Morning All,
How are we all this morning? I’m suffering from too hot to sleep-a-titis… typical British attitude I’ve got, it’s too cold, I want the summer and then summer comes and it’s too hot I want the winter. To be honest, I prefer those September Autumn days where it’s not too hot and not too cold and there’s no rain…
So, what’s been going on in the World of Arsenal, I hear you ask… well, Real Madrid have been chiseling away at the rest of our squad after Cesc Fabegras came out again to deny rumours linking him with the Madrid outfit… first it was Clichy who dismisses the rumour immediately and yesterday Bacary Sagna was in the press linked with a move… his response even stronger…
“I have seen the quotes attributed to me in the French media today and I just wanted to put the record straight. These comments are not accurate and I’m not aware of any speculation linking me to another club. I am 100 per cent committed to Arsenal. This is a great club and I’m proud to wear the shirt. I’m looking forward to returning for pre-season training in July and preparing for the challenges that next season will bring. We have a great squad of players at the club and I know that we can achieve something together at Arsenal, my focus is nowhere else.”
And that’s the kind of statement I love to hear – although it shouldn’t need to be said all the time, but with Real Madrid around, it’s only a matter of time – don’t be surprised if we hear “Alex Song linked with move to the Bernabau” tomorrow morning and then in the afternoon we hear Alex Song claim the quotes are nonsense and that he’s 100% committed to the club!
Talking about right back’s… Eboue was in the press saying that he’s not happy being a squad member and wants to be first choice… and for those of you who aren’t on facebook or not connected to the site via facebook, there were quite a few comments related to keeping Eboue and getting rid of Gallas and Silvestre – we’ve all got our opinions, but the general consensus is that no-one actually wants to see Eboue leave, there is something about him that we all like – but none of us seem to know what it is!
Anyway, here’s Eboue:
“I really don’t know what to do. It would be very difficult to leave Arsenal, but I believe it would be more difficult to experience the same season, not on the pitch. Anyway if I leave Arsenal, it will be for another league, because it is out of the question I will play anywhere else in England.”
I think the Ivorian has turned the corner, his abject performances last season apparently related to physical and mental fitness but he did end the season in good form… near the end of the season, I was calling him to start or come on, knowing that he could come on and offer pace and penetration, now I’m personally reluctant to see him go…!
Yesterday we discussed how we’re not in bad position compared to some of the other teams, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, have a look at the comments, some really interesting views on yesterday’s article. I’m quietly confident of our squad and potential additions, especially when you hear Vermaelen’s agent come out and say the deal is all but pretty much done…
“It’s more a question of when than one of if it will take place”
Simple, short and sweet…!
And lastly (kind of), we’ve been linked with two midfielders yesterday – Thomas Hitzelberger and Felipe Melo – the former a player at Aston Villa, a good left foot and highly rated with Premiership experience – the only issue being that he’s not the strongest and most imposing player we have and a much of the same as we have – and then the latter, Melo, actually reminds me of a more mobile Gilberto… take a look at the YouTube of Melo against Juve – he looks like he’s the main midfield player out of both sides.
The Brazilian looks strong in the air, good in the tackle and has an awesome passing range… keep your eyes peeled on this one!
And finally, if you’re one of the winners of the Masters Football competition, then you’ll have a reservation email in your inbox – any problems shoot through an email to the competition department and we’ll try and help wherever possible.
Okay, tomorrow is a big day, so I’ll keep it short for this morning…
Tune back in tomorrow midday / lunchtime with my initial reaction to the league fixtures… released later this morning!
