M’Vila speaks, Giroud replaced and Vela off?

I don’t know about you lot, but I fell asleep during the football last night. I think Russia and Poland were eliminated, which I guess isn’t particularly nice for the Russians or Poles. I think Russia would have looked at this group as one they could have won, while Poland would have thought qualification at home was more than possible with their side. From an Arsenal point of view, Wojciech Szczesny will get an extended break which isn’t really a problem as he can make sure the knock he was carrying from the end of the season is recover, although the future of Lukasz Fabianski is still far from certain. Tomas Rosicky isn’t crocked, but he is kind of semi-crocked. He was on the bench last night, he may have come on or he may not have. I just hope he doesn’t risk aggravating it further. As for Andrei Arshavin, he looked like the Arshavin we all know. Able to float around and weave his special brand of short, lazy, unfit but definitely brilliant magic; before collapsing in a heap every time he’s asked to run ten yards. We can hope that he impressed Zenit St. Petersburg enough for them to want him back as his time in North London is probably at an end.

Tonight, Robin van Persie’s Netherlands side fight for qualification while Nicklas Bendtner will hope his lucky pants can keep him on the score-sheet and Gunners everywhere will be hoping to see Lukasz Podolski play. On a side note, Lukasz Podolski who I believe has just turned 27, could win his 100th cap for Germany today. The youngest European ever to become a “centurion”. Considering the “legends” who’ve represented Germany have mostly reached 100 caps only when well into their their thirties then it goes to show what a feat it is. I for one can’t wait to see him in the red and white of the Arsenal.

Talking about players incoming, Yann M’Vila has been talking about Arsenal. He’s reported to have said recently: “I don’t know what is happening with the clubs, but yes, I would be interested in the Premier League and Arsenal.” If he’s talking that openly about a move, it would suggest that maybe we’re not as close to signing him as some suggest. While we’re the main suitors, maybe we’re looking at other targets as well? Of course as always, the Euros are in the way.

On other transfer news though, it’s starting to look like Oliver Giroud is done. All kinds of PR guff has been spouted by people at Montpellier suggesting we’ve never been interested, which is a sure sign that we’re very interested and that a deal may already be done could be announced after the Euros. Indeed with Montpellier signing Gaëtan Charbonnier, you’d have to think that Oliver Giroud is off somewhere and a little birdy makes me think he’ll be in North London.

Will Carlos Vela still be here? Probably not. Real Sociedad have already said that keeping him permanently will be their main objective during this transfer window and they’re rumoured to have flown to London to present a deal for 3.5m euros plus a sell-on fee to Arsenal. Short of Arsenal’s valuation of the player, but it could be worth it to get rid of his wages, while Nicklas Bendtner has been linked to Galatasaray recently as well.

That’s it news-wise. In exciting news, you could well see a new columnist on the blog over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled! As well as that, there will also be a series coming up during the summer featuring writers talking about their “European Dream Team”. Exciting times, watch this space!

That’s it for now. As always you can follow me on twitter @savagegooner and you can ‘like’ the blog on facebook. Fun, eh? Until whenever.