Ignore the media, Arsenal is crushing the transfer season. Selling Robin van Persie for £20M+ was brilliant: “£20m-plus for a 29-year-old with a shaky injury history.” Gooners should smile, just not in public, keep it calm and quiet. The truth is, Wenger may just have pulled an Adebayor on ManU.  Because you know the minute ‘Arry Redknapp says Arsenal are done and dusted, the Club have done something right.

If we can bracket the emotions here, which we footie fans always find difficult, Wenger just had his best summer ever. Arsenal is going in a different direction than RVP and getting £20M+ for a player that at 29 had one excellent season is fantastic. I remember the 2010/11 season and people always waiting for RVP to get hurt. So, yes, it improves Manu on paper. But Arsenal have to focus on Arsenal and improving their squad. We can’t worry about everyone else.

Adebayor essentially did the same thing. Now he has no Club and his holding on to his pay packet as tightly as possible because it will never come again. Sp*rs are as good as it’s going to get for him. And don’t forget, he was on Real Madrid at one point. Nasri just got lucky. He’s an FA Cup stalwart that Mancini wanted to sell this summer, except ManCitehy is just, well ManCiteh.

RVP’s agent totally screwed his client. Sure his client got paid, but if it wasn’t about money, and I don’t think it was for RVP (it was for his agent), RVP played his hand completely wrong. By telling Arsene and company last season that basically he was leaving -RVP and his agent apparently listed a series of proposals that were meant to be impossible for Arsenal -the Club prepared for life without him.

And Arsenal prepared fast. So fast that RVP had second thoughts, but it was already too late. The Club obviously spent the money they anticipated receiving for RVP. If you watched the Cologne game you can see that RVP knew the door was shut. He was finished with Arsenal. Indeed, we later found out Arsene had just informed told him he was being sold (with I’m sure the appropriate amount of guilt for leaving) and the fans were booing him.

Now RVP’s 29 and a mercenary. A mercenary that if we drop the emotions, is going to a team that is weaker than last year. For all the talk about Arsenal being a selling Club, players don’t lie. ManU failed to capture the players they most wanted (and needed): Hazard or Lucas. Kagawa, good as he is, and RVP, as much as we loved him, won’t fix their midfield or defense. Capturing RVP was a matter of face for Fergie and Wenger knew it! So he kep the price up. Meanwhile, Arsenal picked up a German international, France’s leading scorer, and the best player in Spain not on RM or Barca.

Unlike Adebayor a huge amount wasn’t reinvested. This time it was. But the fact is, the Club is doing better than the player. RVP is the new Adebayor. And he knows it. So I’m not mad at him; more sad is all. His family told him to stay. He should have listened.

So long and thanks for all the fish!

Big G failed to have a huge impact last year. But this season is looking up for the Ivory Coast tricktician.  Gervinho’s greatest strength was simply not suited to Arsenal style last season. But the new transfers and tactical changes fit perfectly into the winger’s abilities. Expect a surprisingly strong season from the Ivory Coast dynamo if all goes as it should.

Gervinho was part one of a two part plan
Gervinho’s purchase was part of an overall rebuild of the offense; a rebuild, that did not quite happen. His style of play in Lille was built on pulling defenders to the goal line and cutbacks. For those that doubt me, Arseblog touched upon this very thing with Gervinho a month or so ago when reviewing last season. All hail Arseblog. This style of play worked particularly well with Eden Hazard.

Robin van Persie, however, is more linkup play (like his hero Bergkamp) and known for his power strikes. RVP did not make a lot of runs in traffic. Even RVP’s greatest goals, while on the trot, were not in traffic runs. Before people get too excited, I’m not saying never, but compared to others, this wasn’t his approach, which is okay. He scored a lot of goals!

Enter Podolski

Podolski on the other hand, brings a new approach that favors Gervinho. Podolski played the ball well to Gibbs. Gibbs took the ball to the line then cut back to…Podolski. Podolski saw the move and made a perfect run. Even though it was an assist from Gibbs, that entire sequence could just have easily have been Gervinho. In fact, if you saw the Cologne match, Gervinho basically did just that in the second half when he scored a goal.

