All Over For Mikel? Arsene Confirms Signings…..

Morning all.

What a double dose of bad news yesterday. Both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy have been ruled out for three months following surgery. I bet our right back wishes he’d never signed for us, after all, Stoke never battered Newcastle players the way that thug battered him last weekend and to think the FA thought it was all in a day’s work!

I wonder just how Mikel Arteta will recover. He’s really struggled this season with not only the pace of the game but with his own fitness. I can’t see him playing again this season and even if he does recover, he’ll soon be 33 years old and perhaps this league will be too much for his ageing legs.

Following the injuries to both, Arsene Wenger confirmed yesterday that signings cans be expected:

Yes we are more in the market now.

We have Chambers and we have Bellerin, who is coming on well, and I want to give them a chance as well, but of course we are in the market like many other clubs.

We work really hard morning until late night to try to get one or two players in.

‘More in the market’ is not difficult really as to date in this transfer window, no-one has been added to the squad and all we have seen is departures but, If Arsene Wenger is telling the truth, it’s good news. Not for those who hope he spends nothing and then departs in the summer leaving any transfer budget for a new manager, or of course those who wish he’d leave right now but me personally, I hope he can get some good business done, make us stronger and really challenge for that 3rd spot. Or even 2nd as there’s a long way to go in this season yet…

Yes, some may read that and think I’m deluded but I’m not, I’m just optimistic.

And of course there is the FA Cup and Champions League to challenge for. Chelsea got lucky a couple of years ago, why can’t we….

Whatever happens as far as the manager goes will happen regardless of what our views are and even if he does decide that enough is enough when this season ends, I don’t want us to finish in position in the league which will leave players like Alexis, Ozil and co thinking its time to depart.

One player who is widely expected to sign for us arrives in London today for his medical and that’s Krystian Bielik.

He told the Legia website:

I’m going to London to fulfil my dreams. I hope I will become an Arsenal player soon.

Apparently, he’s going straight into the first team squad although the player believes he’s not ready for that yet:

But it does not mean that my goal is playing in the first team right away. I’m not ready yet.

Quite interesting that he turned down an offer of more money to move to Hamburg.

I doubt too many will be overly excited about this new arrival as he’s only 17 years old and what we need is an experienced Cdm but for those who are pleased with his impending arrival, Polish football expert Ryan Hubbard has written about what we can expect from the young man in The Mirror.

Just who else will join him remains to be seen…

That’s it for Friday, have a good one…

86 thoughts on “All Over For Mikel? Arsene Confirms Signings…..

  1. rico says:

    He does look good but as you say Scott, we need a player for today and real soon. But if the Morgan story is true, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a loan Cdm come in.

  2. rico says:

    Isn’t there a Cdm at At Madrid who has had a bust up with the manager and subsequently doesn’t get picked? Can’t recall his name…

  3. AndrewH says:

    Morning rico, house. I’m a bit flat this window. After AW’s gross mismanagement in the CB area last window, I expected announcements on 3rd January to make amends. How silly of me 😉

  4. AndrewH says:

    Price on a player might be a bit higher if Arsene shows interest too early. He likes playing poker, only in AW’s case, the bank manager is happy too.

  5. AndrewH says:

    Bob, and ref saw it and liked it, so FA wouldn’t take any action.

    I said it before and I know its childish, but I would love to see an Arsenal player shove a nastyplayer flying into hoarding. Then when he’s booked, Arsenal to ask FA officially isn’t it allowed? If its ok when a player is out for 3 months to push a player off field, why did that prat of a ref think it’s nothing and turn his back?

  6. Bob John says:

    Andrew! This is a respectable platform. You really shouldn’t be typing with your mouth full!
    Can anyone recall a tackle or assault by an Arsenal player which caused an opponent to go off, let alone be out for months?

  7. eduardo says:

    I think some are jumping the gun with this talk about Bielik going straight into the first team squad, all the quotes from the player suggest he will train with the first team, and if he does well in training and for the U21’s he would then get promoted to the first team, as would any player, we’ve already seen it this season with Maitland-Niles, O’Connor, Zelalem and Akpom, and Crowley trains on a regular basis with the first team squad but has not been included in a match day squad yet. I think many are twisting what Bielik has actually said, maybe they have an agenda.

    interesting today that when asked if Winston Reid was a possible transfer target, Wenger said “yes of course”, now Wenger might have been talking more generally on defender targets, as the question asked about defender signings, but only player mentioned in the question was Reid

    Wenger, when asked about Gundogan said “he is not a defender”, the journo did not follow up on it, which for me shows the inept level British journos are at.

  8. George says:

    Afternoon House

    Mikel Arteta ‘s career will end this year. Good player , above average at best but not overly exciting. If he is back towards end of April, fair do’s, he will get a few mins at last game of the season as a thanking farewell.

    I expect Rosicky to finally leave too. Shame as I think he has really come on the last 2 years.

  9. rico says:

    Ed, I think common sense suggest that at 17, he isn’t going to be thrown into the first team. Train with them yes, but not play yet…

    Very unlike him to talk transfer targets, prob means he’s after someone else. I hope not though, Reid would be perfect imo..

