It’s officially one week before the first friendly against Barnet…

Barnet v Arsenal
Pre-season Friendly, Underhill Stadium
Saturday, July 18, 2009, 15:0

… and I’m very much looking forward to the new season. At Barnet, we may not feature our full squad, but it will be a chance to see the likes of Wilshere and the younger lads – I’d expect to see Rosicky and Eduardo play some part too as it’s vital for them to get some playing action in too. Very exciting stuff – I’d also expect to see new signing Vermaelen get a match too – the game is live on Arsenal TV Online (who did have some recent problems with their portal), but I believe all is working now… as well as being available on the Arsenal TV channel.

Before I review the latests happenings in the world of Arsenal – let’s take a look at the current squad and see what we’ve got in so far… of course, there may be a few ins and outs before the transfer window closes, but this is what we’re working with at the moment.

Goalkeepers

Manuel Alumnia

Lukasz Fabianski

Vito Mannone

Defenders

Thomas Vermaelen (centre, left)

Bacary Sagna (right, centre)

Kolo Toure (centre, right, left)

Philippe Senderos (centre)

William Gallas (centre, left)

Mikael Silvestre (centre, left)

Gael Clichy (left)

Defenders / Midfielders (can play in both positions)

Emmanuel Eboue (right, attacking right)

Alex Song (centre, defensive midfielder)

Johan Djourou (centre, right, defensive midfielder)

Armand Traore (left, attacking left)

Kieran Gibbs (left, attacking left)

Midfielders

Abou Diaby (centre)

Cesc Fabregas (centre)

Aaron Ramsey (centre)

Denilson (centre)

Jack Wilshere (right, left, centre)

Samir Nasri (right, left, centre)

Tomas Rosicky (right, left, centre)

Midfielders / Strikers (can play in both positions

Andrei Arshavin (right, left, striker)

Theo Walcott (right, left, striker)

Strikers

Eduardo

Robin Van Persie

Emmanuel Adebayor

Carlos Vela

Niklas Bendtner

If you ask, me that’s a fairly decent squad, some really good players in some very important area – and contrary to popular belief, there is a fair whack of experience in the squad – and if there is one area to strengthen it’s the defensive central midfield position as all of the above members of the squad who can play there aren’t at all experienced… and a certain Filipe Melo looks like he’s all but joined Juventus… Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said:

“I hope he can come to Pinzolo (Juve’s pre-season training camp). That would mean that the negotiations would be done fast. Our relations with Fiorentina are very good. I am optimistic. But Melo’s transfer will only be completed once the player signs the contract and I hope that will happen as soon as possible.”

Stan Kroenke has increased his shareholding of Arsenal by a further 160 shares and in September, he could break the 30% mark… I’ll reflect more on Kroenke tomorrow, but is this an amicable relationship and what does it mean for the future of the club…?

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott is on holiday at the moment and will return to the squad for the Austrian training camp – he’s been in the official Arsenal magazine this month, the young England International is keen on winning a trophy – and I think we’re all agree!

“It was a good learning curve for us all, but next year it is all about the trophies. Hopefully we have had the years of experience now and can bring something back for the fans. For me it was an up-and-down season – you are never really going to have a perfect one, but I am happy that my [shoulder] injury has gone so that I can come back to Arsenal and win things.”

It’s been a busy Sunday and it’s time for me to interupt my flow and leave… I’ve got a lot more to say, but it looks like it will have to wait until tomorrow… until then…