remy: Arsenal aren't really in the market for a striker, I should think, despite Eduardo leaving. Unquestionably talented, the Nice striker looks to join West Ham or Liverpool for a fee in the region of £12m-14m. Still, there's a report saying a mystery, top club are late entrants in the race for Remy. And our French scout Gilles Grimandi has recommended Remy perhaps more than any other target from the French leagues, it's been said. While not an actual probable rumour, one to watch.
2. Pape Diakhaté: honestly, I'm letting Diakhaté be a representative for the entire central defender community. Arsenal are looking to bring in another potential partner for Thomas Vermaelen, but different reports point at different targets. We've been consistently linked with the Saint-Étienne/Dynamo Kiyv defender since May, in fact most links with defenders have lasted throughout the summer. But Brede Hangeland has said he won't leave Fulham, and Everton have priced Phil Jagielka out of contention. Per Mertesacker won't be allowed to leave Werder Bremen, and Madjid Bougherra was perhaps never a viable alternative. This leaves Diakhaté almost as a default option.
1. Mark Schwarzer: reported to have been offered a player/coach role for the next few seasons. The Australian international will be a number 1 choice until Vito Mannone or Wojcech Szczesny are seen as mature and ready enough. Different reports say that Fulham have been unwilling to sell for less than $4m, which is a princely sum for a 37-year-old. Anyway, Fulham are without a manager, and may still lose out on first choice Martin Jol from Ajax. No deal will be made until a manager is in place. But the haggling will continue.
And here is the "silliest" rumour list:
3. Luis Suarez: the Uruguay striker is hot property, so hot that Ajax has put his price as high as £30m. That's what a club can do when the Premier League comes knocking. Arsenal aren't THAT desperate after strikers.
2. Mesut Özil: after not signing Joe Cole (losing out on him or turning him down, depending on different reports), most Gooners and media agree that Arsenal really have enough attacking midfielders. Trying to compete in the £20m bracket with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona and any other club his agent is trying to put in the mix is futile.
1. Keisuke Honda: the same logic applies to the Japanese star. Turning to Honda, whose market value has soared since the World Cup and already earns massive amounts with Roman Abramovich's CSKA Moscow just isn't logical. There just aren't enough T-shirt customers in the world.
What and who do you think is realistic to expect? Feel free to comment.
This is my "most likely" list - or rather "least surprising" list - of today:
3. Loïc Remy: Arsenal aren't really in the market for a striker, I should think, despite Eduardo leaving. Unquestionably talented, the Nice striker looks to join West Ham or Liverpool for a fee in the region of £12m-14m. Still, there's a report saying a mystery, top club are late entrants in the race for Remy. And our French scout Gilles Grimandi has recommended Remy perhaps more than any other target from the French leagues, it's been said. While not an actual probable rumour, one to watch.
2. Pape Diakhaté: honestly, I'm letting Diakhaté be a representative for the entire central defender community. Arsenal are looking to bring in another potential partner for Thomas Vermaelen, but different reports point at different targets. We've been consistently linked with the Saint-Étienne/Dynamo Kiyv defender since May, in fact most links with defenders have lasted throughout the summer. But Brede Hangeland has said he won't leave Fulham, and Everton have priced Phil Jagielka out of contention. Per Mertesacker won't be allowed to leave Werder Bremen, and Madjid Bougherra was perhaps never a viable alternative. This leaves Diakhaté almost as a default option.
1. Mark Schwarzer: reported to have been offered a player/coach role for the next few seasons. The Australian international will be a number 1 choice until Vito Mannone or Wojcech Szczesny are seen as mature and ready enough. Different reports say that Fulham have been unwilling to sell for less than $4m, which is a princely sum for a 37-year-old. Anyway, Fulham are without a manager, and may still lose out on first choice Martin Jol from Ajax. No deal will be made until a manager is in place. But the haggling will continue.
And here is the "silliest" rumour list:
3. Luis Suarez: the Uruguay striker is hot property, so hot that Ajax has put his price as high as £30m. That's what a club can do when the Premier League comes knocking. Arsenal aren't THAT desperate after strikers.
2. Mesut Özil: after not signing Joe Cole (losing out on him or turning him down, depending on different reports), most Gooners and media agree that Arsenal really have enough attacking midfielders. Trying to compete in the £20m bracket with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona and any other club his agent is trying to put in the mix is futile.
1. Keisuke Honda: the same logic applies to the Japanese star. Turning to Honda, whose market value has soared since the World Cup and already earns massive amounts with Roman Abramovich's CSKA Moscow just isn't logical. There just aren't enough T-shirt customers in the world.
What and who do you think is realistic to expect? Feel free to comment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
