All good official news from Arsenal as the club have announced that not only has Theo Walcott has signed his new contract extension (in a lot quicker time than the last saga) but also our little Spaniard Santi Cazorla has also put pen to paper, which should stop all those crazy rumours about him returning to Spain in the near future.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
“As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Another move made official is the loan move of Wojciech Szczesny to Roma. The Pole had clearly stated just a few weeks ago that he would be at Arsenal for life but he has now done a complete U-turn by saying: “I don’t want to focus on just getting experience here and going back to Arsenal,”
“I didn’t come here just to go back to Arsenal after one year.”
So if Wojciech has a good year in Italy maybe they will make the move permanent. With players like Cech and Ospina here for competition it is very unlikely he would get back into the Arsenal first team squad at any time in the near future so I hope that he buckles down and improves his decision-making in a new environment….
The wonderful Abou Diaby has moved back to Marseille to continue his never-ending rehabilitation job. You never know, perhaps a change of treatment room may do him some good, but it is being reported that the French club is hoping to get 20 games a season out of him. Good luck with that one! If he DOES play more than five games this season then we would have to say that Arsenal were doing something wrong over the last few years….
Another one out on loan is the Spaniard Jon Toral who has joined Birmingham. He was as highly rated as Bellerin when they both arrived but injuries have interrupted his progress. He did very well at Brentford last season so hopely he will step up again in this capaign.
Another promising youngster is Dan Crowley, who is now off to Barnsly to give him regular playing time. He is tipped as a star of the future so hopefully this will be a breakthrough year for him. The Barnsley managed Lee Johnson is very happy with the move: “I’m delighted to welcome Dan on board.
“He is an exceptional and exciting talent who is very highly thought of at Arsenal and we are extremely pleased that we have been entrusted with his further development.
“This loan signing further evidences that Barnsley can persuade some of the country’s best young talent to come to us, even where there is stern competition.
“Undoubtedly, at just 17 years old, Dan is one of the best young players in his age group in Europe.
“Dan has genuine, top-level skill and quality.
“I am delighted Arsenal have chosen Barnsley to aid the development of this exceptional talent, as well as aiding us in our pursuit of promotion.”
Hull City have also nabbed one of our (very) promising youngsters in Isaac Hayden. I watched this 20 year-old defender when Arsenal lost to Southampton in the League Cup last season. He was one of the best on the pitch in my eyes and has the makings of a future Arsenal star.
Joel Campbell is another player likely to go out on loan, as it seems Wenger is having trouble getting anyone to stump up the reported £7m to get him on a permanent deal. Palermo are the latest club to register an interest in the Costa Rican, but perhaps Wenger should send him on loan again and hope he improves enough to get a bigger offer next summer…
If Toral, Hayden and Crowley both have excellent seasons away from the Emirates, perhaps Wenger will have an even easier transfer window next summer!