So Ashley Cole is determined to leave Arsenal according to reports in this morning’s papers. Oh well. Arsene says:
When Ashley Cole comes back, the most important thing is to work hard and not to talk too much. We have shown many times we can keep our best players when we want to.
Do we really want to though? As a squad there’s no question we’re stronger with Cole in it but his book, his agent’s influence and his behaviour suggests we’d be better off without him. Sometimes AW focuses too much on the qualities of the player and not the man. I’ve been told that he has never, ever referenced the Chelsea meeting with Cole leaving the left back agitated and confused when he was expecting a bollocking.
This time I think he needs to show that certain standards of behaviour are acceptable and that Cole’s behaviour falls well outside that. I’m sure if he could rely on the fitness of Clichy he might well be harsher. On the other hand though he could just be talking the talk to ensure we get the best price possible.
Could Cole end up at Madrid? They certainly need a left back and Julio Baptisa reckons Arsenal are still interested in him. He doesn’t really seem keen on coming though so the swap deal might not be a runner. I still think Chelsea is the obvious move despite the stories linking them with Roberto Carlos. I just can’t see Mourinho’s team with a playboy veteran who would cost them goals.
Whatever happens I’m sure he’ll be sold and with the boss saying he wants to bring in a defender who can play centre-half and left back that tells its own story. As Gunnerblog pointed out it’s odd that we let Salcido go to PSV but maybe our targets lie elsewhere. He’s also ruled out paying £10m for Curtis Davies and as much as I like the player there’s just no way he’s worth that kind of money. We do need to reinforce there as Campbell has left and Philippe Senderos is going to missing for 3 months which is a real blow.
It’s no go for Saviola as well, which isn’t a surprise. I was never able to see where he’d fit into things and if there was interest maybe it was cooled by wage demands or maybe it was cooled by the fact that very few Argentinians come to England and do well.
We’re being linked again with France’s most sought after gargoyle, Frank Ribery, while Tomas Rosicky hopes he can be Arsenal’s Mr X next season, saying
I’m not one of the big names in England. I’m like a Mr X. But that will change if I produce for Arsenal.
Despite saying that he wasn’t interested in any of the Juventus players (and I don’t believe AW when he says we can’t afford their wages. Thierry Henry is the best paid player in England!) rumours persist about Gigi Buffon. His agent says:
It’s true that Arsenal are very interested. Juventus informed me that Arsenal have made a very serious offer for Gigi.
It would be an awesome signing and although we have a great keeper and a top man in Jens Lehmann when someone of the quality of Buffon becomes available you have to be prepared to go for it.
Kenya update: I sent the The Standard newspaper an email about the fact they’re ripping off Arseblog and publishing it in their newspaper but they never responded.
My Kenyan pal George then emailed me another article in which they’ve done exactly the same thing. They’ve taken a number of days of Arseblog, Kenyanised it, and published it.
They’ve gone too far now. I’m calling Superman. Or a lawyer. The stealing cunts.
Right, that’s enough to be going on with. Till tomorrow.
