Arsenal Snippets

Yes, it’s official, Arsene is back in the transfer market:

“When we find the right players.
“Of course, we do not make money to put it in the banks. We want to, and are looking at, a few possibilities at the moment and we want to, as well, assess the pre-season and what is needed.
Questioned over the possibility of an imminent signing, the Frenchman continued:
“No not at the moment. We work at the moment very hard to prepare for the new season and we are looking as well at some possibilities to strengthen the squad. We’ll only do it for players who are worth spending the money.”

Yes, it’s all done and dusted now… Kolo has moved…

Hughe said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City. It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal,” he declared.

“Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years, and I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room.

Well, it’s getting close to it now, but Arsene did admit that Kolo may leave:

“We will see what’s happening in the next 24 hours, nothing is decided yet. We have seven centre-backs and I am in the position where I have to play some in midfield but of course Kolo is a very good player and we will see what will happen in the next 24 hours.”

As an Arsenal fan, it feels like we have a huge £50m obligation to pay and to pay now. First Adebayor, then Toure – will Eboue and Senderos be next?

Apparently Aston Villa and Sunderland have offered £7m for Senderos and Fiorentina have offered £8m for Eboue, so let’s see what happens…

Ouch!

Kolo Toure is reportedly flying back to England from Arsenal’s Austria training base to finalise his transfer to Manchester City.

Sky Sports News report that Toure is returning to undergo a medical at Eastlands after the two clubs agreed a fee of £16m.

It’s thought that Toure may be unveiled as a City player by Friday. If so, Toure will be the second Arsenal player in as many weeks to leave for Eastlands after the £25m transfer of Emmanuel Adebayor.

It looks like Arsenal target Chamakh is on the verge of accepting a deal to join Sunderland despite obvious overtures to Arsenal…

“I am very eager to wait right up until the end of August to see what happens.  But there is nothing definitely on at present with Arsenal – in contrast to Sunderland.

Will Arsene jump in last minute and try to sign the player?

Okay, a little off topic (considering it’s not got much to do with Arsenal)… but apparently Javier Mascherano wants to move to Barcelona…

“Barcelona is the easiest deal to set up as Javier wants to go to Spain. He is tired of life in England.

“His wife has not been given a permanent visa. She has to go through an odyssey each time she wants to go.

“Liverpool refuse to sell, this can be overcome with an extraordinary offer.”

Why is that news for us, I hear you say? Well if Mascherano does go to Barcelona, what will the future of Yaya Toure be? Surely there isn’t room for 4 defensive midfielders (Keita and Marquez included) at the club where only one plays… stay tuned!

The name Maroune Chamakh is on everyone’s lips at the moment, with Arsene making some very public overtures about the player recently. However, the player has revealed that he hasn’t yet heard from the Arsenal.

“I want a new challenge, I have a weakness for the English league. My dearest wish is to leave Bordeaux. I have repeated it for several months and I hope my officials will listen to my wish. With my agent, we have agreed terms with several English clubs that are keen to sign me. They are just waiting for my decision. They are notably Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham.

Arsenal? I don’t really believe in it anymore. My officials have not received any offer so far. I have not made my decision yet. I am studying the offers. I want to know which destination will be the best for me. When I have made my choice, the club will contact Bordeaux. I know Bordeaux can match the conditions I have been offered in England, but that doesn’t change anything for me. I would like to be understood and listened to. My position is very clear. Four years ago, I accepted the club’s demand to not leave when Lyon was determined to sign me. I believe I deserve to be paid back.”

Another Adebayor on our hands?

Is Obafemi Martins the man to replace Emmanuel Adebayor at the Emirates this forthcoming. New reports in the People today suggest Arsenal are seriously about to make an offer.

Arsene Wenger is a longtime fan of the 24-year-old Nigerian speedster, and a bid could be launched as soon as United welcome new owners at St James Park.

The former Inter Milan star who arrived at the Toon in 2006 for a fee of £10 million is valued by his current employers at £12 million.

What do you think?

Last season we were never offered a decent amount of money for want away striker – this season we managed to secure a whopping thirty million euros for him… he’s pleased too.

“Of course, yeah – that’s why I’m here,” he said. “I’m happy being here. I had a good discussion with the coach. I had a good discussion with the chairman of Man City. What they have told me is about the future.”

“That this is a team, maybe in one year or two years, that will be one of the best in the world.”

“We have to fight for the club, we have to fight for the team,” he said. “As you can see, the fans believe in us that we can bring them something. That’s what we’re going to fight for now.”

So who will replace the Togan at the Arsenal?