Last season it was a common sight to see Gervinho conclude a magical and mazy dribble on the line just outside of the posts with no where to pass. Sometimes he’d put it into the box, but no one made the run. Podolski should change that. In fact, it’s one of Podolski’s greatest strengths: his runs and clinical finish. It’s something Low the manager for Germany raves about. For defenders that are parking the bus, this new tag team can open up lanes once they get on the same wavelength. RVP and Gervinho were never going to do that.

No more Africa Cup of Nations

Finally, and some might say most importantly, no more ACN. Thank god. The Ivory Coast made it to the finals last season and Gervinho was obviously gassed by the end of it. He didn’t recover until the very end of the season. But with a summer break and strong preseason, Big G is back. And we should expect more from him. (Editor’s note: as pointed out, the ACN is back with a vengeance this year with a switch to odd numbers. So at least we have him for a few months then).

Yann M’Vila should be a Gunner. In fact, if you look at rumor reports from just a few months ago, M’Vila was just waiting to sign the paperwork. Personal terms were agreed. But fast forward just a few months and M’Vila to Arsenal seems dead in the water. More importantly, M’Vila to anyone until this week was dead in the water. So what happened?

On paper, M’Vila fits exactly what Arsenal need. Young, incredibly talented; he’s a strong defensive midfielder that would protect the defense. Even better, M’Vila slots in perfectly with Arsenal’s gameplay; his passing rate puts him on par with Arteta, while his defensive mindset reminds one more of Makélelé. Better yet, M’Vila even stated a desire to come to Arsenal. So it’s no shock that Arsenal submitted a bid for him during the trauma that was the end of the 2011 transfer season.

That offer was rejected, but Arsenal’s interest continued well up to May 2012, even after M’Vila’s arrest. It wasn’t until after Euro 2012 and M’Vila’s fight with Laurent Blanc, that Arsenal seemed to officially drop all interest. With Wenger stating in July there would be no bid, albeit depending on the injury situation at Arsenal.

So is this a case of a player’s off the field problems preventing him from transferring? Or is it more than that?

For a player of M’Vila’s standing (aged only 22 and French International starter), it’s shocking that no Club has submitted an offer or that he is not agitating to leave. Remember, when Inter were interested, that was a bit of a price war, one Arsenal did not want. There were also reports that Arsenal were not happy about the deal being discussed publicly -something Gooners are well aware of.

For Gooners, it’s interesting that (1) so much confirmed interest by the Club was vested in M’Vila; (2) no other DM was seriously considered; and, (3) nothing happened. Arsenal transfers are often drawn out and M’Vila’s fit the pattern: August 2011 through July 2012. Although this summer has been more decisive than ever.

The “undisclosed bid”

Now, there is a confirmed bid for M’Vila from an English Club. And, all the reports say it’s the sp#rs. Conflicting reports out of M’Vila’s camp and Rennes, however, raise questions.

• M’Vila’s camp apparently confirmed an offer, but to a non-Champions League club (sp#rs?). A move M’Vila apparently does not want.
• Rennes officially denied that it was the sp#rs that made the offer. And, since Rennes announced the offer, why lie? Just say nothing.
• Making things more fun, M’Vila has been non-committal. Even saying he would stay in Rennes for another year.

Frankly. It’s just weird. Arsenal shouldn’t buy every player that wants to come to Arsenal. But the Yann M’Vila affair just doesn’t add up.

In the end, maybe he does end up at the sp#rs. But I won’t rule out Arsenal yet, especially with the Song rumors. I do know these behind scene dramas are the stories fans would love to know.

Arsenal has a plan: sell RVP at the last minute. And it’s brilliant. Selling Robin van Persie after having him play the first game or two of the season lets Arsenal start the season strong and buy time for the new players to transition in. Two more weeks of RVP helps Arsenal transition. Ciao Bello RVP!

