Arsenal Transfers: Playing True and False with 10 Big Arsenal Rumors

Another week, another batch of transfer rumors for the Arsenal faithful to plow through.

I'm sure at some point, it gets very tiring for the Gunners' faithful. To read at least 10 new rumors a month, regurgitated by at least 20 different websites and hundreds of different articles, knowing that, at most, only three to five of them at most will prove to be true in the summer, must surely get tiring.

But that's just how football media works sometimes, and it's what brings in the readers, desperate to hear about the "miracle signing" who will solve all their teams' problems and lead them to the promised land, which in Arsenal's case is any trophy they can get their hands on.

So today, we'll do something a bit different: We'll review all the major Arsenal transfer rumors currently being circulated in the media, but also label them either "true" or "false" by how likely they are to happen.

I won't bother assigning percentages, as they would be completely arbitrary, but let's just say that if a rumor is likely to happen, we'll label true, and if it is unlikely to happen, we'll label it false.

For those that fall in the middle, we'll just lay out all the factors, try to see whether they lean more to likely or unlikely, and ultimately go with our gut. If you disagree, make your opinion known; after all, what's the point of football rumors if they don't raise interest and create discussion?

Let the truth-finding begin.

Lukas Podolski

The Lukas Podolski rumors can be linked all the way back to January, but it seems this time around, there's a lot more substance to them.

So, is this a move that could happen this summer?

Most definitely. Lukas Podolski is unlikely to cost Arsenal much, considering he'll have just a year left on his contract in the summer. He'll finally provide Arsenal with a legitimate alternative/second-choice striker in the squad, dramatically cutting Arsenal's reliance on Robin van Persie.

Finally, as Goal.com points out in its article on why Podolski is great for Arsenal, Podolski would feel at home at Arsenal, with international teammate Per Mertesacker and fellow Polish speaker Wojciech Szczesny there to make him comfortable.

This transfer would work excellently for both Podolski and Arsenal. Arsenal gain a massive boost in quality in a position where it is much needed, and Podolski gets a second chance to prove himself with a big club.

Verdict? True.

Olivier Giroud

After Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud has become probably the second-most mentioned name in Arsenal transfer rumors. I'll let B/R's Matthew Celentano take it from here:

"

Another forward?

I'll admit, the chances of Arsenal signing all three of the forwards mentioned in this slideshow are slim—but of all the forwards, Olivier Giroud seems the most likely to join Arsenal. He's a typical Arsene Wenger signing: plays in Ligue 1, French, not necessarily a big name and French (did I already say that one?).

This rumour actually seems very factual, with Giroud saying himself that he wants to join Arsenal, and the recently capped French forward has apparently already been watched by Arsenal's scouts.

This could be a very exciting summer.

"

As you can probably tell by the fact that I decided to quote him, I agree very much with Matt's opinion. Giroud checks the right boxes for Wenger, and doesn't seem like he'll cost too much either.

If Podolski signs, I don't think Giroud will be signed as well, but if not, Giroud will likely be Wenger's immediate second choice to pursue this summer.

Verdict? True, if Arsenal don't sign Podolski.

Daniel Sturridge

About a month back, rumors began to circulate that Daniel Sturridge would be interested in a move away from Chelsea, wanting an improved contract and a more central playing position.

Naturally, the media decided to put Arsenal's name on the table as an interested party.

But a transfer to Arsenal would make little sense for Sturridge. Assuming Arsenal maintain their 4-3-3, Sturridge would once again find himself shafted to the wings, or used as the team's back-up striker.

Secondly, if you want an improved contract, the last place you should go is Arsenal. At Arsenal, the younger you are the less you make, so I can't imagine the Gunners would be able to offer Sturridge any more than Chelsea were offering him.

Finally, even if Chelsea appear to be presently in free-fall, I can't see them selling anybody they value to Arsenal. Sending Yossi Benayoun on-loan to Arsenal is one thing; loaning arguably their best young player, or second-best young player, is another thing entirely.

And if all that doesn't do it for you, Sturridge has rubbished these reports recently himself by claiming he neither desires a new contract nor is he upset with his current position.

According to the report, Sturridge is happy, and "love[s] playing for Chelsea." So there you have it.

Verdict? Definitely False.

Alessandro Del Piero

This isn't one of the more popular rumors of the month, but it was reported by at least a number of rumor outlets this morning.

Let's make this nice and simple: Can you name the last player Arsene Wenger bought over the age of 35? How about 33? Maybe 30?

No, you can't, because that's not how Wenger goes about his business.

Wenger might be okay with bringing back ex-legends like Thierry Henry to give his squad a short-term boost in experience, morale and skill, but I assume he'd sooner resign than okay the transfer of someone like Alessandro Del Piero.

Verdict? Completely False.

Loic Remy

Bad news for Tottenham fans: Arsenal may be providing Spurs with competition for one of the biggest transfer targets of the summer.

As we discussed earlier, if a player is still young (below or at 26 years old), French or playing in Ligue 1, and is a rising star in need of refining to take his game to the highest level, you can usually feel fairly confident in saying Wenger has probably heard of him and harbors some degree of interest in bringing him to Arsenal as well.

That being said, there are a couple of reservations to hold before getting too excited over this rumor.

First, notice that Loic Remy is the fifth striker on this list, and coming after two strikers which Arsenal are very likely to pursue.

Wenger likes his French players, it's true, but he's also a very frugal man; the chances of him signing two strikers in one summer are very, very slim, unless of course Robin van Persie leaves, which has become a less likely possibility in recent weeks.

Secondly, Remy's price-tag is not as low as Wenger would probably like. This January, Tottenham were told to pay £22 million for Remy, and had an £18 million offer rejected.

