Arsenal: Transfer Window Summary

For the faithful of the Gooners, it's been a stress-filled transfer window. In the first months, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas were constantly linked with rumors of exits from the Emirates. Sadly, both of those sagas came to be true, with Arsenal's star midfielders heading to Barcelona and Manchester City respectfully. Since then, the Gunners have been linked with just about every center back, central midfielder, and striker on the market. So you don't have to search the interwebs, here's a round-up of Arsenal's transfer dealings. 

Out:

Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona (35 Million Pounds)

Samir Nasri to Manchester City (22 Million Pounds)

Emmanuel Eboue to Galatasaray (4 Million Pounds)
Nicklas Bendtner to Sunderland (Loan Deal)

Armand Traore to Queens' Park Rangers (Undisclosed)

Henri Lansbury to West Ham United (Loan Deal)
Gael Clichy to Manchester City (7 Million Pounds)
Denilson to Sao Paulo (Loan Deal)

In:

Gervinho from Lille (11 Million Pounds)

Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen (10 Million Pounds)

Andre Santos from Fenerbahce (6 Million Pounds)

Mikel Arteta from Everton (10 Million Pounds - Unconfirmed)

Yossi Benayoun from Chelsea (Loan Deal)

Park Chu-Young from Monaco (6 Million Pounds - Unconfirmed)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton (12 Million Pounds)

Carl Jenkinson from Charlton (1 Million Pounds)
Joel Campbell from Saprissa (1 Million Pounds)

So, this has been one of Arsene Wenger's busiest transfer windows. Despite this, Arsenal have received more money from transfers than they actually spent, which is quite peculiar in today's markets. Oh well, I'm more than happy. He's finally sorted the defense out, and kind-of sorted out the midfield. Although Benayoun I could care less for. Oh well. UP THE ARSE!

Next, I'll look at the transfer dealings of Chelsea.

Yes, Arsenal IS in a Crisis

This was going to be a post of hope for Arsenal. But now, that's all changed. Just weeks ago, everything seemed great. A huge amount of players were linked with a transfer to the Gunners, Fabregas seemed to be staying, and the same was for Nasri. Now? Manchester City are on the verge of signing both Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, while Fabregas is almost destined to join his boyhood club, Barcelona. Oh to be a Gooner.

What's happened to this club? Just a few years ago, players like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, and Patrick Vieira were world beaters, winning just about every competition, bar the Champions' League. And they even got to a final for that. In 2011 however, players like Denilson and Almunia are given free rides on the Arsenal bandwagon and are getting paid wages that other top clubs would laugh at. And instead of selling deadwood like Denilson, Rosicky, Squilacci, Bendtner, and Almunia, teams are picking off Arsenal's top players one by one. This brings me to my point, does the executive board even care about winning? At this point, players who come to Arsenal just use the club as a stepping stone to greener pastures. It's happened in the past with Petit, Overmars, and Henry, and it looks to now be happening with Fabregas and Nasri. Clichy I don't care that much about, he's been utter crap for the last 2 years. As a huge Arsenal fan, I cringe every time I enter a footballing news website. 9 out of 10 times the main headlines are either about Fabregas leaving or another unknown "talent" being linked. Why still buy young talent? Really? What Arsenal needs is established players, not some 16 year old from Sweden. I want a 25 year old Englishman *cough* GARY CAHILL*cough*.

Yes, it's very easy to pin all of the blame on Arsene Wenger. He's the one who's in charge of transfers and players, right? No, while other teams who have billionaire owners, like City and Chelsea, can spend huge sums of cash, Arsenal's new owner, Stan Kroenke, has given Wenger just 35 million pounds to spend. In today's transfer market, that's nothing if he would want to buy truly established players. I mean go look at Liverpool, Andy Carrol for 35 million and Jordan Henderson for 20 million. If Arsene Wenger would want to purchase Premier League players, who's he going to get on the cheap? While it looks like Gary Cahill is about to sign for the Gunners, he supposedly is going to cost 17 million pounds. That's half of the transfer money gone right there. Add the purchase of Gervinho for 12 million and thats almost 30 million already spent. Yes Arsenal might get money from the sales of other players, it's still not enough depending on who is sold. I mean, look at it this way. Fernando Torres cost Chelsea 50 million pounds in January. Arsenal's most expensive player purchased was Andrei Arshavin. Around 15 million. Quite the difference.

Eh, I'm going to end my rant there. It's not like I can do anything about it. I'm just another disillusioned fan. Plus, there are some positives in this whole thing. Arsenal are looking at Christopher Samba, Gary Cahill, and Phil Jagielka for center backs. Gervinho has confirmed that he will sign for Arsenal, and the only reason that Phil Jones chose United over Arsenal is because of location. So not all bad. But then again, to me it's not enough to soothe my anger with the fact that 2 of our top players are most likely leaving. It could only be worse if Robin Van Persie or Jack Wilshere handed in a transfer request. 

Knowing Arsenal's luck, that's what's gonna happen tomorrow in the papers.

Breaking Transfers: VVV Venlo sign youngster Baerke van der Meij

Relegation threatened Eredivisie side VVV Venlo have confirmed that they signed 18-month old Baerke van der Meij on a 10 year professional contract after a video was posted of him online, performing perfect spot kicks. The toddler's grandfather was a star player for the Dutch side, so it might be in his genes. In other transfers, rumors have it that a myriad of teams, including Barcelona, Arsenal, and Real Madrid are all interested in signing 5 year old Shaqueel Van Persie after he scored a wonderful goal with his father, Robin Van Persie, in goal. We'll have to wait and see this summer.