"Adebayor still has a long time [three years] left on his contract, and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him from that contract. You want to keep your best players and Adebayor is one of those."

Quite right too. Players sign contracts and in Adebayor's case we kept faith in the big fella and gave him a new improved one after only a years service. And the way he shows his gratitude? He wants to increase his wage package to be on par with Gooner legend Thierry Henry as he wants to prepare for his retirement. 

Well with Peter Hill-Wood declaring Adebayor isn't going anywhere, that's the end of that transfer story in my opinion. Well it is unless The Togonator puts in a transfer request which would be a very bold move as Barcelona are the only team in for him and I tell you this, there is no way in hell the Catalan club are going to pay Adebayor £120K a week! There's more chance me running round Shite Hart Lane wearing f*ck all apart from a Spurs scarf around my head Rambo style. Barcelona may want Adebayor, but believe me no may will they pay that much for his services even if he is looking for them to contribute to his retirement fund. If Adebayor thinks he is worth £120K a week the f*cker is sadly deluded, well that and right greedy so and so. 

So all this paper talk about The Arsenal tracking Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Roque Santa Cruz and even Obafemi Matins (yawn) declaring his love for The Arsenal is a no go. Only unless Adebayor moves. So I wouldn't get too excited if I were you Gooners about those above names because the likelihood is that none of them will be lining up for The Arsenal next season. 

Hleb on the other hand is a bit more interesting as there are no further noises coming from Barcelona regarding buying him. He wants to go the chairman has admitted that much but unless someone stumps up £15m+ for this services he could be back at The Grove with his tail firmly between his legs. How would we feel about Hleb turning out next season should that happen? Would all be forgiven? Would he be booed? What? Tell me already. I think Hleb will go as that's his desire but I don't think he'll be going to Barcelona it will be somewhere nice and quiet is my reckoning - Big Market in Newcastle on Sunday anyone?

May 26 1989 anyone?

As there's not a lot going on, why not catch up with some TV and watch the 1989 Division One title being won at Anfield again, and again, and again and and again. In fact send the link to any Liverpool friends you may have so that they can be reminded of that great night, would be rude not to. 

Allgoonerdup goes FaceBook

It had to happen, Allgoonerdup has gone and got itself on FaceBook. So get yourself on there and link us up, tell you mates, your family, whoever, join the fun and socialise on the worlds number one social network. OK I'm not getting paid to say any of that but you know the coo. 

To link us up just go to: http://www.facebook.com and in the search area type in either: 

Tommi Gooner or Allgoonerdup and you'll get to the right spot. The idea is get a load of Gooners on there and share in everything.... well Arsenal. 

Selling club my arse

I'm sure by now you would of seen the 'alleged' comments made by Arsène Wenger regarding The Arsenal being a selling club. Me personally I don't subscribe to it. If anything I believe he might of been misquoted. And I will tell you why. Firstly why on earth would Wenger tell anyone publicly we have to sell players to keep afloat? It doesn't make any sense as one it provides ammo for our rivals and two (I'm keeping this short, I could add more but you people out there are clever enough to think of your points) saying that stuff in the open does not bode well if you want to keep your best players, or player - The Cesc. Do you really believe Fabregas will stay if he knows we wont add quality to the team and just keep selling quality? Why would he? Even as a die hard Gooner I can't work out why he would want to stay if he isn't winning anything and the closer he gets to winning silverware, you lose a player who was instrumental to your challenge. So in short I believe Wenger was misquoted? What say you the public? What's your thoughts on this and all the above, lets us know by jumping on the comments section on Son of Allgoonerdup. 

Other bits

As it's really quiet I shall be doing some 'under the hood' type shenanigans and will be adding to pages such as the 'Hall of Fame', 'Hall of Shame', 'Player profiles' and others. So remember to keep having a look at those and get in touch via the contact page if you want to have a say. 

Jump on the comments section and have your shout - see you in there!

Of Adebayor, he said

We want him to stay, definitely. Adebayor still has a long time [three years] left on his contract, and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him from that contract. You want to keep your best players and Adebayor is one of those

From a footballing point of view, it would be good for the team were he to stay. Despite the personnel issues he might bring, next season ought to see some improvement to his game on last especially as he will (hopefully) be under pressure from a fully-fit Eduardo and Robin van Persie. Last term, due to injuries, Adebayor was relied upon too much at times for goals. If Arsene can have a fit forward line to choose from, the dependency shown in the latter stages of the season could be eradicated. Once more though it will be up to the midfield to contribute more goals than they have for the last few years.

Hill-Wood reinforced Arsene's view that the number of football mercenaries is increasing

I'm afraid that's the way of the world. It's annoying, but it is modern football. The idea that you are going to have a number of your team playing for you for 15 years, as one used to have, has disappeared.

The situation with Adebayor is nothing new in terms of players wanting to leave with seemingly substantial amounts of time on their contracts remaining; it is the sport itself that is unique in how it handles transfers and registrations. It seems that this anachronism is heading for a Bosman-style challenge in the not-too-distant future except this time, instead of two minor European clubs, it will probably involve one of the bigger clubs such is their voracious appetite for having the star players wear their shirts.

Despite its protestations, football is not a unique industry in itself other than to charge new employers a fee for securing their employees services. With European policitians and bureaucrats intent on harmonising the law to level the playing field for all workers, they may well target transfer fees in their next foray into the footballing world. Other than perpetuation of the system, there is no real rationale for keeping these fees. To some extent, there is an argument for allowing the retention of the formulaic system applied to young players, required to ensure that the Academy system flourishes rather than dying on it's feet. For older players? Football puts no more effort into training them skills-wise than other industries so why the fees?