My money says ManCiteh and ManU can’t buy RVP because he’s already been sold. RVP’s off to Juventus (I hope). Regardless, the deal won’t conclude (or at least Arsenal won’t sign) until after August 26th, or at least August 18th.

Why? Because it doesn’t make any sense for Arsenal to sell RVP before the first or even second game this season. Buy the players you need -Podolski, Giroud, Cazorla – and play RVP during the first couple games to manage the transition. Then sell RVP when Arsenal is ready, when the squad is ready. Even Nasri played a game before leaving last year.

Sure RVP’s value drops a bit, but who cares? Arsenal can scream about wanting £25M or whatever price they want. But lets be honest, Arsenal, and Gooners, would strike this deal in a heartbeat: £15M, two wins in the first two games, more time for the new players to get settled, and RVP off to Italy (fingers crossed).

It’s the smart move.

So while the RVP rumors have swirled and the media swooned, Arsenal ignored everything and rebuilt the squad overnight. The only challenge, really, was the time needed to transition the players in. It makes sense that outside Clubs haven’t made any headway for RVP. He’s going to be sold. But when Arsenal decide. Timing is everything.

Thankfully, this should mean no repeat of last year. Imagine this lineup against Sunderland (Aug 18) and possibly Stoke City (Aug 26): Szczesny, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Gervinho, RVP, Walcott. Absent Sagna and Rosicky, that’s almost the exact same lineup as last year. Ditto with Santos, Chamberlain, Djourou, and Coquelin on the bench. Add Diaby and there’s yet more cover.

Big clubs can afford to take a loss

Arsenal always buy and sell smart. Sometimes too smart. This time, Arsenal will accept a “loss” on RVP. But this loss is in the media, not in reality. Don’t be shocked if RVP leaves for ~£15M at the transfer deadline to Juventus. That would be a huge win.

- RVP pays for one of Cazorla/Podolski/Giroud

- RVP provides cover for a strong start this season

- Podolski, Giroud, and Cazorla have time to transition for a strong total season.

Wenger’s best summer ever? Brilliant.

Finally, after so many years of waiting, the revolution at Arsenal is happening. It’s just as much about new signings as players leaving. I don’t know if this is “the year,” but I do know the Arsenal are moving in the right direction. I’m excited and other Gooners should be too.

Look at the signings…
Podolski and Giroud were aggressive early signings that sent a message. Cazorla (unless something happens) and probably another signing are class signings that send a message. With an average age of 26, or something like that, these are the type of signings that have been missing at Arsenal for the last five years. THREE INTERNATIONALS! This means a trophy run.

Why the change? Who knows. But I bet it’s because the Arsenal Academy is finally starting to come online. After years of waiting, the Academy is starting to produce and the Club knows with more certainty what roles to fill from outside. Wilshere, naturally, gets the most attention, but Frimpong was all the rage before his injury; and Coquelin has been a quiet and steady keel slotting directly into bench play (the young Arteta). Don’t forget Gibbs either. Add to that the up and comers: like Eisfeld, Aneke, and Gnabry, and Arsenal are starting to get more confident.

Look at who’s leaving…
The biggest criticism against Arsenal should not be that they don’t spend. Arsenal can’t compete with the oil money. The biggest criticism should be that Arsenal don’t cut their losses and move on. Arsenal might not have the money of some clubs, but Arsenal can afford and should be more open to cutting players. And taking the loss that comes from risk.

Talented players will always come through Arsenal. That’s the privilege of a Big Club. But not all will make it. Arsene’s economic common sense is very good in risk adverse situations, but his Continental sensibilities to risk aversion leads him to hold on too long.

Until recently, Arsenal have been way too slow to cut players and move on. Finally, that’s beginning to happen. Chamakh, purchased just a year or so ago is on the outs. Park, purchased during last summers “freak out” is on the way out. Arshavin, icon that he is -and I will mis him – doesn’t fit Arsenal’s new direction and looks to be out. Other players can finally move on too: Vela, Squillaci, and Botelho. Even RVP, club captain that he is, must move on.

The point? Arsenal are cleaning house. This has been way too long in the making.

