7M Weekly - Wenger finally opens his wallet to bring someone

Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by 7M Sport

As the transfer window closes to the end, many clubs accelerate their pace to bring more players to fill the squad. And Arsenal still don't have big move in the transfer market. Under the pressure of Arsenal fans' call for new signing, Arsene Wenger would take the last stand to bring some big names before August 31st.

So let's take a look at what happened this week.

* Chelsea in chase for Mandzukic instead

With only four experienced players at the back, Chelsea have defensive concerns. However, the blue need to spend in attack as well, with Costa isolated up front.

Antonio Conte have considered strengthening his attacking options already as he held formal talks with Everton over Lukaku's release, but the Belgian striker told the club that he wanted to stay.

The Italian tactician turned to Mandzukic instead after missing out on the Everton striker. Rumor has it that the Croatia international wanted to leave the club after Juventus had brought in Higuain.

And both West Ham and Arsenal eyed the Juventus striker earlier this month. The Old Lady, however, expressed that he is not for sale.

* Icardi signs new deal

Icardi was said to be distressed at Mancini's shock exit and has been linked with Juventus, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, especially Napoli this summer.

Napoli only need to find the Argentina frontman's understudy, as Higuain's exit didn't basically change their attacking formations.

However, Inter's captain tweeted the message "New objectives, but always with the same love for this shirt for three years.. And for many more…", hinting that he would stay at Inter.

* Nasri set to leave Man City

The arrival of Guardiola could not change Nasri's embarrassing situation at Manchester City as he struggled for form and fitness last season with only 11 appearances.

What's worth mentioning is that the midfielder has no shortage of takers. Teams from Serie A have expressed their interests.

The 29-year-old, however, looked poised to spend a loan spell at Besiktas, according to Turkish football.

* Wenger confirmed Arsenal's interest in Mustafi

Wenger disappointed Arsenal fans due to the lack of signings in recent years. The crowds even chanted "Spend some f***ing money" during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Leicester.

Wenger need to do something to make the fans less upset, like what he did in 2013, signing Ozil at last minute. This time, we may expect a last-minute signing of Mustafi, as Wenger is looking for a central defender to fill the void vacated by Mertesacker and Gabriel.

However, Valencia head coach Aystaran ruled out Mustafi's move away.

Although Jeremy Mathieu and Jonny Evans emerge, the latter will be the man that Wenger needs as a Plan B.

Jonny Evans had a good statistical season in 2015-16

* Schweinsteiger will stay at Man Utd

As one of the world-class midfielders, Schweinsteiger can only train with the club's reserve team.

It's said that the German World Cup winner regularly skipped recovery days to watch his now-wife Ivanovic playing tennis last season. That's why he became the casualty of new coach Mourinho's reshuffle at Old Trafford.

Schweinsteiger lately tweeted: "MUFC will be my last club in Europe", hinting that he will stay at Man Utd.

A brief message to the amazing fans about my current situation. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Rf3jLKNwK4
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) 24 August 2016

And it is impossible for him to move outside Europe as MLS transfer window already closed.

Anyway, it's a good deal for Schweinsteiger getting paid but not playing, expecially because he is already 32 years old.

* Guardiola drops Hart, brings in Bravo

It's obvious that Guardiola prefers Claudio Bravo to Joe Hart.

Hart endured a miserable run at Euro 2016, making mistakes too often. What's worse, he cannot stay focused. However, Bravo can ensure the consistency and convince the Spainiard.

Although Guardiola revealed that England No.1 will start for City in Wednesday's game against Steaua Bucuresti, he would be at risk under the new coach after Bravo arrived.

* Barcelona signed Jasper Cillessen from Ajax

When Bravo was in Barcelona, Stegen faced stiff competition from him to be the club's first choice keeper.

Luis Enrique rotated these 2 stoppers, with Bravo playing league games and Stegen playing cup games last season.

Now Bravo left the club, but the Spainiard brought in another international, Cillessen. Let's hope these two goalkeepers create some healthy competitions under Enrique.

* Nice confirm interest in Balotelli

Balotelli is the high-profile player Liverpool would like to offload.

Nice expressed their interest in Liverpool striker, and Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini also wanted to bring him back to Serie A.

Having the same agent——Raiola as Pogba, Balotelli may have bright future as well despite dreadful seasons at Anfield.

* Premier League Matchday 2

Manchester United 2 - 0 Southampton: Pogba, the most expensive man in football with an ￡89 million price tag around his neck, was handed his second United debut. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic refused to share his Old Trafford spotlight with him, scoring in each half as the Red Devils easily beat Southampton 2-0.

Stoke City 1 - 4 Manchester City: The Blue Moon led when Aguero converted from the spot with his second smartly nodded in from Kevin de Bruyne's free-kick. Bojan lifted the hosts with the game's second penalty. But Nolito came on to score two late goals and seal City's win.

Watford 1 - 2 Chelsea FC: Etienne Capoue had put the Hornets ahead on the 56th minute as the hosts looked in control of the game. However, substitute Michy Batshuayi levelled with his first goal for Chelsea since his ￡33m move. Then Costa ran on to substitute Cesc Fabregas' pass and slid the ball under Heurelho Gomes with three minutes left. The victory gives Chelsea boss Antonio Conte a 100% start in the Premier League and proves his tactical awareness by effective substitutes.

Leicester City 0 - 0 Arsenal: Leicester and Arsenal ground out a goalless draw at the King Power Stadium as the offensively toothless Gunners were left to rue their lack of firepower. Theo Walcott threatened, but Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel was rarely forced into serious action. For the hosts, Danny Drinkwater had strong penalty claims dismissed as Jamie Vardy and his team-mates failed to find the back of the net.

* La Liga Matchday 1

Barcelona 6 - 2 Real Betis: Arda Turan opened the scoring for Barca from close range, before Ruben Castro equalised from a free-kick. Lionel Messi slammed home an excellent 22-yard strike prior to Suarez swept home from the edge of the box. Suarez scored the fourth, Messi drove home from distance and Suarez curled home a free-kick for his hat-trick, before Castro added a late consolation. It was Barcelona's third game of the new season, having beaten Sevilla 2-0 and 3-0 in the two legs of the Spanish Super Cup.

Real Sociedad 0 - 3 Real Madrid: Gareth Bale made headed home with just over a minute gone and the second arrived in the 40th minute when young midfielder Marco Asensio applied a composed finish to a long ball forward. Bale sealed the night with the last kick of the game as he took the ball around Geronimo Rulli to score a third.

* Serie A Matchday 1

Juventus 2 - 1 Fiorentina: Despite beginning without their big-name signings, Juventus seized the initiative late in the first half when Sami Khedira rose highest to nod home Giorgio Chiellini's cross. The €90 million signing Higuain was then introduced in the 66th minute, but his first appearance in Bianconeri shirt did not begin as expected as Nikola Kalinic pulled Fiorentina level with a brilliant header. However, that only set up the stage for Higuain to make his decisive contribution, as the Argentine striker got on the end of a loose ball in the 75th minute to slot home to the joy of the home crowd.

* Benteke's Twitter team makes an embarrassing mistake

Christian Benteke has just left Liverpool and joined Crystal Palace. This Belgium international surely hopes to make a good start in his new club, but his Twitter team mistakenly says that he joins Burnley rather than Crystal Palace! Quickly recognizing this error, Benteke apologized in his own Twitter and said that "Oops my bad lol Yes I signed for cpfc and not burnley. Sorry for the little mistake the person that manages my Twitter got a little confused". Hope that Benteke will have good luck during his spell in The Eagles.