As the Premiership transfer window closed on Wednesday evening there were many last-minute deals worked out by Premiership teams. Arsenal managed to get cover for Jens Lehmann – who is suspended for the first two Champions League matches – and Manuel Almunia – who has a broken finger – in the shape of Sunderland keeper Mart Poom. Poom arrives on a loan deal that lasts till January. Going the other way is Justin Hoyte, who goes on loan to Sunderland for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, David Bentley has gone on loan for the rest of the season to Blackburn Rovers. With the arrival of Alexander Hleb, Bentley moved down the midfield pecking order, and this would appear to be his best chance of getting regular first-team football.
Finally, Jeremie Aliadere has joined West Ham on loan for the rest of the season. Apparently he got fed up with Gordon Strachan not picking him, and the fact that Celtic got dumped out of the Champions League so early didn’t help.