While Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has not been quiet during this
transfer window - he has already sealed deals for Amaury Bischoff,
Francis Coquelin, Samir Nasri, and Aaron Ramsey - last night's
match against FC Twente still revealed a glaring hole in Arsenal's
midfield.
Three defensive midfielders have left Arsenal in 2008: Lassana
Diarra; Mathieu Flamini; and Gilberto, yet Arsene has only replaced
two of these players. One of whom is an untried Frenchman from
Ligue 2, and the other has since been admitted as a 'gamble' due to
his track record of injuries.
Speaking to the club's official website, Wenger has provided
gunners fans with the news they have all been waiting for - that
recruits will be signed before the end of the window.
"Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes, but
before Saturday, no."
On the Arsenal's apparent lack of depth, the shrewd manager
countered: "If you look at the number of players we had out, you
can say it was very positive. We did not have Diaby, Fabregas,
Rosicky, Nasri, Kolo Toure, Eduardo and Senderos, while Song is
away at the Olympics."
He added: "We missed seven or eight players out so for me our squad
looks big because the players who were here did well."
Since the the start of the summer window, Arsenal's likely targets
have included Gokhan Inler, Gareth Barry, Xabi Alonso, Michael
Johnson, Lorik Cana, and Marcos Senna. The latter however, has
already stated that he turned down an offer from Arsenal, along
with Juventus and Fenerbache.
Arsenal host West Brom on the opening game of the season on
Saturday lunchtime.