More bad news for Arsenal fans in the wake of defeat to Manchester United on Saturday - things are so bad that even out-of-favour Germany striker Lukas Podolski has lost his sense of humour, taking aim at Arsene Wenger and insisting he is not a "clown".
The good-natured World Cup winner has sent his clearest indication yet to Wenger that he is not happy with life on the bench at the Emirates, prompting more speculation that he could leave in the January sales.
"I like London, I like the club, but I don't like the situation," he told German magazine Kicker at the weekend, reports the Daily Telegraph. "I'm not some clown who can sit out his contract in the stands."
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Podolski has made just eight appearances for Arsenal this season, only one of which lasted the full 90 minutes, notes the Telegraph. But Wenger has said the forward is not for sale.
The Gunners may be as gormless these days as a tweet from Emily Thornberry but that hasn't stopped them eyeing up one of the Premier League's brightest talents. According to ITV Sport, Arsenal are after Hull's Andy Robertson and a January offer could be brewing.
The 20-year-old Scot only arrived at Hull in the summer in a £2.85m deal with Dundee United. Since then Robbo the rocket has caught the eye of the Tigers' Premier League rivals, while also starring for Scotland on the international stage and scoring a sweet goal against England in last week's friendly.
According to ITV "Arsenal have been linked with a January move" for Robertson, and when Hull gaffer Steve Bruce was asked about a possible move he acknowledged there has been interest, with "one or two" clubs asking to be kept informed of Robertson's availability. Bruce refused to disclose who'd been on the blower, he did admit that a big money offer could leave Hull with no choice but to sell Robertson. "If this kid keeps performing the way he is then it (interest from top clubs) might become inevitable," said Bruce.
Still with Arsenal it seems there's nothing like failure to increase your worth down at the Emirates. According to the Daily Mirror the Gunners "are ready to offer Jack Wilshere a new deal", which will ensure five more seasons of midfield mediocrity for the Arsenal faithful. Apparently talks will begin in the new year between the club and Wilshere's representatives with the Mirror saying the outcome will be a new contract for Wilshere that will "put him among the club's top earners with wages of around £150,000 a week". A nice little earner for a player who hardly covered himself in glory during Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, as he fluffed the easiest of chances and headbutted Marouane Fellaini.
In other news the Daily Mail reports that Chelsea are "preparing a £20m summer move" for Everton full back Seamus Coleman. The Republic of Ireland star – considered one of the best right backs in the Premier League – has been linked with numerous clubs in recent months and it seems the Toffees are resigned to losing the player they signed for a mere £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in 2009. The Mail claims Everton have been "scouting for possible replacements" with Barcelona's 23-year-old Martin Montoya a possibility as they prepare for life after Coleman.
Finally the Daily Star says that Liverpool hope Norwich City winger Nathan Redmond can "help rescue their season" if they bring him to Anfield in January. The Reds suffered yet another defeat on Sunday, going down 3-1 to Crystal Palace and apparently manager Brendan Rodgers believes the 20-year-old Redmond could provide a devastating foil to Raheem Sterling on account of his pace and skill. The Star claims that the England Under-21 star has been watched recently by Liverpool scouts ahead of a £10m bid after Christmas. That should be enough to grease the palm of the Canaries, who rejected a £5m offer from Southampton for Redmond in the summer.
But given the relative positions of Southampton and Liverpool in the table it's within the realms of possibility that the Saints will spark a bidding war with the Reds the young wide man.
