It’s been coming for a few days now, but there is now confirmation that Sahin will be playing for Liverpool this coming season. He will have the honour of playing alongside Downing, Adam, Allen, Henderson and Shelvey, in a powerful and skilful midfield. I’m sure he can learn a lot from these world-class players.

Okay, that was a little bitter. It’s a shame we haven’t signed him but good on Liverpool getting a player of that class. We can make excuses for why he didn’t come here; he wants playing time, the loan deal was too expensive, we have enough midfielders, Mourinho wanted him to go to Liverpool, Real Madrid wouldn’t agree an option-to-purchase etc. But the fact is that we lost out on a very good player, who Wenger has confirmed we were after. In that case, I’d be surprised if we didn’t sign another midfielder in the next week. Wenger said the following in his pre-match conference:

“He wouldn’t necessarily be a replacement for Song because Sahin isn’t a defensive midfielder. I see Sahin as not a deep, deep midfielder, but a little bit higher.

“We have Wilshere coming back quicker and he is a similar type of player.

“If someone top, top class turns up, completely defensive, we will consider it.

“If you look at the numbers you will see that Song was more of an offensive player than a defensive midfielder. Arteta can play deeper – the kind of Pirlo role – and we have Diaby who is a very strong defensive player.”

So that means that we aren’t necessarily looking for a deep-lying midfielder. Wenger thinks we have players to take up that role. Looking at our squad, you could say we are crying out for a DM. But do Arsenal really play with a DM? Is that why we failed to beat Sunderland? Part of the problem against Sunderland was a lack of sharpness in our passing. A more creative midfielder would help us in that respect, as opposed to a defensive midfielder. That’s why Wenger went for Sahin.

So will the boss bid for Yann M’Vila? Rumours earlier in the summer suggested it was a done deal. Rennes want to sell him, he wants to come here and the fans want him here. But does Wenger? Everything he has said suggests he doesn’t want a player like that. Arteta can play there, as can Coquelin, or Wilshere, or Diaby, or Frimpong. Even Cazorla has played in that defensive midfield role, for Malaga last season.

I also think M’Vila is less likely because Wenger seems to be pushing for a loan deal. With Wilshere and Rosicky hopefully returning soon, Arsene doesn’t want too many midfielders – it would be a waste of money. He was looking to get Sahin on loan and he has said the following remarks about loan deals:

“I expect there will be a lot of loans, but very few transfers.

“Why? Because in Europe there is no money and in England the prices are high so you will see maybe a lot of movement but a lot of loans.”

That comment seems to be a hint at his plans for this week. He’s mentioned he wants a midfielder and a defender, as long as a “special” player comes up. And by special, I hope he doesn’t mean a Squillaci. My guess is that Wenger will bring in players in those two positions; one on loan and one permanent. But I don’t think that either of those players will be Yann M’Vila.