  10. Marinello says:

    Rosicky should be offered a one year contract that is looked at each year, like Dennis Bergkamp. On recent performances and if he can keep clear of injuries, his experience and tenacity is still needed imo.

  11. rico says:

    George, just read a headline saying he’s staying for one more season…

    Just the 5 Marinello? lol

    Adam, depends on who gets signed before the end on the transfer window imo,

  12. George says:

    The yearly extensions a al Bergkamp would definately suit both parties re: Rosicky Marinello/ Rico

    As for Bielik, he is for league cup action next year

  13. allezkev says:

    Yeah, that’s good news Rico, I have a comment in moderation btw… 😉

    ManCity are still gona be a couple of levels up on Stoke n Hull…

    And a better side than Southampton, who we struggled with…

  14. allezkev says:

    I’m under no illusions that Arsenal are good enough to be able to go to Wastelands and dictate the game…

    I would take a draw, to me, that ‘would’ represent progress, of a sort…

    I have to say, that I feel it’s unrealistic to think that we can go up there and win, City are a far better side than Arsenal atm.

  15. allezkev says:

    Yep, I agred Rico, £8m represents good value for Reid…

    Funnily enough it’s the same price Wenger put on Jenkinson, so it could all be some old Journo bollocks…

    As for Sagna, I would take him back…
    But on a much reduced salery…

    Not sure that he’d come back tbh…

  16. frednerk says:

    Day 16 of the transfer window,and wengers working night and day,
    but still no sign of a signing for the first team.
    We have asked about Reid I hear,Sullivan likes a pound note,
    Fat sam likes a game of poker,west ham have brought in a replacement,
    could happen.
    I would take a gamble on the lad at celtic,his a bit of a maverick,
    but the crowd would love him.

  17. allezkev says:

    It seems that Reus wanted to come to the Arsenal, but isn’t confident that we can compete for the EPL & CL…

    I can see his point..!

    So it seems that he’s gonna join the Chavs.
    Hateful club, but they win the big trophies.

  18. rico says:

    We can win up there but we won’t if we play like we did at Stoke and Southampton. But a performance like last weekend and we have a great chance…

  19. rico says:

    Fred, I’m convinced AW leaves things late to save money.

    Two signings on £60,000 a week would cost the club over half a million, wait three weeks and that money could go in the bank 😉 😉

  20. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the house. Sad news for Debuchy and Arteta looks like the end for Mikal.
    Kev the young Czech player is Martin Grainer who I think had a very short trial with us during Aug. At the time I heared it was “Behined closed doors” because Real Madrid where expecting to sign him.
    I gather he is flying in tomorrow for a medical and he has said ” I am playing against Soton and West ham in 2weeks ” We are in fact playing both on the
    24th and 31st jan so it looks he is joining us.

  21. Micko says:

    Don’t expect too many to believe me on here but according to my sources who are pretty reliable Arsene has been tracking Bielik since his playing days for under 5’s Legia Toddlers FC, it’s a win win situation for Arsenal, keep the faith Gooners.

  22. allezkev says:

    Arsène Wenger will put the 17-year‑old Krystian Bielik straight into the first-team squad at Arsenal. Wenger confirmed the defensive midfield prospect had joined from Legia Warsaw although he disputed the size of the fee.

  23. Lee says:

    He’s been monitoring Bielik since he was a glint in the postman’s eye.

    Stop dithering and buy/ loan a defender/DM. We’re half way through the window and we’ve allegedly signed a couple of kids. Get your priorities organised.

  24. scottfromoz says:

    Reid will be ours.
    Schneiderlin in July.
    Dennis…..aka Dee Bee Ten, our Arsenal greyhound, just ran second again.
    Hes a bloody good pup still learning his trade.
    Morning all.

  25. allezkev says:

    Morning AKB’s, WOB’s, JCL’s, MDMA’s and All…

    Morning Rico/Digger

    It’s bloody taters this morning…
    Snow on the way it seems… 🙁

  26. allezkev says:

    But hopefully no snow in London, fingers crossed…

    They’re all in bed Scott.

    Micks always the last one up…

  27. Wavy says:

    I’m up!
    With arsenal it’s always jam tomorrow!
    Youngsters? Planning for the future. Always a good idea when you have no future left!
    These children are Wenger’s legacy planning!
    Right off to the local market before the snow arrives!

  28. potter says:

    Snow ‘s here now the fields are a crisp white it all looks lovely .First time the granddaughter has seen it. Right that’s the postcard taken , roll on the thaw.

  29. allezkev says:

    Arsenal are reportedly set to reignite their interest in Roma’s 18-year-old striker Antonio Sanabria amid interest from Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna.

  30. allezkev says:

    Reports in Italy have claimed that Arsene Wenger is interested in the Barcelona youth product as a player for the future after failing to land the striker last year when Sanabria opted to join Roma over the Gunners.

  31. allezkev says:

    But with the Paraguay international being unable to cement his place in the Roma squad this season, Arsenal are now believed to be monitoring Sanabria’s situation along with La Liga outfit Deportivo.

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