Arsenal - Can they succeed without Fabregas and Nasri?

With Cesc Fabregas finally making his awaited trip back to Barcalona and Samir Nasri seemingly days away from walking out the door as well, I ask and try to answer the question running through every Arsenal fan's mind. Can we cope without our two main creative midfielders? Can the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere and Rosicky lead the London club to premier league success? Personally I feel the answer is pretty obvious, no. No they cannot.

Not in my mind personally. Wenger will have to go back on his policy of saving pennies for a rainy day and wap out that dusty cheque book and bring in a marquis name to fill the gigantic hole left with the Spaniard's and Frenchman's exit. If one of them would stay then I feel that Arsenal would still be able to compete fully with the likes of United and Chelsea but when two of your main players leave it is bound to affect the team. I am still in awe of West Ham United's ability to play so well despite the loss of Luis Boa Morte and Jonathon Spector, I don't believe the Gunners will be able to pull off those sort of heroics and should definitely be dipping into that rarely used transfer fund. Will they? Who knows... I don't think that they will sadly. Hope that doesn't heap too much pressure onto the young shoulder of Jack Wilshere! Someone like Juan Mata would be ideal to try and help Arsenal challenged that much needed bit of silverware.

Matt Cooper

Clichy Completes Move To City

 Gaël Clichy has completed his move to Manchester City. Clichy completed his medical on Monday and spent this afternoon meeting club officials to seal his move from Arsenal.

It has been suggested City would pay £7m for the full-back, who is Roberto Mancini's first summer signing. Although Arsène Wenger was keen to keep his fellow Frenchman, Clichy was set to enter the final year of his contract and, having indicated he was not willing to agree an extension, left Arsenal with little option but to cash in.

Clichy has signed a four-year contract and becomes the latest in a succession of former Arsenal players to join City. Not all have been an unqualified success, such as Adebayor and Viera.

Possibly The World's Ugliest Kit?

Ladies and gentlefolk, I give you... THE NEW ENGLAND GOALKEEPER'S KIT!

And isn't it a beauty? Joe Hart will look a treat turning out in this fine garment for international games.

Personally, I think this is possibly the worst shirt that's come from the England kit makers Umbro since they started making the outfits for the team. And Apparently it's not going down too well with England supporters. Don't blame them to be honest, this is a joke. It looks like the pattern was done by a drunk bloke in pitch black darkness. Good luck to the stoppers wearing this monstrosity.

Matt Cooper

Touchline Banter WAG Of The Week - Edurne Garcia Almagro

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has a real sizzler on his hands with girlfriend Edurne Garcia Almagro.

The Spaniard completed his transfer to the Red Devils last week with a shiny European Under-21 Championship medal hanging around his neck.

But he arrived in England with a different sort of trophy on his arm as he introduced the British public to his gorgeous other half, who we (pretty much just me and Ben) are glad to announce as this week's WAG of the week.

Matt Cooper

Rumour Of The Day - German Star To United?

According to reliable reports Manchester United are ready to continue their extravagant summer spending with an ambitious bid for Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger as their search for a decent replacement for Paul Scholes continues.

United created English football history by winning their 19th title last season but they have refused to rest on their laurels, knowing that rivals Chelsea and Manchester City are likely to flash their cash in a bid to knock them off the top. With the transfer window only month old, Fergie has already sanctioned £50m worth of purchases with Phil Jones arriving from Blackburn, Ashley Young joining from Aston Villa and David de Gea of Atletico Madrid replacing the retired Edwin van der Sar.

With defensive and attacking positions pretty much dealt with, United now want to address the middle of the park which is seen as a potential area of weakness. Schweinsteiger is seen as providing the answer to that problem and United will now attempt to prise him from the German club.

However, the Germany international is hugely important to Bayern having spent his entire professional career there. The situation is all the more complicated after the 26-year-old signed a new contract with the club last autumn in light of strong interest from Chelsea, a deal that commits him to the Allianz Arena until 2016.

Officially the player is not for sale but United hope an offer of £30m will change their mind.

A player I have always respected, I feel he would be a suitable addition to the Manchester United midfield and would make a sufficient partner for Darren Fletcher in the middle of the park.

Schweinsteiger? Modric? Sneijder? Surely United have to bring in someone soon.

Matt Cooper

Wow.

Possibly the world's stupidest goalkeeping mistake? What on Earth was he trying to do there? I'm not a goalkeeper but even I know that the safest thing to do there is just get rid of the bloody thing!

Did make me chuckle.

Matt Cooper

Manchester City Just Taking The P*ss Now...

New Manchester City Operations supremo John Williams  has announced radical plans to revamp the way the club conduct out going transfers. In a move that is sure to send shock waves through football he has decided to put unwanted players on display in the club souvenir shop.

Williams, who left Ewood Park after claiming that he could no longer work with the club’s new owners has been given the brief of reducing the Eastlands first team squad from an unwieldy 468 to a more manageable 30 senior pros backed up with 20-30 young prospects.

Speaking yesterday Williams:

“The club have tried all of the usual channels over the last twelve months and have had no joy so we are hoping that by putting them in the new shop we’ll get them a move”

“The set up will be similar to a dogs home where people can come in and meet the players, we’ll even let people feed them and take them home for the weekend….the important thing is that we find them the right home with someone who can give them the love and attention they need”.

The worst part is I don't actually think he was joking...

Matt Cooper