Just Arsenal News

Arsene Wenger made it clear a couple of weeks ago that Arsenal were in the market for two players in the transfer window. They finally sealed the deal for Nacho Monreal in the dying minutes, but it seems that Wenger failed to persuade the “second signing”‘s club to let him leave.

Wenger said today: “We were close to one more signature,”

“It didn’t happen because of the desires of the clubs not to sell.

It could have been David Villa but it was confirmed some time ago that Barcelona were not going to let him go, so perhaps it was Etienne Capoue? Or Mohamed Diame? He would certainly have been my favourite out of the many names on offer. .......Read the full article here

There were a lot of names being linked with a transfer to Arsenal last month, too many to list here, and quite a high proportion of them were defensive midfielders. The Spanish international left back Nacho Monreal was the only new addition for the Gunners, though, which surprised many people who thought that a strong midfield warrior was top of the list for Arsene Wenger.

Right up until the transfer window closed on Thursday night, there were rumours that Mohamed Diame would be a last minute transfer from West Ham to Arsenal, but Wenger must have decided he was not the right player. The boss did not want to bring anyone in, and it seems now that he had his eyes on someone else, the France and Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue. .......Read the full article here

Transfer window round up by Twig

Apart from the 2011/12 transfer window that saw Arteta, Park, Per and company join Arsenal, this has probably been the craziest transfer window in Wenger’s era. Fans were hugely expectant that signings would be made after positive comments from Wenger and Gazidis, however, it seems that had Gibbs not sustained an injury in the game against Liverpool, Wenger was not going to sign anyone. This will no doubt infuriate Gunners. .......Read the full article here

There are unconfirmed reports that West Ham have received a bid for the Senegalese international midfielder Mohamed Diame. There is no mention of which club it is, however, which is a bit of a wind up. The 25-year old has been linked in the press with Arsenal all month and Arsene Wenger and Sam Allardyce have both mentioned the transfer without confirming any official move.

Recently other clubs, including Tottenham have also been linked with Diame, and it is no surprise with him being available at just £3.5 million because of his release clause. IF Arsene Wenger had made a late bid, I would be surprised. He has known about the price tag throughout January, and nothing has changed in the Arsenal midfield. To leave it so late would just not make sense, so I am very dubious about this one. .......Read the full article here

Most would agree that Arsenal need a proper defensive midfielder. Arsene Wenger allowed the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona in the summer and have not replaced him. We can argue about whether Song was disciplined enough for the role, but Arsenal have not brought anyone in to do the job. Wenger just moved Mikel Arteta further back. We also have Francis Coquelin coming through, but recent events have shown up the lack of an experienced, out and out midfield destroyer. .......Read the full article here

The draw between Arsenal and Liverpool last night, especially the first hour of it, could be one of the most important games of the season. If it forces Arsene Wenger into the transfer market on deadline day that is. Wenger has never liked the January window, claiming it is the last refuge of desperate teams and should be abolished. Well, Arsene, we are pretty desperate in case you didn’t notice.

The ease with which Arsenal are exposed at the back was clear for all to see yesterday. Whether this is down to the defenders or the lack of a strong, defensively minded player in front of them, probably both, it should have set alarm bells ringing in Wenger’s head. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal have been linked with the West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame throughout the transfer window, and the story is now becoming like a soap opera. His manager has spoken about it in press conferences and there have been reports of ultimatums from the club about a new contract and threats from the player about speaking to the FA about his release clause. Today we hear that Diame has told friends that he is hoping to complete a transfer this week. .......Read the full article here

This is news that will have most Arsenal fans gnashing their teeth and kicking the dog. Arsene Wenger spoke about the January transfer window today and his words seemed designed to prepare the ground for a specific number of signings this January, a nice round figure, zero. Wenger has said that Arsenal have been working hard to find players who will add to the squad, but today suggested that he has been unable to find any.

“It’s a market, for me, that is wrong, because the only teams who sell players are teams in financial trouble or players who are unhappy where they are. So the gamble is much bigger than during the normal transfer period in mid-summer. .......Read the full article here

There is now less than a week to go before the January transfer window slams shut. If transfer rumours were pound notes then Arsenal would be the richest club in the world, but there are still no confirmed additions to the Arsenal team. Arsene Wenger has already suggested that most of the business will be done in the last week, so we shouldn’t panic just yet.

Wenger has said that he and his staff are working hard to secure some top quality players, and there are plenty of rumours around suggesting who it might be. A couple of targets seem to have ruled themselves out of a move to the Emirates, whether because they know that a deal will not be done or not is unclear. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal had to change things due to Arteta, Diaby and Coquelin being unavailable through injury. Arsene Wenger has decided to bring in Aaron Ramsey to play alongside Jack Wilshere as the deep lying midfielders, although both are happier going forward. Emmanuel Frimpong is on the bench, as is Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arshavin.

Podolski also returns to the starting line up after recovering from illness, and Cazorla goes back into his previous role behind the strikers. Giroud will lead the line with Walcott on the right so hopefully there are plenty of attacking options to keep West Ham busy. Mertesacker and Vermaelen continue in the centre of defence, and Wenger has given Sagna another start despite his recent poor form. .......Read the full article here

Olivier Giroud will be the first to admit that he struggled when he first came to Arsenal. Despite Arsene Wenger and his team mates reassuring him that he was doing well, the French striker was desperate to get his first Premier league goal. Reporters were writing about it and it was really playing on his mind, so it was a huge relief to him when he finally scored.

It was against West Ham at Upton Park at the start of October and Arsenal were behind to a goal scored against the run of play by Mohamed Diame. It looked like we would go in behind at the break before Giroud started and finished a move with Podolski on the left, and Arsenal went on to win and put in one of the best performances of the season. .......Read the full article here

There may be a reason why we have heard nothing about a move by Arsenal to take the powerful Senegalese midfielder Mohamed Diame from West Ham. The 25-year old player suspects that his current club are not playing ball and respecting the terms of his release clause. Diame is aware of interest from a number of clubs, but feels that officials at the Hammers are doing everything in their power to put off other clubs and buy time until the transfer window closes. .......Read the full article here