July 17th
So there was football again yesterday as Arsenal played their first pre-season friendly against Barnet. We ran out 4-1 winners with the goals coming from new boy Alexander Hleb, a Thierry Henry penalty, Dennis Bergkamp and Justin Hoyte. Arsenal gave a trial to ex-Barcelona and Marseille defender Philippe Christanval and new goalkeeper Vito Mannone made an appearance too.
After the game Arsene Wenger confirmed that Thierry Henry will be the new captain of Arsenal which to me is the right choice. He also revealed a little more about the sale of Patrick Vieira saying “For next year (we would receive) nothing. That is part of the decreasing value of a player which means next season’s residual value would be nothing. We have to be positive and regroup, we have the quality and spirit.”
Gary Lineker is sure there’s life after Paddy and while there’s lots of talk of replacements the boss was coy when talking about Jermaine Jenas saying “We haven’t made an approach, for the moment, for Jenas.” Speaking about all the rumours about who we’re going to bring in he said “Well, negotiations don’t need to be in the newspapers. When we sign the player we always inform you. I feel the club has the right to be quite secret with who they want to sign and where and how.”
Lauren talks about the need for defensive stability while Ashley Cole appears to have withdrawn his swallowed his pride and agreed a new deal according to the News of the World. Cole’s agent says “I am pleased to say amicable discussions have taken place in the aftermath of a very difficult situation. Both sides are now close to an agreement that could see Ashley remain at Highbury. Perhaps now people will believe there were no secret deals to join another club.”
I wouldn’t believe that bloke if he recited the alphabet to me but hopefully Cole has come to his senses a little bit. In order to stay he had to sign a new deal and even if it is just so we can sell him next summer then at least the club aren’t going to miss out on the big transfer fee we deserve for him.
Beastwatch: Reports in Spain say we’ve upped our offer to €22m while Sevilla are not letting the grass grow under their feet as they move to sign Albert Luque from Deportivo having already signed Enzo Maresca from Juventus.
Demento on Jose Mourinho’s recent comments: “Jose Mourinho has needed just a year to find out what I’ve been saying for the last seven – that Arsenal do run the game here.” What a pair of unholy cocksuckers they are.
David Bentley could join Crystal Palace on loan. Robin van Persie has been given two weeks off by the club to take a rest and get his head together after the ordeal he’s been through and is yet to face. And that’s yer lot this Sunday. Roasting here. Beach. Later.
