Crocked Theo, Ox delight & toilet roll transfers!

It’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee holiday and we’re ‘celebrating’ with some depressing weather and the following depressing news: Theo Walcott is crocked. Sort of. Theo has tweaked his ankle and hamstring, but still reckons he’ll be ready for the tournament. From an Arsenal perspective, it might be best if Theo misses Euro 2012, as I’m sure he’ll return from it just as knackered as all the other participants. If he does miss it, another player on the waiting list will get a call-up. Even if he was a winger, I don’t think Rio Ferdinand would be getting it! Purely footballing reasons, of course! Yeah, right!

Anyway, one man's loss is another man's opportunity and, looking at the Telegraph for a moment, it sounds like the media have a new darling. Yes, it’s opportunity knocks for another Arsenal winger. It's great to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain getting the plaudits he deserves for a decent first start for England. It wasn't the scintillating performance at all from the England team in general, but ‘The Ox’ provided us with some of the brighter moments of the game.

The Telegraph’s Henry Winter didn’t comment much on the Belgium team that ‘The Ox’ and co were up against. Of course previous Arsenal transfer target, Eden Hazard is on the way to Chelsea and another previous Arsenal transfer target Jan Vertonghen appears to be on his way to Spurs. Or is he? The deal is not done yet, so there has been talk that Arsenal may hijack the move. Personally, I can't see that at all. The 25-year-old defender will be at White Hart Lane and the deal is expected to be confirmed within days or weeks. I'm not too upset about it myself, having seen his display against England I don't think Arsenal are missing out that much. Or is that the case of sour grapes? I'll let you, the reader, decide.

One player who did catch the eye was his international teammate and number 7: Dries Mertens. He was playing on the left wing for Belgium, and I thought he gave England's right back Glen Johnson quite a few problems. He only joined PSV Eindhoven last summer and has racked up 21 goals in 33 games already, not a bad achievement for a winger. I think we should try to sign the 25-year-old, but somehow I can't see it happening.

Something else I can't see happening, is Robin van Persie moving to Italy. Nevertheless, ClubCall claim that Arsenal have told Juventus that we want €30m for the Holland international striker. With the match fixing scandal going on in Italy at the moment it is incredibly difficult to imagine them personally heading that way. No doubt it is in ‘the pipeline’ like ClubCall’s claim about our proposed deal for CSKA Moscow star Seydou Doumbia. The last ‘pipeline’ I saw was a piece of toilet roll without paper. I think that says it all, and I will deposit both stories in the aforementioned cylindrical container where they belong.

While we're talking about silly transfers, is it worth mentioning that Gregory van der Wiel is up for grabs? The Ajax and Holland international right back will probably move to Chelsea but wouldn't it be a good idea for our club to make a move given Bacary Sagna's recent injury record? Some might say that ‘Corporal’ Carl Jenkinson is a good enough replacement for Sagna, but I'm not quite sure he's up for the task on a long-term basis despite some admirable performances last season.

Doumbia linked with Arsenal & will FFP work?

Another day, another player: Seydou Doumbia is the latest name to be linked with Arsenal. While watching Sky Sports this morning I saw that the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international striker could be sold by his current club, CSKA Moscow, but it’s going to cost well in excess of £20m to get him.

Stop the press: make that two players. Ibrahim Afellay is also on Arsenal’s hitlist, according to the Metro, but not just Arsenal’s, the 26-year-old Holland international midfielder is also wanted by Newcastle & Spurs (who twice tried to get him on a loan-to-buy deal). He’s just got back in action after a serious knee injury so buying him could be a risk. Barca bought him for 3m euros and now they want £6m! Greedy gits! And if he plays well at Euro 2012 he might be even pricier! The Metro say Newcastle are favourites to land the winger, which is not surprising after they gambled and won in transfer market by signing Senegal international striker Demba Ba, who also had a dodgy injury record and has failed more medicals than we’ve had clean sheets with Lucas Fabianski between the sticks! Not really! A bit of poetic licence. Sorry!

Yes, he’s got a phenomenal goalscoring record, 33 goals in 53 games at CSKA is good going, as is 50 in 64 at Young Boys of Berne, but will Arsenal take the plunge? My view is not unless we can get him for a lot less money than is being mentioned in despatches. Doumbia’s international record isn’t so good: 1 goal in 19 appearances.  I know it’s not all about statistics, but if you’re a striker then stats are important . . . unless you’re stuck out on the wing like some of our strikers! In that case, more research needs to be undertaken!

