july 27th
We’ll start this morning with injury news. We haven’t had any of that for a long time, so it’s at least a bit different. Sol Campbell is likely to miss the rest of the Austrian tour with a recurrence of the achilles injury that troubled him during Euro 2004 and at times last season. Time for Senderos to show what he’s made of, and Justin Hoyte is being used at centre-half on the tour, so if Cygan leaves he might be involved a bit as well.
The Guardian reports that we’re after Willy Sagnol, the Bayern Munich and France right back. You might remember him bleating during the year that Arsene Wenger was actively looking to replace Lauren, so he’s obviously a discreet and well intentioned chap. They also say that this signing is more likely to placate Vieira who was, in their words, ‘underwhelmed’ at the idea of Trabelsi being our major summer signing. Quite how he’d be underwhelmed at signing one of the best right backs in the game is beyond me, and I’m flummoxed further that bringing in a mouthy, average French player would be more acceptable. I suspect this is more shit stirring by the press.
It appears the Trabelsi deal has broken down over money with Arsenal not willing to treble his €500,000 salary that he earned at Ajax. Obviously we don’t know exactly what the problem is, but €1,500,000 is hardly top dollar. Could that fact his agent is the same as Kanu’s be any reason for the squabbling over cash? Anyway, he can go to Newcastle and earn more money if that’s what he’s into. I trust AW and Dein to do a deal that’s right for the club, and not to let a good deal pass by over something trivial.
Not much else happening really. It was sad to see the retirement of Marc Overmars yesterday. He’s had knee troubles throughout his career, but he picked up a bad injury not long into his Barcelona career from which he never properly recovered. He’ll be well remembered by Arsenal fans, especially for that goal at Old Trafford in the 97-98 season. Best of luck, Marc.
That’s it. Lots of men to see about dogs today. Not Diamond Dogs though.
