Hello, good morning, let’s start with some quick transfer stuff that’s been doing the rounds. Not about players coming in, but those going out. First up:
Danny Welbeck
He was linked yesterday with a move to Everton, and that is one which probably makes a lot of sense for him and for us. He has less than 12 months left on his current deal, and there doesn’t appear to be anything going on behind the scenes. At the very least, there’s no talk of a new contract being offered so there’s the potential to do a deal that will suit all concerned.
His contractual situation means he’ll be relatively affordable, and it means that Arsenal can take some of that money and reinvest it – if they choose. Welbeck would get more regular football because right now he’s clearly behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for the striking position, and if the former is deployed in a wide role – as he was last season under Arsene Wenger – he’s behind him for that too.
At 27, and having suffered two bad injuries which have had a serious impact on his playing time, will he prepared to sit and be a bit-part player for another season? Arsenal have the security of Lucas Perez in the squad if they do let Welbeck go, along with the up and coming Eddie Nketiah to provide depth.
Quite how far Everton’s interest goes remains to be seen, but if it’s not them I’m sure there’ll be other Premier League suitors.
David Ospina
The Colombian goalkeeper has apparently given his word to Besiktas that he will sign, despite interest from Napoli and Sevilla. Yesterday Petr Cech was linked with a return to Chelsea because they’re selling Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, but I can’t see that happening.
Ospina to Turkey has been a thing every summer since he arrived, and if this move does go through, perhaps it’s evidence that if you write something often it enough it will just happen because the universe goes ‘Ok! Ok! Enough.’ So, just to be on the safe side:
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
Jose Mourinho will get eaten by a flamboyant panther.
And so on. I’m just off register a new website: flamboyantpanther.com. Hey, what do you know, it already exists? And … woah … spooky
?
Others
There were suggestions yesterday that Nacho Monreal could be off too, which would be a bit of a surprise. Like Ospina he’s regularly touted with moves back to Spain and to clubs in the Basque region in particular. Real Sociedad reportedly have some interest this summer, but given the relative uncertainty over Sead Kolasinac and the fact there’s no obvious up-and-comer to provide back up, I’d be inclined to keep him.
He adds experience and consistency, and although he too has just one year left on his contract, you’re not leaving millions behind if you allow him to see out his current deal because he’ll be 33 when it expires.
Elsewhere, Chuba Akpom, Carl Jenkinson, and the soon to return Joel Campbell are likely departures, while yesterday young Nigerian Kelechi Nwakali joined FC Porto B in a loan move which gives the Portuguese side an option to make it permanent at the end of the season. That probably tells you everything you need to know about his Arsenal future.
One thing to bear in mind is that while there’s less time than normal to complete transfers for players coming in because of the new Premier League rules which see the window closed before the season begins, those only apply to English clubs. Across Europe the end of August deadline still applies, so there’s every chance that a lot out of outgoing deals don’t happen until much closer to then.
Elsewhere
From Spain, lovely news regarding Santi Cazorla who made his first appearance since October 2016, turning out in a friendly for Villarreal yesterday. We all know the horrendous problems he’s had with injury and then a succession of post-surgery infections which robbed us of a great player and him of almost two years of his career at a time when you can least afford it.
So, you’d have to have a hard heart not be absolutely delighted for him. Fingers crossed he can stay fit and healthy and make up for that lost time.
Thanks to everyone for all the lovely feedback on the Philippe Senderos podcast, if you haven’t heard it you can check it out here, and if you’re looking for some new artwork for your house, check out the competition in which you can win one of three superb Arsenal prints from designer Matthew Wood. You have until Friday to enter that – details here.
Right, that’s your lot. I think we’re doing a phone-in Arsecast later on so check back on the site for details of how you can get involved, and we’ll have all the news over on Arseblog News throughout the day.
Until then, have a good one.
