Transfer Update- Denilson set to leave

News coming out this evening seems to show that Denilson is on the verge of securing a deal back to his former club according to reports from Brazil. São Paulo have apparently pipped Fluminese to his transfer after flying all the way to China to finalise the deal.

The news is no surprise. Denilson stated his desire to leave Arsenal very early on in he transfer window, with the hilarious remarks that he was "a winner." However, the Brazilian found it hard to find a club that would take on his services and high wages that he has been earning at Arsenal.


This resulted in him being picked to join the club on it's Asian tour, where he suffered humiliation after being substituted after coming on as a substitute himself. He stormed out and probably helped fast-track his way out, in what looks like being a loan deal.


In other news, we have finally been linked with some strikers. The Sun says we are preparing an imminent £14 million bid for Romelu Lukaku, Anderlecht's 6ft 3in giant starlet who has previously been linked with a host of Europe's top clubs.

Romelu is a very bright prospect and is a key player for Anderlecht where he has 31 goals in 71 games for his side, many whilst he plays as a lone striker. He has also played 9 times for the Belgian national side, scoring 2 goals.


The other striker Arsenal have recently been linked with is rather less well known. Joel Campbell, nicknamed "the Panther", is a left footed 19 year old Costa Rican international. He is a promising centre-forward who is powerful, and has great pace and finishing ability.


Gunnerblog shows a video of Arsenal chief executive Richard Laws arriving in Costa Rica to negotiate over the player's transfer, which is expeted to be in the region of 2-3 million pounds.


Lastly an update on Juan Mata, who is remaining calm despite the reported Arsenal and Tottenham interest in him. The Spaniard has gone on record saying:

"It is true that teams have been linked with me but this is a good sign that I am playing well, I am well aware of the rumours but this is not the first summer I have had to deal with this, so they do not worry me."

 Early this morning the Mail has repeated claims that Arsenal only have to cough up 20 million pounds to secure the 23 year old's services. A great deal for a wonderful talent in my view, especially in today's market where players like Downing and Henderson are going for similar prices.


Hopefully we get some more business done soon.

The Midfield Trio

The recent season has been analysed and scrutinised by many fans, bloggers, journalists and even by the players and manager. It had it's ups and also it's downs and, after a more than disappointing ending, most of us are pleased to see the back of it. 


However, over the next few weeks I aim to conduct some blogs that give a more positive message from Arsenal's 2010-2011 season, and look at some of the good things that happened over the course of the year. For the second blog, I will look at the midfield trio of Song, Fabregas and Wilshere.


As stated in my previous blog, Jack Wilshere have excelled in the last season, but using Wilshere's talent, along with Fabregas and Song, Wenger has managed to build an amazing foundation for a successful title challenge. Although the lack of depth, combined with failure in the other positions, meant this ended up fizzling out. Which meant yet another trophy-less season.


In Arsenal's 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, the midfield have a vital role in providing the renowned Arsenal flair as well as shepherding the back four. This season, our captain has been pushed further forward to provide more influence on the game, with Wilshere, sliding out towards the left and Song, anchoring the middle, sharing some defensive duties. In previous seasons, whilst using players such as Nasri, Denilson and Diaby in these two deeper lying roles, Wenger has failed to achieve a suitable balance, and the defence has been overrun on many occasions.

However, with Wilshere's amazing emergence we have successfully plugged a gap which probably should have been filled years ago with the addition of a quality signing.

In the big games - such as against Barcelona - these three hustled their counterparts and helped us keep the ball when we did eventually win it back. Song is the archetypal midfield destroyer, but with a freedom to advance forward. Whilst not been as technically adept as many of our other players, his sheer power makes up for it, and Song's forward runs have delivered amazing results this season, with his goal against Chelsea leading to a memorable boxing day victory.

Wilshere is the man required to cover for song as his makes his rare marauding runs, but the little Englishman offers far more than this. What is amazing about Jack is that he is always heading forward; carrying the ball at least 5-10 yards before releasing it successfully to another player. This contrasts his predecessor Denilson who was known for only passing sideways and backwards. Wilshere also can deliver key passes which is illustrated by his 9 assists this season. The only way we could get more from Jack is if he can add a few more goals to his tally of 2, which will almost inevitably come with more experience.

