They messed with his head: two reasons Merida should stay at Arsenal.

It seems like Young Guns has an inside source at Arsenal, as in Arsene Wenger himself.  So I’m going to assume Merida is in fact out the door.  GOA actually called this when the first reports surfaced.  Atletico Madrid (AM) had all the right incentives to dislodge rational thought for the young man.  In the end, the Club will be okay with Merida.  I think we would have been better with him, but Merida’s career on the other hand may begin to plateau.

Diaby can cover Song. But Arsene needs to buy in case Song gets hurt.

So Diaby is to replace Song.  I’m okay with this, for a few games.  But the real concern is if Song gets hurt.  It’s pretty apparent that Song has become a backbone of the team alongside Fab.  Quiet but consistent, Saint Song has carried the back line and lately served as a feeder for the goals.  So while Diaby can cover for a minute, any injury to Song is terribly dangerous.