So pre-season kicked off with a 2-1 win over Barnet yesterday.
We were losing 1-0 at half-time then changed the entire team around and goals from Jay Simpson and Nacer Barazite secured the win. There really is nothing much to be read into a friendly at this stage but one or two of the younger players caught the eye apparently, Jack Wilshere in particular looking rather good.
Arsenalist has the highlights and the goals. And here’s a post-match interview with the boss (thanks to Luther).
Afterwards Arsene Wenger said he expected Adebayor to return to the club on Monday for pre-season training saying, rather cryptically:
Adebayor is a player of Arsenal Football Club and I’m confident he will be here at the start of the season Adebayor is under contract, it’s a completely different position to Hleb.
Wasn’t Hleb under contract too? Or is the situation completely different because nobody’s actually made a bid for Adebayor. Strange all the same and I think Arsene’s little smile as he spoke about Adebayor returning/staying speaks volumes. There was some reassurance though for fans who want signings. He said there’d ‘certainly’ be at least one signing, maybe two. You can even hear him say it on the BBC here.
I think there’s still some wheeling and dealing to be done this summer. If Adebayor stays then I can’t see us signing a striker but will Adebayor want to stay after what he’s said and knowing he’s hardly a fans favourite anymore? Songs were sung about him at Barnet yesterday and he’s got a lot to do to win people around again if he does stay. When he does return he needs to be on his best behaviour too, if there’s the slightest bit of agitation or bullshit to disrupt pre-season then we should come down on him like a ton of bricks.
The Times suggests he could be on his way to Milan if Milan sell Kaka to Chelsea but the Italians have said they’re not willing to sell. If Chelsea were to make an official £80m bid then I think the situation would change rapidly. Who could turn down that sort of money? It’s an obscene and disgusting amount.
The News of the World says Adebayor will tell the club he wants £100,000 a week. Apparently that’s ‘fair reward’ for what he’s done for Arsenal. It’s so ludicrous and downright fucking stupid that it barely merits comment. What I would say is that if this is his agent’s way of ensuring we’re forced into selling him then he’d want to be very sure there’s someone who can afford to buy him. If he wants £100,000 a week why shouldn’t Arsenal ask for a transfer fee corresponding to that. He’s the one making the valuation, isn’t he? There are some reports in Barcelona this morning that they’re still interested and Yaya Toure has been saying how Adebayor would add strength to their attack.
So there’s still that uncertainty and honestly, if the chance came and the money was right I’d sell Adebayor in a flash. Some might see it as giving the player what he wants, but you don’t need trouble-makers in your squad and I just get the feeling that he would be trouble if he stayed. Which is a real shame. The other concern I have is that this shit will keep going right up until August 31st and we’ll be left to do a last-minute deal on deadline day just to get shot of the cunt.
As for our ‘certain’ signing will come in central midfield and who knows what else might happen?
The Sunday Mirror says both PSG and Barcelona want William Gallas. £5m for a 31 year old who really hasn’t covered himself in glory since he arrived at Arsenal would be good business provided it was spent on a quality replacement.
The Observer talks to Theo Walcott. Leaving the dog whisperer aside he seems like a very level-headed and well grounded young man. He made good progress last season, it’d be great to see him do it again this time around.
Dennis Bergkamp has started his coaching career at Ajax. Imagine being a young player at Ajax and having Dennis as your coach. Amazing.
Right, that’s about it. More tomorrow.
