Most significantly, at a club press conference today, Arsene Wenger said that he's confident of signing a new keeper.

"It is my big worry at the moment. We have only 72 hours. I can't give you any name at the moment but I am confident we will sign someone." He also said that the signing will probably be only till the end of the season. Note that Premiership clubs are not allowed to loan to each other, but also that Wenger's words don't rule out a move for someone like Nigel Martyn, because we could buy such a player but give them a short-term contract (cf Lee Bowyer at West Ham).

Another rumour, apparently, was the possible signing of Steve McManamamanaman from Real Madrid. Macca was quick to deny it, and I have to admit he was so quick that I've still not seen any sign of the original rumour which prompted the denial.

We're also being linked with Japanese youngster Naoya Kikuchi. The 18 year old is said to be a target a Feyenoord as well. Maybe I missed it, but the report doesn't seem to say what position he plays. If there is any truth in it, it'd be a signing in the summer (and then, the cynic in me says, a season or two on the periphery generating merchandising sales before being sold to eg Fulham).

The Irons are interested in buying David Noble, he's been training with them for a couple of days and Glen Roeder says he likes what he sees. Yes Mr Roeder, another midfielder is just what you need.

Rupe adds...
Thanks to Peter Poole-Wilson for the following...

"Naoya Kikuchi is an attacking midfielder, and one of Japan's most promising young players. He's been linked with Feyenoord several times. I seem to recall the Japanese press reporting that Kikuya visited Feyenoord's training ground etc a number of times last year (Feyenoord is where his mate and Japan national team midfielder Shinji Ono plays)."

And there's more, from Yosuke Kadota in Tokyo...

"According to the Japanese media, he spent a couple of weeks at the Arsenal training ground last April after Wenger invited him to come over. He was reportedly invited to return to London in August but what happened is not clear. Since then Japanese reports on the kid have concentrated on the alleged interest from Feyenoord."