Yann M'Vila Transfer Rumors: Latest Updates on Arsenal & More

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Will Rennes' Yann M'Vila join Arsenal? No, according to Arsène Wenger: 

We wait on Diaby and Wilshere. When you look, we have Song, Ramsey, Coquelin, Wilshere, Arteta and Diaby. In defensive midfielders and box-to-box players we are not short if they are all coming back. If we have setbacks in pre-season, it could be different.

Here's the latest talking points regarding M'Vila joining Arsenal. 

Arsène Wenger Consistently Misinforms the Media Part 1

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Don't be deterred by Arsène Wenger's latest comments about Arsenal not wanting Yann M'Vila. 

In the past, Wenger has admitted to deceiving the press: "I can't give concrete examples, but when I lie to the press I always speak to the player concerned beforehand to get our story straight."

He should have also said, "I consistently lie to the media regarding transfer speculation."

When Wenger wants to sell players, he's ruthless in getting the best deal for Arsenal. 

This is the same club that signed Nicolas Anelka for £500,000 and sold him for £22.3 million. It's the same club that received a king's ransom from Barcelona for Marc Overmars. The same club that forced Manchester City to hand over £25 million for Samir Nasri, who held leverage over Arsenal due to his expiring contract. 

Wenger generally plays hard to get it when it comes to signing players.

He's thrown the ball back to Rennes' court, presumably nudging them to sell M'Vila to another club, knowing full well that M'Vila wants to be a Gunner: "I have heard Arsenal are interested in me. I like Arsenal and I like the Premier League."

The plan: To sign M'Vila, who is a world-class defensive midfielder, at a cut price because Rennes have no other option. If Rennes hold out, Wenger won't lose any sleep because he has Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and Francis Coquelin.

Arsène Wenger Consistently Misinforms the Media Part 2

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Here are some half-truths from Wenger concerning his recent transfer acquisitions. 

Lukas Podolski

Sky Sports reported: "Arsene Wenger has denied the latest reports that Germany international Lukas Podolski has agreed to join Arsenal."

39 days later, Podolski joined Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta

Sky Sports reported: "Arsenal have ended their interest in signing Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta."

A few hours later, Wenger did a u-turn and signed Arteta.

Per Mertesacker

Luis Mira at goal.com reported: "Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has rejected suggestions he is planning a move for Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker."

20 days later, Mertesacker became a Gunner. 

Andrey Arshavin

Football.co.uk reported: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied that Russia ace Andrei Arshavin is on the verge of completing his transfer to the Emirates Stadium."

A week later, Wenger signed Arshavin. Don't forget that a year earlier, Le Professeur said Arshavin wasn't a transfer target. 

Moral of the Story: Take Arsène Wenger's words with a grain of salt. 

Yann M'Vila's Fall from Grace

Yann M'Vila's indiscretions have cost Rennes the power position of dictating transfer negotiations.

Here's a quick summary: road rage; arrested for assault; and refusing to shake Laurent Blanc's hand. 

M'Vila wasn't at his best during Euro 2012 because he played through injury after being hacked by Dusan Tadić in a friendly prior to the tournament. 

Judging M'Vila just on his Euro performances and reaching a conclusion would be like Stuart Pearce saying Dennis Bergkamp is a waste of money. 

Bergkamp was so hated by the Italian press that they named a derogatory weekly award after him. Pearce jumped on the bandwagon and spouted his misinformed opinion. 

It's typical of the media to go from M'Vila as this transcendent defensive midfielder to M'Vila as damaged goods.

The hit to his reputation has sunk Rennes' plans of inflating his transfer fee but it doesn't change him as a player. 

Last season, he was the only Ligue 1 midfielder to complete 100 tackles whilst conceding 0.9 fouls or lower per game. 

Francis Coquelin's Potential for Greatness

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Francis Coquelin has a great feel for the game and is a smart tackler. Whilst it's a small sample size, he won back possession 5.1 times per game last season. 

You feel a sense of urgency when you watch Coquelin play because he's always looking to impact the game. 

Let's say that Arsène Wenger isn't playing mind games with Frédéric de Saint-Sernin. If Wenger doesn't want Yann M'Vila, it's because Coquelin will be the next great midfielder for the Gunners. 

 

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