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Since Ted wrote the preview this morning, quite a lot of news about tomorrow's game and transfers has come up. While none of it is official, it all comes from reliable news sources, so I feel comfortable in relaying the information.
It appears that Arsenal are on the verge of signing AS Monaco striker, and the South Korean captain, Park Chu-Young, according to the BBC. Park was supposed to sign for French Champions Lille, and was due, at least according to President Michel Seydoux, to complete a medical this morning. Lille were due to sign Park for €3-5m, and so Arsenal will pay a similar amount, rather than the £10m being reported in the British press. Park has only scored 25 goals in 91 games, which isn't a bad record, but it isn't a great record. However, he is versatile: He can play as a second striker, number 10, or as a wide forward, and should be a good backup for Robin van Persie. Finally, because he won't take a large chunk out of the transfer budget, it means Arsene Wenger can still spend money.
Injury News
More injury news has come out since this morning. Thomas Vermaelen, John Djourou and Bacary Sagna will all have late fitness tests; the latter has picked up a stomach virus. I recommend milk of magnesia, Bacary. According to YoungGuns, and corroborated by one of the players twitter feed, Francis Coquelin, Gilles Sunu and Oguzhan Ozyakup have been taken as part of the squad, with Coquelin expected to start in defensive midfield. Coquelin and Sunu have both just returned from the Under 20 World Cup, where France finished 4th. Both Sunu and Coquelin spent last season on loan at FC Lorient, in Ligue 1. Coquelin was the busier of the pair, making 25 appearances, and did fairly well.
If Sagna, Vermaelen and Djourou all fail to make the squad, Ignasi Miquel and Armand Traore would be likely replacements. I.e., half of the Arsenal reserve team against a relatively injury free defending champions. Wonderful.
Finally, that brings us to Joel Campbell, who has been denied a work permit. It had been hoped that Campbell would get a work permit, and thus be able to bed in at Arsenal, but unfortunately he'll have to go out on loan. YoungGuns reports that PSV and Lille are both interested in signing the 19 year old; from my perspective, Lille would be a better team to go on loan too, playing a similar style of Arsenal, and also giving Campbell a chance to link up with potential signing Eden Hazard.
Oh, and don't forget to read Ted's spectacular piece from this morning.