Yesterday evening, Arsenal fans got the news that they had been waiting for - of sorts. Arsene Wenger has conducted very early business in the transfer window indeed after sealing the signing of French youngster Yaya Sanogo on a free from Auxerre. Whereas this is a very typical move from Le Professeur, his intent to splash the cash cannot be too far away from coming to fruition.
While we continue to wonder and ponder if the much-mooted transfer of Gonzalo Higuain is even going to happen, given the ever-slowing pace of the developments, Arsenal fans can, at the very least, take comfort from the healthy volume of transfer rumours that are unusually headed in our favour.
That, of course, includes outgoings as well as potential new arrivals. Some of the dead-weights have already been removed, what with Andrey Arshavin sealing a move back to Zenit, making his Arsenal career a rather sad one, and Sebastian Squillaci heading out the exit door. This will, in turn increase the already sizeable wage bill for any likely replacements on the way - those two alone earned over 120k a week for their troubles.
Others such as Denilson and Johan Djourou should be on their respective ways this summer too, leaving the only other 'problems' in the shapes of the re-arrivals of Bendtner, Park and Chamakh - here's hoping there'll be a different Marouane joining very soon. There is though, the very welcome re-arrival of Ryo Miyaichi, who may yet go out on loan again after an injury-wrecked (yet somewhat celebratory) spell at Wigan. One final departure found in the gossip columns these days is a reported £2m swoop for Sunderland for Vito Mannone - which feels like daylight robbery.
As for the transfers to get excited about; so far, it seems our defence is the least of Arsene's worries - and who would've thought that this time last year. However, he does seem to be concerned about the goalkeeper position. For me, I'm very happy with both our Poles we put between the sticks (pun intended). After both being virtually faultless from February onwards, I'd be a bit miffed to see Julio Cesar walk through the door, but there's no doubting his class.
As for the midfield, Marouane Fellaini seems closest to joining us (if you believe everything you read). The thing is, I like every single one of our first-team midfielders - imagine the depth we'd have with all these signings. Our Carling Cup team could be as good as the team we put out in our last game if we acquire all our targets. Assuming AW sticks with three in the midfield, he has a really tricky selection headache on his hands - something we haven't had for a while.
And finally, the strikers. Definitely where we need to strengthen. After missing Van Persie last season (in terms of a 30-goal striker), Arsene Wenger has moved early and *apparently* agreed a deal in principle for Higuain. Fantastic. He's also interested in partnering him with Wayne Rooney.
I'll be the first to say I feel sick at the thought of Rooney in an Arsenal shirt. For all the money we supposedly have at our disposal, that, to me, would be a massive waste. There's something about Manchester United that suits Wayne perfectly. Whether that was Fergie, we'll have to wait and see, but I'm sure there's better ways to strengthen our forward line than him. That said, I would trust Wenger's judgement - if he's known for spotting gems, we should back him if he sees something in someone as established as Rooney.
The bottom line is, this transfer window could well determine whether Arsenal break their trophy drought either sooner or later. Wenger's quick and bold moves is a welcome signal of intent and desire to put the club back where it belongs and deserves to be. We must be patient, Gooners. Good things come to those who wait.
While we continue to wonder and ponder if the much-mooted transfer of Gonzalo Higuain is even going to happen, given the ever-slowing pace of the developments, Arsenal fans can, at the very least, take comfort from the healthy volume of transfer rumours that are unusually headed in our favour.
That, of course, includes outgoings as well as potential new arrivals. Some of the dead-weights have already been removed, what with Andrey Arshavin sealing a move back to Zenit, making his Arsenal career a rather sad one, and Sebastian Squillaci heading out the exit door. This will, in turn increase the already sizeable wage bill for any likely replacements on the way - those two alone earned over 120k a week for their troubles.
Others such as Denilson and Johan Djourou should be on their respective ways this summer too, leaving the only other 'problems' in the shapes of the re-arrivals of Bendtner, Park and Chamakh - here's hoping there'll be a different Marouane joining very soon. There is though, the very welcome re-arrival of Ryo Miyaichi, who may yet go out on loan again after an injury-wrecked (yet somewhat celebratory) spell at Wigan. One final departure found in the gossip columns these days is a reported £2m swoop for Sunderland for Vito Mannone - which feels like daylight robbery.
As for the transfers to get excited about; so far, it seems our defence is the least of Arsene's worries - and who would've thought that this time last year. However, he does seem to be concerned about the goalkeeper position. For me, I'm very happy with both our Poles we put between the sticks (pun intended). After both being virtually faultless from February onwards, I'd be a bit miffed to see Julio Cesar walk through the door, but there's no doubting his class.
As for the midfield, Marouane Fellaini seems closest to joining us (if you believe everything you read). The thing is, I like every single one of our first-team midfielders - imagine the depth we'd have with all these signings. Our Carling Cup team could be as good as the team we put out in our last game if we acquire all our targets. Assuming AW sticks with three in the midfield, he has a really tricky selection headache on his hands - something we haven't had for a while.
And finally, the strikers. Definitely where we need to strengthen. After missing Van Persie last season (in terms of a 30-goal striker), Arsene Wenger has moved early and *apparently* agreed a deal in principle for Higuain. Fantastic. He's also interested in partnering him with Wayne Rooney.
I'll be the first to say I feel sick at the thought of Rooney in an Arsenal shirt. For all the money we supposedly have at our disposal, that, to me, would be a massive waste. There's something about Manchester United that suits Wayne perfectly. Whether that was Fergie, we'll have to wait and see, but I'm sure there's better ways to strengthen our forward line than him. That said, I would trust Wenger's judgement - if he's known for spotting gems, we should back him if he sees something in someone as established as Rooney.
The bottom line is, this transfer window could well determine whether Arsenal break their trophy drought either sooner or later. Wenger's quick and bold moves is a welcome signal of intent and desire to put the club back where it belongs and deserves to be. We must be patient, Gooners. Good things come to those who wait.
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