Back to PHW and Arsenal. He appears to have given up hope for Alexander Hleb though, at a time when his Agent has decided to follow The Four Seasons advice and believe that "Silence is Golden",

Hleb has made it clear he wants to go. I think maybe he will go

A pity for Hleb that the initial interest in him has, publicly at least, been subdued by the Adebayor headlines. One for the Adebayor-bashers though,

According to Arsenal sources, Wenger feels Adebayor became increasingly big-headed following his run of success last season, and the manager worried that the striker could become a disruptive influence in the dressing room. There is also concern within the club about the 24-year-old's footballing intelligence, after he was flagged for offside more than any other player in the Premier League last season

Away from that, a major surprise in the top fifty with Pat Jennings coming in at Number Ten. There's a political joke in there somewhere but alas time precludes its inclusion.

'til Tomorrow.

So... first up.

Adebayor is staying, Hillwood says that he is one of our best players, he has 3 years on his contract and that is a contract that he will not be released from.

Tough shit Ade... you'd better pray the Gooner faithful are in a forgiving mood.

Hillwood did however admit that Hlebinho would be leaving for pastures new, as reported by Le Grove last week.

"Hleb has made it clear he wants to go,"

"I think maybe he will go."

Barcelona is Hlebs preferred destination, so let's wait and see on that one!

The one good thing that may come out of this is that if Barca sign Hleb, it leaves that path clear for us to sign '2 games' Arshavin. Apparently the Chav's have dropped out of the race and Arsh would like his kids to learn English in London. His agent said this,

“The clubs who are following him are only just warming their engines."

“Arshavin’s future depends on what happens with Hleb and Adebayor.” 

Exciting stuff there then! We sell a player who can't score or assist and buy in a player for less money who can do both of those and more. What is even better about Arsh is moving to Britain would be the equivalent of a Brit moving to Spain... he is gonna love the weather! Weather he can hack it physically is a different question, but for me... his a 27 year old footballer, he'll be alright!

Finally onto something darker... the quotes from yesterdays NoTW interview can from Agence France Presse (AFP), the worlds oldest press agency! So, unless someone comes out and denies it today, take the quotes at face value. If you read the interview, I think what is clear is that it wasn't about Arsenal becoming a selling club... it was about player power, maybe an unintentional slip of the tongue by Arsene?

All the same, it raises the ugliest of questions... what do you want?

A) Usmanov to add us to his portfolio and catapult us to the top of the spending leagues with his dirty money.

B) Nice guy Stan to takeover as he is the favoured Billionaire. He could turn us into a big time player just like he has with his other sporting successes. Beware though... the weak dollar would probably see him levy the debt against the club.

C) Remain a selling club with the current board for 17 years because we have a long term plan.

I'll let you decide the best option there, but one thing I will say it this...

Everyone is expecting a big implosion with football. Many people are saying the type of wages on offer cannot be sustained and people will just switch off in the end. Well, can I point you in the direction of Baseball, Basketball and NFL. They might be American sports, but I am pretty certain they don't have the same following as the Premier League, yet the wages make the Premier Leagues look pathetic. We've already had a TV rights crash and we've come back even stronger.

Spoilt brat mercenaries are here to stay, sorry people.

There is a reason the Oligarchs and the Billionaires club are tracking only English clubs... they see a future in it and they see money in it.

Anyway, I'll leave you to chew the fat off today's post!

Happy blogging!

Ronaldo is younger, faster, more skilful, versatile, inexhaustible and of course marketable - and considering he is just 23 years of age to the larger than life Zinedine Zidane's 29 at the time of his transfer from Juventus to Real Madrid, the Manchester United ace, if he leaves, ought to logically break the world record transfer fee.

Let any and every comparison and mention of Cristiano Ronaldo end there, as meanwhile, an equally uncertain transfer saga has almost slipped by unnoticed, that being of Adebayor.

Having signed for the London Gunners in January 2006 from AS Monaco for an undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of £3 million, Adebayor had a unpretentious beginning to his Arsenal career, before a disappointing World Cup campaign - in which the supposed star of Togo was outshone by team-mate Mohamed Kader - was followed by an unfulfilling season at Arsenal in 2006-07. The striker scored just 12 goals in 44 games - just over one in four - about half the return expected of a top class striker.

He's still youthful, he has potential, he needs time, Arsene knows - what haven't we heard before? What was most surprising is that he did in fact come good, and far sooner than anyone had expected. Thierry Henry, club icon and personal friend of Adebayor, left the club due to on and off-field problems, with Barcelona his choice of location for a fresh start. That, coupled with Robin van Persie's continued love affair with the treatment table and new signing Eduardo da Silva being eased into life at the Emirates, made Adebayor the focal point of all of Arsenal's attacks.

It was a role he relished, hammering home a fantastic 30 goals in 48 games. Following words of caution from manager Arsene Wenger - who pointed out that he still misses many chances - the Togo international said he was aiming for 40 next season. Then the interest began rolling in. The man known as the Togonator has been targeted by European demigods Barcelona and Milan this summer - at first laughed off as paper talk - but as quotes from club officials began emerging, Adebayor's overstated loyalty was well and truly put to the test.

Milan chief Adriano Galliani's obsession with the tall, dark stranger has traversed borders of uncomfortable obsession previously reserved for Ashley Cole and mobile phones - and with little reason. The 24-year-old did manage a goal in their Champions League tie this season, but it was into a near-empty net with seconds remaining and the game already over. Having already obtained Mathieu Flamini, the key to the Gunners' Milanese triumph in March, on a free transfer, the Rossoneri seemed determined to throw the saved money away on the Togonator.

Nevertheless, failure to qualify for the Champions League has left the 2007 winners strapped for cash and unable to meet Mr Wenger's dubious asking price, yet there is ongoing interest from Barcelona. While Italy was said to be Ade's preferred destination, it seems Barcelona will do just as well, as the likelihood of his exit continues to escalate with Arsene Wenger fed up of the striker's demands. Speculation is only likely to let up if Barça, Milan and any others lurking recover some semblance of rationality and refuse to pay so far over the odds for a striker that is still largely unproven.