At the head of the triangle stands the player with never-ending accolades. Best player, Captain, World and European Cup winner etc. Fabregas is simply an amazing player and if he does leave we will undoubtedly be worse off. Even in an arguably under performing season last time around, Cesc still managed 9 goals and 17 assists in 35 games which would leave many other Premiership midfielders envious. Just today, on French television Wenger has been bullish about keeping the 24 year old, saying:

"I will be clear : Fabregas is still a gunner, for a long time"

However, whilst losing Fabregas would be a massive step backwards, we have a couple, more than adequate replacements already at the club in Aaron Ramsey - who showed his class and intelligence in the victory over United - and, if he stays, Samir Nasri - who when playing in his favored central role scored that goal against Porto. It could also be argued that Nasri's amazing form was happening at a period when Fabregas was injured and not alongside him. Nevertheless, we still cannot afford to lose our captain.


Hopefully these three will still be here next year and will be backed up with reinforcements in other positions to challenge for the title.

The Rise Of Jack Wilshere

The recent season has been analysed and scrutinised by many fans, bloggers, journalists and even by the players and manager. It had it's ups and also it's downs and, after a more than disappointing ending, most of us are pleased to see the back of it. 


However, over the next few weeks I aim to conduct some blogs that give a more positive message from Arsenal's 2010-2011 season, and look at some of the good things that happened over the course of the year. There is only one place to start in my view, and that is with the rise of Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere.

As I prepare to watch the forthcoming England versus Switzerland match, there is only one figure who is attracting me to the television. The player that persuaded a certain 'stubborn' Capello to change his formation, and a very special player indeed. Out of all the people that play football professionally, not many manage to play for their country, and equally not many get to play in the champions league. the Stevenage-born Wilshere has managed multiple, integral performances in both England's squad and Arsenal's champions league run, and he is still a teenager.


Not a lot was expected of young Jack in July as the start of the season drew nearer. He had impressed greatly whilst on loan with Bolton last season, where he made 14 appearances and contributed to 2 goals with one beautiful volley against West Ham, and an assist, but I, and many others were picturing the sight of him in another teams shirt where he could further his development. 


But a good pre-season impressed Wenger, and with injuries to Cesc, Song and Denilson, the 18 year old was given his first Premier League start for Arsenal away to Liverpool. He only had a decent game in that match, but did enough to earn a start to Blackpool the week after where he managed an assist in the 6-0 win.


From then on the midfielder went from strength to strength and, bar a slight suspension after a red card, was ever present for Arsenal in the league. And when a young Englishman is doing well at a top club, we all know what will come next; the endless comparisons with former great players. Firstly, he was likened to his former youth team coach, and Arsenal legend Liam Brady. Then Capello came and compared him, surprisingly, to Makelele. Some people have called him the new Scholes and, after his wonderful performances against Barcelona, he has been likened to both Xavi and Iniesta and even Messi. That is as high a compliment he could ask for, as Jack showed his shyness and admiration for his heroes after the Barcelona game and had to get Fabregas to pick up the shirts of their shirts as a memento.

However, Jack is different from all of them, he is his own man. Tenacity in abundance, combined with his classy swagger around the pitch giving him the confidence of someone well past his 'teen' years. Jack has been the first player to come through the ranks under a complete Wenger influenced academy. This shows in his wonderful technical ability and eye for a pass, which has seen him  manager 11 assists for Arsenal in all competitions.


Jack's progression has even arguably bettered former Arsenal teenage star and captain Cesc Fabregas and his partnership with the Spanish world cup winner combined with Alexandre Song masterminded the title challenge and victories against Chelsea and Barcelona. The solid midfield has left all competition behind, as former Brazilian youth team Captain Denilson, and Diaby who seen as an integral cog in France's midfield have seen less football then in any of the previous two preceding seasons.


His amazing work-rate contrasts the lackluster movement made by many around him in Arsenal shirts and he has set a benchmark for what others should have to contribute in the coveted Arsenal shirt. He has also paved a way for more youngsters to make the step up from the academy and reserves into the first team.


Whether he'll be winning trophies with either will have to be seen, but one thing is certain for the future. Jack Wilshere will go down as an Arsenal and England legend.