"We were trying till the last minute to get M'Vila"

Arsenal's Russian attacking midfielder Andrei Arshavin feels that letting Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave the club was a "catastrophe," and the signing of a holding midfielder such as Rennes Yann M'Vila would have benefited the club, however, he welcomes the "different football" that will be played thanks to the arrival of Everton's Spaniard, Mikel Arteta.

It is the general consensus among Arsenal fans and players that letting go of their two best midfielder's was an unfortunate disaster for the progression of the side, and of course Arsenal will be affected negatively by their absence. Arshavin spoke to Nicklas Bendtner about the issue, to which the Danish striker apparently replied; "Yes, the only player who could properly replace Cesc is probably Xavi."

Arshavin was speaking to a Russian newspaper following the closure of a summer transfer window in which Arsenal were unusually busy very late on.

"At the moment, losing Fabregas and Nasri is a catastrophe. Watching the Udinese match I said to [Nicklas] Bendtner that now we have no-one so comfortable with passing the ball to Robin van Persie or who ideally utilises the qualities of the other forwards.

"He smiled and replied, 'Yes, the only player who could properly replace Cesc is probably Xavi'.' I'm very glad that I was able to play in the same team as Fabregas - he is a truly class footballer."

"When people say no-one is irreplaceable I don't agree. With [Mikel] Arteta or whoever replaces those who have left, we will play different football, not as we played with Cesc and Samir."

Arshavin doesn't think the two midfield signing's are bad ones by any means, and said their experience in the Premier League will prove important throughout the season, however further strengthening would be useful - perhaps in January.

 He even revealed that the club had been working on bringing Rennes defensive midfielder, Yann M'Vila - a player very highly rated on this website - to Arsenal, but unfortunately the deal could not be completed in time.

"Arteta and Benayoun have long proved themselves in the Premier League, they're not bad signings. And we needed strengthening in those positions."

"Perhaps another holding midfielder wouldn't hurt and, as far as I know, we were trying till the last minute to get [Rennes midfielder Yann] M'Vila, but unfortunately we weren't able to buy him."

"Judging by the quantity and quality of our signings, Arsenal's football will soon undergo some changes."

If Arsenal are to undergo positive "changes," they will need Arshavin to step up and improve on his rather ineffectual performances which he has been putting in recently. Last season his assist rate was very good, with 17 assists in all competitions, and 10 goals. More of the same from him, or even an improvement in those numbers will be greatly appreciated by Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans to go at least some way in compensating for the loss of two hugely influential figures in the squad.

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Jack Wilshere Injury Devastation

Arsenal will be without their influential midfielder Jack Wilshere for "at least" a further three months with the persistent ankle injury which has already seen him miss Arsenal's miserable start to the season, according to the Mirror.

It comes as a devastating blow to Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal team, who were hoping to see the suspended and injured players return within a few weeks. Vermaelen, Gibbs, Squillaci and Diaby are all currently carrying an injury of some sort, Bacary Sagna is ill, and Gervinho and Alex Song are suspended, but all will be returning relatively soon. Not Jack Wilshere.

Apparently, the club are hoping he begins a not too strenuous training programme in the middle of October in the hope of a swift recovery, but if he doesn't come through, he may have to have an operation on the joint which would rule him out until December.

The 19 year-old is a vital part of Arsenal's midfield, and he has become even more crucial now that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have departed the club. He is probably the most football minded and intelligent on field player in terms of unlocking an oppositions defence. The teenager has great vision and gets himself around the field in a bundle of energy with the ability to break up play and set up attacks of his own.

He played a massive 49 games for Arsenal last season, and there had been fears that he could perhaps be burned out, especially due to his newly established national team place. However, his ankle is currently in  protective boot, and Arsenal have been consulting experts on how to deal with the issue.

Arsenal will do well not to rush him back - they need him to be 100% fit, in form and ready. This news will mean that the clubs new signings in the midfield positions, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun have added pressure to deliver. They must step up quickly and perform in order to ignite Arsenal's form and get the team back in the swing of winning, otherwise, Wenger will be in trouble without Wilshere, if he isn't already.

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Time for Arsenal to move on

Guest Article, Written by @Kevin_Mega

I was saddened to see Cesc Fabregas leave Arsenal as I wasn’t expecting him to leave this season. I was so confident that he would stay that I made a bet at the end of last month that we would see him captaining Arsenal this season. But he’s gone now, he gave arsenal eight years of great service and he will be sorely missed but it’s now time for Arsenal to move on.

As Wenger built the side around Fabregas, I believe the team may struggle as no-one can replicate the service he provided to Arsenals attacking players. Statistics have showed that the teams win percentage decreases when he isn’t in the line up. So what now for Arsenal?