Better options exist for both clubs: Didier Drogba may be six years Adebayor's senior, but advancing years have been more of a prerequisite than a stumbling block for Milan, while Barcelona have enough emerging young stars to realistically compensate for such a short-term option. Samuel Eto'o, the man looking to be replaced at Barcelona, has been incredibly prolific during his five seasons with the club and could prove a viable and cheaper option for Milan. Adebayor cannot even consider himself in the same league as Mario Gomez and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - at least until he has repeated his form for at least one further season - so how is he worth £30 million? How is he deserving of a salary in the same bracket or even the same currency as Thierry Henry?

Whether early senility is settling in for Arsene Wenger or just bitterness over Flamini and the reportedly impending departure of Aliaksandr Hleb, this transfer saga would almost be better explained as the Frenchman playing the world's most protracted practical joke on us all. If Barcelona are offering anything anywhere near £30 million, Wenger should take the money and run. Despite the odd Francis Jeffers and Jose Antonio Reyes, the Professor generally spends money better than most, and provided goal-machine Eduardo da Silva recovers full fitness early on this season, Adebayor could be replaced for half his asking price - at most - with very little difficulty, and the remainder of the money could be used to shore up the defence or replace Mathieu Flamini. Take it all in - what Gunners fan wouldn't sell if given the chance?

Wenger's reluctance to let Adebayor leave may now become his own undoing, as he could end up with a player who reportedly wants out - or at least a far bigger salary - yet hasn't consistently produced the performances to earn it. By the time the boss next has the opportunity to offload him, other clubs will have sought out alternative options and his market value is unlikely to be anywhere near the figures being quoted this summer. The entire drama has been a comedy of errors from all parties involved, and it is well and truly on Ade's head to now prove his worth - whether he stays at Arsenal or secures the major move he is said to be after. Can he do it?

That all being said as a neutral. The conclusion as a MANCHESTER UNITED fan, all I have to say is the chant heard around Old Trafford when Arsenal visits - and it sings

(sing to the same tune of the "that boy Ronado" son)

ADEBAYOR ...
Adeeeebaayoooooooooor...
Your dad washes elephants

Your mum is a whore!

Following the comments in the weekends press from Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger, a behind close doors meeting was called tonight by the board of directors.

In a drive to cut down costs at Arsenal the board of directors called an emergency meeting tonight that lasted 3 hours at a West London Hotel,we can Exclusively reveal the outcome through an unnamed source. Arsenal will no longer be forced to sell star players like Emmanuel Adebayor & Cesc Fàbregas, Manager Arsene Wenger will now be given an unlimited budget to bring any player he wants to the club this summer in order to bring the silverware back to the club who have not won anything since the FA Cup in 2005.

Our source told us that the meeting was very heated and a unnamed member of the board threatened to sell his shares to a unnamed Russian businessmen unless the cash was made available to the Manager (Arsene Wenger)

We can now expose the unbearable steps the board of directors have taken to free up the cash. Chairman PH Wood will now give up his £250 aweek Cuban Cigar habit and will now only smoke the cheapest golden virginia self rolling tobacco. The club will now be serving Lambrini & peanuts in its executive boxes instead of champagne & caviar. Arsenal will no longer be using the Marriott Hotel and have signed a 3 year deal with budget firm Etap. The club will also bring out a 5th away kit this season which is estimated to make £5m costing the fans £50 a pop, It is understood to be the Green and Blue kit that was worn in 1982. The coach that takes the players to and from away games costing £95,000 a year will now be replaced with buses and trains, Every player will receive an Oyster card from the 1st August 2008. The Arsenal accountant estimated these cutbacks should save Arsenal millions over the next 17 years.

More to come when our source has sobered up...

Join the forum www.goonerforum.com

Last season we had many players in this category, Hleb, Flamini, Adebayor and to a certain extent Song. The fans were even getting a little annoyed with Theo Walcott but he seemed to really turn it around towards the end of the season, and hit a nice little patch of form.

I have a little prediction for next season, which I'm sure isn't going to go down well with the Arsenal faithful, but I believe the player to to be unleashed next season could be Emmanuel Eboue. You're probably thinking I'm absolutely taking the piss, but seriously I have absolutely 100% faith in Eboue, and it's all a matter of confidence before we see a surprise package next season.

He is one of the best crossers of a ball at the club, he's got pace, and he's got a great engine on him. He may be a little petulant at times, but anyone who cracks hardman John Terry and takes him out for several weeks, is a top man in my books.

As we all know and we've been reminding ourselves for sometime, Wenger watches these players in training every single day and he definitely sees something that most Arsenal fans do not, and who would ever doubt his ability to spot talent.

I'm sure everyone will disagree with me on this. What's your opinions? Do you think we have another dark horse in our ranks who could be the surprise package next season?

Tomas Rosicky was in St. Albans on Thursday for the opening of the Club's new shop - The Arsenal Store.

The grand opening coincided with the launch of Arsenal's new home kit and was graced by the, Czech midfielder. He officially opened the store and went inside to sign merchandise for customers.

Gooner Talk readers can now watch footage of the store opening on video broadcasting site YouTube. See Arsenal fans getting their hands on the new home kit, complete with squad names and numbers, and hear from Store Manager, Steve Saunders.

The St Albans site joins the Club’s existing shops at Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners’ flagship store, The Armoury, is located, together with Arsenal World of Sport, located at Finsbury Park, and overseas sites in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand.

The Arsenal Store - St Albans will be open Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm and Sundays 11am-5pm. Full address: Unit 31, The Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans.

Click here to view the video

News men abhor a vacuum.  If a news vacuum temporarily occurs, they will report conjecture, innuendo, false translations, and sometimes even straight out lies to get people reading the newspapers again. Last night, News of the World printed a story which seems to have all four negative elements.

