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At a certain point yesterday, I began to wonder why Kim Källstrom's signing hadn't been made official, after numerous reports stated that he had passed his medical around lunchtime. Now, the hold-up becomes a bit more clear: Källstrom has a back injury that he received playing football on a beach in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, and informed the club while taking the medical. David Ornstein of the BBC has the story:
Clarification - Kallstrom out for at least 6 games with back injury found in medical before signing. Not done in training #afc #bbcfootball
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 1, 2014
Arsenal medical team gave Wenger the prognosis but it was decided Kallstrom would still sign & undergo rehabilitation with #afc #bbcfootball
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 1, 2014
The story seems quite bizarre, given that Källström was signed with the short term in mind; by the time he could be available (bear in mind he hasn't played football in 3 months, because of Russia's winter break), Aaron Ramsey and Matheiu Flamini should be available. Perhaps by the time Källström's prognosis was confirmed, it was too late to find another available midfielder, but the whole story is very, very odd.
Meanwhile, are there any free transfers hanging around?