Look to the bench…
One of the biggest challenges Arsenal have faced for years is the lack of depth. An injury here or there causes a complete squad breakdown. But things finally seem to be turning around.

The defense is locked in: Chesney is set, with Vermaelen, Koscielny (new contract!), Meretsacker, Djourour, with young Bartley.

The midfield is a good combination of experience and youth: Arteta (how huge was that signing?), Song (at least for now), Diaby (returning), Ramsey (this will be his chance to finally “return”), and Coquelin (the new Arteta, seriously, watch him play); with Frimpong and Wilshere coming back from injury.

Oddly enough, absent the RVP trauma, upfront Arsenal look stronger than ever: Podolski, Giroud, Walcott, a refreshed Gervinho, Chamberlain, Rosicky, oh, and possible Cazorla (or maybe in the midfield?). This is a front line with international credentials.

Going forward…
After so many summers of pain and anguish, Gooners should be excited. Success is never guaranteed, and anything can happen, but tomorrow is finally today. What we’ve been waiting for is here. This is a squad that can compete.

Is it good that RVP is leaving? The media love to scream blood in the water. And losing a player of RVP’s calibre is always painful. But once the tears and emotions are over. Arsenal might just yet survive. Indeed, losing Fabregas and Nasri might have been a bigger challenge. Now, after years of transition, Arsenal might finally be turning the tactical corner so needed. Out with the old, in with the new. RVP is the last of a generation. A generation that, like it or not, was coming to an end at Arsenal.

This Part III of a three Part series on RVP’s announcement. Read Part I and Part II.

It’s never good when one of your star players leaves. Especially not one that scored 37 goals and carried the offense. Let alone your captain. But even in the darkest of times, there are positives. If what RVP says is true, he disagrees with the direction of the Club, some of that might be tactical, as well as financial.

Does RVP fit into Arsenal?
RVP position. RVP’s preferred position is more similar to that of his hero, Bergkamp. He has openly stated his preferred position is as a link up player behind a striker and in front of the midfield. This type of positioning is more of a 442 structure, even though Arsenal have moved away from that as teh default position.

Arsenal’s summer purchases, Podolski and Giroud, brought this into stark question. Where was Arsenal going, tactically speaking. Podolski and Giroud were not purchased to sit on the bench. But formations with them just did not make sense.
4213: Front three of Podolski, Giroud, and RVP doesn’t make sense.
4231: Podolski, Rosicky, RVP three, with Giroud up top doesn’t make sense either.
433: Podolski, Giroud, RVP lineup does not make sense. Also where’s the attacking midfielder?

So either Arsenal fully expected RVP to leave and prepared for it. Or, there really is a change of game plan coming.

RVP’s positioning is also = true when he plays for the Dutch. Watching RVP with the Dutch squad, playing as the target man in their 4231, we can see he struggles a bit. He’s just not a natural target man in that sense. And, when the Dutch offense begins to stutter, you can see he’s a bit left out of it and has difficulty getting back involved. This was true before the Euros as well. Even back in 2010.

But he scored 37 goals!
But GOA, you say, 37 goals! Come on?!

This isn’t a question of talent. RVP has that in surplus. But he also had the ball. RVP was the go to player at Arsenal. Some of it was because other players weren’t up to scoring snuff. But honestly, it helps to be the focal point of the offense. Put another way: RVP should have scored a lot.

What’s impressive is that he scored so many goals with the focal point of the defense on him only speaks to his incredible talent. One has to wonder what he would do with the official Euro ball (the Tango 12) during the course of a season.

But the point remains. RVP was asked to score, and he did. The real issue is the failure of others -looking at you Walcott – for not taking enough of the scoring burden. Although to be fair to Walcott, his assist level was quite good.

Going forward, on paper at least, since none of it is proven, a front line with Podolksi, Giroud, and (one of the following: Wilshere, Rosicky, Gervinho, Walcott, Chamberlain, Ramsey even) makes more sense from a collective or team effort. More threats and, most importantly, styles that are more complimentary. The players are just unproven. Which takes to the conclusion.