In an "exlusive" interview News of the World claims that Arsene told them that Arsenal's strategy is to buy low and sell high, that Arsenal have to do this to pay for the stadium debt, that Klaas Jan Huntelaar is an Arsenal target, and that Usmanov can save the day.

First off, buying low and selling high is just smart business strategy.  As is using your debt to build your company. I know a lot of people out there wished it wasn't so, but Arsenal (all football really) is a business.  They invested wisely in their stadium, turnover has increased, and in the long term the business outlook for Arsenal is very, very good.  Why do you think Usmanov is so eager to get his grubby, fat, fingers in our pie?  So, I cannot for the life of me understand why Wenger saying that we buy low and sell high in order to service our debts is a bad thing, unless you're one of those people who thinks sport should not be a business.

What's odd here is that strictly speaking, Arsenal aren't a normal business: they don't pay dividends, they aren't really in it to make profits, and there's a sense of history and love of their supporters that your typical business only wished that they had.  So, it's not like they are buying low and selling high in order to line the pockets of their shareholders.  They are doing it to remain competitive in what is a drastically changed business atmosphere.  You'd think that would appease the anti-Sport-as-Business people, but no.  Some people won't be happy until Arsenal buy every developed player in the world from the pocket of some rich guy who does it just for the love of the club.

Meanwhile, with Chelsea's owner treating the club like an American Express card, Liverpool's owners taking massive debts to buy the team, and Manchester United so insanely indebted that they can't even pay off the interest on the debts that they owe I have to say that the Arsenal model is the only one that makes any sense.  Arsenal are using their debt wisely, they are capitalizing on the insanity of the market (£30m for Adebayor?  that's nuts), and they are still playing competitive football.

So, even if what Wenger said is an accurate quote, who cares?  Arsenal have the quality to win both the Premier League and the Champions League; they were just a few horrible calls away from the Champions League semi-final and one horrific tackle away from the Premiership title.  So, who cares if they buy undeveloped players and sell them on for huge profits?

Now, will the team sell Adebayor?  Yes, if Barcelona offer £30m.  Will they use the money to buy Klaas Jan Huntelaar?  I rather doubt it.  For a week, I've been saying that if they sell Ade and Hleb they will bank the money.  Arsene keeps making it clear that he wants to develop the young talent of the team and given his track record, he will.  Think about the young players they have coming up through the ranks: Vela (£2.5m), Ramsey (£5m), Fran Mérida (£2m), Kieran Gibbs (free), Jay Simpson (free), Vito Mannone (>£1m), Håvard Nordtveit (£2m), Henri Lansbury (free) and Mark Randall (free).  With Wenger's patient hand, he'll turn those free players into Pounds Sterling. So, as much as I liked Klaas (before he started talking about how much he loves Man U), he doesn't fit the business model and he doesn't fit with Wenger's love of developing young talent and watching them succeed.

And then, of course, as with any time Arsenal's finances are mentioned, Usmanov's name is dropped as the potential savior.  Arsenal don't need saving and they don't need nothing stole out of their coffers neither.  Usmanov is not the answer.

So, accurate or not, this is a non-news story and is just a stop along the way toward the real stories: will Ronaldo go to Real, and how much did Chelsea offer for Kaka?

Sigh... how long before the season starts up?

Justin Hoyte has ruled out a potential move to Aston Villa because he remains in the plans of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for next season.

The 23-year-old started only two Premier League games last season and has been linked with a number of moves, most frequently to Villa Park.

“There are rumours every day but I am contracted to Arsenal,” said Hoyte.

“The boss has said great things about me, has good plans for me and I need to show him what I am capable of.”

It is understood Arsenal recently rejected a bid from Aston Villa for the England Under-21 international, who has attracted plenty of interest in the loan market.

Arséne Wenger was praising the versatile defender in early January and firmly believes that Hoyte has a big future at the Emirates.

Wenger said:

"Justin is a player that has improved tremendously.

"I have big respect for Justin because he is a player that does not talk too much, but every time I play him he is quality.

"Technically he is very good - but as well he is very versatile and quick on the turn which is a great quality for a centre-back.

"He is good in the air even if he is small and overall I refuse categorically to give him up."

Hoyte has been with Arsenal since he was 11 years old, making his way up through the academy, youth and reserve teams, a massive Gooner himself, the Londoner will be looking to challenge Bacary Sagna for the right back spot next season.

He is then featured in a link with Huntelaar, supposed replacement for Adebayor if he leaves, valued at about £18m. According to the News of the World, Robin van Persie has been selling the club to him. That signing though is dependent upon Adebayor leaving, a situation that is apparently no closer to being resolved and may be open to some doubt with reports that Barcelona are now looking at bringing in Shevchenko on loan if Ade is not signed. The sensationalist part of the interview,

The strategy of the club is to sell every year and to buy less expensive players. We manage at Arsenal to maintain all our football ambitions, national and European, while having to free up - for 17 more years - an annual surplus of £24m to pay for our stadium. The club's strategy is to favour the policy of youngsters ahead of stars and to count on the collective quality of our game

Which contains nothing new at all and is a matter of the interviewer's interpretation. The club's 'strategy' has been Wenger's 'strategy' since he joined, in that he has always bought cheap and sold expensive. Anelka, Overmars, Vieira, Henry out for big fees whilst Campbell, Ljungberg, Henry, Adebayor, van Persie, Rosicky, Fabregas, Toure, Sagna all came in for more modest amounts or nothing at all. The list goes on and you could add who you want to that. The change came when The Emirates construction started and the youthful element became more prominent yet he had been moving towards this plan anyway as it takes years to develop an Academy system to pick youngsters who can come through to the first team.

