Good day everyone.
Sorry I wasn't able to report yesterday, but I had a busy day. Much busier, than expected, in fact.
As all of you are no doubt aware by now, two new players joined us in the final hours of the transfer window: Emiliano Viviano (on loan) and Mesut Ozil.
The first deal is a run-of-the-mill one. We lacked experience and capable back-up for our two Poles, so we went out and loaned a decent goalkeeper. I don't know much about Viviano, other than what I've read in the interview at the official site. He seems a decent enough guy, so let's see, what the future at Arsenal have in store for him. Whispers are, a buy-out clause was included in his contract, allowing Arsenal to sign the keeper at the end of this season for €6 million. Let's see, what happens next. There's a whole season for our newcomer to play to be able to prove himself.
Another acquisition (a permanent one, this time) is, of course, Ozil. It was something so extraoridary, so unusual, so unexpected, that I didn't even know what to say at first. I blamed the manager and everyone, who's involved in out transfers (not without basis at the time), but I'm taking my hat off for securing that deal. Fantastically well done.
This transfer smashes the club record to pieces, coming at a whopping £40 million and I think, the player is worth every penny spent on him. He's 24, in fantastic shape, with a lot of experience already and, most importantly, he's a team player. In his four years at Real Madrid Ozil has netted twice as much assists, comparing to a number of goals he scored. Pretty much everything points to the fact, that the German is a passer and was most likely brought in, because of his build-up play, which we weren't very good at lately. I'm not the one for the numbers (yet), if you want them, so have a look here, if you are interested.
Ozil, interestingly, is the biggest signing in the Premier league this summer. It was somewhat surprising to learn that, given how much money Man City and Tottenham splashed, but it turned out, not one of their newcomers came at a bigger price, than ours.
Ozil has spoken about why he came here, citing a phone call from our manager as a major factor. Seems Wenger still has his stature, courtesy to the name he made himself earlier, winning a lot of things with us. Players aren't only drawn to the club and the wages, managers also play their role, and our manager has a world-known reputation. It's not always this way, even in the biggest clubs, which may explain the fact Moyes was only able to sign Fellaini on deadline day.
There was an interesting bit in the papers, where Levi, Spurs' president, was cited as trying to thwart our efforts in acquiring Ozil. It was even suggested, that it was part of his "Sell-Bale plan", but Perez clearly wasn't inclined to include such a clause in their deal with Real. I don't know, whether there's any truth to this rumour, but if there is, it's both outrageous and funny. Outrageous for obvious reasons, funny because we've eventually pulled the deal off and left Spurs with nothing twice inside three days. Delicious.
You know, it's actually not long, before I begin to hate Tottenham well and truly, should they continue in this vein. Villas-Boas keeping Bale close to the chest, so we won't buy new players before derby, Levi doing likewise, to see us fail entirely. Two scumbags. And well done, Arsene.
All this joy from bringing in a top-level midfielder somewhat hides the fact, that no striker was bought.
We tried, hard as we can, to sign Ba until last possible moment, but Mourinho pulled the plug. He was later quoted as saying, he doesn't want to strengthen us further, seeing as how we already are title contenders, having bought Ozil. Guess we should not have put so much faith in Ba, knowing, who's pulling the strings behind this situation, but it is what it is.
It only leaves us with Giroud and (probably) Walcott. I'm not sure about the last one, because I don't know, who can cover the right flank, should the need arise. Ozil, maybe, but from the bits I gather, he'll most likely play under the striker. It leaves TGSTEL for us to content with. He didn't leave for Crystal palace, cause we pulled the plug, when it became clear we won't sign Ba.
Speaking to International Football Management, the Dane expressed his displeasure at staying, but said, he'll do the best he can for the team. Hope, that's the case, because he's the only back-up we have. An injured back-up, at the moment. Time for him to pull himself together, recover from his injures (mental and physical) and get primed for a recall to our senior squad.
So, where does this all leave us in terms of the squad? We are still short in central defence, though Vermaelen should return after the break and out attacking options are far from ideal, worsened by the fact that the Ox and Poldolski won't make the team in the near future. Goalkeeping and midfield situation are solved for the time being. We now have to hold on until the winter transfer window and hope it'll bring a few players with it.
As the players have all left to play for their respective countries, the next game will be held 10 days from now. Because of it, I don't think I'll be able to write every day, but check back regularly, cause you never know.
