According to ESPN, Arsene Wenger has confessed to the media that Kim Kallstrom’s move to Arsenal was on the verge of being stalled due to a back injury sustained by the Swede days before the move was completed.

Arsenal were in negotiations with Schalke for the transfer of Julian Draxler, but their efforts were left in vain, as talks broke down over the fee, and more midfielders sustained injuries to add to the worry. This left Wenger with no option but to opt a move for Kallstrom, who was to be available for a loan deal till the end of the season. However, as news broke about the player’s injury, it was too late for the club to pursue any other players, and decided to continue with the deal as planned.

As it turns out, Kallstrom’s parent club Spartak Moscow were prepared to pay the player’s wage for six weeks until the back problem was resolved. Also, the prospect of signing an experienced player like Kallstrom seemed the right move for Wenger in light of any other reasonable options emerging in time for Wenger to move on them.