july 18th
07.39 – After near silence all summer from Arsenal and the board, we’re yakking like a coked up PR girl at the moment. Double-D has got in on the ‘leave our players alone’ business. After more reports of Chelsea bids for Henry and Vieira, Arsenal’s vice-Chairman had had enough. He spoke to Sky Sports saying “All the speculation is very annoying. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will not be leaving Arsenal. We will not be selling our best players, it’s as simple as that. We will not be weakening our squad to strengthen the opposition.”
He also spoke about Arsenal’s lack of transfer activity saying “We’re working on it – we’re on the case”. And speaking about Patrick Vieira he said “The timing is his and we’re not going to force the issue. He knows when he is ready to sign, the offer is on the table for him. He said the other day he will sign. He will be with us for sure next season and hopefully for many seasons to come.”
Also speaking about transfers is Chairman Peter Hill-Wood. I know lots of fans won’t like what he has to say, but he does make sense – which is twice in a matter of days now for him. Must be a record. He said “It’s pointless just spending money because the fans want new faces. Arsene’s confident he has a couple of young players who can make the step up. The transfer market’s generally been very slow and we don’t have a Russian billionaire bankrolling us.”
New Real Madrid boss and ex-Man Utd No2 Carlos Queiroz confused the entire football world by talking about Vieira signing a new deal at Arsenal. He said “It is something that at this moment in time, is in the fridge.” Even Demento makes more sense than that. ‘In the fridge’? What in the name of the flabby gash of the mother of god is he talking about?
According to Real Madrid fan and top golfologist Sergio Garcia, Steve McManaman is in talks with Arsenal. Yeah right. We need Stepanovs more than we need him. According the Evening Standard Arsenal rejected the link with the floppy haired scouser. Apparently this is a great disappointment to Arsenal fans. So Arsenal rejected the deal by issuing no statement and Arsenal fans are disappointed because nobody said anything. The joys of the English press.
Reports in France say Leeds could take Brazilian defender Edmilson on a season long loan. If there’s even the remotest chance of anybody actually connected with Arsenal reading this, please do something about this. He’s the defender we really need in my opinion. I’ve said it here before, we need a quick, ball-playing centre half. He fits the bill perfectly. We were close to signing him 3 summers ago before work permit problems scuppered the deal. Last summer we were looking at him but couldn’t pay the £15m Lyon wanted. Now he’s available on loan. Sort it AW and Double-D.
What a shock. And once again Fergie hijacks somebody else’s transfer deal at the last minute. Kleberson is a 2nd rate Gilberto. He’ll be good company for Forlorn on the bench.
Some morose new stadium opinion from somebody at the Financial Times who claims to be an Arsenal fan. He’s such a big old Arsenal fan he says “Personally, I’m ready to jump ship and revive an ancient affection for third division Leyton Orient.” Glory hunter.
Ok, thank god it’s Friday. I have a funny feeling we’ll sign somebody today. Word is we’ve been having talks with Oldham’s tea-lady.
