I miss Theirry Henry

Well. Now wasn't that fun. What a match! There is so much to talk about that I'm not sure where to begin.

Hmmmm.

Ok, let's begin with THAT goal. Although, Manu Adebayor comes in for stick from Gooners now and then one can dispute his industry and after this electrifying goal to seal it yesterday surely no one can now seriously dispute his talent.



A definite goal of the month contender.

Next. Captain Kolo Toure's last ditch tackle on Berbatov. Unbelieveable. With Almunia gone walkabouts and the match still anyone's to win, Toure's tackle was potentially a turning point for the season.

But in a match that was a cracking example of Premier League football at its absolutely most passionate, technical and action packed Cesc Fabregas stood out by a mile with his complete domination of the match . I could talk for ages about him but let us just for now say that the recent Four Four Two magazine should quick reevaluate his position in world football.

Did you see MOTD? The line on our match was about sp*rs missed chances. HAHAHA. Their missed chances? Diaby hit the cross bar. Adebayor missed two sitters. Denilson shot at Robinson in a one v one and Hleb side footed for an easy save what should really have been a goal. We really should have destroyed sp*s by three of four goals. However Alan Hansen still said the sp*rs should have won. Oh dear. But Hansen did talk about our grit and determination. I've long noted these aspects of this particular team but the media media seem unable to admit was is very clear. It simply does not fit with the image of Arsenal as a young, foreign and technical side that we fight until the bitter end of matches. And win.

I always thought that the Vieira/Henry led Arsenal lacked a bit of bottle. But this new side is different. And slowly people are starting to realise it. For me the most interesting part of the match yesterday was Sagna's retribution on the oafish Huddlestone. Half his size, Sagna thought he would should Huddlestone what the Arsenal thought of his squaring up to Almunia. Whisper it folks... this is a TEAM. And one that fights for each other.

So. Three points. Three point lane. Three goals. Top of the table. Obviously Arsenal were delighted to beat a "top 4 side" and with Derby next at home and a victory shy Chelsea at Old Trafford hopefully we can make hay while the sun shines and hold on for fourth. It wont be easy. Because we obviously miss Thierry Henry though.

But Arsene Wenger has signed up for life.

And we will this week announce that our turnover smurfs that of Manchester United and become the second biggest club to Real Madrid. And the numbers suggest that we will pass Real and become the biggest club in the world next year.

And we have the youngest squad in the Premier League.

And we're top of the table.

Hey Bobby, what's the French for doom and gloom?

Transfer - Lassana Diarra (£5m-5.5m)

Arsenal Football Club have completed the signing of Lassana Diarra for an undisclosed fee of probably £5m-£5.5m at the death of the transfer window.

As yesterday threw up rumours of Manchester United scrambling around for anyone who can score and Everton being linked with Riquelme in spite of his signing for Athletico (the day before), the Arsenal were quiet. And effective.

This was the transfer rumour I described as one that would simply not go away. And in the end Chelsea did the unbelieveable and sold us the next Claude Makelele. A young French international destined to line up with Abou Diaby in central midfield for their country for a decade. Extraordinary. What on earth Chelsea are thinking is beyond me. But Arsene Wenger is delighted.

"Lassana is a multi-functional player, making him a great addition to our squad. Not only is he hard working, he has a creative edge and is comfortable playing in the middle of the pitch or at right back.”

Chelsea will be gutted that another French international has forced his way from their club aiming to work with Mr. Wenger.

“I have great respect for the manager Arsène Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays. Of course I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies this season and for years to come.”

Au revoir, Mourinho. The Arsenal project continues.

Transfer Rumours - Luka Modric

As the days wind down to the close of the summer transfer window, speculation is rife that Arsene Wenger has set his sights upon another player from Croatia in the form of midfield playmaker Luka Modric of Dinamo Zagreb.

The Guardian has today suggested it is "believed" that Arsenal have already agreed a deal with Dinamo for first refusal for the player and that the club may push to complete his signing within the next for days of the open window.

