Year: 2008

Adebayor will stay, I think..

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal7 Comments

Adebayor put out the message for the second time on Friday that he will stay at Arsenal.

But the media have turned the whole scenario into a circus – SkySports now report that he has said that he will decide on his future next week.

“I am a footballer, I have a three-year contract at Arsenal but as you know, a lot of clubs are interested in me.

“At the moment we are just going to sit down and talk and decide what to do. Nothing has been decided yet.

“We will decide next week.”

For me this seems like his words may have been skewed into meaning something Ade didn’t intend. He has even said here that he has a 3 year contract at Arsenal.

He did add:

“I have a lot of big clubs trying to buy me and it is up to me and my agent, Stephane Courbis, to sit down next week and find a good solution. I am in a position that I don’t know where I will be playing but that is normal. If you told me seven years ago when I was playing in Togo without football boots that I would have a choice of playing in Spain or Italy it would seem crazy.”

This is true, I think Ade is saying that of course he is tempted by a big move – and he just wants to make the right decision.

There’s no way that this is the ‘U-turn’ which the media is talking about.

Ade is just stating the facts – the money the papers claim we are offering is very good, and Ade knows that, he’s being pragmatic.

Adebayor WILL be an Arsenal player come the start of the campaign, I can’t believe he will leave. If Wenger let him leave it would be crazy.

Ade has been definitve over his future and it just seems that these comments have been worked to sound ‘exclusive’ so Sky get a story.

Theo Walcott – No. 14, the new Henry?!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal3 Comments

Arsenal announced today that Theo Walcott, the young English striker will wear the No. 14 shirt next season.

This is a big step for the young player from shirt No.32 to having No.14,which is a legendary shirt, it was Henry’s number, and he was the best striker ever to play for Arsenal.

This shows several things on Wenger’s part:

1. Theo will be used more often this season, and definitely in a more attacking role.

2. Wenger has faith in Theo’s abilities – giving him the No.14 shirt is a very symbolic move.

It is funny that they also have the similarity that they have been used on the wing – Henry at Juve and Theo last season for Arsenal. They are both also very pacy.

Obviously Theo is his own player and all players are induviduals, but this does say good things about his potential to be a great player!

For Arsenal’s Squad list click here.

Adebayor is staying at Arsenal – Don’t listen to agents!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

Emmanuel Adebayor has yet again denied the rumours that he is leaving Arsenal.

Speaking in Vienna he told the press:

“I am an Arsenal player and have three years left on my contract. “The most important thing for me is to keep on enjoying my football. I’m staying at Arsenal.

This is the second, or third time that he has denied the rumours surrounding him. Morabito is a moron for saying that Ade would be leaving.

It seems obvious to me that Ade wants to stay, and that Wenger wants him to stay.

Milan have said he is their main target for the summer, which is odd, but it is probably just to put pressure on the player and the club, and unsettle.

Also I reckon Hleb will stay too, the transfer rumours which were abounding last month seem to have died down, and realistically it looks like he will be playing for us next season – who wants him? Barcelona?? They say they’re getting Arshavin, so they won’t want Hleb. No-one else is seriously interested.

Rosicky off the crutches

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Injuries8 Comments

Rosickytomas.com has some good news regarding Rosicky’s recovery:

“To lose the crutches has been a great relief. For six weeks after the surgery I was strictly ordered not to make a single movement without the crutches. Now that is over, but I will not remember it kindly”

“Wednesday was the first time I walked without any support. It is nothing great, but at least I can walk. I am stumbling and getting used to it. After a long time without proper movements, my knee is stiff. It just needs time.”

“In a few days I am flying to England. In London there is a more sophisticated rehabilitation schedule waiting for me. I don’t know what it will be like, but at least I will be doing something at last. I am sure the Arsenal specialists have thought it through well.”

This is great news, what we need next season is a Tomas Rosicky who is incredibly fit, consistent, not injured and scores goals from midfield!

Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Veloso, Crouch, Santa Cruz, Guiza, Senna

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

Good morning, afternoon, or evening. Wherever you are in the world! Here are a few more transfer rumours awaiting your derision.

First up, we’ve been linked with Portugese defensive midfielder Miguel Veloso. He plays for Sporting CP in Portugal and his agent Paulo Barbosa claims we want him – I think this is buls*it.

“Actually, we did not have normal contact from the Arsenal board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club, at the moment there is not a formal offer yet, but it is possible that will happen soon as Juventus and AC Milan have shown an equal interest in the player.”

So what does that mean? A scout watched him play once?? Again, it’s just an agent talking up a player – we should keep a list of them, Vicenzo Morabito would be somewhere near the top!

Morabito said we are interested in Crouch, beacuse Adebayor is 70 – 80% sure to leave Arsenal he claimed on Italian TV show Studio Sport.

“Arsenal are exploring the transfer market for a substitute for Adebayor,””The names being talked about are Peter Crouch, Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and Germany forward Mario Gomez.”What are the chances of Adebayor joining Milan? At this stage, I’d say we are between 70 per cent to 80 per cent.”

One of the worst pieces of speculation I’ve heard this summer – if he isn’t good enough for Liverpool why would we want him??

Finally there are completely unfounded reports that we are interested in Senna, the 31 year old Spanish defensive midfielder.

Another made up one – the Daily Mail said we wanted Guiza – a mouth-watering prospect – but totally untrue!

Cesc is in a Final – Euro 2008

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal1 Comment

After coming off the bench again last night against Russia, Fabregas showed what a quality player he is.

Spain beat Russia 3-0 and now face Germany in the Final.

Cesc came on as a substitute for the injured David Villa on 34 minutes.

