Gibbs has always been good going forward, and he's still pretty bad defensively. Hasn't stepped up IMO. He is undeniably the first choice considering the options, but not good enough defensively. I'll admit that I don't know how good Monreal is considered to be defensively, but he can't be much worse. But Santos is unfit (literally) to play for Arsenal. He's a pretty good footballer but he's slow, lazy and a liability.
I was calling for us to sign a LB six months before that article http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/108375-Arsenal-to-sign-a-LB-in-January
Am I the only one who wouldn't be disappointed if we didn't sign him ? I'm not saying that we wouldn't benefit from a DM, but I'm not convinced that he's the player we need.
If we sign Monreal and we have already signed Cazorla from Malaga i'm hoping we can return in the Summer for another player or two Seems due to there financial position we are able to pick up good players for low prices! It's like Wengers dream!
BBC Sport's Ben Smith: "I've got some good news for West Ham fans. I am assured by a very good source at West Ham that there has been no bid today for Mohamed Diame. yet." Love transfer deadline!
So, what do you reckon, anyone think we'll sign anyone else today? I think we're done now. And we haven't actually signed Monreal yet, just worth mentioning.
If Gibbs wouldn't be injured I dont think we would have signed Monreal. Many time during this season Wenger has said he was goona try to bring in 1-2 more players. Always close to the transfer he goes back on what he has said. I am hoping for one more - but dont think it will happen.
Good to see Arsene whip out his checkbook and get some much needed reinforcements. I don't think he trusts Santos and he's not so sure about Gibbs and his injury comeback. The LB spot was a definite issue for us but getting this guy in is important on our final run of games.
Graham Hunter on 5 live now saying that Monreal was going to sign in the summer and had been taking English lesson in anticipation of a move.
Reports are saying that Monreal would have joined in the summer anyway.Apparently he has already started taking English lessons.The transfer has been bought forward because of Gibbs' injury
Good news is he was a target for next season, so it's not a rush judgement. It's just an accelerated execution. (Hell if Santos had had an odd decent performance yesterday, we probably wouldn't have got him in January)
2 Hours to go - let's hope there is confirmation of the Monreal deal and hopefully a move for another player... times running out!