Modric is known as an attacking midfielder with a gift for his runs and positioning off the ball (replacement for Freddie... circa 4 years ago). He has good balance and can score with both feet. Modric is also combative and has a more than healthy taste for getting stuck into challenges despite his size.

He has a contract with his current club to 2015 and as such will not be had on the cheap. Bayern Munich have been sniffing around and it is thought have an offer on the table for 30 million euros. If Arsene Wenger does not move for Modric in the new few days it has been speculated that the player will arrive in January on pre-arranged terms.

Transfer - Wilson Palacios (to Birmingham?)

Arsenal FC have NOT completed the signing of Honduran international winger Wilson Palacios. The player was to apparently join the club on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. Initially thought to be "missing" in August by an apparently jumpy South American press, the forward was actually on trial in London with Arsenal almost adding yet another new nationality to the ranks.

Arsene Wenger was pleased with his performance in training and has decided to offer the player a route into joining ANOTHER club. Birmingham City. Arsene Wenger picked up the phone and called his new best friend Steve Bruce and sent the South American winger to Birmingham for more trials and apparently a transfer to the newly promoted club.

It is not currently known whether his international caps will immediately allow the player a work permit to remain in England. What is known is that Palacios once scored the Honduran "goal of the century" and at 23 would be expected to compete for a place wide of mifield for Birmingham.

I sincerely hope Arsene Wenger has secured some sort of transfer fee for this player having discovered him in the deepest reaches of the Americas. I should think we arent in the business of providing Birmingham with their entire first team.

EXCLUSIVE - Wenger signs three year contract

Arsene Wenger has extended his contract for another three years WITHOUT escape clauses linking him to Arsenal FC through what may be a turbulent period of takeover attempts. While the media made much of the David Dein departure and spurious interest in buying the club, Wenger has quietly gone about his business this summer with most Gooners very confident of him staying.

Its nice that this is now put to bed. The press are much to histrionic when it comes to Arsenal FC. As much as the doom and gloom stories were entertaining it does become irritating when these must be endured on a daily basis.

Well done to the club and Wenger for making this happen. Arsene Wenger is crucial to the continiuing of the Arsenal project. Long may he stay.

Transfer Rumours - Micah Richards

Micah Richards' contract status (and potentially availability) had the papers in a frenzy today as it has been revealed that a new contract with Manchester City has say unsigned by Richards for nearly two months.

As regular readers will know, I think Richards is simply the best defensive prospect I have ever seen. And I have said this for quite some time. Richards was apparently all set to join the Chavs at Chelsea during the winter transfer window but the deteriorating relationship between Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich quickly ended that possibility.

Some will be surprised that Richards has not quickly signed up to stay with the newly monied Manchester City but perhaps he understands that his development will be better aided by Champions League football and a mananger like Arsene Wenger. Wishful thinking perhaps, but Richards was a massive Gooner growing up and still lists his style of play as a mix between Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell. Geez.

As I write this, Micah Richards has moved into the middle of defence alongside John Terry after having a stellar first half against Germany in setting up a goal and causing menace along the entire right flank. The boy is a phenom.

Will we sign him? Unlikely. I simply can't see Wenger spending £15-25m on a defender when he's been able to find the likes of Djourou and Clichy for a fraction of that money. But if there ever was a player for whom Wenger could make an exception of is policy.... it is Micah Richards. This afternoon Richards has responded to the press about his contract but stating that "City is my club. I'm treated like a proper first-teamer and that is enough for me." Hardly convincing. Moreso as the contract remains unsigned.

Cross Bar Challenge

All eyes on tomorrow night as Yappy Jens ( (c) Eoin Heffernan 2007) squares up against an England side he saw fit to belittle in the press as ill equiped to deal with pressure. After a fortnight of school boy errors one would think he would keep those variety of opinions to himself. Alas, he is German. And he's probably correct. Either way, Arsene Wenger will be very keen to keep a close eye on this match and hope for obvious signs of a Lehmann revival.

