Former Arsenal shareholder and board member Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has been creating quite a stir on Twitter these days. In a Q&A session with her followers, Lady Bracewell-Smith revealed that she felt the current Arsenal board had little more to offer the club.

“I agree that current board should all go,” Bracewell-Smith said. “They are passe. Have nothing more to give to the club at all.”

According to the London Evening Standard, Lady Bracewell-Smith also answered questions about the situation that led her to be sacked by the board, and her feelings on former Arsenal Board member David Dein.

Personally, I think that change is needed at the top, but sacking the entire board is a bit of a drastic measure. As laudable and impressive as Arsenal’s financial goals are, every summer it is becoming increasingly apparent that Arsenal can’t compete with clubs whose owners aggressively invest in the club. Let me just say that I am not looking for a sugar daddy to pump in silly amounts of cash and then run the club like his little plaything (looking at you, Chelsea). All I am asking for is that the money be there when its needed. Arsenal shouldn’t be losing out on players over an extra £2m, or because they can only offer them “peanuts.”

And on that subject, The London Evening Standard has reported that Arsenal target Juan Mata is insisting he’s happy at Valencia. And in an article by The Sun, Valencia have stated that it will take at least £23m to sign the 23-year-old Spanish star.

“I want to win a trophy with Valencia next season,” said Mata. “I’ve not planned anything different as I’ve a contract until 2015.”

To me, this is as deflating as news can get. I think that Mata would be a great addition here, and despite his comments, I think he would welcome a move to the Emirates. What is deflating is that Arsene doesn’t pay “over the odds” for anyone, and if he’s had a bid of £18m rejected, its very possible he will decide to look for a cheaper alternative, rather than pay up the cash for a player that could really help the club.

This is an important moment, because unlike Ricky Alvarez and Gervinho, Juan Mata is a player who will generate a buzz even if Cesc leaves. He’s 23, he has been playing at a top club in Spain for the past few years, and he has experience in Champions League. He’s every bit the proven signing that Arsenal haven’t been making for the past few years.

And in other transfer news, Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT he thinks Arsene Wenger should pursue out-of-favor Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, claiming he could be an Ian Wright-like player for Arsenal.

“They should get someone who’s a little bit different, who can score a goal, like an Ian Wright,” said Parlour. “Jermain Defoe would be a good signing for me.Tottenham fans won’t like it but that’s how it goes these days. I was there when Sol Campbell signed and he was a great player for Arsenal.”

Depending on the fee, I actually may agree with Ray Parlour’s logic. As we saw against Arsenal, Jermain Defoe can be an absolute game-changer, he has pace and ability, as well as an eye for goal. The fact that he couldn’t find a place this year in Harry Redknapp’s squad is a concern, but who say’s it couldn’t work out here? Arsenal need a striker that isn’t named Bendtner, and Chamakh and Vela honestly provide more questions than they do answers.

As I said before, if the fee is agreeable, Defoe would be solid depth for the squad. It’s the same with Scott Parker. I’ve heard people say, “Scott Parker wouldn’t even be first choice at Arsenal.” And my response is, “so what?” That means we shouldn’t sign him? How does having Scott Parker, last season’s FWA player of the year, in any way make Arsenal a worse club? Even if he is only second-choice, doesn’t Scott Parker offer more to your team than, say, Denilson?

It’s the same thing with Defoe, I feel. It’s not the type of signing that will win you a Championship all by itself, but it’s the type of signing that champion’s make. Manchester United didn’t get worse by signing Ashley Young. What they got is experienced depth at a position where they are already strong, and a player who will fight for his spot and maybe, just maybe, surprise people and end up winning a spot. And United will be all the better for it.

As always, whether you agree with me or not, I invite you to let your thoughts be known in our newly-launched Arsenal Forum!