It was a busy day for Arsenal who left a lot of their contract work down the wire on this deadline day, but as we approached the final hours an announcement surface from none other than David Ornstein.
Details surrounding these deals have not surfaced but from all these signs, Arsenal have just signed themselves three defenders with two of them on lengthy four year deals.
Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari will certainly be around and potential fixtures within this Mikel-Arsenal rebuild.
Certainly we will have to wait to find out what what the exact financial implications of these deals are – wages, fees, agent fees, bonuses, etc. However, the 4 year deal for Cedric Soares is a little shocking to me. While I had little doubt, due to his connections to Kia Joorabchian, that Arsenal would sign him in some form of permanent deal — four years is a long time and feels like something we may roll our eyes at in two.
An advantageous person may look at the potential sale of Cedric at the end of next season as many have seen Juventus do time and time again, but I question the value in that. Currently listed at £8m for his market value, Arsenal would have to find a way to sell him well above that mark. Arsenal have already payed an alleged £5m for him (club+agent) and if you add in this year’s total, I would guess we would see his cost supersede that amount quickly.
Everyone will be very curious to see what deal was reached surrounding David Luiz, especially after it was suggested he was after a 2-year deal.
It certainly lifts the veil around some of Arsenal’s immediate future plans surrounding the build of their backline, but how will it effect their upcoming transfer window? Will they still try to entice another central defender or will they call this good for now and focus their attention and limited funds on the midfield?
It doesn’t give off the feel of a polished end product and doesn’t smell of a defensive line that won’t need rigid support from the midfield, but if Arsenal can overhaul the center of the park, they may begin to offer the semblance of a competitive side.
Gunner Thoughts 