For Wenger, he ran out of time when the 'Invincibles' broke up and key personnel left or suffered injuries. The weakness of the strategy shone through as inexperience came into the first team. Yet in the rebuilding phase the team finished fourth twice and third last season. The absence of trophies was exacerbated by what had gone before but this summer has seen less of the demands for big money names and more shoring up the squad in key areas, as well as replacing departed and unsettled players, a mix of recognising that buying big is not financially possible or Wenger's M.O., along with tacit acknowledgement that the rebuilding was heading in the right direction but not yet the finished article.

The most disconcerting part for some will be that Wenger has stated we are a selling club. Perhaps the definition that you and I have is different. To me that is one where a club sells its players at the peak of their powers, something Wenger has not done although that is a heady mix of luck and judgement. The latter for Henry, the former for Overmars and Anelka (for example) as he could not have known the Dutchman would suffer with injuries at the Camp Nou nor that Anelka would land in more cities of Europe than British Airways.

His comments though contradict those of various Board members over the past months but should they be taken at face value or be looked upon as PR? For me, they have elements of both. The selling aspect I have dealt with above but the financial results last year propelled the club into the European riches stratosphere and this year the sensationalist headlines will emphasise that further. Wenger may already be suffering from this, being quote exorbitant prices already. He needs to bring those expectations down and his words seem designed to do so.

The summer though has been marked by interminably drawn out transfers, Hleb and Adebayor out with Nasri in. To some extent, that will be reducing Wenger's ability to sign any others that he may desire. However, the man himself has said that he will not be bringing many in players. Nasri meanwhile will apparently sign this week but that was the case four weeks ago so if and when it happens, I'll believe it. A shame the player was not so keen to sign that he would not interrupt his holiday.

'til Tomorrow.

So Wenger has now come out and said we would have to sell our best players every year for seventeen years to cope with a £24 million annual surplus to pay for the stadium. Wenger apparently said,

“The strategy of the club is to sell every year and to buy less expensive players.”

 

“We manage at Arsenal to maintain all our football ambitions — national and European —while having to free up - for 17 more years - an annual surplus of £24m to pay for our stadium.

With simple maths that makes £408 million still left to pay, given that we got £150mill from sponsors up front and £250 for the old stadium, I am puzzled as to these latest figures.

ManU have to pay three times that in interest and they still buy loads each year, then add to that what Fizman says we have to spend then either Wenger is on something or someone has a lot of explaining to do as I am really puzzled.

Yesterday was a fabulous day for us yesterday when reaching a million hits, it was soured slightly by a few of the PCB (Politically Correct Brigade), who for me are worse than any AKB's. Let me explain, we had a little fun with Obefemi Martins age and a 3 people jumped on the race card and called me racist, no one else just 3 people

On this blog we can poke fun at whosoever we wish, if you don't like it, head on over to another blog...

We are emerging as the new favourites to sign Arshavin, I'm not so sure he is the answer, but being as I just found out we have to sell Adebayor to balance the books I guess we'll be buying no one.

So when he said last week Ade was going nowhere, he actually meant he was going and wouldn't be replaced.

So why did we move stadiums? Why was that a good move, and what do we do with all the prize money? For champions league etc.

We were doing alright at Highbury, no debt, I cannot believe all this debt shit, if it's true then anyone connected with the new stadium should be fired, many of our fan base, the board included may not even be alive in 17 years time, think about that.

And the biggest mystery is how can the spuds keep spending, Liverpool and Everton move stadiums, we make the most money, yet we will have to sell more than we buy for 17 years, this isn't a rant, it's a question.

So Arsenal fans, brace yourself for 17 more years of hurt cos Arsenal won't be buying. There's a song there somewhere!

Oh and after much deliberation the 1,000,000 comment came on the night shift and it fell in between Gnarley George and Evo, so as it was split, the Ferrari will have to stay in good old blighty! Well done to both of you, I'm glad it was a regular!

Happy Domingo Grovers, I feel like getting pissed already!

P.S. Arsenal are reportedly in for Huntelaar according to the ever reliable NOTW,

“Arsenal are keen on Huntelaar and he has confirmed he would be keen to discuss a move."

We shall see...

Barcelona have reportedly sent Arsenal a £30 million bid for Emmanuel Adebayor and that's a take it or leave it offer. Adebayor will suit the Spanish game given the fact he is already known as the most difficult striker to play against in the EPL. The players in Spain are less physical than the EPL ones. So, imagine how he will bully them in La Liga. Baptista is another strong player who has done well in the La Liga. What Guardiola will do is to play Adebayor up front to knock down balls for Messi or Henry (remember they do play 4-3-3) or try over powering the defenders and score.

A lot of Arsenal fans has already said to themselves that the initial £24 mil bid was already fantastic piece of business by Arsene Wenger. Something that we Arsenal fans have gotten used to isn't it? Wenger turn a 'nobody' player into a superstar, and Wenger makes £15-20 mil. That's the usual story. Let's not let there be a repeat of a Henry and Vieira episode. The season before, they were worth £25-30 mil, however, we fight for them to stay and they did. Then they have a lousy final season for us either out of form or injured. And the next season, we sell them for a drop priced transfer by almost 40% of what was offered previously.

Arsenal should cash in now. £30 mil can do a lot for Arsenal be it spent in the transfer market or bolstering the club's financial status since the recent drop in property price will carry effects to the luxury apartments in Highbury. What more when most fans will find it hard to accept what Adebayor and his agent has done.

How good Adebayor can be or will be should be left as history because he's really got a rotten attitude. Seems like nothing has changed? And it'll be bad for the team too. Look, there is no guarantee if he can repeat what he did last season. By then, Arsenal will not be able to ask for £30 mil for Adebayor.

Article by Duck

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has dismissed reports linking him with a move to Arsenal.

The 21-year-old tough-tackling starlet was linked with Arsenal in early March and failed to rule out a potential move to Arséne Wenger's side.

However, Noble seemed keen to play down the talk of a move from his boyhood club when asked about it earlier today.

