Arsene Wenger has spent millions and millions in the transfer market buying players that will ‘improve the Arsenal team’, but this little snippet of information from Kim Kallstrom gives us a little insight into Wenger’s attitude to transfers when he signed Kallstromon loan back in 2014.
He was the only Arsenal signing in that window, and the fans were (as always) very upset that Wenger had not signed anybody at all so it sounds like Le Prof was desperate for someone to announce on deadline day.
Kallstrom said: “I’m put in a situation that reminds me of a talent show. I’m standing in front of a jury with a CD of my X-ray images and bad posture.
“The physician lays down the facts. There’s silence in the room. Wenger hasn’t said anything. He hasn’t even looked at his colleagues as they inform me of their logical verdicts.
“He thinks for himself. I wait for him to say something. He sighs and says, ‘The transfer windows shuts in a few hours. It’s impossible to find a replacement. Either I take you or no one.’
“Surprised, the others turn to the big boss. No one knows how he’ll continue, but they know that his words are law.
“Wenger decides. ‘You’ll stay, heal, and train. I’ll take you when you’re fit’.”
So Wenger had someone to announce in the morning but there was little chance of the injured Kallstrom fulfilling his six month loan at the club. He did end up with two subs appearances and four starts in his time at the club and actually got a FA Cup winners medal before going back to Spartak Mocow, who immediately sold him to Grasshoppers.
Was there really any point?
Darren N