Arsenal news includes fan reaction to Jack Grealish’s £100m transfer to Manchester City which was confirmed on Thursday and prompted a response from the Aston Villa chief

Arsenal fans have been reacting to what was only the second-biggest news in the football world on Thursday.

Whilst many were coming to terms with the shock announcement of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona, thus officially becoming a free agent, Manchester City broke a British transfer record.

The Premier League champions’ £100m deal for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been confirmed, making the England international the most expensive signing in British transfer history.

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Now, the attacking midfielder had been a dream signing for many Arsenal supporters – stretching all the way back to the January window – but the general reaction to this move hasn’t focused on City scuppering their ambitious plans

Rather it has been to praise Villa chief Christian Purslow following his address to fans on VillaTV, regarding Grealish’ sale.

“Most importantly for our supporters tonight, I want you all to be reassured that the board, Dean Smith, Johan Lange (sporting director) and I obviously knew this day might come and we have planned accordingly,” he said. “It was never our intention to replace Jack with one footballer.

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“Our strategy was to analyse and break down Jack’s key attributes – his creativity, his assists, his goals – and to find these qualities and others in three forward players.

“In signing Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, we believe we have achieved this key objective.

“And in doing so, have also reduced an overdependence on one brilliant footballer.”

Having seen a chief executive at a fellow Premier League club talk so openly about transfer strategies, some Gunners fans on social media are demanding the same from owner Stan Kroenke as well as manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu.