Arsenal F.C., currently the top team in the English Premier League after a win over Crystal Palace, signed Kim Kallstrom from Spartak Moscow to bolster an injury-depleted midfield. However, it has been revealed Kallstrom has a microfracture on his back and will be out for six weeks, defeating the reason for Arsenal's signing him.
With Aaron Ramsey out for six weeks, Jack Wilshere nursing an ankle strain and Mathieu Flamini banned for four games, Kallstrom was supposed to step in immediately to help preserve Arsenal's slim lead at the top of the table, as well as contribute towards Arsenal's upcoming Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich.
Arsenal is now trying to return Kallstrom, Arsenal's only transfer signing, to Spartak but there's no guarantee it will occur, especially since it has been revealed Arsenal knew of an injury. The deal becomes even more embarrassing as Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, has acknowledged that the Swedish midfielder will likely never play for the English club.
On the bright side, Wilshere will hopefully return to the line-up on February 8th, but Arsenal will still be without Ramsey and Flamini, nor does it remove the stench of this deal.
Arsenal has only itself to blame as it should have been more on top of negotiations and left itself some time to maneuver. Instead, the club left itself in a position where it had just two options: to sign or not to sign, and unfortunately, the team picked the wrong one.
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