Breach of the Rules
Well it seems the club could get its knuckles wrapped after their failure to nominate a captain for the second half against Manchester City. With Laurent Koscielny going off injured at half time, Arsenal should have nominated a new skipper but failed to do so. The club are in breach of Premier League rule ‘M.11, a captain must wear an armband at all times’. The club have said it is unclear if there was a captain, but Theo Walcott was the senior player on the pitch. It should be just a reminder to manager Arsene Wenger from the Premier League and no further action taken.
Dynamo Moscow Friendly
According to the Mirror, Arsenal are in talks to play Russian outfit Dynamo Moscow in a friendly at their new stadium. Arsenal have not played the oldest Russian club since the end of World War Two.
Bye, Bye Ospina
After yesterday’s report that Arsenal keeper David Ospina was possibly going to Turkish side Fenerbahce, reports in today’s papers seem to confirm that the club have agreed a £6m deal with the Turkish team ahead of the summer transfer window.
Wenger Press Conference
Some news from Arsene Wenger’s press conference yesterday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey had fitness tests but it looks like both will be in the squad to face West Ham. Laurent Koscielny is due to have a scan to find out the extent of his Achilles injury but won’t play against the London club.
Wenger again stated he had no news on his future, but reiterated the answer will be soon. The Frenchman did comment on Alexis Sanchez future by saying the Chilean has a contract for another one and a half years and does not understand the debate around Sanchez staying or leaving. He added further team news for the match against the Hammers, adding Per Mertesacker is available to play and may make the squad, although goalkeeper Petr Cech is still out injured.
Monchi
According to reports Arsenal are targeting Sevilla’s highly regarded Sporting Director Monchi. The 48-year-old is standing down from his position at the end of the season after overseeing Sevilla’s rise in the last few years. With Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis confirming over the weekend that the club need to act as a ‘catalyst for change’, Monchi would be very much on the club’s radar.
Monchi has brought in such players like Dani Alves for £413,000, Ivan Rakitic for £1.88m and Seydou Keita £3m to name but a few bargains, over the years.
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