One good season?
Wenger, apparently, has been quite clear that it is unlikely RVP will have another season like he did last year. In terms of probability, that’s probably true. And, for those that are crying in their morning cereal about RVP’s leaving -Usmanov, as if that’s his real agenda – a glance at RVP’s history is a bit more circumspect.

I don’t want to say anything that hints of being critical of Van Persie. I like him too much. I’m only noting that last season was an anomaly. Normally RVP is has massive injuries. This year he didn’t. Why? I have no idea. But how many of you, like me, worried all last year that an injury was just a weird sprint away. Or cringed every time he fell? Or wondered, out loud, can RVP do this again another season, or were we all just witnesses to a magical season? This has to be taken into account. As much as Podolski and Giroud are unproven. As dead as Gervinho was returning from the ACN. Would RVP be able to replicate his form another year?

So yes. It’s sad. We don’t want Van Persie to transfer clubs, at least not to a Premier League Club. But Arsenal are more than any one player and will survive.

• Part I How RVP is trying to Save Arsenal: Three reasons Van Persie’s announcement helped Arsenal
• Part II Image of a true leader: RVP should have been Captain 3 years ago
• Part III RVP might be right: A new direction means RVP might not be needed

Robin Van Persie should have been captain three years ago. So with his seeming impending departure, now is a good time to reflect and learn. The worst thing the Club and Gooners can do is underestimate the value and impact of RVP. RVP’s time, experience, and even departure has taught us a lot.

This is Part II of a three Part series on the RVP announcement. Read Part I here.

For the last 5, wait, make that 7 years, Arsenal have lived along an emotional roller coaster. The choice of squad captain summarized it all: Gallas to Fabregas to RVP. Did I miss anyone in between there? If so, it just makes things worse.

RVP’s leadership and commitment led the club in action as well as words. When your captain scores 37 goals and carries the squad and never gives up, neither will the rest of the squad. Even with last season’s horrific beginning, it’s no shock the squad recovered form and pushed to the top 3.

Losing that presence will be a big blow. Gallas was emotionally detrimental to the team. Fabregas should never have been given the armband -sorry, but it’s true. RVP should have been the captain once Gallas left and he spent last season proving it. So now that he’s leaving, Gooners (and Arsenal for that matter) should reflect on the qualities he brought and what is needed going forward.

For the new captain to succeed, they must have what RVP had, what every Club Captain has to have: complete commitment to the Club. So while RVP might be leaving us this summer, his mark on the team will last for at least another generation, but likely much longer than that.

1. Experience. RVP carried the Club to a Top 3 finish when all seemed lost. Remember when RVP missed that penalty in the ManU scrimmage? At the moment, he felt the miss more than as a lost opportunity, but as a failure in leadership. The question was how would he respond. His season speaks for itself. But that moment, when he could have broken, he didn’t. And even though things got darker, he stuck with it and led us to the light.

2. Teacher. RVP taught younger players what it meant to be a Club Captain. A lesson that will likely carry through for the next 10 if not 20 years as the youngsters finally had a “man” to teach them. Gallas was a failure as a captain, he caused more turmoil. Fabregas was a failure because everybody knew he was leaving and the captaincy was a weak attempt to strengthen his ties to the Club.

RVP taught the youngsters, finally, what it meant to be a team, to live and breathe Arsenal. To man up when it counted and never give in. Wilshere, Ramsey, Chesney, Gibbs, Frimpong, Chamberlain, they all lived that. One more season would be better. But lets take what we can get.

3. Commitment. RVP protected the Club when announcing his departure by taking all of the pressure off the Club. RVP didn’t trash the Club or make it a long drawn out affair. He also let the Club negotiate from strength to bring in Podolski and Giroud. Cough cough Nasri.

4. Fan Favorite. RVP taught Gooners what we’ve been missing when we sacrifice the Club, commitment, and development for quick solutions and mercenary players. What more can we ask?

