Another week and another three pieces of Arsenal news have caught my attention. First on today’s list is the news that we have signed David Ospina. What a great capture for the club. The Columbian number one had a fantastic World Cup, he’s only 25 years old and he cost a meagre £3million. What a steal. Arsène Wenger confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will continue as number one in to the start of the new season, but as of then, the pair will have to battle it out to secure their place. Obviously, this is old news now, in fact, it was old news when it was announced by Arsenal, but never mind. It’s nice to take the time and appreciate all these signings. We should bask in it.
News story number two. Signing number two. Calum Chambers has joined from Southampton for a fee around the £16million mark. I’m delighted with this signing. He’s young (19), English and has bags of potential. Having already signed Debuchy, it is obvious that Arsène sees Chambers as Arsenal’s long-term right back. That does, of course, leave the door open for Carl Jenkinson to leave. It hasn’t looked for a while like he has a future at Arsenal and it is being reported now that Hull are interested in signing him. Wherever he goes, I wish him the best of luck. Anyway, back to Chambers. Some people are saying that £16million is far too much. Well, everyone except for Southampton fans, who seem to think we’ve bagged a bargain. Chambers could potentially be playing for us for the next thirteen or fourteen years. That means we’re paying less that £2million a year for him. Bargain.
Finally, this story just made me laugh. We all remember when Jack Wilshere was caught smoking on a night out last year. Then he apologised. Well now he’s been caught smoking again. And he’s apologised, again. He obviously doesn’t want to apologise, but the British media demand answers. It’s just funny how quickly people are to jump on his back. He’s not a 40 a day man, with stained yellow teeth and emerging emphysema. He’s had a cigarette or two on the off-season. Jesus! Then, of course, Jose Mourinho piped up, as he so often likes to do, saying Arsène will deal with the ‘situation’. I very much doubt he would class himself as a smoker or that he’s actually addicted in any way, but if he were I’m sure he could quit very easily. There are endless products, such as nicotine pouches, available online which could help him and there’s no doubting he could afford them. But in the meanwhile, he can kick back, look at his bank account and stick two fingers up to those people who have nothing better to do than give him grief.