Happy Monday To All...

I come a greek (not really...) bearing gifts... Right, I'm done being cryptic. Arsenal, according to just about every reporting service but Arsenal.com, have signed French 21-year old midfielder Samir Nasri.  Of course the rumor had been making the rounds for most of the summer transfer window to date, and the completion of this signing was really never in much question.

Nasri's signing is an interesting one for several reasons.  First, of course, is his obvious quality.  The player is being touted as the next Zinedine Zidane...a compliment that wouldn't be thrown around lightly.  Nasri is most often a right winger, but can also play up the middle.  That is what makes his signing most interesting, considering Alexander Hleb's future (or lack thereof...?)  with the squad.  Should Hleb leave, Nasri becomes an almost immediate lock on the right wing.  If Hleb stays, our midfield looks something like this:

Hleb---Fabregas---Nasri---Rosicky

I have to admit, I do like the power this displays.  However, assuming Hleb's departure, things get a little fuzz...

Nasri---Fabregas---???---Rosicky.

Now will Arsene Wenger buy a holding midfielder this summer?  The rumor-obsessed side of me hopes so, but the rational side of me brings up a few players who have been groomed for this position.  Specifically, Abou Diaby has been long touted as the heir aparent to Patrick Viera's midfield position.  Is Diaby's time now?  Right behind Diaby is Denilson, the young Brazilian CM who has shown spells of excellence.  But as of now, only spells...not sustained quality.  Add in the signing of Aaron Ramsey to the mix...Arsene Wenger has given him the #16 shirt, a potential indication that Wenger wants Ramsey to have a substantial impact this season...maybe at CM?  Last but not least, let us consider Gilberto, the stalwart Brazilian who has always played fairly well as a holding mid.  It's conundrum, no doubt.  But wait, there's more!  Yes, Alexander Song and Johan Djourou are also in the mix here.  Song seems to be just as likely as Diaby is for this position...the Camaroon midfielder/defender played remarkably well during the latter stages of last season, and Wenger seems to have built some faith in him.  Finally, probably least likely to be handed the position is Johan Djourou.  He's a good defender coming off of an injury and in passing said that he'd take the role if given to him.  Well...uh...thanks Johan, but for now, no thanks.

Also of note today is Arsenal.com's release of the squad numbers for the season:

1. Manuel ALMUNIA
2. Abou DIABY
3. Bacary SAGNA
4. Francesc FABREGAS
5. Kolo TOURE
6. Philippe SENDEROS
7. Tomas ROSICKY
8.
9. EDUARDO
10. William GALLAS
11. Robin VAN PERSIE
12. Carlos VELA
13. Alexander HLEB
14.
15. DENILSON
16. Aaron RAMSEY
17. Alexandre SONG
18.
19. GILBERTO
20. Johan DJOUROU
21. Lukasz FABIANSKI
22. Gael CLICHY
23.
24. Vito MANNONE
25. Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
26. Nicklas BENDTNER
27. Emmanuel EBOUE
28.
29.
30. Armand TRAORE
31. Justin HOYTE
32. Theo WALCOTT

My assumption is that Samir Nasri will take the vacant 8 shirt, as well.

'Til next time!