A reasonably quiet one this morning. The main story appears to be the Independent’s claim that we’re going to pay £13m for Obafemi Martins. He’s got a buy out clause in his contract which Newcastle can’t do anything about.
The allegedly 22 year old had a good season last time around in the North East and Arsenal fans will remember him during Inter’s 3-0 win at Highbury. However, there are complications. Just last week Martins alleged that somebody tried to kill him when he was at home in Nigeria and I was listening to the radio here last night and they had what I can only assume was a Nigerian football expert on the show. His life and behaviour all sounds a little bit crazy, I have to say. He’s obviously got some talent but this signing would make me rather uneasy, at least until he proved himself not to be a complete lunatic. Didn’t he fail to turn up for one of Newcastle’s final games last season? That’s a bit cunty.
Also on the radio last night was French journalist Xavier Rivoire (thanks to Haz for the spelling and Richard for the info) who claimed to have spoken to Arsene Wenger in the last couple of days. His take on the whole situation was that Wenger would stay long term and sign a new deal, Anelka is a definite target but Manchester United are after him too, and most curious of all was the claim that Samuel Eto’o is open to a move to London to either Arsenal or Chelsea but the price will determine Arsenal’s interest. Reports in Spain say Milan are after Drogba in which case Chelsea will buy Eto’o. Or something. Chelsea have also made a bit for Malouda, which is good.
More on Henry’s orange-fuelled move to Barcelona, if you’re interested.
Freddie Ljungberg’s agent has again insisted the player intends to stay at Arsenal. That’s twice in a couple of weeks now. I suppose the natural progression is for him to sign for Barcelona and say that since the old janitor left the place hasn’t been the same and Arsenal has changed and if only the janitor had stayed everything would have been so different.
And that’s about it really. I’m off to record a farewell tribute to Thierry Arsecast which will feature The Man in the Bar sobbing for three minutes, sixteen seconds, me bawling for 20 minutes, Adebayor weeping like a gentle guitar and other tear related activities all based around a Leonard Cohen soundtrack.
