Youngsters leave, not much else

More news of players leaving the club this morning, with three youngsters moving on, two on loan, one permanently.

As reported yesterday, Ryan Smith has all but completed his permanent move to Derby County for an undisclosed fee. As I said before, it's a bit a of a disappointment to see the lad go, having tracked his progress over the past few years, but Arsene rarely makes mistakes in letting younger players leave.

Fabrice Muamba and Seb Larsson have moved to Birmingham City on a year's loan. Both are very promising players (the Patrick Vieira comparisons have already started for Muamba, the poor kid's only 18 for God's sake) and a year getting kicked in the Championship is exactly what the younger players need after the relatively gentle placed reserve league. They should come back all the better for it, and both have a future at AFC. Why Song has played in front of Larsson in some situations has left me positively baffled.

Still no movement on transfers in, and I think Arsene's playing a very, very cool hand of poker this close season. I think that despite his claims that he is happy to start the season with the squad as it is, we need to compensate for the loss of experience we've had since May. A centre half and defensive mid are an absolute necessity (I know, I know, I'm starting to sound like a broken record).

The draw for the Champions League third qualifying round is today at 11.00am (GMT), and there are some awfully good teams in there, most of whom we thankfully cannot get drawn against. However, bullets to be dodged include Chievo, Fenerbahçe and Osasuna. Fingers crossed for a plum tie with those giants of European footbal Ekranas (Lithuania).

In other Premiership news, Ruud van Horseface appears to be finally on his way to La Liga, with Real Madrid ready to present hims as a Los Merengues player this afternoon. Man Yoo claim that no deal has yet been finalised. Fergie also seems prepared to blow all the money he eventually gets from Real plus a fair bit more in order to land Michael Carrick from the Spuds. The Independent is quoting £18m, which quite frankly is ridiculous, and leaves Man Yoo still lacking an enforcer in the centre of midfield.

Blackburn Rovers have signed South African striker Benni McCarthy. No-one cares.