Not yet.
D @AFCAMDEN "Just been informed that a deal has now been finalised & Nuri Sahin is now expected to report to the Arsenal training ground after 4pm"
awwwwwyeah.jpg
brilliant - well happy at this
Most papers say that we haven't agreed a transfer fee but we do have first option on Sahin should Madrid decide to sell. Here's hoping Modric does incredibly well for them then.
Dissapointed at the lack of a more permanent arrangement but I think he's really going to improve us.
We don't know the exact details yet but even if it is just a loan he might enjoy him time here and want to make the move permanent. Better to have him here than Spurs or Liverpool!
SamDaGooner wrote: D @AFCAMDEN deal has now been finalised
D @AFCAMDEN deal has now been finalised
yes!
Given he played less than a dozen times for Madrid last season, and was played out of position in pre-season, will he need time to get match fit? A few reserves games first or a bench role, or does Wenger put him straight in against the thugs?
I know what people mean saying he hasn't played. But I think its different than most absences. Hes been training at Real with the best players and coaches in the world. He should be in peak condition with a rest and full preseason. It would be very different if he was in a cast for 3 months and just finished rehab. Should only take him a few games to get up to speed.
JazzG wrote: We don't know the exact details yet but even if it is just a loan he might enjoy him time here and want to make the move permanent. Better to have him here than Spurs or Liverpool!
For sure. This signing has cancelled out Song's departure. I'm sure not everyone will see it that way, and I know that there is risk involved, but ultimately we have a better player to work with than we had in Song. I'm really happy with this move.
Stoke might come too soon and be too rude an awakening but come Liverpool he should be ready.
If he's match fit there is no reason not to play him at some stage against Stoke? As for it being a rude awakening - he should not need shielding from reality, he'll cope.
We give Stoke too much respect. They're not that much different to half the cloggers that finish 15th-20th. I would argue Cattermole and Sunderland gave us a harder time than we're likely to expect at Stoke. The main issue for me is whether Sahin is match fit right now. I guess Wenger will have a few days to judge.
I'd rather play Stoke now, when there's not that much pressure, the weathers good and the pitch is fresh.
I imagine Wenger will go with Diaby against Stoke anyway. We need height on set pieces against them. Not saying Sahin wouldn't be able to cope with the roughness, but he surely can't be as useful on defensive set pieces as Diaby.
Diaby might be the reason that we concede frees and throws in the first place though?
I have a feeling Wenger will play Cazorla wide against Stoke. Especially given his comments about three strikers not working and needing one side with creativity to balance the team. That would mean Arteta+Diaby+1 in midfield. Unless he plays Ramsey, Sahin might have a chance to start if he's fit enough.
Indeed, I'm not sure Diaby being able to cope better in the air compensates enough for Sahin being a better footballer is almost every other way imaginable.
All the above might be true, but Wenger loves Diaby, and has repeatedly stated that he uses tall players against Stoke. We'll see who he chooses, I'm just saying I can see him picking Diaby.
