The Beautiful Groan

Lots to get through today as the rumour mill moves into overdrive.

First, the news that Samir Nasri has finally arrived from Marseille in that most rare of circumstances – a Wenger transfer known about well ahead of time. He has signed the traditional ‘long term contract’, and that probably paves the way for Hleb to leave. Six years younger than the Belarussian, he is still raw but has more of an eye for goal so will perhaps be the better option in the long run. With Hleb likely to generate more money that Nasri cost, it is likely to be a very tidy piece of business.

Another man who may need replacing is Adebayor, so unsurprisingly the papers are suggesting strikers that we may want to sign. Slightly unusually, they actually have some quotes to back their story up. Colombian Radamel Falcao says:

“I know there is interest from Arsenal and that excites me. If there is an agreement between the clubs I’m ready to go. It would mean a huge leap forward in my career.”

He plays in Argentina, is 22, and has a prolific record for River Plate. All in all, it does sound plausible. Let’s wait and see.

Elsewhere, Arshavin’s agent is telling anyone who’ll listen that an English club have bid 19m for him, but had the offer rejected. I’m skeptical – United don’t need him, we won’t pay that for a player of his age, and Chelsea don’t need him either. My guess is if there has been an offer, it has either come from Liverpool, or its Chelsea trying to stop anyone else getting him.

If I’m honest, I don’t think we’ve ever been in the market for Arshavin, and I’d be surprised to see him come to England at all. He’ll end up at Barcelona, I reckon.

Finally, Charles N’Zogbia says he wants to play for us. Only two problems – one, he also says he’d happily play for Spurs, and two, he’s not actually that good. Which probably means he’ll end up at Spurs.

The summer rolls on.