External Recruitment
Many fans will be calling for Arsenal to spend the money made from the Fabregas sale on a player who’s experienced and able to take over the creative duties. Many names have been suggested by the media including Mata and Jadson however Wenger ruled them out in his press conference this week.  A player who I would like for Arsenal to try and purchase is Wesley Sneijder but I don’t see it happening as he’s not your typical Wenger signing.

Acquiring new players will also depend on whether we qualify for the Champions League. Failure to qualify would be a catastrophe as it would lead to Arsenal not being able to buy the ‘super quality’ players Wenger wants, and the £25m we would receive if we win the tie would give Wenger the extra cash to invest in a new DM and a striker.

Frankly I don’t see Wenger being able to sign a player to match Fabregas’ quality so I see him using one of the many centre midfielders he has at his disposal.


Internal Recruitment
The players who can perform for Arsenal in the hole behind the striker are: Rosicky, Ramsey, Wilshere, and Arshavin. All those players at one point have played in the centre attacking midfield position, except for Arshavin who should at least be given a few games in that role to see how he plays as the other mentioned players have never really performed.

Before he came to Arsenal, Arshavin used to play behind the striker, so he would be more than capable of excelling in that role. I however don’t see Arshavin getting a chance to make his mark there as Wenger prefers playing him on the wing.

Rosicky played in that position last season and he didn’t exactly impress either. This season however, Wenger has placed him in a better position alongside Song and he’s played well in the few games we've seen.

Ramsey is a player I rate highly, who I know for a fact would have been playing alongside Song last season instead of Wilshere if it wasn’t for the recovery process involved in his horrific injury.

He still hasn’t recaptured his form, but with the departure of Fabregas, he could rediscover it and forge an impressive partnership with Jack Wilshere. We saw a glimpse of them playing together when they ran the midfield against Manchester United at the Emirates last season, and this is the option I would choose if I was the Arsenal manager, if not, play Rosicky along with Song and Wilshere ahead of them.

Change of Formation to 4-4-1-1
I doubt Wenger would do this but I would love if he bought a very good striker, possibly Benzema, who would partner Arsenal's new captain, Robin Van Persie in attack. I know RVP is great as a lone striker as he showed last season but he has tendencies to drift out of the danger area, leaving our full backs and wingers with no-one to supply crosses to.

If Wenger buys a great striker it would allow Van Persie to play like his idol, Bergkamp. He already has his shirt number, and now it’s time for him to play in his role behind the striker. This I believe, would be a better option than the ones I’ve already mentioned, but again, I don’t believe Wenger would consider this option because it would halt the progress of Ramsey and if he was to change formation he would have done so in pre-season.

To conclude, I hope Wenger doesn’t build a team around one player because that’s why Arsenal seem to be collapsing. The invincible team was great because it had 11 quality players performing, and many more on the bench. It is time now for Arsenal to work as a unit just like they did in 2007-08 season after Thierry Henry left. Wenger is already looking to the future with the acquisitions of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,  Carl Jenkinson, Ryo Miyaichi and the promotion of several youngsters into the first team like E. Frimpong, Henri Lansbury and Benik Afobe. I support building for the future but at the moment we need more experienced players.

Guest Article, Written by @Kevin_Mega

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Arsenal to Open Talks With Matheiu Valbuena

Arsenal have been given permission to talk with Marseille's 26 year-old midfielder, Matheiu Valbuena as Arsene Wenger seeks midfield reinforcements.

With Cesc Fabregas out of the door, and Samir Nasri soon to follow, Arsenal have naturally been linked to a whole host of players who could possibly fill their void. Valbuena is one of those who has realistically been linked to a move to the Emirates, and now things are moving along nicely which could see the diminutive creative midfielder wearing the red of Arsenal this season.

Marseille's sporting director, Jose Anigo is very much open to allowing Arsenal speak with Valbuena, citing the importance of respect for a long standing player and the prospect of a big clubs interest as to why he would allow talks. He said:

 "It's been six years since Mathieu Valbuena joined the club. If Arsenal wants to buy him, the discussion can be opened."

''When a player has spent five or six years at a club, out of respect for him, nothing is closed. We are very pleased with him, but if a big club is interested in Mathieu, people listen.''

Valbuena is very versatile across the midfield, having played in wide positions in his youth career at Bordeaux, but is now primarily deployed as a central playmaker. His work rate however, sees him fly all over the pitch, with a good defensive work ethic mixed in with his eye for a pass and creativity further up the field.

