So at last the official site have confirmed the signing of Sebastian Squillaci – a day after Arsene Wenger confirmed the signing in his press conference yesterday.

From what I know about him he will bring a different style of defending to the center-back partnership. He seems to be an aggressive, strong and combative defender and the type we have been crying out for for a long time – what he may lack in natural athleticism he more than makes up for in strength and aggressiveness – and the ability to head the ball.

Sadly he will be missing from the squad to face Blackburn tomorrow – and he would have helped us deal with the inevitable aerial bombardment – but the beauty of our center back situation now is that there is strong competition, even Thomas Vermaelen will have to be looking over his shoulder if he suffers so much as a lapse in his form.

I’m really happy with the signings made so far this summer, yes I do think certain situations could have been handled a lot better and we could be in a better situation than we are now in terms of recruitment but something we probably all have to consider is that the club are approaching transfers in the way that they do for a reason – Squillaci was signed up pretty quickly, contrast that with the Mark Schwarzer situation and it is almost flip reversed. There will be a reason we haven’t signed him yet and I don’t think its a lack of interest or even money, Fulham want to make it as difficult as possible – partly in my opinion due to him being Mohammad Al Fayed’s favorite player – and when push comes to shove they can’t turn down 3-4 million for a player of 37 years of age.

There has been quite a bit of a fuss made over a few words Arsene said in his press conference – news sources leading with stories about him having ended his business this transfer window – this is not the case Arsene has certainly not ruled out another arrival.

There has been speculation all summer over who will be the long-term Arsenal number one, Lucasz Fabianski has not only blown his chance, more launched it into oblivion so the only man left is the unsettled and understandably miserable looking Manuel Almunia. He has said in the press a couple of times now how the speculation has affected him, Arsene has replied with strong comments of his own – how players must learn how to deal with speculation and get on with their job.

I just don’t know how we can carry on with a goalkeeper who’s confidence has been smashed to smithereens – then again, sort the communication issue between the center backs and the goalkeeper and he could be a keeper reborn. To save on the flapping when crosses come in turn him into a stay at home goalkeeper and straight away the confidence in him may well just start returning.

From what I gather there is no deal close with Schwarzer – though once the ball starts rolling it will start traveling at quick speed almost instantly. So lets see how the situation pans out over the next three or four days.

Right now we have had a good summer and a good start to the season. One signing and a win tomorrow could turn it into a great summer, and great start to the season.

til tomorrow.