Colombian star signs for Arsenal

 After the sale of Łukasz Fabiański, Arsenal have now reinforced their goal keeping options.

The Colombian shot stopper have joined the Gunners on a long term contract, from French Ligue 1 side Nice.

Over a six year spell he has made 189 appearances with Nice. Ospina is the first choice goalkeeper for his National side, since making his debut in 2007, coming on as a substitute in the Kirin Cup against Uruguay.

Having had a fine form in the World Cup, helping his side to reach the quarter finals. The arrival of Ospina will provide a healthy competition for current first choice keeper Wojciech Szczęsny.

Manager Arsène Wenger gave his notion on Ospina's arrival. "David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper, with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia.

"He will add strength to our squad and we are very pleased that he will be joining us."

Nice manger Claude Puel told the Arsenal fans what to expect from their new man. "It's a good affair for Arsenal because he's a very good player. You will see next season the quality of this player.

"It's fantastic for him. It's important for him to try another league, another club and Arsenal is a fantastic club for him.

"David Ospina can take the goalkeeping position at Arsenal because his qualities are very strong and... 'magnifique'. You saw in the World Cup how important a goalkeeper he is.

"For me, David can impose his quality, he's a goalkeeper who is very good with the feet, with his arms, he knows football and he's a very, very good player."

Chambers signs for Arsenal

Arsenal FC have today completed the signing of Calum Chambers, from Southampton. 

Chambers is the third Southampton player to have signed for Arsenal, under Arsène Wenger. 

The 19 year old has signed a long term contract with the Gunners, for an undisclosed fee.

Is Chambers Value for money?

Premier League experience,Chambers made his first team debut for Southampton, on August 17th 2013, of which he then went on to making 22 appearances.

Versatile Able to play as a right back, centre back or in central midfield. 

Leadership- Chambers is currently the captain of the England U19s. 

This signing present itself with a long term gratification. Speaking at a recent interview manager Arsène Wenger had this to say “He can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield,”.“I hope he will give us competition for the players in this three positions. He hasn’t played many games, no, but the English players on the market in England are very expensive and at the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a player for the future.”

Speaking with Arsenal.Com Arsène revealed his take on his new signing. Wenger said "We are very pleased that Calum has agreed to join us. The way he adapted to the Premier League last season with Southampton at a young age shows that he has tremendous quality. He has a lot of the attributes that we look for in a young player and I am sure that he will do well with us.”

 "I am so happy to be signing for Arsenal. They are a team I have much admired for their playing style, and a team who have been one of the top sides in Europe for many years. I'm looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates today and beginning preparation for the season ahead.Chambers said.

The Gunners close in on Chambers

Southampton's gifted teenager looks set to sign for the Gunners. 

As reported by The Telegraph"Arsenal have stepped up their bid to sign Southampton teenager Calum Chambers and are increasingly confident they can land him". This report comes in after months of on going speculations, in regards to the young Englishman's future. 

Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert. Each played a crucial role for The Saints last season, however all three have sinced departed from St.Mary's. The Saints are in a firm financial stance, and should be in no rush to sell another star player. However according to reports The Gunners are willing to pay "over £10 million to land 19-year-old Chambers".

Amy Lewis of Sky Sports also confirmed details of the deal, as posted from her official twitter account "I'm being told Arsenal have offered around £15m for Calum Chambers and that the deal will happen. #AFC #saintsfc”followed by "Chambers, we're told, near completion but not done yet. Fee above £10m, told £15m by one source. How many more players will leave Saints....”

There have been talks of Jenkinson swapping the Emirates for Upton Park, with The Hammers showing increasing interest of a possible loan or permanent deal. The signing of Chambers would suggest that he would be the back up right back to new signing Debuchy. 

Thomas Vermaelen is rumoured to be joining Machester United, the Red Devils have indicated that they would be keen to sign the Arsenal skipper, as it stands Vermaelen isn't gauranteed first team football, so he may be tempted to sign for Louis Van Gaal. However it is also reported by The Metro "Barcelona are said to be weighing up a bid for the Belgian, aware that they will likely have to outbid Manchester United and offer the player something more than he can get at the Old Trafford side".

Vermaelen's time at Arsenal is seemingly coming to an end. The talks of his departure suggest that Arsène may be looking to play Chambers as a Centre Back.  A role that Chambers should be capable of adapting to, if he is drilled and coach correctly. 

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, both signed for Arsenal after breaking through the Southampton academy. Will it be third time lucky for the Gunners. 

French International becomes a Gunner

Fresh off the signing of Alexis Sánchez, last week welcomed the signing of Mathieu Debuchy.

The 28 Year old has signed for the Gunners, in a £12m deal from Newcastle. The French International is Arsenal second major summer signing. Debuchy will go into a team that has a strong backline, with Mertesacker, Gibbs and Koscielny.

Arsenal's official twitter account broke the news "It's official – Mathieu Debuchy has signed for @Arsenal!"

