As confirmed by Arsenal.com, he is on loan to the Toffees for the rest of the season. The rumour is that Arsenal wanted Everton to commit to a permanent £3m transfer following that spell. One can only speculate at this stage as to whether any such agreement was made, but it does seem likely that Franny's Arsenal days are over.

Things could have been so different for Jeffers if he hadn't spent his first season with Arsenal out injured. But by the time he became available we had a pretty settled strikeforce, and as 4th choice behind Henry Wiltord and Bergkamp he never got the extended run he probably needed in order to settle in. Still, he gave us something a bit different to the other strikers, and I fear it may be something we'll miss at times this season. Arsenal do often rely too much on the pretty stuff, and there have been plenty of times when Jeffers coming off the bench has (or would have) made a difference (if only because you always knew he'd be making runs into the box).

It's good news for Everton as they've been short in the striking department, and for Arsenal's bank balance as we don't have to pay his wages anymore. But it's especially good news for Kanu and Aliadiere. Let's hope they stay fit and available for when the inevitable injuries hit Thierry Sylvain and/or Dennis.