In the summer, Remy's price-tag will likely drop a bit as Marseille will have more time to bring in a replacement for him, but at the same time, they could play hardball over his transfer fee if he goes to Euro 2012 with France and has a good campaign.

Verdict? False.

Junior Hoilett

Recent Rumors indicate that it is Arsenal, not Spurs, who now have the greatest interest in Blackburn Rovers' Junior Hoilett, and will be looking to sign him in the summer when he's out-of-contract with Rovers.

Traditionally, Wenger only makes the most necessary of transfers: When he spots a talent who brings something to the table he doesn't already have in his squad or when his squad is badly lacking depth in key positions.

With all due respect to Hoilett, he falls under neither of these categories for Arsenal.

Especially when you consider the fact that Arsenal already have Theo Walcott and Gervinho as their senior wingers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the star-in-the-making, and Ryo Miyaichi as winger who'll bring a great deal of magic to the Emirates next season, this potential transfer makes little sense.

And then, of course, you never know if Andrei Arshavin will return to Arsenal after his loan spell, or if Wenger will choose to play Lukas Podolski (if he's bought) out wide when RVP is on the pitch.

If there's one manager you can trust to put his faith in his own youth players above that of promising youth players at other clubs, it's Wenger.

Verdict? This transfer isn't happening, False.

Jan Vertonghen

I'll let Matt give you the breakdown on this rumor as well:

"

According to multiple sources, Jan Vertonghen will be heading to North London this summer. But to which club?

Both Arsenal and Tottenham have shown interest in the Ajax centre back, but it really could come down to a bidding war this summer between the two bitter rivals.

Arsenal will be hoping that their recent 5-2 demolition derby of Spurs will convince Vertonghen to make the switch to the Emirates rather than White Hart Lane, but as we all know, football is an unpredictable sport.

With Arsenal's defense still leaking goals, this is a transfer they desperately need.

"

So there you have it: As is the case with so many of these rumors, it looks like this one will come down to who can convince Vertonghen that he is a better fit for their team.

At present, it looks like Spurs are winning this battle, at least in the media. Vertonghen's teammates seem to be pushing him to pick Spurs, while Vertonghen himself has spent more time praising Spurs in the media than Arsenal.

Anything can yet happen, but my money's on Arsenal missing out on this transfer target.

Verdict? False, unless Spurs drop their interest or fail to agree with Vertonghen on a deal.

Isco

Again, this is one of the less reported rumors circulating in the Arsenal transfer gossip world.

Isco of Malaga has had an impressive season in La Liga. Despite the influx of experienced and talented new players over the summer at the club, Isco has shown his talent and established a place for himself in Malaga's starting lineup.

Being only 19 years old, Isco's promotion to the starting lineup and his subsequent quality performances have made him one of the hotter football prospects in the world.

Hot enough to attract Arsenal's interest, apparently.

I don't buy this rumor because I think the days of Malaga being a selling club are gone.

Isco is one of only two under-21 talents in the first team, and in the coming years I expect him and Juanmi to be the poster-boys for "home-grown talent" within the Malaga squad (yes I'm aware he was bought from Valencia), the way John Terry was during the Abramovich revolution.

Verdict? False.

Eden Hazard

We'll go to B/R's Charlie Melman on this one:

"

Another young starlet who has been shamelessly linked to Arsenal throughout this season, Eden Hazard has stated that he would welcome a move to the Emirates, even though he hintedat a move to Tottenham only a few days ago.

Like Gotze, the Belgian winger is one of the best players that his country has produced recently and one of the players with the most potential in world football.

Hazard's arrival at Arsenal would signal the club's ambition to stick with the best in England and Europe, and might just be enough to convince Robin van Persie to stay.

"

Unsurprisingly, here's another player Spurs and Arsenal will be tussling over in the summer. 

I honestly can't say which team this guy will pick; he's been playing mind games with England's top teams for some time now, but he's given each team an equal amount of praise in the media.

However, given that he praised Arsenal after Spurs, already has a Belgian teammate at Arsenal, faces Bacary Sagna's eternal hatred if he picks Spurs over Arsenal, and has linked up well with Gervinho in the past...I think I can give this one to Arsenal—if they're willing to invest the funds.

Verdict: True, if Wenger is willing to spend big to secure Hazard's signature.

Nicolas Gaitan

Nicolas Gaitan seems to the be the final big-name player on Arsenal transfer radar (not named Mario Gotze—that move doesn't have 0.0001% chance of happening so there's no point in reporting it).

Again, Charlie will take it from here:

"

The second player from Benfica [the first on the list was Javi Garcia] to be recently linked with a move to Arsenal, Argentine winger Nicolas Gaitan does not seem so out of Arsenal's league when one looks at the whole picture surround a possible transfer.

Gaitan is a winger, and thus, could replace Theo Walcott if the Englishman departs the club this summer due to the ticking time bomb of his contract.

Even though he is rated at £35 million, if Arsenal did a bit of negotiating and used the proceeds from the sale of Walcott, they could theoretically afford him.

If the Gunners are truly serious about purchasing Gaitan, however, they will have to fend off reported interest from both Manchester clubs, which is not an easy task in today's market.

"

Gaitan is a solid player, and his stats certainly indicate that he'd be an improvement over the likes of at least Gervinho, who needs to get into top form soon if he hopes to end his first season with Arsenal without being a disappointment.

But to get back to Gaitan, that transfer fee is the stumbling block here. You can negotiate a £35 million fee down, but not by more than £5-10 million, which is still way more than Wenger would be okay with spending on a decent but not spectacular winger from Portugal.

Furthermore, I can't see Theo Walcott leaving, or any top-level team wanting him for that matter, so the hypothetical scenario in Melman's writing on Gaitan would not come to fruition to help fund a transfer for Gaitan.

Verdict? False.