"Talk about the way I play is flattering, but I want to concentrate on West Ham," the 21-year-old said.

"I think it (Arsenal link) is just rumours. I am happy where I am."

Noble's name was banded about after French midfielder Mathieu Flamini departed north London for Italian giants AC Milan on a free transfer just 5 days ago.

In other news, former Werder Bremen midfielder Amaury Bischoff is set to complete his move to Arsenal this Monday.

Bischoff, 21, reportedly met Arsenal boss Arséne Wenger in Germany earlier last week after negotiations with Gunners officials went well.

Versatile Bischoff, can play across midfield but prefers to play in a more of an attacking role. He's been likened to Jeremie Toualan for his 'box to box' midfield position.

You can read more about Bischoff in our interview with a fan of him by clicking here.

When José Antonio Reyes was signed from Sevilla for almost £17.5million in the spring month of January 04, Arsenal boss Arséne Wenger and fans alike were expecting big things from the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Reyes though, is one of many Arsenal players to of left the club before gaining an 'cocky' attitude resting on past acheivements and almost literally - flushing their career down the toilet.

We've compiled a profile of the frontman's footballing career so far and why his own fans are even starting to turn against him.

Here It Is...

Arsenal Career:

Reyes made his debut the month after his signing in a 2-1 win over Manchester City. Two days later, he scored an own goal against Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup. Later that month, Reyes scored twice against Chelsea to knock them out of the FA Cup. He also scored against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, and his goals in the penultimate two games of the season helped keep Arsenal's unbeaten run in the FA Premier League going.

Superb hatricks in friendlies during the summer 2004 showed his improvement and Reyes was a prominent influence on Arsenal's impressive start to the 2004-05 season, in which he managed to score in each of the first six games. However, Reyes struggled during the middle of the season after Arsenal's defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford. His inconsistent performance brought little reward for much of the season, and yet towards the end of it he scored three valuable goals.

Speculation

In early 2005, he was reported to be homesick while at Arsenal, even though José's parents Mari and Francisco as well as brother Jesús lived with him in England. During a prank call perpetrated by COPE Radio of Spain in February 2005, a prankster claiming to be the president of Spanish club Real Madrid reportedly called Reyes' agent and spoke to Reyes himself about a possible transfer deal.

In the ensuing conversation, Reyes allegedly declared that life in London was far from what he had envisioned and he would welcome a move back to his native Spain. Reyes also supposedly said that he wanted out of the club as there were "bad people" at Arsenal.

He temporarily ended speculation about a move away from Highbury in July 2005, when he signed a new six-year contract and declared that he was "looking forward to having many more successful years at the club."

During Arsenal's 2005-06 UEFA Champions League run, Reyes featured heavily against, among others, Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal, in the most impressive Champions League results for Arsenal to date. He came on as a substitute in the May 17, 2006 final against Spanish champions Barcelona, which Arsenal lost 2-1.

Bye Bye José?

However, in August 2006 he expressed a desire not to play in Arsenal's 2006-07 Champions League qualifying match against Dinamo Zagreb - to do so would render him 'cup-tied' and complicate a move to Real Madrid. Wenger left him out of the team, thus fuelling speculation that a transfer was soon to be agreed.

Shortly before the closure of the 2006 summer transfer window, Madrid and Arsenal agreed to exchange Reyes for Brazilian international Júlio Baptista, each on a season-long loan deal.

Real Madrid Career:

Reyes impressed whilst playing for his 'dream club' Madrid, and scored his first goal for the Spanish giants with a curling free kick against Real Sociedad.

On the final day of the 2006-07 season, the focus was on David Beckham in his final match for Real but Reyes, in the final game of his loan spell, came on as a substitute for the injured Beckham, scoring with his first touch and again later on.

Hotshot Reyes managed to grab 6 goals in his La Liga campaign that season with most of them coming from a set-piece or long range opportunity.

Atletico Madrid Career:

During late July, Reyes passed his medical at Madrid. He was unveiled on July 31 as an Atletico player for the next four years. It is believed Arsenal will receive €12m (£8.1m) for the transfer. Reyes made his debut for Atlético in a match against Italian side Lazio, in which he scored a goal and made an assist in a 3-1 victory in the annual Amsterdam Tournament.

Reyes has had previous success in this pre-season tournament, being named player of the tournament in the 2004 Amsterdam Tournament while playing for Arsenal. Ironically, Arsenal were winners of the 2007 Amsterdam Tournament.

The focus though, was on Reyes' league form which never managed to get going at all for Atletico. Once an up and coming player for one of football's giants and now a player failing to score in 26 appearances for a mid-table Spanish side who's own fans are even turning against him.

A sad downfall for a player who was once considered one of the hottest young stars in Europe. I'll leave you with a video of the man himself and his best moments in a red and white shirt.

"We had 68 points last season, and we had 83 this season, so we made a big improvement," Wenger told Arsenal magazine.  "We just want to make another improvement next year, and if we can manage that improvement, what will follow naturally is domination."

Presented in that fashion, Arsenal did improve greatly.  Progress cannot be assumed, given their increase in experience, the Gunners may be more formidable.

Manchester United will add little to the current group.  The Glazers finally reigned in Sir Alex's profligate spending.  It's hard to see him significantly updating his squad, particularly if Ronaldo leaves.

Chelsea may replace a few cogs, but will field a similar team.  Can Phil Scolari really do that much better than Avram Grant?

But, will Arsenal improve?

To pun Led Zeppelin, the squad remains the same.  Transfer talk has them treading water for next season.  Hleb would be replaced by Nasri, Adebayor by either Obafemi Martins or Roque Santa Cruz.  Aaron Ramsey may be significant, but not next season.  

Wenger would send out a nearly identical first choice XI.  This year' model may have more experience.  But, it also has last year's depth issues, no natural wide players and no proven, healthy goal-scorer.

