Valencia insist they are not in talks with Arsenal! by AH
Arsenal have been linked with numerous players this transfer window, many of which are defenders. Arsenal are looking in the market to add some more steel to the defence, with a centre back being just one of many positions on the pitch that need drastic improvements
Arsenal fans certainly got to see yesterday that this team and especially this defence, is not ready to take the Premier League by storm. The defence that we played with yesterday may not be a permanent presence on the pitch, with both Chambers and Holding unlikely to be regulars for Arsenal this season, but the mistakes that were made just goes to show how we are in desperate need of adding to that area of the pitch.
Arsene Wenger is knowingly in the market for another centre back this summer, despite already having purchased Holding from League One side Bolton for a £2 million fee. If the likes of Mertesacker and Gabriel had not been ruled out with injury, then perhaps Wenger would not feel the urge to invest in the market again. Mertesacker is deemed unavailable until Christmas at the earliest, whilst Gabriel should be ready within two months, but even with this in mind, Arsene Wenger has been hesitant towards signing another player at the back. This is because Koscielny is not far off a return to full fitness, whilst Chambers and Holding are largely inexperienced and so are seen as more rotational players than first team choices. However as seen yesterday, when called upon with other key players out of the team, we need replacements who are ready to step up to the task, rather than to put all the pressure of a very competitive first team fixture against Liverpool, on the shoulders of newly found Rob Holding.
With this all in mind, Arsenal are supposedly looking into the availability of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, although the Spanish side remain adamant they are not in talks with any other club over the German international. Arsenal had supposedly made an opening bid which had been rejected and then the Gunners returned with a second offer. Valencia however made Arsenal aware of Mustafi’s release clause, which is believed to be in the excess of £40 million. Such a price makes any deal unlikely in my opinion, but thankfully Valencia are willing to accept a lower price. This means the Gunners may still be in with a shout of adding an experienced quality centre back to their team.
If Valencia truly haven’t been in negotiations with Arsenal or any other club for that matter over Mustafi, then what an earth has Wenger and co been up to on the transfer front. Wenger previously told us last week about how he was primarily focused on the centre back situation, rather than the need to also address the distinctive lack of striking options at the club.
So come on Arsene! After yesterday’s performance against Liverpool, in which we shipped four goals, that is surely enough to make you realise how desperate this situation is? But if this Arsenal rumour is true, then who the hell are we looking at?
Of course, it could be that Wenger has told Valencia that he will drop out if there are any leaks? It wouldn’t surprise me….
By AH