Santi Cazorla has flown with the Arsenal team to their pre-season camp in Germany, while Andrei Arshavin played down talk of a possible move away from the Gunners. Alisher Usmanov did what he does best - attacking the Arsenal board for their lack of ambition.
While the Cazorla deal has still not been officially announced as the Gunners try to tie up some loose ends, the Spanish international boarded the plane with the rest of his new teammates ahead of the North London club's final pre-season friendly against Lukas Podolski's old club FC Koln on Sunday. Cazorla's departure has been confirmed by several Malaga players already, with Julio Baptista recently bidding him goodbye via Twitter. It is believed the club will announce the signing by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Wantaway striker Robin Van Persie was also included in the 24-man squad which travelled to Cologne on Monday. If Van Persie does leave, with Manchester United seemingly in pole position, Arsene Wenger will look to bring in Belgian striker Kevin Mirallas, who plays for Greek side Olympiakos.
Mirallas reportedly has a buy-out clause worth £6.4 million ($ 10 million) in his contract.
Arshavin has cooled interest on his departure, at least for the time being. The Russian forward has been linked with a move away, with Zenit St Petersburg and Galatasaray reportedly keeping tabs.
The Russian was also linked with Queens Park Rangers recently, but immediately rubbished the reports. "That's all 'virtual news'," Arshavin told Sport Express. "At the moment I am an Arsenal player, and I've just arrived for pre-season with them."
Galatasaray are believed to be lining up a £4 million move ($6.2 million), but the Gunners want at least £7 million ($11 million) for the Russian international.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has hit back at the club's board yet again. In an open letter last month, the billionaire criticized the board's tactics, especially Arsenal's largest shareholder Stan Korenke.
Usmanov has reiterated that stance about how "politics" is hampering Wenger's quest to bring in a competitive squad. "We do not consider just qualifying for the Champions League to be the chief ambition of the club, and with all our hearts we support the team and wish them well for the new season," Usmanov told Russia's Forbes magazine.
"Victory is absolutely not ruled out, but the current politics of the club's management will leave Arsene Wenger and his team with fewer and fewer opportunities in the long run."
"I am a fan and I am not going to sell these shares at any time, since this is the club that I consider the best in the world."
Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe, who completed a season-long move to Bolton Wanderers, said he hopes to help Bolton back into the English Premier League, and eventually cement his place in Arsenal's first team.
"I want to play as much as much as I can, put in good performances and score goals, but it is important to remember that football is a team sport and not just about one player," he told Bolton's official website.
"I have come here to develop my game and gain more experience. In doing so, hopefully I will return to Arsenal a much better, more experienced player.
"The manager spoke to me at Arsenal and told me that Bolton was interested in me. Once he told me that, my mind was already made up.
"Arsene Wenger said to me that he wanted me to go out on loan and learn, play week in and week out, and help a very good team win promotion back to the Premier League.
"When I met Owen Coyle for the first time, he reaffirmed what Arsene Wenger had said to me. As I say, my mind was already made up, but having spoken to the manager and the chairman here, it only reinforced in my mind that this is the right place for me to be at this stage of my career and I am extremely happy to be here.
"The manager said to me that he likes to give young players a chance because they're hungry and they have a point to prove. Those words have stuck in my head since and when I get my chance hopefully I can take full advantage of it."
