Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
I was told by a reliable source weeks ago that the loan deal was based on a certain number of appearances, if we don't play him the deal cost a lot more. Additionally, Bulut really wanted him, so perhaps has to play him to save face. Huge mistake, Alnwick is SO much better all-round...
Bulut explicitly denied that in the press conference - at least according to the Wales Online live blog (not watched it yet).

Q: Not under pressure from Arsenal to play him?

Bulut: "For sure not."

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...-live-28246010

It would have been easy to dodge the question, but a straight out denial looks convincing to me.

And you seem to be suggesting there was a loan fee involved (that would be higher if he didn't play a certain number of matches) - when we couldn't pay a loan fee.