It's a amazing just how much the press ignores the amount of money City (and Chelsea to some extent) have at their disposable. Money they were given. Man Utd is onerous but they were self financed. They developed a brand and earned their money traditionally.

Everyone just seems to ignore the Middle East money that built City. They will never recoup it nor care and now City sells a lot of merchandising, etc, but it stems from them being artificially enhanced financially. Not by their own brand and play on the pitch. Chelsea's budget now is as a result of Roman. Its frustrating and sickening.

Anyway, I hope we pull off these big money (at least big for us) transfers. I don't mind if we have go into debt or whatever to do it.

He has a great passing range, is generally positionally sound, has great attitude and adds some much needed physicality to our side. He’s slow and has an annoying tendency for brain farts, but it’s ridiculous how some only want to see his flaws. Not really sure why all player analysis these days seem to suggest a player is either a star or absolute *%^@, but managers such as Emery, Favre, Hittzfeld and Wenger rates him highly so he clearly has something.

Hi Dec,

It was just a pathetic effort all round. The easiest run-in and we made it look like we were playing prime Barca every week. Shockingly inept and one of the reasons why I think the jury is still out on Emery.

If we finish the window with another decent defensive signing then the ball is in Emery's court so to speak. No excuses.

Agree with this. I rate Emery and I’m excited to see what he can do with the squad we’re assembling, but there are no excuses for our collapse last season. Certainly can’t blame it on Wenger. The transfer team seems to be doing their job this summer, up to Emery and the players to do their bit.

Absolutely correct Hazuki. Xhaka is a long way from perfect and I wouldn’t lose any sleep if he left. But bloody hell, the way some people talk you’d think he was another David Hillier.

And for the record, before I get jumped by his detractors, I’m not even sure I’d have Xhaka as a starting player for us with everyone fit. Plenty of exciting midfielders at the club, and depending on what formation we play, how Ceballos adapts to England, and the development of players like Guendozi and Willock, there may not be room for Xhaka in the starting eleven.

Morning Socrates. If we pay the sort of money it’s being reported that Leipzig want for Upamecano, I wonder how long it”ll take for us to be accused of being financially doped? Whether the accusation is fair or not, I can see it happening.

Koscielny has supposedly agreed terms with Bordeaux and they have agreed a fee of £5m with Arsenal. Could go through today

Completely agree with that, Haz.

I can't see that deal going through, Bern, not at this late stage in the window. They wouldn't have much time to replace him for a start.

I think the Bundesliga window closes on Sept 2nd, so that would give them a couple of weeks. But it's weird that we've left it so late, if this type of big transfer was what we wanted to do.

You're right, I forgot their window is open longer.

Confirmed by Ornstein. He also mentioned we're still after a central defender and Tierney, and we're in advanced talks with Nottingham Forest regarding Jenkinson.

Agreed that I would like, and would hope that our midfield is moving towards a more athletic, mobile structure with players who can 'beat the press', this set up is much more suited to the Prem.
I still do think there is a place for Xhaka in the side, but not as an automatic starter. For games where teams lack pace and will just sit deep against us (Burnley at the Emirates for example) there is a key role for the holding midfielder to recycle possession and spread or switch play to stretch these teams as much as possible. I think the one thing we're missing in our central midfield is a powerhouse dribbler, someone to break the lines but is also strong and good in the air. I think Ndombele at Spurs is a great signing for them in this respect.
Adding Ceballos and Willock to the first team gives so many more options to our central midfield. You would also hope that both Torreira and Guendouzi have room to improve on their first season now they are settled.

Bennacer made his £14m move to AC Milan, meaning Arsenal pick up £4.5m from a sell-on clause we had for him.
Add the Koscielny fee and a nominal fee for Jenkinson and it all helps boost the spending power.
I think we will have made £25m from selling fringe players

Just goes to show how important the selling side is, Rich, it all adds up.

Imagine if we'd got decent fees for Rambo and Welbeck. That would have been £50m more in the pot.

Wenger paid £35m for Xhaka. Now that figure may be chicken feed now but 3 years ago it was a hell of a lot of money. He has done nothing to justify that outlay.

Hillier didn't cost £35m did he.

Anyone know anything about this chap from Leipzig? He is only 20 so how could can he be?

Not seen him play, but he’s one of those names that makes people on the internet go nuts. Started for a good Bundesliga club at 18, and for France in the U21 Euros this summer, so he's clearly a highly rated young player. Wouldn't expect him to improve us much this coming season, but promising for the future.

Yep, imagine having that £50m, plus £60m from Sanchez and no Mkhitaryan.
Plus all the other pitiful fees we got for players. I think we have easily thrown away £200m in transfer fees over the last 5-6 years

Just watched a 9 minute compilation of about 100 tackles from him nd he went to ground... once

Looks strong and pacy and decent on the ball. Seems like we've left it a tad late tho.

Ornstein saying that Nketiah will be loaned out, possibly to Bristol City.
Also saying we’re still trying to offload Mustafi. Given that Koscielny is leaving, then we surely must be picking up a central defender.

The £70m valuation is crazy, but when Lewis Dunk is valued at £50m and James Tarkowski at £45m then it suddenly starts to look like good value in a twisted way. At least there’s a chance he turns into world class.

Have RB stated that valuation? A lot of the end cost seems to hinge on the length of contract left. Hazard aside.

The thing that struck me was that he moved from ‘sister’ side RB Salzburg. Having effectively a B team is a huge advantage in developing young players.

And having said that, he only has two years left.

Which is precisely why I think we could have gotten more for Bielik from another club. His stock surely had gone up after his performances over the summer.

I’m sure if richer clubs than Derby were interested and willing to pay us more than £10m we would have accepted.
Bielik is talented but is only proven at league 1 level. The fees I’m mentioning above are for players at 1 or 2 divisions above Bielik

L’Equipe now saying Coutinho is joining Arsenal on loan. Any other transfer window and I would’ve dismissed it immediately.

All gone

Just heard the same separately from 2 mates on different continents.

Seriously don't get that - but what do I know?

Me neither. He's quality, but don't get what place they see for him in the squad. And it's so different from most of the moves we're making this summer, when we're clearly targeting young quality players.

But I guess it's pointless to complain too much about a top class player joining Arsenal. If the rumour is legit.

2012, DHD? Wow. Farewell the Unconvincibles.

Some decent memories nonetheless.

To be accurate McQ (and before Bern steams in), the BFG is still at the club.

An important correction!

Jenkinson too! He was chubby back then, but that's him in the back.

On holiday in Poland and looking forward to a couple of bottles of Bernard

10 years ago, £80m got you Cristiano Ronaldo. Today it gets you Harry Maguire

Our "Captain" has left. He is a pretty quiet one for a Captain.