• Part I How RVP is trying to Save Arsenal: Three reasons Van Persie’s announcement helped Arsenal
• Part II Image of a true leader: RVP should have been Captain 3 years ago
• Part III RVP might be right: A new direction means RVP might not be needed

Arsenal owes RVP a thank you. In possibly his final act as a Gooner, Robin Van Persie has been a Captain to the end. By announcing that he does not intend to extend his contract with the Club, RVP has given Arsenal the gift of flexibility, freedom, and reduced a lot of pressure on the Club.

This is Part I of a three Part Series on the RVP announcement.

Gooners: wear those Robin Van Persie kits with pride. Because even if the man does leave us. His legacy remains. RVP has helped Arsenal on and off the field. Here are three reasons to say thank you.

1. First to announce. By announcing first (not having the Club do it) that he did not intend to resign, RVP reduced the amount of pressure on Arsenal immeasurably. Gooners will now look to RVP’s explanation as to why he left, not ask Arsenal why they failed to sign him. Sure, Arsenal might have done more before, i.e. win a trophy during the last few seasons, but that’s the past, we’re talking today. RVP’s announcement eliminates any issues associated with Fabregas or Nasri. It also allows the Club to move on quickly, with the transfer season only now just opening.

2. Different approaches. RVP did not make a big deal about the lack of trophies. He also did not make a big deal about money or pay. Instead, RVP put forth a thinking man’s reason. One rational Gooners will respect: he disagrees on the direction of the Club. Whether you agree or disagree with RVP’s announcement it doesn’t matter. RVP clearly stated he did not agree with the direction of the Club. That type of decision making is critical, and if we’re honest, one of the most important factors for a player. If a player is not part of the Club’s project, or doesn’t believe he fits into the project, he should leave.

Looking around RVP isn’t the only one thinking that way. Hazard joined Chelsea, over other wealthy clubs, based on the same reasoning. That demonstrates that players, at least some, are starting to realize, that money is great, but the “project” or vision for the Club matters for them to be happy and have a fruitful career. And, from the Clubs perspective, the Club’s vision has to take precedence over any one player. Look at what happened with Fabregas.

Thus, if RVP doesn’t agree with the project, for his sake and the sake of the Club, he should leave.

3. Leaving the door open. Continuing with this theme, RVP stated clearly that he met “several months ago…” and disagreed with the Club’s direction. This statement leaves a door open for another meeting where the two groups (Arsenal and RVP’s team) can meet again and come to an agreement.

Taking RVP at his word, and there is no reasons not to, his decision is not about money. It’s about direction and trophies. If that’s true, RVP likely wants to see certain purchases occur. Giroud and Podolski obviously weren’t those purchase -there’s more to that though, see Part III of this series – but there are likely others he wants. Should Arsenal make another purchase, e.g. an M’Vila or Biglia, that would allow RVP to come back without recanting and losing prestige.

Put simply, both sides can win. Granted, I don’t think this is likely. But the fact that it’s possible means that RVP has done the Club a great service.

In the end, whether RVP stays or goes, I don’t know. Maybe he runs out his contract for the season and watches what happens. But I do know that RVP, in possibly his last act as Captain, continues to lead the team.

Part II talks about why RVP’s captaincy was so important.

• Part I How RVP is trying to Save Arsenal: Three reasons Van Persie’s announcement helped Arsenal
• Part II Image of a true leader: RVP should have been Captain 3 years ago
• Part III RVP might be right: A new direction means RVP might not be needed

Silly season rumors!!! Arrrrrrgh! Okay, now that that’s out of the way, lets think for a bit. The thing about rumors, sometimes they hint at the truth. And, the rumors pouring out this summer may or may not be true, but they give us some idea of Wenger’s summer strategy. And central defenders are not on the menu. Strikers, strikers, and more strikers appear to be the focus.

Whether RVP stays or goes, I have no idea. Frankly, I’m content to wait and see. Nonetheless, it would seem that Arsenal are at least preparing to lose a major player this summer without the complete transfer season collapse of last summer. But for us dreamers out there, there’s another story emerging: Wenger is preparing to make Arsenal an offensive machine next year.

