Name that team

A quick test for you: what team is this?

GK Kapino
DL Shaw
D Vertonghen
D Alex
DR Beck
ML Capoue
M Gonzalez
M Kaka
MR Reus
F Podolski
F Leandro
Sub: Montoya, Goetze, Garcia, Grosskreutz, Vargas, Casemiro, Barrada, Ayew, Drame

A European club, perhaps? Or a fantasy XI for a website competition? Actually, if that were the case, it wouldn’t be a bad starting team. And each of the subs would make the starting eleven on pretty much any team in the world.
No, this is Arsenal’s team for the game on February 4 against Blackburn Rovers. Unrecognizable it may be, but the 19 players listed above are just some of the players being “strongly linked” with a move to the Emirates.
It’s amazing how the rumour mill goes into overdrive at this time of year. It’s definitely a seller’s market in the January window, and we all know from experience that Arsene Wenger doesn’t do too many deals at this time of year, preferring to rely upon his existing squad. Whether it’s right or wrong, his transfer policy is a frugal one. Realistically, how many of the alleged multi-million pound deals will actually go through.
One suspects that, at best, there may be two new names and, if history is anything to go by, they may be rising stars as opposed to established players.
But it just goes to show that the rumour mill, while interesting and exciting, is simply a way to generate interest and excitement, sell newspapers and drive web visits. Of course, Arsenal is in the fortunate position of being able to do some business. Clubs such as Everton have to sell to buy, or use loans. Other clubs, at the bottom end of the table, have to weigh up whether to plunge into the market to try and survive, or sell some of their bigger players now before the inevitable summer exodus should relegation happen. It’s an unenviable position to be in.
It has to be said that all of the players linked with Arsenal in the current transfer window – and there are many more than those listed above – should be able to come in to the squad and make an immediate impact. Some are amazing talents that would serve for years to come. However, of the dozens linked with a move, only a handful of moves are realistic. The rest, if you read between the lines, are journalist lingo.
“Arsenal are on alert…” is a typical one. “Arsene Wenger has watched…” is another. Sure he has. He’s watched lots of games. “Potential Arsenal target” doesn’t mean he is on the radar. Just that he could be, if they were interested, which they might not be. Not exactly lies, but statements vague enough to be accurate without actually saying anything.
“According to a source close to the club,” could, in fact, be a guy who lives in the street next to the stadium.
“Arsenal are reported to be” or “Arsenal “are understood to be” are the same. Adding the words reported to be, or understood to be, take away the need for the media outlet to be definite. “Arsenal are interested in…” is a statement of fact. It has to be attributed to someone. So, when “Arsene Wenger says” then it’s a fact from a statement.
Of course, as the old adage goes, never let the truth get in the way of a good story! So, you heard it here first: Lionel Messi could be an Arsenal player in the summer.