While the whole world seem to have set eyes on their star players Fabregas and Nasri, Arsenal made their first move in the transfer market launching an 18 million pound bid for Aston Villa winger  Stewart Downing. With Fabregas and Nasri highly unlikely to remain at the Emirates next season and Clichy having already moved to Manchester City, Arsene Wenger realizes the need of making new recruits and played his first hand in the transfer market with a bid for the former Middlesbrough man.

Arsenal make a bid for Downing

Downing has shelved all contract talks at Aston Villa indicating that he is seeking a future elsewhere. Liverpool are also reportedly interested in the winger and remain favourites to secure his services but Kenny Daglish is yet to meet the demands of Aston Villa. However the opportunity of playing in the Champions League might just be enough to lure Downing to the North London club.

With Arsenal expected to earn nearly 70 million pounds from three deals – Clichy, Fabregas and Nasri, Arsene Wenger has reportedly offered double digit sums for Lyon’s Gervinho, Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Bolton’s Gary Cahill. Arsene Wenger is in an all too familiar position with most critics and pundits writing Arsenal off in the pre-season, but he might just have what it takes to pull a trick out of the bag and establish themselves as firm contenders for the league title.

Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, English Premier League, EPL, Kenny Daglish, Stewart Downing, Transfer Market, Winger