Which is half-true, in that there wasn’t any news this morning. But it sure broke a few hours later that a deal had indeed been struck for €40 million, comprising €34 million in cash up-front and €6 million in add-ons dependent on performance. It’s definitely lower than his worth, but such is the price we pay (no pun intended) for having a selling market with only one club and a player

I last blogged on Tuesday. I have been waiting for something concrete before I blogged again. I can’t waits no more.

Rumours broke on Twitter on Wednesday evening that the Cesc deal was finally reaching endgame. While we’d heard these stories a bazillion times before that Cesc was on the verge of re-joining his boyhood club, but for some reason this time it felt different. This time it felt real.

So we waited for something official. And waited.

Arsenal.com released a one-minute video statement from Arsene last night, in which he basically said nothing.

And then there was the much-hyped press conference this morning, which had fans from around the world staying up for or waking up at stupid o’clock to follow. And again, it was apparently 20-odd minutes of nothing. I had intended to watch to it but I no longer have the will. One interesting snippet from it was the following quote by Le Boss:

“I expect nobody to leave the club. At the moment there is no news.”

Which is half-true, in that there wasn’t any news this morning. But it sure broke a few hours later that a deal had indeed been struck for €40 million, comprising €34 million in cash up-front and €6 million in add-ons dependent on performance. It’s definitely lower than his worth, but such is the price we pay (no pun intended) for having a selling market with only one club and a player who seemingly desperately wanted out. Alas.

In fact, even as I type this there are rumours that Arsenal have not yet agreed to the deal. It seems we are trying our gosh darndest to keep calm and carry on, with Cesc appearing in pictures of the squad training this morning and on the newly-released squad numbers list (more on which later). Whatever. He’s gone and time to move on.

I’m not going to bore you with a slew of memories of Cesc, because my heart can’t take it and I’m sure yours won’t be able to either. What I will say is that I was at Highbury to witness his debut and will forever remember the commentator calling him Fabrice Fabregas as he bagged his first goal for us that night. He is the first player whose development from young starlet to fully-fledged first-teamer I have been consciously been aware of. We’ll miss him, but it is time to focus forward.

From the perspective of moping, it’s probably a good thing his move has come late in the window. Had it happened earlier this summer, we’d have had to endure weeks of wallowing. Instead, we are faced 24 hours later with our first league game of the season and the beginning of a season-defining month for us, both on and off the pitch.

So, to Newcastle. Team news ahead of the game is largely positive, with confirmation last night that Gibbs, Vermaelen, Walcott and captain (for tomorrow and probably longer) Robin van Persie are all fit and healthy. This is excellent news as we will be able to field our first-choice defence and choose from a strong strikeforce.

The worry is midfield. Arsene confirmed unsurprisingly this morning that neither Cesc nor Nasri would take part, but the real stinger is that Jack Wilshere is out with an “inflamed ankle” for “hopefully the short-term”. However, this came with the worrying caveat that we can’t put a definitive date on his return. Gooners being Gooners, we hark back to last season where Vermaelen’s three-day injury actually lasted eight months. Everyone pray that this is not the case with Jack and make whatever sacrifice you need to and rub your lucky rabbit’s feet.

With all that in mind, I’m going to hazard a guess that our lineup tomorrow will be something along the lines of: Szczesny; Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna; Song, Ramsey, Rosicky; Arshavin, v.Persie, Gervinho.

There is a big claim that Theo should make the first XI – especially with his record at St. James’ Park last season – and while I’d normally have him in there, I think it might be wise to ease him back into action after his ankle injury. Plus it’d be good not to use all our speedsters from the off and unleash him from the bench as the game wears on and their defenders tire. That said, I’d have no qualms whatsoever if he started.

Speaking of wingers, today comes with news that Gervinho has been handed his preferred no.27. Yes. THAT number. The sacred one of Sir Emmanuel of Eboueshire. Which strongly indicates that our Ivorian Warrior will be following Cesc out of the exit door, with a move to Galatasaray strongly mooted.

Other interesting stuff from the squad number list is that Frimpong has been promoted from no.35 to no.26, while Ryo Miyaichi – fresh from his successful work permit appeal – gets the no.31. A sure indication that both have some part to play in first-team matters this season. Most interestingly of all is that new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been awarded the hallowed no.15 jersey, following in the footsteps of Gunners legends Ray Parlour, Cesc himself and, er, Denilson!

On a more serious note, I am looking forward to a squad of hungry players that want to fight for us and don’t have eyes on pastures new. The departures of Cesc and Nasri may hurt us, but give me a marginally less-talented yet 100% committed player in their places. If their passion for the Club matches that of the fans, then we have nothing to fear. Forward, Arsenal. Beginning tomorrow.

Squid Boy (http://twitter.com/#!/TheSquidBoyLike)