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Why Gooners can be excited about Arsenal's 'new' approach to transfer negotiations

COMMENT: Okay, okay, it hasn't happened. And it may never will. But Arsenal supporters should be encouraged by the manner of their pursuit of Jamie Vardy.

Thanks to Ray Parlour, we know the deal was done last week. Arsenal had triggered Vardy's buyout clause. Leicester City were sidelined. And personal terms had been settled.

As Parlour put it: "I was at the Arsenal the other day and there were big reports flying around, and the club's cameramen and digital staff had to get down to the training ground. So it looked like it was going to happen - there was a medical being done..."

But then Vardy had cold feet, hopped onto England's jet to France - and that was that. Well, on the surface, anyway.

Arsene Wenger, it seems, is having none of it. Indeed, the entire Gooners community aren't letting this one go.

In his pundit's role for the Euros, Wenger has been happy to talk about Vardy. Okay, we hear you say, it's part of his job. But this is an ongoing deal. Vardy is still in play. Neither Arsenal nor Leicester have said anything about the transfer falling through. Everything is still alive. Any word from Wenger, as Vardy mulls over what to do, is going to add to Arsenal's argument. And he's not alone.

Laurent Koscielny has spoken openly about Vardy's qualities in recent days. As has Olivier Giroud. Both Arsenal players making their comments AFTER Vardy's buyout clause had been met. When has any Gunners player - EVER - spoken so freely about a potential new teammate?

Then there's those off the pitch. Ian Wright has used his column in The Sun to enthuse about the England striker and what he could add to Arsenal's weaponry. Martin Keown has described him as potentially Arsenal's "missing link". And Thierry Henry went even further yesterday, warning Vardy that "at 29 years old you'll never" get such a chance again to make this kind of career move.

Gunners legend and all that, but Henry's words also hold the significance of coming from someone who worked with Arsenal's players at London Colney last season and could be joining the academy staff this term. In other words, you have Wenger AND Henry, both Arsenal coaches, effectively urging Vardy to join them in North London.

This is some contrast to what occurred three years ago in Uruguay. Which, for Gooners, can be summed up as.. sod all.

Like with Vardy, Wenger and Arsenal triggered the buyout clause in Luis Suarez's contract. And then... left him alone. It would later come out - via John W Henry - that indeed Arsenal had matched Suarez's release clause, but Liverpool simply refused to acknowledge it. Arsenal allowed them to make all the running. Steven Gerrard was on the phone to his teammate, then holidaying at home in Uruguay, day and night, urging him to stick around. On Arsenal's side, there was silence. They meekly allowed FSG to control the situation, when it was they who held the stronger hand. As strong as Gerrard's powers of persuasion are, if the Arsenal community of 2013 had behaved like they are today, Suarez would've become a Gooner.

A lesson learned? Perhaps. But there is no argument that today we're seeing a far more pragmatic and aggressive Arsenal in the transfer market. Vardy could yet say 'no'. But it's obvious, while nothing has been decided, Arsenal - and those connected to the club - will do all they can to convince the player about joining them.

It's tough on Leicester. Even that bloody Robbie Savage is saying Vardy should get on his bike! But the words of Henry, particularly, should be heeded.

This is it for Vardy. He'll turn 30 next season. It's difficult seeing a major club spending over £20 million for a player almost 31 years of age next summer. It's really now or never for him.

As much as Leicester have been his platform, Vardy has repaid the club with his goals, his character and his drive. It's tough on Leicester fans, but how can you begrudge him this life experience? Especially, at this stage in his career?


INJURY TIME

A strike-force so strong that he had to leave the red-hot Jermain Defoe at home? Yet, when it came to the crunch, Roy Hodgson played it safe at the Velodrome last night.

Of course, hindsight is 20:20. But when England have been at their best under Hodgson, it's always been achieved with attacking intent. These young players aren't going to win games by playing it safe. Shutting up shop. Hoofing into row z.

Hodgson should've thrown Jamie Vardy on for that last 15 minutes. To turn the Russian defence around and give Leonid Slutsky something to think about. Instead, he played not only the safe option, but also the predictable one. And sure enough, Russia grabbed that late equaliser.

It was a good performance by England. But also a missed opportunity. Vardy could've made the difference.

If England are to make an impact in France, like at Italia 90 and Euro 96, new heroes will have to emerge and possibly a new system. It's the stuff of tournament football. Hodgson and England can't win being predictable and safe. He's taken five strikers to France. His tactics need to reflect the make-up of his squad. Hodgson needs to gamble.

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Chris Beattie
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Chris Beattie

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