Arsenal and Injuries, two words which have gone hand-in-hand over recent seasons. It’s part and parcel of the modern game, though, and clubs are making steps to combat such squad issues. Some clubs go down the uncertain path of promoting youth – a policy which Arsène Wenger has been all too fond of – while other clubs aim to stock up on quality players, much like the aristocrats in the blue half of Manchester have done.
Wilshere missed the whole of last season, and looks likely to be out until October
This Summer has seen little transfer activity, apart from the ever-present big spenders Chelsea, as Premier League sides tighten the purse-strings in preparation for Platini’s ‘Financial Fair Play rules’, but Arsenal seem to have answered many a fans’ call and begun to open their cheque book – with their Summer spending starting in early May!
Wilshere, who’s regarded as a future Arsenal and England captain, has been missing from first-team involvement ever since he limped off in last Summer’s Emirates Cup competition. His ankle injury, which later incurred a worrying stress fracture of his right foot, curtailed his season and is likely to hinder his development in the 2012/’13 season, leading to these comments made by manager Arsène Wenger;
“Hopefully, we will get Wilshere back playing by October”
Depressing news indeed; partly due to the fact that it could stint his progression as a player, but largely due to the impressive fact that at just 20-years-old, he’s flourished into an important player in Arsenal’s first-team. Another worrying cloud which looms over Arsenal is the long-term longevity Although, Arsène has moved swiftly to improve and enhance the squad, a course of action which is rather unusual for Le Professeur.
Sahin would bring vision, class, quality as well as plenty of depth to the current Arsenal squad
Nuri Sahin, the midfield lynchpin who made his move to the Spanish capital last Summer for €10 million, has been subject of widespread rumors linking him with a loan move to Arsenal. After initial elation, many Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter in order to vent their frustration at Arsène’s decision to move for Nuri Sahin, citing an already crowded midfield as the reason to why there’s no need for the Turkish midfield playmaker.
MY OPINION…
Could this be Arsenal’s midfield trio vs. Sunderland on the opening day of the season?
I respect their opinions, but I couldn’t disagree more with them. This deal would appeal tous on many different levels, not only due to the financial aspect of it. Sahin can play in a plethora of roles in midfield, a versatility which he showcased so well while at Borussia Dortmund. Capable as a holding or attacking midfielder, Sahin’s most comfortable as a deep-lying playmaker – a midfielder who wants to start every move, similar to the role which Fàbregas occupied during his successful time at Arsenal. Another appealing, and noteworthy, aspect to the proposed deal is that Sahin will inherit a big burden on Jack Wilshere’s young shoulders, allowing the Englishman to return at a pace and intensity which will be comfortable for all parties involved, in particular Arsène Wenger. Sahin is very much a player built for the Red, and better, half of North London. Resting our hopes on Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby isn’t a healthy thing to be doing, especially with the Premier League more competitive than ever. At Borussia Dortmund, Sahin grew into a dynamic midfield role within a quick-paced Jürgen Klopp set-up, a set-up which bares similarities to Arsenal’s current tactical. Who knows, Nuri Sahin could be regarded as the long-term successor to the imperious Spanish general, Mikel Arteta…
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Räphael Hönigstein, a reputable German journalist based in England, has spoken of Nuri Sahin’s proposed loan move to Arsenal too. Speaking to ESPN’s Press Pass programme, he was quoted as saying:
“The future is definitely a loan move [for Sahin]. There is a loan move very much in place. They’re very, very close, and the club he’s close to is Arsenal.”
Hönigstein also stated that the sticking point, an issue which has upheld the deal’s progression somewhat, is Arsenal desire to include an ‘option to buy’ clause. In essence, an ‘option to buy’ clause is a pre-agreed fee at which, on the loaning club’s consent, the said player can be bought for. It seems as if Real Madrid, who are closing in on the signing of Luka Modric, are in an unenviable predicament as to whether they should, effectively, let Nuri Sahin go.
The BBC’s David Ornstein, who’s another reputable Arsenal source, believes that a deal could be agreed, for Nuri Sahin, as soon as Friday. Santi Cazorla, who’s another player to make the transition from Spanish to English football, is going to complete his Arsenal move today.
Although, media outlets in Turkey, the country which Sahin represents, believe that a deal will hinge upon Real Madrid’s final decision on whether or not to include a option to buy clause. Time will tell.
Lukas Podolski, who’s now an Arsenal player, squares up to Nuri Sahin in the 2010/2011 season – Sahin’s final season at Borussia Dortmund
Ultimately, signing Nuri Sahin would be a fantastic piece of business; especially if an ‘option to buy’ clause of around €15 million is agreed with Real Madrid. Many, including Spanish football expert Sid Lowe and the Telegraph’s Jeremy Wilson, expect the Sahin loan deal to be concluded soon.
It’s a matter of time, in my opinion. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ Arsenal can smoothen out a few small hillocks in the deal, it’s a matter of when. One thing that is for certain: It’s looking like an exciting Summer for us Arsenal fans. Unusually. Written by Llew Davies.
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