Wenger's plan B works a trophy treat

A trophy every 9 years won't be enough for Arsenal fans, but Wenger's 'Plan Brawn' worked a treat yesterday.

Instead of waiting until the 70th minute to change things, Wenger forgot his own tradition to throw Sanogo into the fray. Giroud suddenly came into his own as Sanogo occupied the centre backs that we're kicking the Frenchman to shreds.

Sanogo was instrumental in the FA Cup win, but Wenger needs a plan C for next season. By that, I mean a new captain, with Vermaelen fit to lift the trophy but nothing much else and Arteta seemingly past his best. If we're buying back Vela, let's get Fabregas back too. Funds allowing, if course!

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Arsenal FC transfer round-up

Welcome to The Loose Cannon, or WTF as some rude cyber warrior would rather call it. Now I know how Arsene Wenger must feel when he gets stick! Serves me right, I suppose for being so critical of his team and transfer policy. However, I don't feel so critical this season as we've already bought wisely and it looks like we may continue to do so.

Everyone is asking the latest about Nuri Sahin and his prospective loan move from Real Madrid. It seems that there are a number of other clubs in the hunt for the Turkey international, and Arsenal appear to still be in pole position. Yet if Manchester United come calling, it's hardly a foregone conclusion that he will move to the Emirates Stadium. AC Milan and Liverpool are also reportedly interested. Spurs, apparently, made an approach but it was rejected by Sahin.

Another player we could be signing is Malaga's Isco. Spanish club are ready to sell all and sundry and by all accounts we could do a lot worse than sign this winger for £8 million, especially as the Walcott is continuing to be linked with a move away to his boyhood favourites, Liverpool. For that would be "one in one out", if it comes to pass.

Something similar could happen with the Alex Song situation. Barcelona clearly want the player, as otherwise why would some many of their footballing stars come out and say that they want him? If Song does go for £20 million, which would make him about £8 million overpriced in my book, then most of the media are claiming we would sign Yann M'Vila to replace him. This is a little strange given that Arsene Wenger has denied being interested in the France international. Then again, he said something similar about five months before signing Andrey Arshavin, but some Arsenal fans have pointed out the Russian may been foisted upon him by the board of directors. I can't believe that Wenger is not in control of team affairs, which would include selection of players to join his squad, but anything's possible in the world of football.

Other players leaving the club include Nicklas Bendtner, who could be about to sign for AC Milan, according to the Corriere dello Sport. Interestingly, the paper goes on to say we will receive cash plus long-term Arsenal transfer target Philippe Mexes, who is reportedly earning €4.5 million per year. France international is now 30 years of age, which is normally a bit too old for Arsene Wenger's liking, so this still sounds like pure paper talk to me.

One deal that is incredibly more likely is that taking Carlos Vela to Real Sociedad. In fact it's so likely that it is a done deal! Finally the club have confirmed that it's happened, about a month or so after we read in the newspapers, and once again the transfer fee is undisclosed.

One transfer fee that won't be undisclosed perhaps is the amount Arsenal receive for Robin van Persie, should he leave. Manchester United are going to have to pay £20 million or he will be going nowhere, it seems. However, Manchester City and Juventus haven't given up the chase complete yet, no matter what Roberto Mancini says to the contrary.

I'm not quite sure why the media claim that Alex Ferguson missed Manchester United's Hanover victory on Saturday night to close a deal to sign Robin van Persie and then next thing you know is the want-away Dutchman is playing in a friendly in Cologne. Surely it would make more sense for Fergie to just wait until that match was over and then approach him.

There is still the school of thought that believe van Persie. Like Wayne Rooney's transfer request, it the Dutchman's refusal to sign a new deal could just be a cry for help. I'm not sure I buy into this theory completely but it remains a possibility. After signing three quality players in this transfer window it's about time the U-turn happened. As if it doesn't soon, we can kiss hopes of van Persie staying goodbye.

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!

The Arsenal FC departure lounge is busy

Well, according to Just Arsenal it's a proper exodus this summer, 'movement of the Gooners/Jah People' in Bob Marley-speak.

It's hard to argue with Just Arsenal's assessment of the situation: 8 must go! Or is it? For what it's worth, here's my take on it.

1) Sebastien Squillaci - I'd like him to go for one reason alone: I really struggle to spell his name. Is his first name with two 'e's or two 'a's? I'm sick of looking it up! And don't get me started on his surname. Not sure he'll be missed that much, but I've seen worse squad players than than SS, so I don't mind if he stays and sees out his contract, especially as I don't think he's got much re-sale value.

2) Lucasz Fabianski - I think the world knows how I feel about this bag of nerves. Obviously he's got talent and no doubt he shows it regularly on the training ground. But he hasn't done so for Arsenal when it really matters...on the pitch. He might thrive at a smaller club, but I'm not even too sure of that. He's a nice guy but always looks like he'll concede, flap, or make the grass beneath him turn a shade of brown. Let him go!

3) Manuel Almunia - How he ever became Arsenal's number one, most of us will never know, but let's not forget he had one good season. He'll leave on a free without a doubt.

4) Nicklas Bendtner - Okay, he's not as good as he thinks, but strikers need confidence and he has that in abundance. He also has some talent, so although he will leave this summer for a decent fee, I can see his sale haunting us in a few years' time.

5) Denilson - Although he's shown fleeting moments of something above mediocre-ness, it's never been enough for me. He cost a lot and we won't get much for him unfortunately. Won't be missed.

6) Andrey Arshavin - One of the most technically gifted players I've ever seen. A pocket genius, but it's all gone wrong for him at Arsenal. Played in the wrong position until he lost confidence and spoke out and got dropped and so on. Spiralled into decline so must go. I will miss him, but don't think Arsene Wenger or most of the fans will.

7) Marouane Chamakh - Started brightly and turned abysmal so quickly I'm still reeling. We have to let him go.

8) Carlos Vela - Mexicans haven't done well in the Premier League for some unknown reason. Vela had it all, but ended up much more of a disappointment than Peter Marinello, who was also hailed as a potential superstar back in the day. It's adios amigo!