We’ll start this morning with the news that the Aaron Ramsey signing was officially announced last night.
We got the usual stuff from Arsene about how happy he was to sign a player who can play in midfield, at the back, up front, in goal, do ballboy, physio, tea-lady, write the match programme and be a steward. The player himself said:
I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.
So welcome to the Arsenal young man, glad to have you. No doubt we’ll get some glimpses of him in pre-season.
Now, Adebayor. There’s so much going on here that’s it’s very difficult to see the wood for the trees. We know about the interest from AC Milan and his agent, Stephane Courbis, is quoted as saying:
The player is fine at Arsenal, but when Milan come in for you it’s difficult to tell them no. I know that Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world and, when they want to take you, you have to really consider it. It’s difficult to say no to Milan.
So what we can gather from that is that if Arsenal were to accept a bid from Milan then he would go. Now, this is according to the agent only at this stage but you have to think that Milan’s prolonged interest in Adebayor is due to encouragement from the agent and possibly the player. If Adebayor said to his agent ‘I am really happy at Arsenal, I don’t want to move’ then these stories probably would not be appearing.
On the other hand The Sun quotes Adebayor this morning:
My future with Arsenal has never been in doubt and I want to assure fans I will be here for many years. My agent has met with coach Arsene Wenger about a new deal and I am happy about how the talks are going so fans can rest assured.
Hmmm, I have to say I’m a bit suspicious about this whole situation. As I said yesterday we have to give the player the benefit of the doubt because everything we’ve heard from him has been positive about his Arsenal future. On the other hand though there’s obviously something going on. Whether that’s trying to get Adebayor a new deal at Arsenal or a move to Milan I don’t know.
I’m not sure that Adebayor actually merits a new contract with us to be honest. He just got a rise last season and while he had an outstanding season with 30 goals I think football is in very real danger of being ruined by hype. A player who has a few good games is lauded as the next ‘Zidane/Maradona/Henry/Pele’ whereas in the past it took time for a player to build his reptuation. Players and agents are greedily trying to cash in when their stock is high, there’s no long term thinking.
My opinion regarding Adebayor would be that he had a brilliant season last time around but we have to be sure that he can do it again before we start paying him big, big money. To me that makes perfect sense. I’m not suggesting that what he did last season was a fluke but we’ve seen players in the past have one glorious season and fail miserably to ever reach those heights again. If he sticks away 25-30 goals this season then fair enough but until then he’ll just have to cope with the £35,000 a week he’s earning. Poor lamb.
Some fella called Gervinho talks himself up and says he knows that Arsenal want him. This comes after his agent made similar claims. Sounds like a player trying to increase his profile to me.
‘Yeah, I know Arsenal want me but I’m really happy at a much smaller club playing lower quality football, in lower quality surroundings and earning less money’. Pfffff. Do one.
We might be getting a bit of money as it looks like Bolton will be signing Fabrice Muamba from Birmingham. A nice little sell-on clause will gain us a few quid.
Kenny and Sammy at 36 and 35, now Nigel at 32. I’m still watching.
Cesc wants Alexander Hleb to stay at the club saying he’s an ‘underrated’ and ‘incredible’ player. Much as I love the little fella and not that I’m trying to suggest I know about the game than he does but I’m not sure I agree with him on this one. He’s a player we can improve on, in my opinion. According to Radio Catalunya Barcelona’s vice-president, Marc Ingla, travelled to London yesterday to negotiate with a transfer with Arsenal. Let’s see what happens.
Speaking of Cesc he’s likely to be on the bench again for Spain today but he doesn’t mind. They play Sweden later on this afternoon while the evening games sees Russia play Greece.
Yesterday’s games were fun, I thought. Italy a penalty kick away from going out but the cravat wearing Buffon saved Mutu’s penalty. Italy will be unhappy at the perfectly good goal they scored just before half-time being ruled out. In the other game Holland destroyed France 4-1, Robin van Persie getting in on the scoring. The Dutch are looking really, really good in this tournament. We know they’ve got talent up front but their solidity at the back is surprising. They’ve now qualified for the 1/4 finals and Italy, France and Romania all still have a chance. The game between Italy and France is sure to be epic.
Right, that’s about it. Have a good Saturday, more tomorrow.
