Have you missed this? This week, for those peculiar fans that love Arsenal Football Club but mistrust everything that they say, was full of stories that seem to validate all of their suspicions. Another week has gone by without a new signing.
Not only have Arsenal yet to complete a transfer outside of agreeing terms with fullback Sead Kolasinac, but this week has also brought the news of two rejected bids for a pair of Arsene Wenger’s most coveted summer targets, Alexandre Lacazette and Thomas Lemar. For all fans, who have been promised that summer business would be completed far earlier than last season, there is a sense of fear setting in that the club may actually be again left spinning its wheels in the mud while its rivals wade through the transfer market in a more decisive way, chequebooks out and pens poised.
Losing Without Even Trying
If that wasn’t bad enough for poor old Arsene Wenger, he spent the entire week losing transfer battles in the media that I am not entirely sure he even knew he was a part of. Whether “Arsenal receive massive transfer blow” or a “player set to snub Arsenal for x”, the team just can’t catch a break. Their apparent bid to sign 106 new players this season to come in and compete for just a handful of potential squad openings.
That is, of course, unless West Ham United get their way. Yes, the former lovable little loser across town it seems has been emboldened by their negotiating victories with the city of London into making a raid on their local rivals, Arsenal. It seems that the Hammers are intent on getting Olivier Giroud AND Theo Walcott because, well, I suppose they have been so brilliant winning things in North London, might as well have some of that winning magic for themselves.
Of course, this sort of language is nothing new. Since the news started being printed, those publications have used their headlines as a means of exciting readers for what’s to come, or to entice would be readers into purchasing a copy. Today, however, with the majority of consumed “news” arriving in digital format, the competition has lead to questionable facts or snippets of information being spun into dramatic tales of jilted teams and hurt feelings.
A Keeperless Club
With the team long expected to lose backup goalkeeper David Ospina to Turkey, recent Roma loanee Wojciech Szczesny to Juventus, and Petr Cech being, well, old I suppose, they could not afford to risk losing yet another keeper could they?
Well, to the contrary, reserve goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has now allegedly become the object of Valencia’s affection. The La Liga side reportedly want him to be their next starter between the sticks. For a club that must face Barcelona and the two Madrid powerhouses each twice a year, the pursuit of such an inexperienced (if admittedly, highly thought of) option is a risky, and frankly, unlikely proposition. The reported fee is about €5 million, which if you are keeping track at home is the same price that Juventus believe they can get Szczesny for and that Fenerbahce believe they can get David Ospina for. Curious. Most curious.
Oh Good, We Have Found Another
But for those Arsenal fans that are starting to truly worry, fear not, for Arsene Wenger has found yet another young, fast French forward to save the day: Anthony Martial. That the young Frenchman plays for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United? No great hurdle at all, stories say.
The story was quickly debunked by the player himself, claiming he is a Manchester United player, but given how similar he is to the reported members of Arsenal’s most coveted transfer targets, it is one that will probably stick around for quite a while.
There is no denying how good a fit Anthony Martial would have been at Arsenal had he decided to make his big move from Monaco to Arsenal instead of the red half of Manchester. His skill set would have complimented the existing squad perfectly, and he likely would have had an extended run at centre forward, an opportunity that Jose Mourinho has displayed a desire to deprive him of. Despite his undoubted similarities to the sort of player that Arsenal have widely been reported to be after this summer, he is not likely to be sold to a club rival, especially since Manchester United unequivocally do not need the money, and his rumoured link to North a London should be treated with high levels of skepticism.
Trading Problems
If Anthony Martial being linked to Arsenal should be treated hesitantly, the reports of a swap deal between Manchester City and Arsenal with Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero alleged to be heading in opposite directions should be treated with outright derisive laughter.
Alexis Sanchez may well favuor a move to Manchester City, but Arsene Wenger would simply never entertain the idea. The gaffer was able to build a grudging and short fused trust from some of his detractors after a strong end to the season saw the Gunners soldier through a tough final 4 group of teams to take the FA Cup. Wenger would rightfully be very hesitant to expend what little political capital he has with the fans by sending the team’s star to a direct rival.
Conversely, Sergio Aguero is not likely to make us end of the bargain any easier. The Argentinian is every bit the mercurial personality that the Chilean is, although his motives seem significantly murkier. Where Sanchez might have an outburst of poor body language and sulk in response to his team hitting a slump, Aguero’s dissent is more motivated by himself. Aguero has the capacity to make absolutely infuriating decisions in important moments, often letting his emotions get the better of him. If some believe that moving from a club that caters so thoroughly to the individual star players (mostly pre-Guardiola, but he has only been there one season) would be a boon to Aguero, a move to club with a socialist wage structure and a less structured manager could well be catastrophic. A big, fat, defiant “NO!” From me on this rumour,
So what do YOU think Gooners? How many goalkeepers will leave this summer? Will Arsenal have their squad in place in time for the preseason? Will Arsene Wenger finally get his French contingent once again? Patience may be required this summer, but as always, it is important to keep the faith!
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