For the last couple of years, Wenger has been purchasing wingers. But the center of the strike force (Walcott’s yearning aside) has relied on one player: RVP. Luckily, this year RVP rose to the occasion. Which wasn’t entirely surprising, honestly, given that Fab and Nasri were gone. Don’t think that didn’t have something to do with it. The rumors and signings this summer, however, point to a new direction for Arsenal. Podolski’s purchase, and the strong rumors around Girourd, Rondon, and Doumbia indicate that Wenger thinks the Arsenal offense is the weakness, not the defense.

More importantly, it shows a striking change from the rumor mill for the last couple of season. Previously, Wenger had been seeking creative magic (and incredibly expensive) attacking midfielders. No shock really, with the loss of Fabregas and now Nasri. But after last season, with a team built on the majestic holding abilities of Arteta, it would appear Wenger might be changing his approach somewhat.

Arsenal are going for proven strikers. That’s good for Arsenal kit sales -everybody likes goal scorers. But it also points to a new approach for Arsenal next season. It means Wenger has more confidence in this group of players than we might otherwise think. It means Wilshere is likely to have a stronger role next year in the creative midfield, not as a central midfielder paired with Song; and, Rosicky has become important again. It also raises challenges for Ramsey and likely means Gooners should be watching The Ox as the future, not Walcott (but that’s another post).

All of that said, it would be fantastic if RVP stays next year. But if RVP leaves, would it be so bad to have a strike force of Podolski, “Giroud or another quality striker” Gervinho, Walcott, and the Ox? Or is the loss of RVP that detrimental? We’ll find out soon enough. But don’t be surprised if another striker joins the Club before silly season ends.

Something big has changed at Arsenal. Rumors may just be rumors, but rumors can still be insightful. After years of the Fab telanovela (finally over), Arsenal seem to be grabbing their summer mojo back. Comments, rumors, and policy changes all point to a revolution at Arsenal.

Just a week ago I said that Gooners might be facing massive questions soon concerning Usmanov versus the Old Way. No sooner had a I posted that, I began to notice something: the rumors about Arsenal this summer are different than before.

Sure, the big names are splashed across the pages. And, Arsenal comment sections are full of woeful Gooners begging Wenger to buy so and so…But this summer is different.

I can’t remember a time Arsenal were this articulate and forthcoming about policy, and all of the rumors about seasoned veterans. Can you? BTW, I don’t count last season’s last minute purchases.

Just a brief glance at the recent rumors:

• Podolski turned out to be true (26 years old)
• Biglia has stated Arsenal have made an approach (not an inquiry) an actual approach (26 years old)
• M’Vila is turning 22, but has been a starter on Rennes since 2009, so feels older
• Doumbia hidden at CSKA, smacks of an Arsene purchase, (24 years old)

Then, just this week Gazidis, talks about changing the wage structure at Arsenal. Changing the wage structure! That’s crazy talk. We pay everyone £40-£60K, good or bad. Now all of a sudden, we’re starting to change. Throw in the massive clear out this summer (Almunia, is gone, can’t believe it) and the Revolution has begun!!!

Should we thank Nasri for this? Did his money move -and I’m not attacking him, just saying -finally force the Board’s hand? Was it the mental fortitude this season’s squad demonstrated? Who knows?

What we do know is what has been the Arsenal business model: keep the wage structure limited and the pool of players wide. It was a simple business risk management, or quantity to identify quality; as opposed to quality purchased. It was cheaper and built for the long-term.

Now, it seems, the Club has changed the business model. Quality over quantity. Veterans and established players are “in.” Perhaps it was the success of older players like Arteta, Yossi, and even Santos, that changed the Club’s mind. Or maybe the Club feel like they have finally turned a corner. Is the Academy now strong enough to start turning out younger players? Again, I don’t know.

I have to say though, if the Club buys one more instant starter, for example Lucas Biglia, I won’t care if Wenger can buy 5 youngsters. Them’s the kind of purchases I like.

Arsenal might not get the biggest names. But Arsenal can buy the players they need now and those for the future. Here’s hoping it’s a real change. It would sure make things interesting.

Viva la Revolucion