Until later
Sorry I wasn't able to report yesterday, but I had a busy day. Much busier, than expected, in fact.
As all of you are no doubt aware by now, two new players joined us in the final hours of the transfer window: Emiliano Viviano (on loan) and Mesut Ozil.
The first deal is a run-of-the-mill one. We lacked experience and capable back-up for our two Poles, so we went out and loaned a decent goalkeeper. I don't know much about Viviano, other than what I've read in the interview at the official site. He seems a decent enough guy, so let's see, what the future at Arsenal have in store for him. Whispers are, a buy-out clause was included in his contract, allowing Arsenal to sign the keeper at the end of this season for €6 million. Let's see, what happens next. There's a whole season for our newcomer to play to be able to prove himself.
Another acquisition (a permanent one, this time) is, of course, Ozil. It was something so extraoridary, so unusual, so unexpected, that I didn't even know what to say at first. I blamed the manager and everyone, who's involved in out transfers (not without basis at the time), but I'm taking my hat off for securing that deal. Fantastically well done.
This transfer smashes the club record to pieces, coming at a whopping £40 million and I think, the player is worth every penny spent on him. He's 24, in fantastic shape, with a lot of experience already and, most importantly, he's a team player. In his four years at Real Madrid Ozil has netted twice as much assists, comparing to a number of goals he scored. Pretty much everything points to the fact, that the German is a passer and was most likely brought in, because of his build-up play, which we weren't very good at lately. I'm not the one for the numbers (yet), if you want them, so have a look here, if you are interested.
Ozil, interestingly, is the biggest signing in the Premier league this summer. It was somewhat surprising to learn that, given how much money Man City and Tottenham splashed, but it turned out, not one of their newcomers came at a bigger price, than ours.
Ozil has spoken about why he came here, citing a phone call from our manager as a major factor. Seems Wenger still has his stature, courtesy to the name he made himself earlier, winning a lot of things with us. Players aren't only drawn to the club and the wages, managers also play their role, and our manager has a world-known reputation. It's not always this way, even in the biggest clubs, which may explain the fact Moyes was only able to sign Fellaini on deadline day.
There was an interesting bit in the papers, where Levi, Spurs' president, was cited as trying to thwart our efforts in acquiring Ozil. It was even suggested, that it was part of his "Sell-Bale plan", but Perez clearly wasn't inclined to include such a clause in their deal with Real. I don't know, whether there's any truth to this rumour, but if there is, it's both outrageous and funny. Outrageous for obvious reasons, funny because we've eventually pulled the deal off and left Spurs with nothing twice inside three days. Delicious.
You know, it's actually not long, before I begin to hate Tottenham well and truly, should they continue in this vein. Villas-Boas keeping Bale close to the chest, so we won't buy new players before derby, Levi doing likewise, to see us fail entirely. Two scumbags. And well done, Arsene.
All this joy from bringing in a top-level midfielder somewhat hides the fact, that no striker was bought.
We tried, hard as we can, to sign Ba until last possible moment, but Mourinho pulled the plug. He was later quoted as saying, he doesn't want to strengthen us further, seeing as how we already are title contenders, having bought Ozil. Guess we should not have put so much faith in Ba, knowing, who's pulling the strings behind this situation, but it is what it is.
It only leaves us with Giroud and (probably) Walcott. I'm not sure about the last one, because I don't know, who can cover the right flank, should the need arise. Ozil, maybe, but from the bits I gather, he'll most likely play under the striker. It leaves TGSTEL for us to content with. He didn't leave for Crystal palace, cause we pulled the plug, when it became clear we won't sign Ba.
Speaking to International Football Management, the Dane expressed his displeasure at staying, but said, he'll do the best he can for the team. Hope, that's the case, because he's the only back-up we have. An injured back-up, at the moment. Time for him to pull himself together, recover from his injures (mental and physical) and get primed for a recall to our senior squad.
So, where does this all leave us in terms of the squad? We are still short in central defence, though Vermaelen should return after the break and out attacking options are far from ideal, worsened by the fact that the Ox and Poldolski won't make the team in the near future. Goalkeeping and midfield situation are solved for the time being. We now have to hold on until the winter transfer window and hope it'll bring a few players with it.
As the players have all left to play for their respective countries, the next game will be held 10 days from now. Because of it, I don't think I'll be able to write every day, but check back regularly, cause you never know.
Until later