Meanwhile, there was a piece on FFP or Financial Fair Play, which is relevant to us as we’re top of this FFP league! An expert was in the Sky Sports studio getting asked the questions and firstly he explained that in essence FFP means spending no more than you can afford and paying your bills on time.

He was asked if Uefa is going to enforce these rules? He replied that Uefa have spent a lot of time on this and clubs playing by the rules will get mad if clubs breaking them get away with it. He added that the rules are pretty detailed and it’s all about acting within the spirit of the rules. He predicted it will make an impact as big as the Bosman Ruling did. I predict it won’t. I think creative accounting will kick in and the rules will be unenforceable. Then we’re going to look pretty silly playing by a set of rules that no-one is abiding by. Anyway, we are a club of gentlemen, aren’t we? Principles are more important than points, especially when those principles are related to profits!

Other than that, Thomas Vermaelen says he wants to stay at Arsenal forever, but as I don’t want to go forever, I’ll leave it there, for now. Check out Le Grove for more details.

A Dutchman to join RVP @ Arsenal?

Have I got some Arsenal transfer news for you today? I'm not sure stick around and you will see.

First up, the club have been linked with Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong by the likes of the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail. It seems like we want to buy any old Dutchman just so Robin van Persie has someone to talk to in his native tongue in the Arsenal dressing room. Let's not forget, the qualities of the 27-year-old Holland international. He's played over 100 games for Manchester City after signing for £18 million in 2009 from SV Hamburg.

Personally, I'd love to see him at the club as he is not called ‘The Terrier' for nothing . We need a midfielder who can harry the opposition. De Jong seems to fit the bill. However, I'm not sure City will sell to us, as I am sure they would prefer the Dutchman to move abroad rather than to a possible Premier League title challenger. Or maybe that's me being too optimistic about our trophy chances next season!

Talking of midfielders, a former Gunner turned TV pundit, Stewart Robson, has launched yet another scathing attack on Theo Walcott. I must admit I don't listen to TalkSport very much nowadays - no slight on that radio station - but I prefer to watch and get my news from TV and the Internet. That's why I came across this story on London24.com. This, apparently, is what Robson told the radio station:  ‘Walcott is a "liability" and should be sold by Arsenal this summer if he is asking for a wage increase. It wouldn't worry me if Theo Walcott were to leave tomorrow. Theo Walcott, for me, is not a good footballer. He is an athlete who puts on football boots. He’s quick, he's fast, but when he was younger he should have been taught how to be better technically, how to find space, how to find awareness. He's never done that and he is a liability when he's defending. If Theo Walcott is after more money, I would let him go.’ A damning verdict.

I must admit I think Robson is a great pundit, but I'm not so sure he would make a great talent scout. Walcott has a superb attitude and possesses enough intelligence to improve his game year-on-year. And he has amazing athletic ability, which at least Robson acknowledges. That is why Arsenal need to keep Theo Walcott at the club, because the best is surely yet to come.

I, personally, think the same applies to Johan Djourou. I read on themarblehalls.com that the defender-cum-midfielder is reviewing his options. He is quoted as saying the following: ‘My situation at Arsenal is not easy. I've never played so little, and especially not in my own position. If an interesting offer comes, I'll look at it carefully.’

Interestingly, Eden Hazard may have overlooked our club for the same reason, that is: not being guaranteed a chance to play in his own position. I think that's a situation that Arsene Wenger needs to address. Perhaps we missed out on Shinji Kagawa for the same reason, as I have been reliably informed he will be going to Manchester United.

One other thing to note, in the article, is the comparison between Gervinho and Hazard at Lille. In two seasons, apparently, Gervinho scored 28 goals and provided 14 assists in 67 league games. Hazard, in comparison, only managed 27 goals in 76 league games, however he provided nearly doubled the number of assists: 25. If Hazard is as ineffective as Gervinho was at the end of the season, then Chelsea have wasted a lot of money on a hyped-up so-called superstarlet.

