Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Tim Stillman 
Date:Friday March 23 2012
Time: 3:43PM
UK time is: 01:28:30
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Podolski Deal Not Done Yet
With reports in Germany suggesting that Lukas Podolski has completed his 45th medical for the club (if you believe the press), Arsene Wenger has refuted reports that the deal is done. Speaking in his pre match press conference today, Wenger told reporters: "Nothing is done. No, he has not had a medical."
However, he stopped short of quelling any reports that a deal is in train at all; "I don't master the timing [of any announcement] because that does not just rely on us. It could happen soon, it could happen later, I don't know.
"It is always a concern [that someone else could come in for him]. The speed in which you do things is important, but at the end of the day it is always the player who makes the decision.
"It is about how much they want to join you."
The last line appears to be quite telling. Over the last couple of years, Arsenal appeared to have been at an advanced stage of negotiations before having targets snaffooed by wealthier clubs at the 11th hour. Juan Mata was something of a case in point. Podolski himself appeared to talk up interest from Lazio earlier this week, suggesting that negotiations are not yet advanced enough for the normal brinkmanship to ensue. Whether Podolski is stalling or not will be seen in the next few days 'd suggest.
However, there seems to be a suggestion that Podolski is all but a Gunners player. Arsene clearly seems comfortable enough to talk about it openly. The Arsenal manager also told reporters that he wants his transfer business done considerably earlier this year- I`d imagine if we finish 3rd or 5th it will be. Should we finish 4th, we may well await the outcome of a Champions League qualifier before cementing our business. But Wenger told the press he didn`t want a repeat of last summer`s frankly desperate trolley dash, "You want to make me say that last year was bad and I agree with you - last year was terrible for us because we finished on August 31 at 11.55pm and we do not want to repeat that, of course."
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Your Comments
Podolski's desire and resolve to move to Arsenal or for that matter anywhere abroad is uncertain at the moment. Podolski doesn't seem to covet any club in particular and seems in a comfort zone at Koln. If he doesn't have any specific choice for a club abroad its probable that wages will play a huge role in his choice of club. Wenger's last line 'its how much they want to join you' seems to point to a hitch in transfer negotiations with regard to wages. It seems clear that we have had a bid accepted by Koln, its up to Podolski to give his assent to the draft contract given to him. One hopes that the wages matter is sorted out but if the deal falls through it will be clear that the player's mindset was probably not right for our club anyway.
Deltaforce
"Arsene clearly seems comfortable enough to talk about it openly". The thing with Arsene is he doesn't find the need for guile in responding to direct questions from reporters. He obviously considers it best to speak openly about issues in the hope it will quell the rumours, but this only heightens it. I feel the deal does have a hitch and the parties are in a waiting game, awaiting who will blink first. If it has to do with wages, it is a no-brainer what happens if another club comes in with a bigger package.
Naijagunner
WOrd i'm getting is that it's all but done. Koln are keen to get it done now in case they go down. His contract carries a relegation clause and they don't want to lose him cheap. As delta says,. seems to be the player himself now. But I'd be very surprised if this didn't go through soon.
Little Dutch
If it goes through soon, it's good. But we have a season that is still being played which needs focus, but I suppose it's better to have this speculation when this season is on, rather than after the next season has started.
prits
Fingers crossed then, till it is in the bag.
Naijagunner
I'm fairly confident that the Podolski signing will be completed, just find it strange that it hass been discussed so openly by AW. He usually keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to transfer dealings. Nevertheless a striker is our main priority when it comes to signings and then maybe a defensive midfielder (M'Vila?). If we offload the likes of Chamakh, Park, and Bendtner in the summer then we probably need another striker in addition to Podolski. If we get rid of Arshavin, then maybe another winger/attacking midfielder (Hazard?).
bowiecokemirror
No doubt hazard has talent but the more he whores himself the less I want him at our club. His mentality unsettles me, we have cleaned out the ego's and the morale in the squad has only got better for it. Arjen robben would be a much better option for me......if he were available. But Munich are well known to hold on to there players like like a rabid dog with a bone?
gunnerman76
Once Wenger said "I don't master the timing [of any announcement] because that does not just rely on us. It could happen soon, it could happen later, I don't know " i rekon its a done deal
Van Persie
He's not on our radar but I have to say I was highly impressed by Fulham's midfielder Dembele in their match against Utd. Strong, skillful, very intelligent and great balance.
Wyn Mills
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