The key may rest in Wenger's earlier statement, targeting one experienced player.  It suggests Wenger knows who that Player X is.  It may be that player who determines Arsenal's title fortunes next season.

Good morning!  Nothing, and I mean nothing, happened over here in my corner of the USA and as far as I can tell nothing happened over in England with the Arsenal. Typically, at least one of my neighbors is the kind of guy who buys a bunch of bottle rockets and sits on his front porch shooting them at my house. This year, the city made all fireworks illegal and precious few people felt like tangling with the police I guess, so we had no one reliving the Star Spangled Banner over my home: it was a welcome relief.

It's this time of year when player's agents similarly like to shoot contractual bottle-rockets over the powder keg that is the Arsenal and, like my fair city, only a few agents took time yesterday to do so. Obafemi Martins, who is so constantly linked to Arsenal that I don't typically bother reporting it has made a ground breaking statement of his intent to play for Arsenal:

Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team but, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement. Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it'll be no because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that's football.

What I don't understand here is that it seems like Martins is saying that he's still under contract and that it's not the player who decides where they will go but rather the team who hold the contract that decides. A player who wants to honor his contract and speaks respectfully of his employer? That's ground breaking stuff in modern football.

I like Martins and think he'd be a good addition to the club but I don't think he's good enough to be a starting striker. He'd make a great super-sub because his pace would terrify the tired legs at the end of the match but (and it's a big but) he doesn't really have the scoring knack that a striker needs and he doesn't even have the passing knack that the backup striker needs. Maybe Wenger could polish him up and turn him into something special, look what he's done with Adebayor, but I think Martins may be too one dimensional for Wenger's taste. So, I'd be surprised if there's anything in this whole Martins story.

And that's it for Arsenal news today. I'm not kidding.

Maybe Adebayor will decide on his future soon, then we'll have something to report. Until then...

Clichy kan fortsætte sin fantastiske huseren uge ind og ude ud for Arsenal. Han bliver ikke udtaget til venskabskampe og de andre irriterende kvalifikationskampe, som kun forstyrrer rytmen fra klubfodbolden og har en stærk tendens til efterfølgende at efterlade vores spillere skadet.

Sagna  kan fortsætte sin fantastiske huseren uge ind og ude ud for Arsenal. Han bliver ikke udtaget til venskabskampe og de andre irriterende kvalifikationskampe, som kun forstyrrer rytmen fra klubfodbolden og har en stærk tendens til efterfølgende at efterlade vores spillere skadet. 

Så derfor, er jeg glad for, at Domenech bliver. Forhåbentlig vil han også lade Diaby være.

A Thursday start is unusual, but things return to normal a week later when they travel to Newcastle on a Saturday morning, before another away game at Aston Villa, a team they beat in the FA Youth Cup Sem Finals of last season. The first Saturday home game of the season is on September 13th, as Reading visit Cobham.

Ipswich visit Surrey on September 27th, a fixture which finished last season in an extraordinary 6-4 scoreline win for Chelsea. The first meeting with Arsenal is at their London Colney facility on October 4th.

Three London derbies close out the first half of the season, against Charlton, Crystal Palace and finally West Ham, before the Academy season takes a break for Christmas from December 13th to January 17th. They return to action away to Portsmouth, where they were defeated twice last season, before Fulham visit Cobham.

The first back-to-back home stand of the season arrives in February with the return fixtures against Charlton and Crystal Palace occuring in straight weekends. Arsenal once again come to Chelsea in early March, where they lost 1-0 last season. Two weeks later, the Under 18s host Tottenham for the first time in a few seasons.

The season closes with the visit of Leicester City, always a tough opponent, and then a final visit to Watford in early May, later than the Academy season usually finishes. It is also worth noting that the Under 16s will follow the same fixture list, with their fixtures not being in a competitive league structure. Chelsea Under 18s feature in FA Premier Academy League Group A, where they play the nine other Group A teams twice (home and away) and then fulfill ten other fixtures against teams from other groups - 5 from one at home and 5 from another away - to complete 28 fixtures.

Details of all games, previews and results will be on this blog right throughout the season, with the latest fixtures and results in the appropriate section. A selection of statistics, will, as ever, be available and right up to date following a match.

The full fixtures are:

21/08/08 Crewe Alexandra (h)
30/08/08 Newcastle United (a)
06/09/08 Aston Villa (a)
13/09/08 Reading (h)
20/09/08 Bristol City (a)
27/09/08 Ipswich Town (h)
04/10/08 Arsenal (a)
11/10/08 Southampton (h)
18/10/08 West Ham United (a)
01/11/08 Portsmouth (h)
08/11/08 Fulham (a)
15/11/08 Norwich City (h)
22/11/08 Charlton Athletic (a)
06/12/08 Crystal Palace (a)
13/12/08 West Ham United (h)
17/01/09 Portsmouth (a)
24/01/09 Fulham (h)
31/01/09 Norwich City (a)
07/02/09 Charlton Athletic (h)
14/02/09 Crystal Palace (h)
21/02/09 Ipswich Town (a)
07/03/09 Arsenal (h)
14/03/09 Southampton (h)
21/03/09 Tottenham Hotspur (h)
28/03/09 Cardiff City (a)
18/04/09 MK Dons (h)
25/04/09 Leicester City (h)
02/05/09 Watford (a)

Aussie centre back Mark Milligan has revealed his forthcoming ambition is to play in the Premier League, after trials with Arsenal and Man City.

The 22-year-old versatile defender come midfielder was linked with the Gunners during early May, since then Milligan's been on loan to several Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Fulham and of course Arsenal.

He told the Herald:

"The wheels are in motion - I've just got to sit tight and wait, my agent will do the talking, and for now my focus is on the Olympics"

""My two main trials were with Man City and Arsenal, but in between I stayed at Adrian Leijer's house and trained with Fulham a few times, so it was a good month, and those conversations there are ongoing. People know what to expect from me. They've seen me play, they've seen me trial. I've always said I'm keen to try playing in England, or maybe Spain."

