That’s all we have to go on right now is faith—unless you believe that tabloids like The Sun, The Mirror, or AS Sport are latter-day oracles. That said, with the close of the official business day on Friday bringing no news other than photos of Higuain boarding a plane (something he’s clearly never done on any other day of his life) and suggestions that Real Madrid has rejected Arsenal’s £23m offer, Gooners look to a rather bleak 48-to-72 hour stretch of waiting, huddled around transistor radios and smart-phones to glean what little is available.
A quick history of Arsenal’s official announcements offers cold comfort. Simply put, the weekends don’t offer much solace. Therefore, the 41% of us who voted for a 5 July announcement will be left to nurse our psychological wounds as we hope that the other 29% who have voted a for a 12 July announcement have deeper insights into the universe’s secret machinations. Here’s a run-down of the timing of our key signings over the last few years (according to arsenal.com):
- Nacho Monreal: 1 February 13 (Friday)
- Santi Cazorla: 7 August 2012 (Tuesday)
- Lukas Podolski: 30 April 2012 (Monday)
- Olivier Giroud: 26 June 2012 (Tuesday)
- Mikel Arteta: 31 August 2011 (Wednesday)
- Per Mertesacker: 31 August 2011 (Wednesday)
- André Santos: 31 August 2011 (Wednesday)
- Gervinho: 18 July 2011 (Monday)
- Carl Jenkinson: 8 June 2011 (Wednesday)
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 8 August 2011 (Monday)
- Laurent Koscielny: 7 July 2011 (Wednesday)
- Thomas Vermaelen: 19 June 2010 (Friday)
- Andrei Arshavin: 3 February 2009 (Tuesday)
Without suggesting patterns or causality, the weekends look like they offer slim pickings. Therefore, it might be wise to ignore the transfer-sites and re-acquaint ourselves with the better parts of ourselves, whether that’s loved ones, hobbies, or other, more worth-while pursuits. I know that I’ve been guilty of checking on the rumors more than is healthy, but, dammit, I want confirmation. I want closure. The idea that we might have to wait until Monday or Tuesday—or longer—maddens me. I fight to resist the idea that an agreement has been reached among the dignitaries while we, the proletariat, wait.