In the 50th minute Xavi put away Iniesta’s cross, the second came from a superb Fabregas pass from which substitute Daniel Guiza converted on 73 and then Fabregas played in Silva for a the last goal on 82 minutes.

Arshavin was poor, as were the rest of the Russians, Spain sparkled.

But Fabregas is the player everyone is talking about. He is such a great player and now he is proving on the international stage. Barca must be kicking themselves even harder than they have for the last few years over losing this guy.

Some of the players in the current Arsenal squad are fantastic talents and Fabregas is the jewel in the crown.

Anyway I’m just happy that he played so well, now they just have to beat Germany in the Final and everthing will be great!

Wenger’s wise words on the transfer rumours

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal4 Comments

Arsène Wenger knows what he’s doing. That’s a statement which will get you harrassment from certain sections of Arsenal fans who seem to hate Wenger. The thing is that in Wenger we have the best manager ever to work with Arsenal Football Club and he does know how to achieve success.

He has been criticised for his transfer activity of late – but those critics should remember all the great players he has unearthed – Vieira, Henry and more. You can question him, but there is a difference between that and unfounded conjecture.

Wenger knows what he wants for next season – and that’s a competitive team:

“I know a lot has been written about us, but I am very calm”

“Why? Because I don’t know why I should be nervous. It’s like when you take a penalty, if you are nervous it doesn’t help. I will approach it with my usual calm. My biggest challenge is to make sure I have a competitive team next year no matter who it is.”

Good stuff Arsène.

Wenger talks about Scolari and criticises appointment

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal4 Comments

Finally a bit of fresh air, news which isn’t related to rumours and crap.

Wenger’s been talking about Phil Scolari – the new Chelsea boss. He’s a good manager, but he doesn’t have much club experience, jut a stnt in Qatar or something?? A good appointment for Chelseas though.

Wenger:

“I like Scolari as a person. I like him as a coach and I think he has charisma. He will add something to the Premier League. You never know what will happen but he is a quality man, a quality manager.”

He reckons that the system at Chelsea won’t change:

“The system he plays looks similar to the 4-5-1/4-3-3 system that Chelsea play. Whether it is down to the fact that they have similar strikers, I don’t know. There will be a change, because every manager brings his own personality and he will buy players, but the system won’t change.

Wenger also criticised the timing of the announcement:

“What’s for sure is that it didn’t give anything to the team, so it could only take something away. It didn’t help Portugal. “France had that situation in 2004 when (Jacques) Santini announced he was going to Tottenham. Once that happens all you hear is ‘who will be next?’ That starts in the camp as well.”

He’s absolutely right, and it seems to me that it miht have even contributed to Portugal going out of Euro 2008.

Speaking of the Euros, who do you fancy tonight? Russia vs. Spain. I’m going for Spain, but I have a feeling Russia might sneak in.

Only a few weeks till the season begins!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

If you can’t wait for Arsenal to start playing some footie again then don’t worry because the first friendly of the pre-season is nearly upon us. In a bout 3 weeks rsenal kick off against Barnet, the traditonal Arsenal pre-season friendly at Underhill.

Then there’s a few European friendlies, the Emirates Cup – Juventus, Real and Hamburg and then the Amsterdam Tournament too.

Arsenal Pre-Season Fixtures

July
19 Sat Friendly A Barnet 3pm
22 Tue Friendly A Szombathelyi H.6.30pm CET
28 Mon Friendly A Burgenland XI 6.30pm CET
30 Wed Friendly A VfB Stuttgart TBA
August

2 Sat Emirates Cup H Juventus 4.15pm SS1
3 Sun Emirates Cup H Real Madrid 4.15pm SS1
6 Wed Friendly A Huddersfield 7pm
8 Fri Amsterdam Tournament A Ajax 8.15pm SS1
9 Sat Amsterdam Tournament N Sevilla

Hopefully we’ll see apperances from Ramsey and Vela and one or two new faces possibly as well!

Who will partner Fabregas next season – Gilberto, Diaby, Ramsey?

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal12 Comments

The departure of Flamini to AC Milan eariler this summer was undoubtedly a blow for Arsenal FC. Last season he went from being a squad player, to one of the most influential figures in midfield and forged an excellent partnership with Fabregas.

Now he has left the void has to be filled. Gooners were probably hoping Arsenal would sign a new defensive midfielder to partner Cesc, but that’s not likely now, Wenger seems to be focusing more on the wings, which were a problem area for us last season.

In the centre of we have the option of Gilberto or Diaby, and also Song, Denilson or even Ramsey. The best defensive candidates are Gilberto and Diaby.

Gilberto – already having played the role for a few years prior to Flamini’s emergence has the experience and quality. The problem is he looked poor last season when he did get a few chances to impress, and his passing is always up to scratch. He plays a diffferent game to that of Flamini, tending to hold back, whereas Flamini is always in the oppositions faces.

Gilberto would be a sensible choice to start with as a defensive midfielder, but I don’t think he is good enough anymore to warrant a staring place.

Abou Diaby is my choice. He is a strong and fast player, with a lot of height. We used him on the wing last season, and he got a few goals. The main problem with him is that he is inconsistent – and can be lazy.

Diaby has great qualities for the role though, he is defensive, but very good going forward – his pace, passing and ball control mean that he would be a great partner for Cesc, and he is a long term option.

If he can up his work rate and consistency then he could have a chance, I would love to see Wenger try him out next season.

There are other contenders – Denilson, I think isn’t ready for that sort of role. Ramsey – more suited to the wings, and Song – Wenger thinks that he will better used in defence.

So we start the season with a first team spot up for grabs, we just need to see who takes it.

What do you think – is there anyone I’ve missed – or do you think we should be signing a new central midfielder?

UPDATE 11 JULY 2008: Is Gilberto going? Rumours are he is going to Panathaniakos…