Some guy called Afcamden on twitter says we will see some "madness" in this window by deadline day. Seems to be a ITK. Not sure how true he is though.

Think we will get Mustafi though by this week or early next.

Sky saying their sources say we have not bid for Mahrez.

There's so much rubbish flying around at this time of year.

People seem to believe the rubbish the media and twitter feed them, then get upset when it does not Materialise.

I do think we'll get Mustafi one way or another, but we also need a striker and I don't think that's happening!

I'm sure Mahrez isnt coming. Apparently we might bid £30m for Bony, WTF? 1) We could have got him some years ago for cheap but didnt 2) He's hardly set Man City on fire has he?

AFCamden is apparently ITK but theres so much crap around this time, so who knows

Mahrez on or off? Who knows?

https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/763505807329730560

Hmmm

I've long since given up on the speculation and rumours about transfers. Too many attention seekers, false claims to bolster wages and increase the "news" coverage, and other shenanigans. I'll wait till we have an official picture of the player in our shirt or that the transfer deadline has passed, then I'll take notice. Anyway, we're bound to be disappointed or find that we don't get the player we really need.

This is very true. I've said it myself on here a couple of times.

The Daily Star report that Arsenal are in for a big player. Then the player signs for another club, and all of that = Wenger is a ****.

A lot of it comes from agents who want to strengthen their client's bargaining position, either for a new contract or a move. It's good to have the appearance that several clubs are interested.

I'm sure there is an element of strengthening a position by pretending other clubs are in for a player, but come on, this is Arsenal, when was the last time we went for a player that our rivals really want and got him.

Thinking about our situation and I'm 100% certain that if City, Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea were in the same position as us (desperately needing a CB and CF) then they would have wrapped the deal up very easily by now.

I know there is debate whether it is Wenger or the board refusing to spend, and both should share some blame, but, if Mourinho was told by the board that he wasn't able to buy a player because of budgets etc, that would be all over the press and he would go crazy, Wenger says nothing, so he is either refusing to spend the money, and therefore incompetent, or allowing the board to dictate and therefore weak. Neither of these are ideal qualities in a Manager.

None of this has anything to do with the point of media rumour-mongering during the transfer window.

No, it was in response to this bit:

A lot of it comes from agents who want to strengthen their client's bargaining position, either for a new contract or a move. It's good to have the appearance that several clubs are interested.

that's why I started off my post with:

I'm sure there is an element of strengthening a position by pretending other clubs are in for a player, but come on, this is Arsenal, when was the last time we went for a player that our rivals really want and got him.

Hope that helps.

So one sentence was in relation to the topic.

The rest was the usual, tedious, unsubstantiated and speculative anti-Wenger diatribe.

A deal for Mustafi is apparently almost done:

https://twitter.com/Sky_Marc/status/763672276684464128

Trustworthy source?

This was a quote from his agent:

"Shkodran und Arsenal sind sich einig. Es müssen sich nur noch die Vereine auf eine Ablösesumme verständigen"

Translation: Shkodran and Arsenal have reached an agreement. Now the clubs must just agree on the fee.

I think German Sky Sports picked it up from this article: http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussbal...urchbruch.html

Wikipedia (that bastion of truth ) has Mustafi as an Arsenal player.

He looks a lot like Ned from Neighbours.

Hayden, I hope that wasn't you on the Sportsbar on Talksport last night!

So any predictions for the result/score on Sunday? I'm not expecting a classic. I think Liverpool will be happy with a point. I'm going 0-0 or 1-1 but won't be surprised if we lose either.

I'm beginning to think there's nothing in this Mustafi business, and that Wenger is looking at someone else.

I think it'll be a cagey 1-1. They'll be 1-0 up for most of the game and we'll equalise around the 82nd minute.

OGL admitting he is anxious about the new season. More anxious than usual I suspect. Expect more arm waving and remonstrating with the 4th official then. Giving it the usual spin about the lack of transfer activity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37058809

Just to add that the guy has lost his nerve. He's too risk aversion now. We have a mountain of money and he's not prepared to spend that bit more when required. Fear of failure. This was the summer to have made a bold statement with a marquee signing. It would have excited the fans and given us something to look forward to but instead it's the same old, same old. If he really isn't up to another demanding season then he should have called it a day, contract or no contract. Still, he will get another whack of money for his wage and I suppose that is hard to turn down. He's still putting his faith in perennially injury prone players and will go an about spirit and belief. I haven't known such a less enthusiastic eve of a new season than this one.

What did I say?

Wenger out! Unfortunately that wasn't what he calls were supposed to be about and they took the pee out of him - Hayden the Arsenal supporter that is.