Of particular interest will be how he fares against Micah Richards on corners and free kicks. The very flappable Lehmann will be tested in the air by superkid Richards a player that I have long, long, long rated. To repeat.... this boy is by far the greatest prospect in defence that I have ever seen. His talent will take him to the very top of football. Unfortunately that will not be with Arsenal as new megarich ownership at Manchester City and a manager (who clearly rates the boy and plays him where he should play) will never sell Richards. They dont have to and they both now how special a talent this kid is.

Alas, in spite of my shouting to the moutain tops that we must secure his transfer, Richards will not be an Arsenal player... in SPITE of being a Gooner. ARGH!

To cheer myself up I have added a little video from French TV which seems to be a piece stolen wholly from Soccer AM's Crossbar Challenge. All you morons who litter the otherwise fantastic Gunnerblog should note just how much the team seem to like Gallas here.

Enjoy.

Let's talk about Cesc, baby...

The BBC have today named this chant as the second best of 2006-2007.

To the tune of Salt n Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex"... Let's talk about Cesc baby, lets talk about Flam-in-i, let's talk about Theo Walcott, Freddie Ljungberg and Henry, let's talk about Cesc.

Brilliant.

In other news William Gallas has been named captain of Arsenal Football Club. This seems to have very much divided opinion amongst Gooners. I have to declare interests and say that I am quite pleased with this. I feel Gilberto is a little too timid to lead and that Kolo Toure and certainly Jens Lehmann much too jumpy to be captain. Also, Gilberto's record as captain is not near as good as people believe it to be while Toure showed in the Carling Cup fianl a mad Jens style moment of lunacy that surely removed his chance of being made captain this year.

Gallas on the other hand has declared that only 1st will do.... and has this summer won the two trophies available to the club as captain... leading a young Arsenal to beat the Ajax in very trying circumstances.

Compare this to Thierry Henry and that embrace of Teddy Sheringham after the histrionics of Marlon Harewood's late goal against us.

More soon. As irony would have it I am today completing a paper looking at modern leadership... which is so pressing that it will not today allow more of my thoughts about Gallas' captaincy .

Transfer - Kyle Bartley (£750 000)

Arsenal have signed another defender. Kyle Bartley has moved from Bolton Wanderers and joined up with the Arsenal U-18s under the watchful eye of Head of Youth Development Liam Brady.

‘We watched him play and moved quickly to get him when he decided he didn't want to sign for Bolton,” said Liam Brady. “He's big and strong, six foot three or thereabouts already and we're looking forward to having him here. I think he will give our Under-18s team something it lacked last season.”

The FA.com describes the 16 year old a physically dominant central defender with great strength, Kyle is an imposing presence at the heart of the defence. His strength and defensive reactions are assured, and he is confident when attacking the ball in the air.

The fee to Bolton is thought to be £750 000 with clauses dependant upon first team appearances on England caps.

Transfer - Gilles Sunu (£1m)

After a summer of speculation Gilles Sunu has quietly appeared on a list of Arsenal reservists and young players.

Arsenal signed the 16 year old from Chateauroux in France on a 4 year contract for an initial £1m fending off interest from Liverpool amongst others keen to sign the U-16 French striker. The transfer could rise to £2.7m with apprearance and cap clauses.

Sunu is the son of former Togo international Manu Sunu and was a recommendation of Arsenal super scout Gilles Grimaldi. Inevitably, he has been dubbed the "new Henry" by the French press. His technique and pace are notable and he takes up unusal positions as a striker and likes to run at defenders like the Arsenal legend.

Transfer Rumours - Lassana Diarra

This one will not seem to go away. There have been whispers throughout the summer that Diarra wanted to move to Arsenal. However, the fact that Chelsea have the richest patron in world football would quickly suggest that they would not wish to lose face in having another player from their first team seek a move to link up with Arsene Wenger. Right?

According to reports.... wrong.

