Transfer talk and injury update 15 January, 2009

After just watching Arsene Wenger’s press conference I am confident that a deal for Andrei Arshavin will be reached. The manager as usual, gave nothing away but hinted that negotiations were going well. If you watched today’s press conference, and you are used to watching Arsene Wenger I think you will agree that things were going well.

He said there was no news as yet and would not confirm if we had made an improved offer. I don’t expect him to give anything away until the day he signs (if he does). And even then, he won’t disclose any information.

I spoke yesterday about how the threat of Man City could ruin our plans. I said that if Milan don’t get ‘Kaka they will be looking elsewhere for a signing and the availability of Arshavin might interest them. Well apparently the incredible move for the AC Milan star is still on, the player himself has said that he’s happy at Milan and I’m sure the club would want to keep him but the amount of money being offered here might just be too good to turn down.

Arsene Wenger has had his say on the story and described the story as not ‘real’ and ‘in another world’. It’s true, it’s absolutely crazy, I mean ‘Kaka’s a good player but there’s no way you can put a one-hundred million valuation on anybody, it’s just showing off. He’s also said that he is in no way jealous of Man City’s money and I wouldn’t expect him to be. He says that he’s more interested than developing players and teams rather than splashing the cash.

I don’t expect the manager to spend a lot of money this transfer window. In fact, if we don’t get Arshavin I wouldn’t be surprised if no-one else comes in. Arsene has described the return of Eduardo, Walcott, Fabregas and Rosicky as ‘new signings’. It’s an expression he uses a lot and one that does frustrate some Arsenal fans. I do think though that the return of Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo will be like new signings seeing as their recovery itself has been in doubt. Wenger has confirmed that Eduardo is fit and will be back in the first team in about two or three weeks. Exciting times but we have to try not expect too much of him when he does play.

A bit of early team news ahead of the Hull game this weekend and the only possible player back is Alex Song, he’ll face a late fitness test. I’ll save match-talk for tomorrow in the preview- until then.