He is small, but uses this to his advantage, being incredibly mobile on the ball demonstrated well in his exceptional dribbling ability. He would be a few inches smaller than his predecessors in Nasri and Fabregas if he were to join Arsenal, but he would also be a lot more physical too, adding some solid control and power to the Arsenal midfield.

Wenger vowed in an interview before Arsenal's Champions League qualifier against Udinese that he would spend £30 million or £40 million of the right player came along. While one would doubt such a promise, Valbuena wouldn't cost anywhere near as much as those amounts, and would be a comfortable purchase of around £15 million.

Arsenal need a player like Valbuena, and under the circumstances, Wenger would be silly not to move quickly for a player who's own club have announced his availability.

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Arsenal Must Pay £26 million for Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard, one of Arsenal's prime targets to replace Samir Nasri in the attacking midfield position will cost a considerable sum of around £26 million, according to reports in France.

The French news outlet, RTBF Sport claimed today that Arsenal are ready to offer Lille over 20 million euros to bring the 20 year-old Belgian to the Emirates. However, it is now being reported that the French club are preparing to rebuff the offer by placing a hefty £26 million (30 million euro) price tag on Hazard.

Yesterday, Wenger made the bold claim that Arsenal would spend money if he believes a player would add the desired qualities to his team, whether they cost £2 million or £20 million: "If it is for two million pounds or 20 million pounds we will do it if he adds quality to our squad. We have all our scouts all over the world and we look everywhere."

It is a statement which will encourage Arsenal fans troubled by the sale and imminent departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but will Wenger go that extra mile for Eden Hazard, a player whom he has tracked for several years?

He is a hugely promising talent, and has said in the past he would like to join Arsenal if he is to leave Lille. Wenger also publicly declared his interest in the player, saying back in January: "We are following him (Hazard). Personally I think he has real talent and the level needed to play at Arsenal."

But Wenger has already been priced out of a move for Valencia's Juan Mata, and Arsenal may be fearing that situation could happen all over again with Hazard, whom Lille are extremely keen to keep. They have repeated again and again that their hot prospect, who scored 12 and assisted 10 goals last season is "not for sale at any price," while the club President Michel Seydoux stated at the start of August that his star player is comfortable in France:

“I am not sure he wants to leave anyway. He knows his status here and at a large club there is much more uncertainty."

Indeed, there is a lot of uncertainty at Arsenal at the moment as to who is coming and who is going, with Samir Nasri's future still as clear as mud, however, everything is not exactly steady at Lille in terms of transfers.

Having already sold their Ivorian striker, Gervinho to Arsenal this summer, Lille are also facing losing their other attacker in Mousso Sow, who yesterday announced his desire to join Gervinho at Arsenal. If Hazard were to agree a move away from France, the summer will have seen the whole of Lille's front line miserably dismantled, although that circumstance seems highly unlikely.

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"I want to play at Arsenal, It is My Dream"

Arsene Wenger's search for another attacking player may be over if he chooses to listen to the plea from French side, Lille's star striker, Moussa Sow, after he claimed it is his "dream" to play for Arsenal.

Arsenal have already purchased a Lille striker in Gervinho this summer, but the 25 year-old Senegalese international Sow, wants to follow in his former team mates footsteps and play his football at the Emirates. The player said to Canal Football Club radio station:

"I want to play at Arsenal. I think my game is best suited to the Premier League. It is my dream and I want to be playing Champions League football."

"We will see what can happen with these clubs before the transfer windows ends."

It is an unprecedented plea from a player who only signed a three year deal with Lille in July of 2010, but after scoring a very impressive 25 goals in only his first season, it is perhaps a good time to be trying to force a move to a bigger club in the Champions League.

Arsenal will of course have to qualify for the European competition first having finished fourth last season, but with the help of a free scoring striker like Sow in their side to help them progress, their good chances will be improved drastically,

The quotes fro Sow come as a rare piece of good news in a transfer window that has seen captain Cesc Fabregas leave Arsenal for Barcelona already, with Samir Nasri set to follow out of the exit door very soon.

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Arsenal Target Midfielder Marvin Martin

Arsenal have made an informal approach for the young Sochaux midfielder, Marvin Martin, and are ready to make a bid for the 23 year-old when they receive the first payment from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas, according to the Metro.

It is an interesting rumour, and looking at Martin's qualities on the ball, it is a very unsurprising move from Arsene Wenger. I took a look at Marvin Martin back in June when Manchester United were rumoured to be interested in bringing him in as a future replacement for Scholes, and I liked what I saw.

