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Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Ivorian striker Gervinho from Lille. Arsene Wenger informed the press that the front-man had signed the deal last Thursday. Arsenal were in urgent need of a goal scorer to complement Robin Van Persie. Chamakh was at the club last year but failed to make an impression. After a long standing passive relationship, Nicklas Bendtner is on his way out as well. Gervinho has been called the next “Didier Drogba” although he possesses a different brand of football. He played a crucial part at Lille’s campaign last year but it remains to be seen if he can adapt to Premier League football.
Meanwhile, Wenger stressed that he expected Samir Nasri to stay at the club. Nasri has only one year left on his contract and he is willing to play it out at the club. Nasri is most likely to look for greener pastures as a free agent thenceforth. Contradicting these theories, Arsene Wenger was positive when asked if the French sensation would sign an extension. He was not as positive while talking about Fabregas who looks close to his dream Barcelona transfer. Arsenal had stubbornly retained the player last season inspite of greater interest but they have weakened their stand this year.
The London club is making its Asia tour currently where all major players except for Eboue and Fabregas will be present. The coming season is expected to make-or-break the manager’s position at the club whose philosophy of football has been criticized sternly. He highlighted the objectives of this tour as, “At this stage of the season, we’ll look at getting as physically fit as quickly as possible. We will find the balance between not disturbing our physical preparations and our pre-season”.
Arsenal is expected to do some heavy business in this transfer window but they have been slothful as yet. Gervinho is their second notable signing this season. Gervinho scored 15 goals and made 10 assists for Lille last season and that certainly brought him closer to this deal. He was looking for a new challenge after having won the cup last season with Lille. The first notable hiring being that of Carl Jenkinson. Wenger is thus showing rigid loyalty to his philosophy of backing young talent inspite of cruel criticism. Arsenal has shown interest in Villa’s Stewart Downing but there is still no clarity on whether an official bid has been made.
