Arsenal Buy Four, Sign Four, and Release 10 in Squad Reshuffle

Tomorrow is July 1, the day the transfer window officially opens as managers and players return from their summer rest.

In the last number of transfer windows, Arsenal have been accused of being too slow in their dealings and missing out on key players as a result.

However, so far this summer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been quick to address the first team's defensive frailties with the signing of Belgian international Tomas Vermaelen.

There has also been some key signings at under age level as well as a number of youth players have been released or seen their contracts terminated.

Who is in?

The most prominent signing thus far for Arsenal has been former Ajax captain Tomas Vermaelen.

The 23-year-old arrived at Arsenal for an initial fee of £8 million which could rise to as much as £10 million depending on add-ons.

Vermaelen is primarily a central defender but can also fill in at left back if needed.

Although young for a center back, Vermaelen has made 143 first team appearances for Ajax, including some in the UEFA Cup and Champions League, while he also has 21 caps for Belgium.

Whether he will come straight into the first team or be forced to fight it out for a spot with William Gallas and Kolo Toure depends largely on the future of the aforementioned pair. Regardless, he is a welcome addition to a squad lacking defensive quality.

At the youth level, Arsenal have made three further new signings in defensive areas.

The most expensive of these is Irish U-17 keeper Sean McDermott from Norweigan side IK Vag in a deal that could rise to £4.3 million.

Although just 16, McDermott was second-choice keeper for his hometown club and Arsenal had to beat off stiff competition from several English and Scottish clubs to secure his signature.

He will begin next season as first choice keeper for Arsenal U-18s although he has his sights set a lot higher.

"I think I can be the first choice keeper there when I'm a little over 20 years old. I'm not going to Arsenal for nothing—I will be the first choice keeper."

Confidence that would put Nicklas Bendtner to shame.

Following him to North London is Swiss youngster Martin Angha-Lotscher and Englishman Jamie Edge.

Angha arrives from Arsenal from Zurich for an undisclosed fee and with a massive reputation from his homeland.

The 15-year-old is a tall and quick central defender who is expected to slot straight into the club's U-16 team.

Joining the U-18 side will be former Cheltenham player Jamie Edge who joins the Gunners for a fee of £100,000.

Although Edge can play at centre back, he is seen more as a defensive midfielder where his dominant and aggressive approach is said to suit the position.

Added to the new arrivals, is the signing of four youngsters from the FA Youth winning side on professional terms.

Luke Ayling, James Shea, Cedric Evina, and Craig Eastmond have all earned their contracts after impressive seasons at Arsenal.

Once again, all are players who operate in defensive positions.

Last season, Ayling formed a considerable partnership with Kyle Bartley in central defence for the U-18 side which saw him getting a call up to Neil Banfield's reserve squad.

The Englishman, would can play in the center of defence or at right back, played every minute of Arsenal's Youths side run to FA Cup success.

Joining him on pro terms is the goalkeeper of that winning side, James Shea.

Shea's appearances for the youth side also saw him break into the reserves towards the end of last season. 

He is more known for his shot stopping abilities and has many areas still to progress on, a chance that Arsenal have afforded him.

The other two players to get a contract are right-back Craig Eastmond and left-back Cedric Evina who has been at the club since he was nine.

With Eastmond now 18 and Evina 17, both will be looking to continue their careers at Arsenal by breaking into the reserves side.

Who is out?

The "biggest" name to leave Arsenal so far this summer is Portuguese U-21 midfielder Amaury Bischoff, who arrived only last summer from Werder Bremen on a one-year contract.

His signing was seen as a typical Wenger one, a player who was cheap, largely unknown, young, and injured.

This is one of the few that didn't work out for Wenger as Bischoff made no impact, making just four appearances for the first team and spending his time playing in the reserves.

He has been released after his contract ended today.

Following him out of the club are youth and underage players: James Dunne, Rui Fonte, Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers, Rene Steer, Vincent van den Berg, Anton Blackwood, Charlie Mann, and Jonas Rasmussen.

Reserve midfielder James Dunne signed professional terms with Arsenal in 2007 but never made the breakthrough that was expected. He joined Nottingham Forest on loan last September but failed to make a first team appearance.

Perhaps a shock departure is that of Portuguese striker Rui Fonte.

The U-21 international was on a three-year development contract at Arsenal where he made his debut for the first team in the Carling Cup last season. He also teamed up with his brother at Crystal Palace on loan for a period but Arsenal have declined to take up their option on the player. He has now returned to Sporting Lisbon.

Despite having made the most reserve appearances for Arsenal in the 2007/2008 season, Abu Ogogo found his chances limited last year and was sent on loan to Barnet.

The 19-year-old defender yesterday signed terms with Dagenham and Redbridge.

Fellow defender Paul Rodgers also signed with his new club Northampton yesterday.

He had made his first team appearance for Arsenal last season in the defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor in the Carling Cup and subsequently went to Northampton on loan who have now decided to sign him on a full time contract.

Yet another defender to exit is Rene Steer.

Steer joined the club at 13 and rose through the ranks to the reserves before joining Gillingham on loan last season for four months.

Another hot prospect who failed to reach the grade is Dutch winger Vincent van den Berg whose contract has expired.

The young Dutch man has sadly been blighted by injury during his time at the club and his loan spell at FC Zwolle was also frustrated by injury issues.

He was to suffer a third heart-breaking blow when Sparta Rotterdam offered him a lifeline and gave him a chance to impress when he was thrown straight into the first team for a game against NEC's youth team.

Shockingly, after just 15 minutes he was subbed after suffering a hamstring injury, ruining any chance of earning a contract.

Also moving club is defender Anton Blackwood who signed from Northampton for the 2007/2008 season and played in Steve Bould's Youth team. However, he failed to make an impression in the reserves and has been released.

Blackwood has joined Tottenham on a free.

Following the signing of Sean McDermott, underage keeper Charlie Mann expected his chances at Arsenal to be limited and has decided to join Crystal Palace on a free.

Mann has been at Arsenal since the age of nine and was due to sign scholarship forms with the club this summer. However, failing to receive assurances over playing time he has decided to seek a new challenge.

Meanwhile, the decision to release Danish winger Jonas Rasmussen comes somewhat as a shock as he was seen as doing well at the club. 

He is expected to sign with Danish division two side Viborg FF in the coming days.

Round-up of events

In

Tomas Vermaelen, Ajax—£8 million can rise to £10 million

Sean McDermott, Ik Vag—Deal could rise to £4.3 million

Martin Angha-Lotscher, FC Zurich—Undisclosed

Jamie Edge, Cheltenham Town—£100,000

Professional Terms

Luke Ayling—Defender

James Shea—Goalkeeper

Craig Eastmond—Defender

Cedric Evina—Defender/Left Winger

Out

Amaury Bischoff, Club Hunting—Released

James Dunne, Club Hunting—Released

Rui Fonte, Sporting Lisbon—Development Contract Expired

Abu Ogogo, Dagenham and Redbridge—Released

Paul Rodgers, Northampton—Released

Rene Steer, Club Hunting—Released

Vincent van den Berg, Club Hunting—Contract Expired

Anton Blackwood, Tottenham—Free

Charlie Mann, Crystal Palace—Free

Jonas Rasmussen, Viborg FF—Contract Terminated