I would love to see how the French creative midfielder fares in the Premier League, and considering his age, nationality and relatively small price tag of around (although probably a few million over) £10 million, it looks a typical Arsene Wenger signing is on the cards. Below is an extract from the article I did on the player a few months ago, providing some useful information on the player for Arsenal fans who know little about him. Bare in mind, the article was written in the context of United's interest:

"Marvin Martin is a 23 year-old Frenchman currently playing for the Ligue 1 side Sochaux. He had a stunning season last year, especially in terms of what United would be looking for; creativity. Four goals (one of which was a stunning chip from the edge of the area), and an extremely impressive 17 assists. Indeed, the player himself confirmed in an interview in May that to create goals is his role in Sochaux: "that's my role in the team. I'm here to try and create goals." 


Martin was nominated for France's Young Player of the Season award, which was eventually won by Mamdou Sakho, and has been described as a player with "very good technique on the ball" and "excellent vision." He is also a very good passer of the ball from watching him in action. His rise to "stardom", if you like at Sochaux has been very quick, yet from reading his interviews, he seems a down to earth and grounded young man, who is not phased by the links to big clubs. When the interviewer was bigging him up, Martin responded maturely: "Let's not get carried away! I'm still a long way off being a star." and on that wonderful goal he scored said: "But one goal doesn't make a career!"

United could do far worse in this young man. Apparently, there are a few French clubs understandably interested in signing the player, with a £7 million bid from Lille already being rejected. The Sochaux club president retaliated angrily to French clubs' interest in Martin, saying: "I repeat for the 18-millionth time: Marvin is staying."
[view the complete original article with video] 

The Arsenal manager is known for delving into the French market, and has done so frequently in the past - the most recent success story being that of Samir Nasri, whom he bought from Marseille. However, Wenger will be looking to replace Fabregas and Nasri very soon - it is though Martin would be bought as a replacement for Fabregas - so if he does join, expect him to be deployed in the central midfield role, creating chances as he did for Sochaux last season.

There remains the insistence from the French sides' club President that the player will not be sold, but a considerable sum would surely soon change his mind. Nevertheless, we will see in the coming weeks if there is any truth behind the rumours, and looking at the potential Martin has, Arsenal fans will be hoping so.

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No Mata or Jadson, as Nasri and Fabregas Near Exit

Arsene Wenger has ruled out signing Valencia's Juan Mata, and claimed that any deal for Shakthar Donetsk's attacking midfielder Jadson is "nowhere" near being completed as both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas move closer to being sold by Arsenal.

All four bites of news will be unwelcome to Arsenal, as they search for at least two midfielder's to replace the now very likely departing pair of Nasri and Fabregas to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively.

Arsene Wenger was clearly not very enthused by the news that a deal for Mata, who was said to be very close only a few weeks ago had suddenly broken down beyond repair. The Arsenal manager didn't give a reason for the deal now being dead, but only confirmed it:

"We will not do (a deal for) Juan Mata. I don't have to give a reason." 

In the past week, Arsenal were said to have agreed a deal with Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk over the Brazilian 27 year-old Jadson, with the Independent reporting as if the player was already an Arsenal signing. However, Wenger has dismissed this, leaving Arsenal fans feeling even more pessimistic as the new season approaches. Wenger said:

"We are nowhere near on Jadson. We are not talking to Shakhtar about him."

On Fabregas, Barcelona's manager Pep Guardiola seemed confident that the deal is close to completion, saying that the chances of signing the Spanish midfielder are "good":

"The prospects are good, but he’s still an Arsenal player. Otherwise I would confirm it."

Nasri's move to Manchester City looks a certainty, with talks at a very advances stage, and some reports stating that he has already agreed a deal with Arsenal's future title rivals.

Wenger also gave the usual spiel about why it's so hard to find a defender who fits his requirements. One can't help but think it's simply an excuse not to spend, and to avoid the overriding issue with Arsenal:

"We have specialised people who work everywhere. Every club looks for centre-backs in the whole world."

"People with unlimited resources look for a centre-back. We are not in a supermarket where you go to a shelf and you ask 'where are the centre-backs or the strikers?"

"We are today in an international market where all over the world people look for the same players. Massive clubs have scouts all over the world and if they don't find anyone, in the end they come to us. You don't need to be a genius to understand that."

"We will have a new centre-back by the end of the transfer window because Thomas Vermaelen only played five games last year. To buy just for the sake of buying - you won't find me there. If I'm convinced the player has the quality, I will always do it if he's better than the players we have."

However, Arsenal can take some good news from all of these downbeat stories of failed bids and outgoing stars. Apparently, the Arsenal board will give Arsene Wenger all, or most of the money made from the sales of Nasri and Fabregas, so the manager can bring in some top quality replacements.

Will Wenger invest? If he doesn't, you can't help but think that Arsenal could be in trouble this season, as clubs around them spend millions to keep themselves in those all important top four positions.

