As the final thud of leather on willow beckons, so the end of the transfer window is nigh, especially extended to save the major leagues of Europe the hassle of working on a Sunday in their administrative headquarters and nothing whatsoever to do with Sky or their ilk wanting to milk another day of excitement on their twenty-four-hour-live-god-we-hope-berbatov-signs-because-this-is-dull-otherwise news channels.

‘Big’ Phil reckons Arsene wanted Saloman Kalou, roughly around the time that Adebayor was making his loudest noises. Chelsea said no and I say we might have had a lucky escape. It seems that the news came to light out of spite, Scholari claiming,

You know what players I want and now you know what players Arsene wants

And who says that Chelsea are not classy guys? Mind you, they should be thanked for bringing about a session of comedy bleating on disreputable transfer behaviour from Real Madrid, which made me laugh this morning. And Luis Felipe, it’s ‘wanted‘, past tense.

No real activity breaking this morning; rehashes of the Djourou to West Ham story seem to be the main line out of the Arsenal station with any number of midfielders linked to the club still coming in. It won’t be Jonathan de Guszman, a move Arsene denied making – perhaps the player is after a new contract – although is the denial, a double bluff? And Vieira’s coming back, no doubt accompanied by Overmars. Why not have Freddie back and re-sign Gilberto. Hell, Peter Storey is twiddling his thumbs. Wonder if Alex James can turn out? Hmmmm, a long day ahead.

Arsene reckons that it is all a ‘big game of poker’. He will however be signing just one player,

We do not need to strengthen but maybe for the numbers in the squad we can take one more player but no more

More public faith in the squad from Arsene although leaving himself room to manoeuvre with a token shopping bill on the final day. In years to come, this will all be done and dusted for the whole season if Platini and his cronies get their way, ending the transfer window before the season starts and doing away with the January window. How we will all look back fondly on this time then.

Arsene went on,

We are out to look, if we find the right player we will do it. But I believe it’s more interesting for us to focus on our strengths and quality rather than looking outside. I know that makes headlines but it doesn’t make you win games

But surely part of your strengths are knowing your weaknesses and seeking to address them? Whatever the case is, Arsene will be on the case into the wee small hours,

We are ready to stay up all night if it is needed. This season it is at midnight on September 1 so you never know. We have still a long time to go

Erm, far be it for me to be pedantic but didn’t the Gallas and Diarra deals go through after the bell had tolled midnight?

Robin van Persie has been allowed to join the Dutch squad, presumably the Arsenal medical staff have allowed this and are not risking the player’s fitness just to suit the Dutch FA? Theo Walcott has joined an England squad that looks exceptionally lightweight up front and will no doubt struggle to beat Andorra leading for calls for Alan Curbishley to replace Capello.

’til Tomorrow.