There is no debating the need for left back cover at Arsenal. While we have the best left back in the world in Gael Clichy, options as to who will replace him should he pick up an injury or suspension are limited.

Milligan is a utility defender, originally known as a Right-Back, but more recently playing in both Central Defence and Central Midfield.

A permanent move would be very strange indeed considering the recent rumours circulating around involving former Werder Bremen midfielder Amaury Bischoff and his imminent move to the club.

Manchester United have decided to buy only one player this summer provided  Christiano Ronaldo doesnt leave the club this summer, as his contract runs for more 4 years. This is quit a shocking news after so much of speculations.

AC Milan have contacted Zambrotta and reignited interest in Ronaldinho of Barcelona,Adebayor of Arsenal.

Juventus have signed Olof Mellberg from Aston Villa, and are holding talks with dejan Stankovic of InterMilan and Xavi Alonso of Liverpool.

Inter Milan have signed Portugese striker Quaresma from Porto and Mancini from Roma, and is closely linked to Lampard of Chelsea and Robben of Real Madrid as Jose Mourinho looks to reassemble few of his best players.

 Liverpool have signed Phillip Degen from Brussia Dortmund and is linked to Gareth Barry of Aston Villa,Lassana Diarra of Portsmouth and has offered Danny Guthrie to be exchanged for James Milner of Newcastle United.

Chelsea have signed Deco from Barcelona as a replacement for Lampard,and are in contact with Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich, Albelda of valencia and Robinho of Real Madrid.

Barcelona have signed Daniel Alves from Seville, and are closely linked to A.Arshavin of Zenit St.Petersberg, Adebayor and Hleb of Arsenal.

Seville have signed Fernando Navarro of Mallorca and Koffi Roamaric of LeMans and are connected with Kim Kallstrom of Lyon for a possible transfer.

Please let this be one of those 'we're close to signing Robinho' rumours, that has no chance of happening, why is it that we all want a Villa, Huntelaar or Eto'o but we know if he's in for anyone it will be another troublesome African than sulks and talks about playing for another club all the time.

'Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team' the 23-year-old told The Sun. ...Oh bollocks!

Now I'm not against Africans, Kolo is fantastic, I think Yaya would do us some good but every two years they go to the ACN just like Kolo did and cause us problems with their form on their return.

Some are also called Eboue and I won't go there.

So stick to Europeans, or at least latino's whose Copa Cup only gets played when our boys are building sandcastles and eating ice cream, bad analogy I know!

Onto other more interesting and far less worrying news is us, Le-Grove, it doesn't seem that long ago when we launched with the news that we had tied Wenger down to a new and improved contract, we have met many friends since writing our witty ditto's and debated much over the last 10 months, having our very own Arsenal family has been awesome, having someone to share the burden of being an Arsenal fan with has been a wonderful thing.

Since we wrote that first post we have found out that what the boss doesn't spend on players gets split between the stadium mortgage and his pension fund.

Well it's the only explanation we can find! So if it's not true, please don't sue us!

Anyway, sometime today will be our 1,000,000th hit, we will try and find out who that will be and of course our customery Ferrari 360 Modena will be speedily on it's way to that lucky blogger.

We seriously thank you for blogging on our humble site and value your company, you make this site what it is - light hearted, tongue in cheek, but always Arsenal and always friendly.

Have a great weekend!

Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team.

I would take Martins. He's struggled with form and injuries over the past year, but I do believe he would fit into the Arsenal style of play absolutely perfectly, and he has proven Premiership experience. On the flip side, if Adebayor was to leave, you do get the feeling that Wenger would want to replace him like-for-like and go for a big, athletic target man, in which case the Roque Santa Cruz rumours would seem to be more realistic and genuine.

At 23, which I believe is 47 in Nigeria, and pace to burn, Martins definitely seems to fit the bill. I'm sure most Arsenal fans would rather we go for David Villa or Samuel Eto'o, but Martins just feels more of a Wenger signing.

Other transfer news, Nasri will officially sign for Arsenal tomorrow and be presented at a press conference at 6:30pm tomorrow evening. Disclaimer - that's absolutely nonsense, but I thought I'd have a stab at pretending I know some inside news, which I cleary do not.

If the rumours linking Adebayor to Barcelona for £30m are true, then what on earth is Wenger waiting for? Put it into perspective, if some dodgy old Spanish bloke offered you £12,000 for a D reg Capri then you wouldn't really be in a position to negotiate. If you did, you'd be shitting yourself in case you lost the deal for being greedy.

We all are wondering. Is he coming? If he is when? I thought it was supposed to be before the Euro's?

On my website I will post the news when and if Nasri signs but for now we can only hope or even hope he doesn't.... I can't be the only one thinking, though, I hope he doesn't sign Crouch.. surely that would be a nightmare.

Arsene has been known to find superstars like Theirry, Fabregas, Clichy, Viera and many more but he also has been known to sign flops like Stepanovs, Tomas, Wreh and maybe even Djourou or Senderos could end up in that list.

I feel though that the speculation surrounding Nasri has ended. Either Arsenal have given up interest or the papers and media have just given up. In my experience, I reckon Nasri will not be at Arsenal next season.

Obafemi Martins has today stunned Newcastle, by admitting that he would love to join Arsenal this summer.

The Toon striker insists he is ready to move to the Emirates if the two clubs can agree a deal with Emmanuel Adebayor likely to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

Martins, 23, said:

“Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled (at the interest) and it will be nice (if the interest is true) to play for such a team.

“But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.

“Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the Nigerian hitman but is so far stalling over the £15 million asking price.

Martins has a £13m buy-out clause in his contract but insists he will not ask for a transfer as he is still happy at St James’ Park:

“Because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.”

Oba to Arsenal? Yes Please!

Your thoughts?