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Arsenal Reject New, Improved Bid For Fabregas

Arsenal have rejected another offer from Barcelona for their captain Cesc Fabregas, and insisted that the Spanish club must pay what Arsenal demand otherwise, no deal will happen.

Barcelona's offer to Arsenal was improved on their previous £26 million bid - which seems ridiculous when you consider other transfer deals occurring this summer - to £30 million plus £5 million in add-ons. Despite Wenger reportedly allowing Barca to speak to Fabregas, he is staying strong in the £40 million valuation.

The Arsenal chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, told the Star:

"Their offer was nowhere near what we are looking for. It is very straightforward from our point of view. We have told them what we want and we are sticking to it."

"We do not think we are being at all unreasonable when you see the sort of prices players are being sold for, who are not even half as good as Cesc."

"Barcelona are offering extra payments which are dependent on all sorts of fantastical things, but we are not interested in that. We want them to pay what he is worth."

The Star also states that Fabregas is "devastated" and "desperate" at the rejected bid, but somehow, I don't think he would have expected a bid such as this to be accepted, especially as Arsenal have made it abundantly clear of their intentions to make £40 million.

The Arsenal squad travelled to Lisbon to play Benfica in a pre-season friendly last night, and despite Fabregas participated fully in the build up training, he did not travel with his team mates. Either there is a fitness issue, or Fabregas is attempting to speed along his move to Spain before the start of the new season.

Barcelona have never been any good at taking hints, even really big ones. The "Fabregas is not for sale" line didn't put them off, and now the "Fabregas will only leave for at least £40 million" doesn't seem to translate into anything comprehensible, even though Wenger can speak Spanish well.

What Barcelona must understand, is Arsenal need as much money as possible to reinvest, as Fabregas is their most influential players as well as the captain. The sooner they realise that, the sooner this boring saga will be over with.

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The Fabregas and Nasri Situation

Written by a DBS Football guess writer - Follow Him on Twitter @Kevin_Mega

So once again the summers longest transfer saga continues with Cesc Fabregas supposedly edging closer to a move to Barcelona even though they can’t match the valuation of our skipper. Arsenal are holding out for more than £40 million, which they rightly should do considering the market prices of other players.  In a world where players like Modric are valued at over £35 million it’s fair for Arsenal to demand £40million+ for Cesc.

It’s no secret that Barcelona have massive debts which is why they can’t raise funds to buy him. They’ve recently purchased Alexis Sanchez so it would be difficult to see where else they could get money to buy Fabregas. One thing that annoys me is; why do they want Fabregas? They already have Xavi and Iniesta, so why would they need Fabregas, especially as he will be on the bench for the most of his time there.  I don’t see Guardiola dropping either Xavi or Iniesta to accommodate Fabregas. It has been suggested that Fabregas, Xavi, and Iniesta could play in a three man midfield against weaker opponents because there would be no need for a defensive minded midfielder, however this option wouldn't suit Fabregas as he would like to play in the big games like ‘el classico’ and Champions League Finals.

It’s true that Fabregas would prefer to move to Barcelona but he’s equally happy to stay at Arsenal if the move to Barcelona doesn’t fall through. I don’t think it will be in the best interest for Fabregas to move to Nou Camp as he won’t be a first team starter and it would be just like the time he spends with Spain during international periods where he’s always behind Iniesta and Xavi to occupy the two attacking midfield spots. If Cesc was to move to Barcelona the best time would be when Xavi is close to retiring which is a few years away.

With Barcelona unable to match our valuation for Cesc it would seem better for all, for Fabregas to have another season as Arsenal's captain.

Now to another transfer saga which was picking up pace during the start of the transfer window; the Nasri contract situation. Nasri doesn’t want to sign a contract extension at Arsenal with some reports suggesting it’s because he wants more money whilst others say it’s because Arsenal took too long to start negotiations with him.  I wouldn’t mind if he was sold as long as we find a suitable replacement. 

The Spanish and English media have run stories today that we are close to signing Juan Mata. I don’t trust these sources but if Juan Mata was to arrive at Arsenal I would hope he is a replacement for Nasri and not Fabregas. This is because we need Fabregas more than we need Nasri. No-one at arsenal can occupy the centre attacking midfield role as well as Fabregas can. Several players have tried playing in that role when Fabregas is injured but they weren’t able to excel. Nasri prefers to play in that role but in the few times he’s played there he hasn’t really shone and he’s more effective as a winger.

