So the signing of Tomas Rosicky was confirmed yesterday with the player joining on the now ubiquitous long term contract for an undisclosed fee. He said:
I’m really happy to be here at Arsenal, it is a great day for me. The team showed its strength recently in the Champions League and it has big potential with a lot of young players, I think we can be even better next season. This is the best club in Europe and I will give everything for Arsenal.
While Arsene Wenger said:
We are delighted to welcome Tomas to our squad. He has great technique, skill on the ball and sharp passing. Tomas has good experience at all levels for club and country, and we look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal after what will hopefully be a successful summer for him at the World Cup.
Fantastic. And he is a very good signing. Unsurprising to see reports of Robert Pires’s imminent departure from the club break last night, yet again. Spanish radio station Cadena Ser last night quoted Villarreal’s president as saying a deal has been done to bring Le Bob to Spain. Is Rosicky the man to take his mantle on the left hand side. He’s most been a central player but we know how AW likes to move players around. As for Bobby we’ll wait for confirmation but if he is going I’m sure he goes with the best wishes of all Arsenal fans who will remember what a brilliant player he’s been for us.
Another player on his way, no question, is Sol Campbell. Speaking at England’s training camp yesterday he said:
What is my future with Arsenal? We will have to see what happens. I’m not considering anything. I’ve just got to weigh up the situation. Arsenal is there and that’s all I’ve got to say about it at the moment.
Arsenal will always be there, Campbell, and thankfully next season it will be there without you. If he really thinks anyone cares if he stays or goes he’s deluded. We were on tenterhooks with Henry because he’s an amazing player and we’d be so much weaker without him. If we get rid of Campbell and bring in somebody like Davies there’s no doubt in my mind we’re better off. It’s quite presumptuous to try and make an issue out his future because what he decides will have little bearing on what happens to him. The club were actively trying to move him on last summer. After his bullshit this season we won’t just be trying. If we have to bring him out into the woods and drive off without him that’s what we’ll do. He certainly won’t leave with the goodwill that Bobby’ll take to Spain. The fat fucker.
There are even whispers that Campbell and his agent are negotiating a release from his contract with Arsenal so he can retire after the World Cup and go into acting. A film role playing this man is apparently on the cards.
Ashley Cole wants to stay though. If you had to choose between him or Campbell you’d have to pick the left back, despite his behaviour last summer.
Former captain Patrick Vieira was gassed into unconsciousness, along with his wife and daughter, by thieves who then plundered his house while he was asleep. Thankfully he and his family are ok and he’s now joined up with the French World Cup squad. Scary stuff though.
Right, there you go. Midweek already. Time flies, eh?