I agree a loan deal would suck as you say, we’d be at the other clubs mercy as for Flamini back, I would love him back but still don’t know whether I can accept him just leaving like that (even though the club brought it upon themselves to an extent).

< ![CDATA[A loan deal is the worst possible move for Arsenal at this stage - by the end of the season he'll just be settling in and Arsenal would then be held over a barrel if they wanted to keep him.

Just look at Zaki and Wigan. The difference is, unlike Wigan, we want to build a team not stay mid-table by have a revolving squad.]]>

I guess signing Arshavin would be alright, but I hope Wenger doesn’t think buying or loaning just Arshavin would do, as that’s not enough. Defensive midfielder still essential. It seems as if Wenger’s buying for next season, because if you take, for example, Pavyluchenko, who came to the PL from Russia, it took him a while to settle first into English football then secondly into the team- he’s just beginning to make an impact at Sp*rs. I don’t think he’d be good to go if we get him, so I still think a PL player is still essential. Don’t really know what to think of Arshavin in the team though. He set the Euros alight in some games and was totally anonymous in some. Wenger regards him as ‘special class’, so I guess only time will tell whether he’s a good get. And Willsscott, I would love to see Flamini back, but I guess it’s not going to happen- we shouldn’t have let him go in the first instance…

< ![CDATA[SSN have just confirmed that Arsenal are in talks with Zenit over Arshavin and they expect a deal to be done in the next 10 days.

Seems a bit long to me to be honest, we were apparently after him in the summer but they wanted stupid money, now they are asking £20m but Wenger won't pay more than £12-15m.

I'm obviously hopeful but somehow can't see him at the Emirates in two weeks time. I'd love to, as I reckon he's just as good as Rosicky who hasn't played in over a year, and would be a good alternate for Walcott until he's back. He can also play on both flanks and is a better wide man than any of Eboue, Diaby or Denilson.

A loan move might look a bit more realistic if they can't agree a fee and to be honest, that may not be such a bad thing. In the summer Wenger can then see just how far the team has come and where he needs to strengthen.

I would still like to see a defensive midfielder as cover for Denilson or even for Denilson to play understudy too. Not sure who, as Yaya Toure has said he wants to stay at Barca. This again seems unlikely though as Wenger has said he will not be signing Inler, who would have been a great choice.

Flamini back would make my year so far!]]>

The only thing with Flamin is no one approached him til the season ended, so he didn’t already have his head turned, but yeah he was a model professional in all ways – not like Hleb who left and decided he should take our best players with him.

Great post on Flamini, I hadn’t really considered that perspective and have to admit that I was/am in the crowd that thinks Wengers dealings over Flamini, Gilberto and Diarra were simply bad management. I guess it is easy to think this in retrospect but I also remember thinking how progressively slow and clumsy Gilberto looked in the last 1 or 2 seasons. Also, Diarra was obviously a good player but more than a little disruptive. Similarly, Flamini is finding out (as countless others have) that life after Arsenal isn’t always rosey). A lot of Fabregas’ dip in form has been attributed to the departure of Flamini, perhaps the appearance of Flamini’s game was enhanced and equally dependant on Fabregas being infront of him. Another thought on why our midfield has suffered so much is the chopping and changing of the back four. I don’t think we should still be experimenting with defensive partnerships 10 games in to the season. This kind of thing should be organised at the beginning of the season along with a reliable and regular Captain. Only then can a team build and progress in a consistent attacking fashion. Can anyone name a title-winning side that has messed about with a back four so much over the season. I know its hard for a lot of us to swallow but perhaps Toure has peaked, he’s been heavy and slow since he came back from Africa. I think we should cash in on him. I do think we need to replace him also but for simply for more back up. I feel that given a long run. Sagna,Gallas,Djourou & Clichy will become formidable. For all of his mental issues, Gallas is great and has saved us countless times. I’m not even against Senderos coming back to provide experienced cover for these.

Lol! But anyways, who cares about those other clubs and their players? lol. I just really hope Fabregas means it when he says he’s staying, although there’s always the all-important caveat- no one knows the future- at the end of every such statement. But I agree, it’s what they do on the pitch that matters, and you can sort of tell a player that’d stay based on their actions on the pitch (hmm, I guess maybe Flamini’s an exception, cos he seemed to give his all, all the time)! But yeah, mum’s the word! lol

Congratulations on the hat-trick Kieran : )

< ![CDATA[Haha, but how often have you watched a footballer on the TV and winced and just thought "shut the fuck up!!".

Even Gallas does my nut in!]]>

< ![CDATA[For sure, and I agree with everything you've said - a large element is of the players own making by saying such silly things.

But look at Diara - he joined Pompey and the first thing he said was "I'm here til I get a better offer". It didn't go down well with the Pompey fans and he was never a fan favourite. He was honest though.

The trouble is, a lot of players say things like that to appease the fans and then it back fires. Much better are the players who keep their mouths shut.

Of course you could argue whatever they say is irrelevent it's their actions. In his last season at Arsenal Henry was a declining figure. Viera's last season was plagued by indifference. Defoe refuses to play for Pompey.

Few players these days play up to the day they move with passion and commitment - after they;ve had their head turned they are off already in their minds. Ronaldo is another player who just isn't the same now he has one eye on Spain.

At that point Diarra almost needs congratulations because was a model proffesional at Pompey until the day he flew out, regarldess of what he said.]]>