Debuchy told Arsenal.com "Debuchy told arsenal.com: "I'm very proud to be joining a great club like Arsenal and to wear its colours, it's one of the biggest clubs in the whole world.

"I'm looking forward to working with Arsene Wenger and to helping the team build on last season's FA Cup success. Playing again in the Champions League is a big excitement for me and I will do my best to help Arsenal compete for trophies."

Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger added "We are delighted to welcome Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal Football Club.

"He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France. He is a quality defender who has good Premier League experience and I'm confident he will fit in very well with us."

Arsenal are still in the market for a DM, and a Goalkeeper, however the possibility of a striker looks unlikely. According to Arsène Wenger "Up front we don't need any more, maybe I will still bring in one centre-back. I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure and we are still out there to strengthen our squad".

Alex(is)a Gunner

Arsenal FC have signed the Chilean from former club FC Barcelona. After months of on going speculations Sánchez is finally a Gunner. 

The £30m man is officially Arsenal's second most expensive player, behind last summer's transfer signing of Mesut Özil. According to The Guarding Sánchez "has signed a long-term contract believed to be for five years".

As reported back in May,Arsenal were looking at the possibility of bringing Sánchez to the Emirates, in a deal that would happen before or after the World Cup. The Chilean turn down offers from Liverpool and as expected Juventus also tried to seal a deal, but in the end the Chile International chose Arsenal.

Sánchez signs

Arsène had this to say "As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at Arsenal Football Club". 

"Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks. He has consistently produced top-quality performances at the highest level for a number of seasons now and we are all excited to see him integrate into the Arsenal squad. I’m sure all Arsenal supporters will join me in welcoming Alexis to our club."

Sánchez added "I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London. I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to be playing for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. I will give my best to Arsenal and want to make all the supporters happy."

Sánchez is only the start of more to come, for once Arsenal are getting the deals done early. The new Puma kits together with a remarkable signing, brings forth a new ERA for the Gunners. It is safe to say that this is exciting times for the Arsenal fans.

Arsène eyeing Debuchy

Arsène Wenger is said to be eyeing a deal worth £11m for the Toon Right Back Mathieu Debuchy. 

With the departure of Bacary Sagna, Arsenal are in need of a first choice Right Back. Speculations from numerous sources, are indicating that Debuchy is set to become Sagna's successor. One  would have thought that the Right Back position would have already been finalized, with Ivory Coast exiting the World Cup at the group stages, Arsenal fans were expecting a done deal announcement for the signing of Serge Aurier. Much of Arsenal's Right Back talks and rumors has been solely about the Côte d'Ivoire Star. That now looks likely to change. 

 Debuchy is on a fine World Cup form for Les Bleus, and is Didier Deschamps preferred choice at Right Back, with the ex Arsenal man Sagna waiting behind him. 

In comparison to Aurier, Debuchy is somewhat of a safer buy. Having joined Newcastle in the 2013 January transfer window, he has much more premier league experience, to that of Aurier, he has highlighted that he is well able to perform on the biggest of stages. At 28 Years old he is going into the prime of his career, performing well in under two years of being in the Premier League, as well as establishing himself into the French International team, he is proving that he is fearful of nothing. For the Les Bleus at the World Cup he has showcased his competence, he is able to track froward and make the desired runs, as well as having the much needed capabilities to cover his defensive duties. 

On the other hand Aurier looks like the more exciting of the two. He is young and bursting with talent, in a game against Japan, he illustrated just what he is capable of. Assisting two of the Ivory Coast goals, many of whom hadn't seen Aurier play prior to that game, caught glimpses of his artful athleticism. Debuchy may not have the same athletic qualities compared to Aurier, but in terms of defensive priorities he can be easily compared to Sagna. 

With Premier league experience on his side, Debuchy is the safer buy. Further more he is also capable of going forward without leaving the defense completely open for the opposition. In addition to the Right Back options, Aurier is inexperienced for the Premier league, his performance at the World Cup may well have inflated his previous pricetag. If Arsenal did not reach an agreement between Toulouse before the start of the World Cup, they may be asked to pay more than then initially wanted to.

Would Debuch favour a move? 

In an interview with the Evening Chronicle, Debuchy had this to say. “Personally, it’s a great adventure. I have discovered English charm, which is very hard, Newcastle and their extraordinary fans. It’s really incredible to play in that atmosphere. Having said that, I miss European football and the Champions League in particular. For the moment, I’m concentrating on the World Cup. We’ll see about the rest afterwards.”

Arsenal have yet to confirm their place in next season Champions  League. But Arsène Wenger has never failed to take his team to the group stages. Although they have yet to win the competition, they have played in every Champions League fixtures, for the last 16 Years and counting. 

Being a fellow Countryman, with a successful C.V and the prospect of offering Champions League. Wenger should be more than able to bring Debuchy to the Emirates. 

Football Skills London