Nine Jimmy Rimmers – Arsenal and Football

The transfer gossip is disappointingly thin this Friday morning.  So I thought I’d try and help it along by pointing out that Arsenal’s goalscoring drought and fabled defensive frailties could be dramatically solved today by a double swoop for Premiership bad boys Craig Bellamy and Joey Barton.

Although no official approach has been made for either so far, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been made aware of their availability.

It’s a move that would please many former Arsenal stars, who have issued a plea to embattled boss Wenger that it is time to ‘win ugly’.

‘With just six days to go, there is a need to move quickly’, advised former Arsenal boss Fred Bleeding-Obvious.  Whilst club officials are firmly denying any interest at the moment, Wenger is notorious for playing his cards close to his chest.

But then, who would believe a story made up of no more than a collection of sentences like that, so maybe I won’t bother.  Or maybe I haven’t got the point of this footy blogging thing yet.

Out there in the world of serious sport journalism where hardworking professionals get serious money to sell newspapers bring us the truth, it is reported that Arsenal have offered Bolton half of what they have previously been reported as offering for Gary Cahill.

Another story seriously contemplates the idea that Arsenal would accept an offer from Wolfsburg for Rosicky, allowing a third attacking midfielder to leave in two weeks.  Then there’s the report that Arsenal are about to swoop for an unknown, 16 year old from France!

Actually you know, there’s something about that last one….

Stay happy folks, it’s a Friday after all!

Bits and pieces of gossip around today, some of it from fairly dubious sources.  It generally pains me to type words like ‘according to Caught Offside’ but heh, it’s the middle of July and I’ve already used up this week’s Barcelona rant quota.

Anyway, at least the gossip around is about the sort of player I think Arsenal should be buying.

So, according to Caught Offside (ouch) Arsene Wenger is back in the hunt for Scott Dann because he’s so frustrated at being unable to seal a deal on Gary Cahill. Hopefully they’re not uncharacteristically right on this one as I don’t see Dann as being any better that what we have.

More attractive is the idea of Simon Kjaer from Wolfsburg.  He would cost a bit more than Dann but I think he’s a lot better player.  Sadly this tales a bit tenuous as well as it seems to be solely based on a comment from the club that they may have to sell players after a rough season.

The third central defender linked by the media to Arsenal today is FC Copenhagen’s Mathias Jorgensen.  This one’s been knocking round a couple of days now and Arsenal have been interested in the past, giving him a trial before he went to Copenhagan.

Aside from these, the Express does a reheat job on Jagielka and Cahill, yawn!

As well as another central defender, I think Arsenal need some serious cover/competition for Alex Song.  A few European press websites link Arsenal to the St Etienne player Blaise Matuidi.  Apparently the club want to cash in to the tune of £13million.  An interesting prospect, but quite apart from the thin nature of the, I’m worried that nothing’s going to happen in the Arsenal midfield whilst the Fabregas saga.

That’s about its for Arsenal tittle-tattle this morning.  Have a nice day now!