Arsene Wenger has already said that he will not sell Nasri as it would undermine the clubs claim to be an ambitious club. I somehow agree with this because for Arsenal to remain a big club we need to keep our best players. Is it however worth the risk of losing him on a free where we could get £20m for him and get a suitable replacement? My view is that Wenger wants to keep him at Arsenal for another season where he could continue his attempts to convince him to sign a contract extension. If we win a trophy I think Nasri will stay. But if once again we fail in claiming a trophy, I don’t see how we can convince him to stay.

So with the new season only a few weeks away, I think Arsenal will begin the new season with Fabregas and Nasri in the starting line up against Newcastle. And when the summer transfer window shuts on September 1^st, we will still have them in our squad to help us mount a serious challenge for the title.

Written by a DBS Football guess writer - Follow Him on Twitter @Kevin_Mega

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Arsenal In New Jagielka Bid - Wenger Wants Respect

Arsenal's second bid for Phil Jagielka in as many summer transfer windows was once again rejected by Everton, but the Gunners will now apparently make a third bid, and raise the stakes in the hope of coming closer to the Merseyside clubs valuation of the England defender.

Many reports have suggested that Everton would be willing to listen to an offer if it was closer to £20 million, especially as David Moyes knows he must sell before he buys, and Arsene Wenger is now willing to up his £10 million offer for Jagielka.

Wenger has said that he will "certainly" purchase another defender in this window and is working very hard to do so, and his previous bid for the 28 year-old may have been simply a sign of his interest, as he surely could not have imagined a £10 million would be accepted.

According to the Express, the Everton manager would encourage the board to accept a £17 million bid for his star defender, but whether or not Arsenal would offer that much is debatable, especially considering the players age and Wenger's strict policy for younger players.

Wenger refuses as a matter of principle to discuss his targets, because he doesn't wish to sink as low as Barcelona have in attempting to purchase Cesc Fabregas through various comments and gestures.

However, he has also been angered by Manchester City's interest in Samir Nasri, with Roberto Mancini openly discussing his desire for the Frenchman to be a City player, or at the very least giving large hints to the media about it. The Arsenal manager has had enough, and demands some respect be shown to the transfer rules and that the rules be reviewed. When asked whether or not he believes City have broken any rules regarding Samir Nasri, Wenger said:

"I would like to return the question to you. What do you think? We live in a realistic world. I do not want to assess what I cannot prove." 

"I know how things happen. It doesn't necessarily go through the player or the agent but I think it is a rule that has to be reviewed. It's not really respected."

He also commented on the players he has at the club, and who he is prepared to let go. Both Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue have been allowed to talk to other clubs about a move, but everyone else, Wenger continues to "fight" for them to stay:

"How many will leave the club? I said from the start I will fight to keep everybody. Nicklas Bendtner might go and Emmanuel Eboue might go. They can talk to clubs, but the rest I will fight." 

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Arsenal Demand Thiago + £25m For Fabregas?

Arsene Wenger seems to have discovered impressive negotiation skills overnight if we are to believe the latest reports coming from the papers.

Barcelona "representatives" had apparently flown in to London, I imagine in dark suits, shady sunglasses and a suitcase filled with cash, to discuss with Arsenal the details of an offer believed to be £33.5 million. However, it is now being reported that Arsene Wenger is "demanding" £25 million as well as Barcelona's highly rated Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcântara.

Manchester United had been interested in the 20 year-old Spaniard, and apparently lodged a £15 million bid last month for the youngster. That was before he signed a new deal which keeps him at Camp Nou until 2015, with a new release clause of a massive £81 million.

That factor really does seem to cut this rumour short, and add to that what the player himself said when he signed the new contract with the European Champions; "I never thought about leaving. I’ve always wanted to be here," and you find yourself wondering how on earth Wenger seems to think he can get anywhere with this. After all, isn't this similar to what happened with Fabregas? Buy a player with a deep affection or "DNA" as some have called it for Barcelona, and they will most likely seek a return in the future. (Even though Thiago was actually born in Italy.)

He had a good European Under 21 Championship, scoring in the final with a 40 yard stunner, and has a whole host of other impressive qualities suited to Arsenal's style. He has quick and tricky feet, with a clever mind and vision to match, allowing him to set up attacks from very little, and he has the mature ability to know when not to try something too ambitious - doing the simple things well, such as passing and creating.
Read Full Player Review Here.

It is no wonder clubs are interested in him, but I really cannot see Barcelona letting him go. Despite the fact that the competition in the Barcelona midfield is ferocious, and possibly impossible to penetrate for a player like Thiago Alcântara at the moment, the club won't want to let such a talented youngster leave, especially so soon after agreeing a new deal.

Unless Wenger really is playing extreme hard-ball with Barcelona, and will refuse to sell Fabregas until his demands are met, this is a rumour dead in the water, but I'd like to see what you think. Would you rather see this Fabregas saga over and done with, and rid the midfielder for £35 million, or would you drag it out for a little longer in an audacious attempt to pick up the young Thiago? Vote Below.

