It is hilarious yet predictable that many of those who were shouting in capitals about going in for an unknown player instead of an established talent such as Downing are now shouting in capitals that we have missed out on him by not paying what we apparently perceive as over the odds. I suppose it is

Good afternoon to you,

Not much in the way of news going on today barring a few bits of transfer rumour/talk/fact delete as appropriate.

Mr 48 hours man Gervinho is once again set for yet another medical at the club. Has there ever been a player to have reportedly had a medical as much as this fellow? Having seen the news reported in France as well as over here, I am going to assume that it will be happening today. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be announced today as we usually like to complete all the photoshoot’s, interviews, official site updates etc. We know that he will be joining us so I do not see the need for so many people to get so worked up about it.

It looks as if Arsenal target Ricky Alvarez will be joining Inter Milan instead of Arsenal. Reports suggest that Arsenal were not willing to pay the fee that his club were asking. Inter slammed down the extra briefcase on the table and were able to secure the services of the player.

I am no scout and have certainly not been keeping tabs of the player for months and months so my opinion is just that, an opinion. I couldn’t see how a player like Alvarez would have fitted into our system. This idea that he was supposed to be Cesc’s replacement is laughable, well it would be if it was funny. It’s not, it is stupid and lazy from tabloid writers would want to continue to push the Cesc to Barca story. I couldn’t see the tall and gangly attacker wide in a front three and I certainly could not see him as a center forward. Like I said though, I haven’t been watching him closely. Just the same way that I was not watching a young Alex Song. But I guess, it no longer matters.

It is hilarious yet predictable that many of those who were shouting in capitals about going in for an unknown player instead of an established talent such as Downing are now shouting in capitals that we have missed out on him by not paying what we apparently perceive as over the odds. I suppose it is another channel to vent I guess.

I wonder how that player valuation is done by Arsene and the club. I envisage a complicated spreadsheet that calculates, age, international caps, years on contract remaining and financial strength of selling club.

I wouldn’t mind playing around with that. Not saying that is how the club do it’s business you understand.

Samir Nasri is not going to be sold as well as going to Manchester City depending on which tabloid you pick up. According to Sky Sports, Chelsea have also made an enquiry for Nasri. It is all pretty unsettling really, well at least for me it is. I guess if the likes of Chelsea, Man City and United are interested in signing him then if he does leave then at least we should be able to spark some kind of bidding war. I would rather it didn’t get to that though, especially with teams from this country.

Hopefully Arsene can sit Nasri down and do a bit of the Wenger hypnotising magic that he has pulled out of the hat in the past on players like Vieira and Henry.

Arsene will call Nasri into his office, close and lock the door. A few minutes of green flashes coming out from underneath the door and Nasri can walk back onto the training pitch, telling his teammates robotically ‘I want to stay and help this team, I want to stay and commit myself to Arsenal football club. I will dispose of my agent in the morning.’

Martin Keown did say that it was much easier to say you wanted out of the club when you are away from Arsenal and in particular Arsene. Once you come back your feelings change. I suppose Nicolas Anelka must have been wearing his dark sunglasses in his talk with Wenger.

Neil Warnock has said some rather interesting comments regarding his star player Adel Taarabt. Apparently he has many friends at Arsenal but he is also homesick, missing his family in Marseille. I suppose the next best thing would be to come to Arsenal.

If not for anything else then I like the guy for his comments last season.

“I was going to go to Arsenal and Comolli was there with Wenger, But he went to Tottenham so I went there. That was a big mistake for me. My friends in England – like Armand Traore and Abou Diaby at Arsenal – told me Tottenham were not the right fit for me. The big mistake was to sign for Tottenham and not go to another club when I first came over.”

So apparently Arsene was interested in the past. He is a player full of ability and talent but he is a maverick. Warnock treats him differently to the rest of his players, he doesn’t have to track back or fight to win the ball back, he has a free role and is allowed to do as he pleases. That luxury cannot happen at Arsenal and we have seen what effect it has on the team when certain players have not worked for the team.

I do not see it happening but if it did then I would love to see his skills on the Emirates pitch but probably not the rest of it.

Anyway, that is all for today.

Back tomorrow.