Arsenal's off to Asia, Gervinho Has Finally Arrived, Other Transfer News

   
     For years Arsene Wenger has refused to go on a large tour, preferring the quite town of Bad Waltersdorf in Austria for Arsenal's pre-season training. But Arsene has recognized the importance of the global market, and it is speculated that the tour of Asia alone can bring in around 15 million pounds of revenue. 
     On Sunday, the squad left London and began a grueling 13 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The squad list was finally released, and I believe who would go and who wouldn't would give a hint at who would be leaving the club this summer. 
     Here is the player list: 

• Wojciech Szczesny
• Vito Mannone
  
• Sebastien Squillaci
  
• Johan Djourou
  
• Kieran Gibbs
  
• Carl Jenkinson 
  
• Laurent Koscielny
  
• Andrey Arshavin
  
• Marouane Chamakh
  
• Ryo Miyaichi
  
• Armand Traore
  
• Thomas Vermaelen
  
• Bacary Sagna
  
• Theo Walcott
  
• Alex Song
  
• Jack Wilshere
  
• Tomas Rosicky
  
• Denilson
  
• Aaron Ramsey
  
• Emmanuel Frimpong
  
• Samir Nasri
  
• Carlos Vela
  
• Robin van Persie

Notable Inclusions: 

• Ryo Miyaichi - He won't be playing with us this season, as he can't get a work permit. He will probably return to Feyenoord on loan again. Some of you may be asking, "If he won't be playing with us next season, why has he come?" It's simple really. We're going to Asia! He will bring a lot of attention, especially from Japan, obviously.

• Armand Traore - Before Clichy left the club, it was expected that Traore would leave. But with his inclusion, it seems Traore will be given a chance to impress Wenger and fight with Gibbs for a starting place next season. 

• Denilson - He looked to be on his way out, but because no offers have come in, he stays with us another season. After the comments he made at the end of last season, he better work his arse of for us instead of complain next season.

• Sebastian Squillaci - There was talk that he was on his way out, but perhaps this is a sign he will stay another season. 

• Samir Nasri - It's a reassuring sign that Nasri has traveled with the squad to Asia, but just because he's in Asia does not mean a deal cannot be done for his transfer. Interesting though that Ivan Gazidis has also traveled with the squad to Malaysia. Perhaps he will try to sort out Nasri's contract?

Notable Absences: 

• Cesc Fabregas - I don't have to go over all the details with the rumors regarding Cesc, but it's a little bit fishy that he didn't go. Arsenal says he isn't going because of a hamstring injury, which is a perfect excuse, but I still find it all a little bit fishy...

• Jay Emmanuel-Thomas - I along with many others thought that JET would make the plane for Asia, but he's been left out. I understand that this trip is for global marketing and not development of youngsters, but even so I would have thought JET would go. Could this mean JET is sold? I doubt it. I expect him to get one more year on loan, and if he doesn't figure out his attitude problems and perform well by then he's gone. Arsenal is a club of class and his behavior would not be tolerated. 

• Ignasi Miquel - When Miquel played for us last season he did well. Nothing special or breath taking, but he certainly got the job done. I expected him to be included, but perhaps his absence hints at a loan move for the Spaniard.

• Manuel Almunia - The idiotic shot stopper is gone! Thank god. He's rumored with Malaga and Atletico Madrid, but I don't care where he goes. I just want him out!

• Nicklas Bendtner - The Big Dane. He wanted a move away from the club just like Denilson, but Bendtner received offers unlike Denilson because Bendtner is actually good. Nick is heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund, but more on the matter below. 

     Arsenal are doing many appearances at several places for revenue, and their first match will be on Wednesday, July 13th against Malaysia XI. They then travel to China and will play Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday, July 16th. If you want to watch the matches, they will be on Arsenal Player. 

     After weeks upon weeks of talks, Arsenal has finally confirmed Gervinho has agreed to a deal, but "subject to regulatory process." Lovely. Finally Arsenal's first "big" signing of the summer is near completed. But wait, I thought the deal was completed weeks ago? Apparently not. Arsenal's lack of decisiveness has allowed this deal to drag on. What if another club had been after Gervinho? We may have lost him like we did Alvarez. 

     Look at United. They signed both David De Gea and Ashley Young well before we got Gervinho. We need to be quicker with our signings like them. 

     There have also been many rumors linking Juan Mata and Stewart Downing to Arsenal. Luckily for us, it looks as if Downing is off to liverpool. A good move for him, they're style of play fits him. Meanwhile, Arsenal's style of play fits Mata. Apparently there have been tlks between Arsenal and Mata's representatives, but yesterday Valencia president Manuel Llorente said this: 

     "Juan Mata is not for sale, we have not received any offers for the player. The news that appears in the media is just rumours."

     I don't care what he says. I'm positive Arsenal are interested, and that we may place a bid. Whether or not we will sign him is up in the air. To be honest, I doubt we will sign him. Arsenal's lack of ruthlessness could cost us on a player that has bags of potential and would fit right into Arsenal's system.

     Nicklas Bentdner has received offers from numerous clubs, such as Hamburg, Roma, Benfica, and Dortmund. It seems Borussia Dortmund are the closest to landing the Big Dane. I'll have more on the matter as more information arises.

     Levante has completed the loan move for our own Wellington Silva.Wellington has passed his medical, and will soon join the club for pre-season training. It is very gracious of Levante to agree to take Wellington on loan again, after he only made two appearances last season.

This picture scares me

     Arsenal have now officially completed the signing of 16 year old Swedish midfielder Kristoffer Olsson from IFK Norrkoping. It is speculated that Olsson will make the step up to the U18 side, along with Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral. Olsson is a spectacular talent and hopefully he can break into the first team in a few seasons.

      Lastly for today, the results for the poll are in, and many of you want Cesc to stay over Nasri.

     I want Cesc to stay simply because he is a better player than Nasri, it has nothing to do with Nasri's greed. However I believe some of you may have voted based on those parameters. Even if you did, you have a good point. If Nasri and Cesc both stayed at Arsenal against their will, one could see Cesc giving more to the club on and off the pitch than Nasri. 

     That's all for today, check back for the last installment of the Mid-Summer Transfer Round-up and any other news that may pop up. Comments are encouraged, thanks for reading. 

     Have a great Monday.