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Wenger Needs A Big Signing

As Arsenal struggle to keep hold of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the club also faces losing out on potential transfer targets, with the latest £10 million bid for Everton's Phil Jagielka being turned down and the young Costa Rican striker, Joel Campbell putting a move to Arsenal on hold.

Gael Clichy has already left the Arsenal door, and slammed it in Wenger's face on the way out by claiming he left so he would have more chance of winning a trophy with Manchester City. It may be considered as a low blow. It may also be considered as the truth; Arsenal's title winning chances have been fading for a while.

In the past six years, the club has no silverware to it's name and has instead come only excruciatingly close. That isn't what players want. Nowadays, football players, especially in their mid twenties, or approaching that age who are ambitious and know that time may not be all on their side, need immediate success. They need to be winning games and winning trophies, as a footballing career, on average, is not very long.

The likes of Manchester United and Manchester City are spending big this summer, and they are able to attract the best players through a few reasons in which Arsenal simply cannot or will not compete in.

First of all, a bigger wage is always more attractive to a footballer. As Arsenal offer Nasri a £115,000 per week deal which would make him their highest earner, Manchester City have offered the same player £45,000 more, and he still wouldn't be close to City's highest weekly wage packet.

However, money is only one small feature of the attraction at clubs like United, City and Chelsea who are willing to pay large sums that Arsenal are not. The main attraction is surely the potential to win trophies and the top class players already at the club who can help achieve that. Arsenal currently face letting their best players go - what message does that send to players subject of interest from Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger must change that view. He must move in the transfer window to bring in a player who can not only help to win trophies at Arsenal, and make the team all around more clinical, but who also has the star attraction for other footballer.

Manchester United have Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Ferdinand, Vidic - all players who are known throughout the world, who many younger players look up to and aspire to be like on the pitch. Even City have their fair share through Yaya Toure and David Silva, and apart from the anomaly Carlos Tevez, who wants to move to a new club every two seasons, the players want to stay as they have a good chance of success.

I believe one big signing for Arsenal could do wonders for the morale of both the team and the fans. It would take pressure off of Wenger, and allow him to continue his job without calls for him to spend a lot of money. If Wenger can get the trouble positions sorted, a big signing of a big player, world renowned would certainly refresh Arsenal's world wide popularity, and perhaps they can look forward to bringing more of the same in, rather than see them leave looking for success.

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Sell Nasri & Fabregas And Show Some Ambition

Arsene Wenger's stance is respectable as well as understandable; keep his two best players at the club, and hope that this season they can bring him some long awaited and much needed success. The problem is, it just doesn't look realistic.

You've got Cesc Fabregas, and by now, we all know where he wants to be. We are told by everyone apart from the man himself who remains hesitant to admit in public his desire to move back home to Barcelona. We are told repeatedly of meetings he has with Wenger, reporting that he has told Wenger where he wants to be, while Barcelona players continue to shamelessly tell us about the Arsenal captains dreams as if they roam his sleeping mind.

Then there's Nasri, who clearly isn't too eager to sign a new contract with the club, and is far more interested in immediate success, or the promise of that success with either Manchester United or City - perhaps whoever pays the most.

You can imagine it now: Nasri and Fabregas, stony faced and bringing the dressing room down next season after a loss. Two players who don't want to be there - one of which who is the captain of the side - it doesn't bode well in a recipe for success. The captain should really be the personification of commitment and determination, and while Fabregas may put on a good show of that, the players know where his true motives lie.

If Wenger wants to show competing clubs Arsenal's ambition, he has little option but to sell. Sell, and then re invest very soon. It may not be something the Arsenal manager is used to, but it is something he needs to try; investing heavily in a side in dire need of refreshment.

£35 million from the sale of Fabregas, and £25 million from the sale of Nasri (if they're lucky) and Arsenal have £60 million to play with. Now I don't claim to be an expert in Arsenal's needs, mainly because I'm not, but there are a few players who have been mentioned that I could certainly see improving the side.

Arsenal need a defender or two to sure up that back line - mainly a left back and central defender, considering the departure of Clichy and shakiness of Squillaci, Koscielny and injuries. Chris Samba's names has cropped up, as has the far more expensive Gary Cahill's, but what Arsenal need is a reliable, Premier League proven defender, with good, leadership qualities.

Obviously, finding a replacement for Fabregas and Nasri is far harder. They are two qualities very rare in football, and as Arsenal know by the price they are commanding for the pair, value is also hard to come by. But money talks, and with around £40 million left over, it opens a lot of doors for Mr Wenger. This is a man who knows his football, and has surely had his eyes on a couple of players with the thought of Fabregas leaving - after all, it isn't a sudden decision.

