There’s a headline to wake you all up.

And it’s absolutely true. We’ve spoken about the fixture list in depth, we’ve brushed over Real Madrid’s attempts to buy the entire world and we’ve briefly mentioned the underwhelming nature of £18million pounds being splashed out on Glen Johnson.

Now the zenith of all hilarious transfers comes to fruition with the signing of Michael Owen to Manchester United.

I phoned my Man-United supporting uncle this morning – he’s followed them since the 1950s, so he’s more than a legitimate fan – and we both literally could not stop laughing.

“Michael Owen?” he said. “Michael Owen? I’m a better footballer than Michael Owen, and I retired from football 40 years ago!”

My uncle was a stout central defender for his local team in Bundaberg, Australia.

Another hilarious transfer that’s slipped under the radar a bit is Chelsea splashing out on Middlesbrough’s Ross Turnbull to back up the faltering Petr Cech and Hilario.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have gone about their business, first by snapping up Vermaelen, whom I have very high hopes for and securing the contracts of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and, most importantly, Robin van Persie.

We’re still in the hunt for a central midfielder (I would bloody well hope, anyway) but that aside, our team is looking pretty strong.

Recent outbursts by William Gallas (it’s really only outbursts according to the media, it’s no secret he only has one more year left on his contract) are nice for certain newspapers to ’shroud the club in a veil of uncertainty’. But regardless, Arsenal seriously have to keep both Toure and Gallas for the next season at least.

Our defence then consists of Djourou, Vermaelen, Toure, Gallas and Song (strictly as backup), with Senderos a likely departure. Silvestre, while links with Bordeaux are nice to hear about, probably will stay. If he’s fifth in the pecking order, however, that’s fine by me.

The midfield is more encouraging than many let on. There is plenty of competition in a lot of places. In CDM, Song and Denilson, who both bring something of their own to the club, will hopefully compete with a new, more experienced signing. It’s win-win.

Further up the field, we have Fabregas, Nasri, Diaby, Rosicky, Arshavin and Walcott vying for the attacking midfield positions. Eduardo, van Persie and Vela can slot in their too, for back up, so it’s attacking talent to be feared, certainly.

In attack, we’re well stocked. Eduardo and van Persie, again, lead the line with Bendtner, Arshavin, Vela, the returning Nacer Barazite and the infamous Emmanuel Adebayor.

It is to the last on that list I turn to. The striker has been a seriously disruptive force on the side last season, but something in the air (voices in the head) suggest that what happened last season must stay in last season.

Wrighty7 puts it brilliantly when he says ‘Ade must be a man’ and come back from last season’s troubles. He can be a thorn in the side if he puts that old application of his into next season. With Eduardo back and Arshavin also adding some expectation to affairs, I sincerely hope this is the boot up his backside he, and Arsenal, so sorely need.

So – compare our transfer ‘plight’ with our more ambitious rivals and we’re doing okay. Mention Manchester City, however, and you’ve got a different kettle of fish.

Finally, you’ll notice a brand new ‘Follow on Facebook’ button on the right hand collumn’ – it’s just been set up, so it’s all a bit raw at this stage, but sign up for another outlet of getting Third-Gen and Arsenal-related updates.

Internet Explorer users – some of you will be having major trouble with the right sidebar which seems to be vanishing to the bottom of the screen, particularly for older versions of IE. I’ve been told this can be sorted out by upgrading to a newer version of IE  or by using another browser like Firefox or Chrome. It is being worked on, however.

So, are we all having a good time?

Filed under: Arsenal, Confirmed Transfers, English Premier League, Transfer Rumours