Transfer Window Dressing?

Happy New Year, Gooners.

A strong performance by the Arsenal yesterday as Thierry Henry returned to the fold to invigorate Robin Van Persie and co in beating the Alan (two clubs relegated in a season) Pardew led (sic) Charlton 4-0 at the Emiriates.

As well...Scallywags, my local Toronto watering hole for football featured at least 20-odd Arsenal supporters for the match also. This was better than the combined 5 or 6 from the Sheffield United and Watford matches and the group a least added some excitement to something of an easy match. Beyond the goals, the highlight of the afternoon was one of the group telling me that there is indeed a Canadian Arsenal supporters club. I've viewed their website and beyond the fact that there site sponsor is the rather unfortunate singlescanada.com, there is nothing else to suggest anything but a well run forum for Canuck Gooners. Well done for the site/club.

One of things I get asked a lot about this blog is why there are so few rumours to go with all this Arsenal truth I write about. Fair play. In spite of Arsene Wenger's pledge to not buy any players during January window I will offer the one tidbit that I have been hearing from Emirates about possible signings this month.

Gareth Bale has the same number of letters in his both his names as Ashley Cole. Interesting. Thing is... Gareth Bale can do this...

... while Ashley Cole... well...



In all seriousness, though. Arsenal do need another leftback. Clichy has moved into the Ashley Cole place in the side but has himself not been replaced as understudy. Yes, like many, I have been impressed by what I have seen of Armand Traore but Bale seems a different class. He is also a mate of Theo Walcott's having been roomates in the Southampton Academy and quite a few Arsenal scouts have been spotted at St. Mary's keeping tabs on his progress.

In spite of what you might read about Southampton offering Bale an extension of his contract with all and sundry yappin about breaking the salary structure at the club to keep him, Arsenal are strongly considering a move to sign him.

Yes, both sp*rs and Manchester United are rumoured to have registered interest in the 17 year old left back... with United apparently offering £7m. However, word around the campfire is that the widely reported Real Madrid *interest is a bluff on the part of the two clubs discussing terms for his transfer... namely Southampton and Arsenal.

That all said, Im not sure Arsene Wenger will shop in the £7m range for a left back understudy but the movement from other clubs in England to loudly proclaim interest in the player through the media does suggest that there is something afoot with Bale.