Finally, there's a story on Sky Sports regarding former Gunner Striker Eduardo. The Brazil-born Croatia international could be ready to return to the Premier League one day. Although, Dudu was a crowd favourite I cannot see him returning to Arsenal. Since his horrific injury, in my opinion, he has not been able to reproduce the scintillating form that saw him join Arsenal in 2007 for around £7.5 million from Dinamo Zagreb. At that time, he was scoring around two goals every three games. Now he is averaging less than a goal every three games. He’s 29-years-old now and has two years left on his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk. Do the maths! He won't return to Arsenal .

Arsenal's Theo should start for England, instead of the Ox

You've got to love Stewart Robson. The former Arsenal midfielder is making quite an impact in the media nowadays. I have to say I really enjoy his tactical analysis on Arsenal Player, although I don't always agree with his opinions. For instance, he suggested on Sky Sports yesterday that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should start for England instead of Theo Walcott. I've always had the feeling that Stewart is not a big fan of Theo. Maybe it's because Theo relies on his speed so much, in comparison with the Ox, who relies more on guile and technical ability.

I think it's a great shame that so many pundits on Sky Sports underrate Theo’s qualities. I am sure he will prove them wrong if he gets enough playing time at Euro 2012. Pace and finishing makes him my first choice, although I would try him in the Ashley Young role, perhaps. Then I could play the Ox on the right wing and we'd have two Arsenal players in the starting line up.

It was interesting seeing the Ox’s England debut against Norway. ITV's summariser, Andy Townsend was waxing lyrical about the Ox’s every touch. I love the Ox as much as the next guy, but some of the media coverage he has been getting of late is a little bit over the top. Luckily for us, I feel sure he has the temperament to handle the adulation.

It is also lucky that Theo has a thick skin and can deal with all the flak – much of it undeserved – that has come his way since he joined Arsenal. The third bit of luck concerns Stewart Robson. England fans must be so glad he's not managing the national side, as he would have The Three Lions playing with a back three instead of the back four. Of course that system can work sometimes, but generally it has fallen out of favour for a reason.

Robson seems to think that fullbacks have to do more running in a traditional 4-4-2 then in the system he favours. However, whenever I have witnessed a 3-5-2 formation, I have seen wingbacks trying to be wingers and fullbacks simultaneously. In terms of work rate, it was really tough on those wide men.

Back in the 1990s, I used to write match reports at Fratton Park. At the time, the manager of Portsmouth was none other than former Arsenal captain Alan Ball. He played with wingbacks and three central defenders, and although the football was attractive it wasn't always successful. I always felt that Pompey were vulnerable down the wings, where a wingback would have to do the job of two players. Of course, it may have been the playing personnel that led to Pompey being at the wrong end of the table. Perhaps, Alan Ball picked the right system for the players he had at his disposal.

Sometime after that, I met Ray Wilkins in Trans World International's studios in Chiswick, where I was working as an assistant producer for their Premier League radio show. I asked Ray about systems, and he explained why he favours 4-4-2. It was for the reasons I've already given.

I'm not saying Ray is right, and Stewart Robson is wrong, as I think this system you play depends on the players you have. However, most English players are brought up on 4-4-2 and find this system the easiest to play. And as former England manager Ron Greenwood used to say: ‘Simplicity is genius’. Therefore, I think the new England boss Roy Hodgson is correct to keep things simple. And he'll be even more correct if he starts Theo Walcott in England's first game at Euro 2012!

Then again, the Daily Express reckon Chelsea could make a bid for Theo this summer, especially as our club have not started contract negotiations yet with one of our most saleable assets! Do we never learn? At least, the Robin van Persie's mum and wife have both gone public to say our number 10 should stay. I wonder if Theo's nearest and dearest will do the same? I hope so, but I'm not sure they will. Theo's a Liverpool fan, so I won't be surprised if he ends up there, playing in a 4-4-2 with England's Glen Johnson just behind him as right back.

Almunia shock, Giroud hope & Twitter twits do their worst

So we know now that Chelsea is where Eden Hazard will be plying his trade next season thanks to Twitter. I blame Lille’s loanee from Liverpool, Joe Cole. He was a teammate of Hazard's until this move. I'm sure Joe waxed lyrical about Chelsea and that prompted Eden to choose blue in a £30m(?) switch. But the red of London was never an option it seems. Were we ever the mystery club that was also in the running to sign the Belgium international? Sadly, we'll probably never know.

