Every day now we are subjected to a ton of Arsenal transfer rumours and the biggest problem with all that gossip is what is true or what is simply fake news?
One of the ways to define if a particular piece of gossip is true is if it gets a response from a players club or representative, it gives weight to the speculation that would otherwise be nothing more than unfounded gossip.
That is exactly what has now happened with Charlton Athletic defender Joe Aribo.
We have been linked with the 22-year-old in recent weeks which has prompted a response from his manager, Lee Bowyer.
Speaking to the South London Press, Bowyer said: “If it’s true then it’s good on our behalf. It means the job we are doing with him is a good job.
“But I think it’s his agent, if I’m honest. I’m not reading too much into that.
“I spoke to Joe last week, I had a meeting with him. He wants to sign and I think it’s just trying to agree with his agent.
“Joe likes it here. He’s learning and improving – that’s all you can say.
“He knows this is a good place for him to be. The lad is improving lots.”
OK, let’s analyse that, Bowyer claims it is his agent, that alone is confirmation that there is something to the rumours and that they have not been made up.
It may well be just the agent pushing the rumours to get a better deal for his client in contract renegotiations and Arsenal may not actually know anything about any of this, but who knows, not even Bowyer knows, he is just guessing it is the agent playing games.
It is also noticeable how Bowyer, on one hand, says he thinks it is the agent but then goes on to say it shows they are doing a good job with the lad if the rumours are true.
For my part, I do believe there is substance to the rumours and while I would not be surprised if it was indeed just the agent doing what agents do when they are trying to get the best deals, I would also not be at all surprised if we do try and land the young midfielder, who will be available for free in the summer.
What is true, however, is that with this particular rumour it has more substance to it than what a hell of a lot of rumours generally have.