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.