We have, of course, missed out in the past to Chelsea when it comes to signing long-term transfer targets. Didier Drogba comes to mind, as does Petr Cech. Concerning the latter, Sky Sports are showing his impressive statistics in the Premier League. It makes for interesting reading. Cech has the best average number of minutes between conceding goals in the top flight of English football. No surprises there. Pepe Reina is in second. Again, nothing shocking about that. Jens Lehmann and David Seaman also figure in this league of top goalkeepers. Once again, no eyebrows raised. However, sneaking into that elite of elites is a certain Manuel Almunia, with an impressive 99 minutes on average between each goal conceded. I suppose he has to thank the defence in front of them, nevertheless, statistics like that will enhance his prospects of getting another club at the top level, possibly.

Meanwhile, there is some good news on the transfer front perhaps with the news that Louis Nicollin, the Montpellier president has confirmed that supposed Arsenal transfer targets Olivier Giroud and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa are both for sale if the price is right. Giroud has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the French club if a certain amount is received, while Mapou has been promised he can leave ‘if there was a good offer’. Nicollin told the TV show Stade 2 of the above, so it must be true unless something was lost in ESPN's translation.

Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente is another remote possibility on the transfer front, according to the Daily Mail. The 27-year-old Spain international striker will cost £28 million, apparently, because that is the amount specified in his buyout clause. As we all know, Arsenal are very unlikely to pay such a sum. The fact that that 'The Lion King' scored twice against Manchester United in the Europa League last season makes him sound an attractive proposition. But sorry, it is not going to happen no matter what anyone says on Twitter.

Bendtner Mark II is on form before Arsenal switch?

After a play-off weekend, it was always likely that we would be talking about one of the star players on show. Given at Crewe Alexandra's record of producing good young players, it is no surprise that Arsenal and Manchester United are being linked with matchwinner Nick Powell.

The teenage midfielder will not be 19 until March, yet as already clocked up over 50 games in the league for Crewe scoring 14 goals in scoring 14 goals in the process. His goal for Crewe in the League Two play-off final opened the scoring and showcased what looks like a prodigious talent: a good first touch with his right foot to set up a volley with his weaker left foot.

There has been transfer speculation linking the England Under 18 international with a move to Arsenal for more than two years. His performance at Wembley indicates that he is certainly one for the future, but whether it will be at Arsenal remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, another so-called long-term Arsenal transfer target Mohamed Diamé is also being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old Wigan defensive midfielder is, apparently, in London looking for a new club now that his contract is about to expire. I think he would make a good squad player but I'm not sure Arsenal will be prepared to offer him regular first-team football, and that's why I think he is more likely to choose another London club like Fulham, for example.

Another 24-year-old midfielder who could be joining us, according to the Daily Mail, is Odil Ahmedov of the Russian league. He is currently playing for Anzhi Makhachkala, who are interested in signing Robin van Persie. The way this story is going the next thing I expect to see in the newspapers is Anzhi conclude sensational swap deal with Arsenal, with the Uzbekistan International joining us and our Dutch talisman leaving us with our bank balance in super surplus again! Not really! But I thought I should put my thoughts into writing in case it does happen, in which case I will say "you heard it here first". The good thing about Ahmedov is he has been quoted as saying the following: "I want to try in England or Spain. Clearly all the clubs in Spain and England are wonderful, but I would like, if I had the choice, to play at Arsenal."

The same newspaper is suggesting that Robin van Persie is almost certain to leave. An unnamed Arsenal source said: "Arsenal know it's not about money even if they offered them personally what [Man] City can pay it would make no difference if he doesn't believe the club can challenge the trophies."

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, remains convinced that van Persie will stay. He told Fox Soccer: "I am confident you will see Robin van Persie in the Premier league and I'm very confident you will see him and red and white." The problem I have with that comment is Manchester United also play in red and white! Surely we will not sell our best player to the team that finished just one spot above us in the league! However, stranger things have happened in football so the unexpected never really surprises me.

One striker we want be so sad to lose is Nicklas Bendtner. It sounds like our Great Dane already has a number of options on the table. He is quoted on Sky Sports as saying: "Yes, I have talked to other clubs. I have told all the clubs that I want to wait until after Euro 2012. We have got plenty of time to sort out the future." It seems that German champions Borussia Dortmund are very interested in signing the 24-year-old Denmark international striker. I know he has a reputation of being a bit of the bighead, to say the least, but I'm still not sure that he want become a big star one day. He's never going to be a Thierry Henry, yet he still offers an aerial threat in a similar way to Andy Carroll at Liverpool. If Super Nick returns to Arsenal, I for one will not be disappointed as I think the best is yet to come.

