Afternoon All,
And one thing I have to say is that my beloved Arsenal team are a very good marketing organisation – no sooner have I received my new away shirt and all the goodies that go with it, today I have received the email and marketing stuff about our 3rd kit (featured as the main image of this article)… and now I just can’t resist going and buying one… I hope I do get all those extras (different ones though) if I pre-order…!?!
Personally, I think the kit looks very good – I’m a fan of the white(ish) tops and the color thing has grown on me since receiving my away kit! Take a click to see more below… What do you think of the new 3rd kit?
So, back to things at the Grove and both le boss and the former captain are looking forward to next season and Arsene has been specifically talking about the overtures for his presence by other clubs in addition to his desire to move forward and start the job he has been doing for so long.
Arsene has been steadily creating a club in his image – the image of good football, a world class stadium, awesome fans (yes, that’s us), a brilliant pitch, a youth system to compare to no other and of course a financially stable future. And you know what, he’s pretty much achieved all of the above, with a trophy or two the remaining part of the jigsaw – but nevertheless, that’s quite an achievement.
“I want to have success by building a team with a style, with a know-how, with a culture of play specific to the club and its fans and with young people. That is what I have chosen in my career and want to ensure I continue here at Arsenal. I am in a construction project with a young team, but my intention is to take that project to the ultimate end. For me, pleasure comes from watching those players showing the football I like to see played. The sums we are talking about with Real can appear shocking. But they are the fruit of a calculation carried out by the investors in the club. I believe it is necessary to disregard moral judgement and to simply ask whether the operation will be profitable. In my opinion, to recruit more than three players in a transfer window, as Real plan, is taking a technical risk. You are entering a zone of uncertainty and if that kicks back at you, it can hurt.”
The comments about Real Madrid were interesting, because he doesn’t dismiss the financial calculation, as it’s where we want to be and will be post stadium – but he does dismiss the team changing and of course, with so many in’s and out’s it would be hard to gel in time for next season…
On to Gallas… Although there were some attitude issues over the last few years, one thing which was evident, is that William Gallas was one of our best defenders in the close season before his injury, and even though we’ve signed Thomas Vermaelen and have the able bodies of Kolo Toure and Johan Djourou around, I would really like to see Gallas at the club next season – those four players would definitely be my first choice 4… and the Frenchman has confirmed that he will be around this coming season:
“I am at Arsenal, my contract is still valid for a year, so I am an Arsenal player. We have not talked about renewing the contract, but I am relaxed and looking forward to next season with Arsenal.”
And finally, a little round up of the transfer news…
Bordeaux are apparently interested in Mikael Silvestre (and we may get paid for him), Fiorentina (despite the new contract for Melo) are still interested in Senderos along with Villa who have a few defensive departures so need to strengthen in that department. Apparently Sp*rs want Alex Hleb, who apparently will go to anywhere that will take him (so much changes in a year)… and finally, we’re still interested in Inler and Cana, and maybe maybe might just sign one of them before they extend their contracts…!?!
More tomorrow…