Juan Mata would command a £20 million fee, and with Valencia's own money problems would be willing to sell. £20 million left over. Who would you bring in? Of course, this would all depend if the Arsenal board would be willing to inject the money made from the hypothetical Nasri and Fabregas sales back into the team for Wenger to do what he pleases.

But it boils down to this: do Arsenal want the money now, when their players are worth around £60 million together, and there clubs are willing to pay that amount, or do they want to squeeze one more season out of two unhappy players with their mind elsewhere. Looks like Wenger's already made up his mind.

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£20m Will Buy Juan Mata For Arsenal or United

While Valencia's club President Manuel Llorente has insisted that his young left midfield star, Juan Mata is not for sale, reports continue to link him away from Spain and interestingly, with the two English sides Arsenal and Manchester United. The Mail now reports that both clubs have registered a real interest in Mata, and that if Valencia were to received a £20 million bid for the 23 year-old, it would be enough to persuade Valencia to let him go.

A move for Mata from either Manchester United or Arsenal will depend on what happens with the current transfer sagas surrounding the two clubs. That is, if Manchester United do end up signing Wesley Sneijder in the ongoing, rather confusing negotiations which according to some, are taking place, and according to others are not. 

Indeed in Arsenal's case, a move for Mata much depends on whether or not they can keep hold Samir Nasri and/or Cesc Fabregas this summer. Nasri looks set to stay at Arsenal and run down his contract to go for free next summer, but Barcelona are continuing to circle over Cesc Fabregas and look as likely as ever to snap him up for a lucrative transfer fee.

Theo Walcott's recent admission that he would like to be given the chance to play centrally as a goal scoring striker, it could leave room on the wing for another player to step in. Mata could easily be that player - a winger with bags of pace and the superb ability to beat a man, combined with great technical ability, providing that creative spark needed. 

Mata has made 172 appearances for Valencia, scoring 46 goals, and has a contract with the Spanish side until 2015. However, Valencia's money struggles have been well documented, resulting in the past in the sale of David Villa and David Silva to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, so £20 million will do well to add further stability to the clubs finances. 

If Manchester United do decide to go in for the player, they have a special advantage over other clubs in the fact that Ryan Giggs is still at the club. The United legend is an idol of Mata's, and the chance to be mentored by his idol would certainly be a huge attraction. 

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Wenger Has Vowed to "Fight" Before - And Lost

Arsene Wenger is facing a miserable transfer window ahead. Top players are likely to leave, including his captain and his player of the season, and despite Wenger's rallying cry and vow to fight to keep those players at Arsenal, it doesn't look as if the French manager can do very much about it. He said:

"Our position is always the same – we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him."

But does it fill Arsenal fans with confidence? I wouldn't think so. Of course Wenger wants to keep the players at Arsenal. Nasri and Fabregas are vital to Arsenal's future success - but if the players want to leave - which they do in both cases, Wenger can do little to stop them.

It is well known that Cesc Fabregas has been waiting patiently and respectfully for his move back home to Barcelona. In the meantime, he has played well as Arsenal's captain - a young man for others around him to look up to - but his mind is very clearly made up about where he wants to be. He wants to be playing with Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, in the sun of Spain, back home winning trophies and thriving on success, rather than failing miserable to carry this Arsenal team to success or any form of silverware for six years.

Nasri meanwhile has apparently "demanded" to be let go from the Arsenal shackles after he discovered like the rest of us that Manchester United had placed a £20 million bid for him. Nasri, in talks with Arsenal has reportedly made it clear of his intentions to leave London in search of silverware, and Manchester United is his favoured destination.

Wenger may be hugely reluctant to let any other players leave for fellow English clubs, competing against Arsenal next year, but it looks as if he will have little choice. His calls to "fight" for the players to stay mean little when it was only a few months ago, in the midst of Arsenal's collapse in the Premier League title race that the Arsenal manager vowed to "fight like mad" to win the Premier League.

Manchester united finished the fight victorious, and with a lot left to spare. It may end up like that again this time round with Nasri. Unless Nasri ends up "doing a Rooney" and signs the improved contract offer Arsenal have now placed on the table of £115,000 a week, then he will either be leaving this summer for £20-25 million or departing next summer for free.

Wenger is unfortunately fighting a losing battle, and one that he knows deep down he will lose. If he can persuade the pair to stay it will arguably be Arsenal's biggest success story since their last trophy back in 2005. If not, Wenger's long rebuilding process will begin again, and he will be hoping that this time it will be a little more fruitful.

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