Finally, there's an interesting article on Jeorge Bird’s Arsenal Youth website which questions the club's policy of signing non-EU youngsters and then loaning them out to get a work permit elsewhere. Without stealing his thunder and going through the article in detail, I will say he mentions Carlos Vela, Pedro Botelho (who is on his fifth loan spell in Spain now), Bolivian international Samuel Galindo, Ryo Miyaichi and fractured-leg victim Wellington. It's well worth the read so I suggest you have a look for yourself.

Just before I go, I'd like to mention that I saw Arsenal transfer target Olivier Giroud play for France against Iceland as a substitute. He certainly made a difference setting up two goals which turned a certain defeat into a not particularly well deserved victory. Based on what I saw, I'd say Giroud is not blessed with blistering pace, but he's good in the air and has a deft touch on the ground. A bit like Nicklas Bendtner!

Hotting up on the transfer front for Arsenal?

You don't need me to tell you it's the hottest day of the year today, and that serves as a tenuous link to the transfer market.

The first website I visited this morning was thisisfutbol.com. The headline that attracted my attention was to do was a 19-year-old English sensation, who could be moving to Arsenal according to the Daily Mail. The teenager they were talking about with Birmingham City's Jack Butland. This England under 21 goalkeeper could be a good backup for Woijciech Szczeny, it's true. However, there is a school of thought that believes the number two should be a more experienced keeper than the current custodian between the sticks.

 That's why the likes of Craig Gordon is also being linked to the club. As a free agent, Gordon would make an excellent signing; however, it is hard to imagine him settling for a place on the bench. Brad Guzan of Aston Villa could be another kettle of fish! That's my tip for Arsene Wenger anyway, and I'm sticking to it.

Talking of tips, one player I can see us making a move for is Solomon Kalou, who could be leaving Chelsea on a free transfer. We have considered signing the player in the past, so now that he is available on a free transfer it is very easy to imagine the striker moving across London to join us. Let's never forget that Sol Campbell did exactly the same thing, although instead of joining us from Chelsea, he of course joined us from Spurs. However, now that Chelsea have won the Champions League perhaps Kalou will want to remain where he is. But the flipside of that is the uncertainty surrounding the managerial situation at Stamford Bridge. That can't be good the team morale at all. The departure of Didier Drogba could signal the beginning of the end of this current Chelsea team.

I suspect there will be some major squad rebuilding at Stamford Bridge this summer and the club are already active on the transfer front bidding £32million for Lucas Moura. The 19-year-old São Paulo winger will not be leaving for that price according to the Daily Mirror, as the Brazilian club are hoping for a bidding war. That may well ensue given the reported interest from Inter Milan and Real Madrid. If Chelsea to win the race for Moura’s services, it could mean the departure of Daniel Sturridge and, according to Setanta, Arsenal are interested. It's hard to imagine that deal actually happening though.

It is also difficult to imagine the club winning the race for Eden Hazard, who has the choice of joining Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea or a mystery club. While it's true, that we may be the mystery club it is difficult to conceive Arsenal paying £32 million for the 21-year-old playmaker. According to the player's agent, John Bico, who is quoted in the Daily Star we will have to wait until after Belgium's match against England at Wembley on June 2^nd to find out. On the plus side, at least it will make that friendly international little bit more interesting from an Arsenal point of view.

A little bit closer to home, ClubCall are linking Arsenal with a £3million move for Wales international Joe Allen. Of course, Swansea City have some excellent players as we discovered last season when we visited the Liberty Stadium. However, if I remember correctly Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair caused a lot of problems for our team and that's why they would be the players I would be looking at buying. Stephen Dobbie was also a handful. Apparently, we are also interested in Michael Vorm, the Holland international goalkeeper, and Iceland international midfielder Glyfi Sigurdsson. He was on loan at Swansea last season from 1899 Hoffenheim, so it will be no surprise if he does indeed move on this summer. However, I'll be most surprised if we see any of the above - apart from Kalou - in an Arsenal shirt next season.