Arsenal: Nabil Fekir did not issue a ‘come get me’ plea

It is being reported that Nabil Fekir has issued a ‘come get me ‘ plea to Arsenal and other teams. But if you read what he actually said, then it’s simply not true.

The transfer rumour mill is whirring. As is ever the case with Arsenal and their internally hopeful fans, media companies like to pick on them, seeing the hope that they offer, which is often unfounded, as an avenue to more views. It is, unfortunately, the modern way.

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And there is another example of contrived, contorted and twisted journalism making the rounds.

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Lyon attacker Nabil Fekir has been a name on the lips of the Gunners’ fans for some time. Given his club, where he partnered with Alexandre Lacazette for some time, his nationality, which leads many to point to Arsene Wenger’s happiness to buy French, and his pedigree, it is clear to see why. Given the anticipated departure of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, he is the type and quality of player that fans are wanting.

So media companies have seen their opportunity and taken it, pandering to the hopeless optimism of the North London fan base. Fekir, in an interview with Spanish media, was asked about some of his favourite teams, as well as where he saw his future. This is what he had to say:

"“Spain, with Real [Madrid], Barcelona & Atletico [Madrid] who are the big clubs. ‘After that there is England: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal. I don’t have a specific club [I want to go to]. Is this my last season at Lyon? I don’t know what the future holds for me. I’ve still got two years left on my contract. So, I’m still [at] Lyonnais.”"

So, this is what Fekir said: He named three different clubs from two different countries, admitted that he doesn’t have a particular club that he wants to go, while stating that he doesn’t know what his future holds and that, for now, he is still at Lyon.

The general headline was one of a ‘Come get me plea’, because, apparently, that is exactly what Fekir was doing. Apart from, that is exactly what he didn’t say. In fact, his last sentence was ‘I’m still at Lyon.’ Now, I know that footballers are not the most believable of characters. But he’s not begging to be rescued from the plights of the French club, is he? Or am I reading this all too literally?

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The media, and I include myself in that as much as anybody else, are often guilty of spinning the truth. Because of the despair of Arsenal fans, that often involves the Gunners — they are desperate for positive stories. This is just another example. Let’s not believe the hype.