The apparent Claude Makelele understudy has turned his nose up at several Chelsea contract offers this summer and today has only 11 months left on his contract. Obviously there is now a Bosman risk for the player and with so little time remaining on his contract, Chelsea would have little leverage with which to negotiate terms. Arsene Wenger has held a long interest in the player and would have been very impressed with Diarra's performance in the France engine room alongside Abou Diaby against Austria in March 07. France boss Raymond Domenech sees this tandem as the future for the French midfield and as very pending replacements for the current engine room of Makelele and Patrick Vieira (... and the circle of life continues).

With Chelsea thought to be at the mercy of a £2m for the player, Wenger may well be interested in adding the midfielder to the likes of Song, Denilson, Diaby, Flamini, Gilberto and Cesc with Song likely to quickly move upon Diarra's arrival. When compared to the £17m spent on 26 year old Canadian Owen Hargreaves, £2m is a fantastic bargain for a French International adamantly claim Diarra to be the next Makelele.

With the confirmation that the actual Makelele has agreed terms with Chelsea for another year, it would seem that a Diarra move to Arsenal is an ever increasing possibility. The 22 year old defensive midfielder has appeared in 13 matches for Chelsea since his £3m move from French club Le Havre in 2005. Many of these matches have found the player ably fill in at right back. Arsenal would see his position as a medium term understudy for Gilberto.

Transfer Rumours - Achille Emana

Arsenal have again been linked to Toulouse forward Achille Emana. The 25 year old attacking midfielder had an excellent season with Toulouse and would be a good complement to the set of forwards at the Emirates.

Lyon are also thought to be interested along with Werder Bremen.

The player has long been under the watchful eye of the Arsenal scouting department including a visit from Tony Adams a couple of years ago.

A confident sort, Emana could line up with the also poorly monikered Dudu in the Arsenal attack. Talking about his future he confided that "I can’t yet say I’m among the top players in the world. My aim is to be able to cross the ball like David Beckham, to have the power of Ronaldo, to possess the same finesse as Zinedine Zidane, and to have the dribbling skills of Ronaldinho.”

It is thought that Emana would cost between £4.5 and £8m.

Transfer - Pedro

Arsenal have signed 17 year old left sided defender/forward Pedro from Figueirense in Brazil.

The player will join new signing Angel Di Maria at Salamanca in Spain following in the foot steps of Carlos Vela who played there last season in what has become an official "parking" relationship between the clubs.

The club said he will train with them, then spend two weeks at Arsenal before returning to Brazil until October. Then he will be Salamanca's player for the rest of the season.

Pedro, who can also play in attack, has already featured for the first-team of the Brazilian club.

Transfer - Rodrigo Palacio (PRANK!!!)

The papers are buzzing about Arsene Wenger breaking the Arsenal transfer record by signing Argenitian striker Rodrigo Palacio from Boca Juniors in a £14m deal. The 25 year oldforward will also be given Thierry Henry's number 14 shirt.

No pressure then.

The medical will take place tomorrow in London and the player is expected to join the team in Austria for pre season training.

The William Gallas Chronicles...

A big thanks to Billy G for the following words made exclusive to Arsenal Truth and Rumours... and... um... his website. I'm guessing these comments will not be as similarily edited, twisted and widely repeated throughout the media as those last week...

There’s no escaping it, the holidays are over… The three weeks have flown by and it’s back to work now as my training starts with Arsenal on Wednesday. It’s an opportunity for me to meet the new arrivals, get to know them and to see my team-mates from last year again. I’m well aware that I’ll probably be an even more important leader in the Arsenal team in the 2007-2008 season. Now that Thierry Henry has left, I’m one of the most experienced players in the group along with Jens Lehmann. I’ll therefore have a big responsibility to guide the younger players and advise them on how to approach matches, handle fatigue and pressure…However, let’s not forget that we’ve got a lot of sporting ambitions and that we’re going to do everything we can to win a title this season, either the Premier League, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup or the Champions League. I’m sure it’s going to be a big year for Arsenal! So my fabulous holiday in Guadeloupe is now behind me but it gave me a chance to rest and recharge my batteries to the full. I’m back in England feeling rested and ready for the new season…

http://www.williamgallas.net/en/gab_info.asp?info_id=5194

Transfer Rumours - Shaun Wright Philips

A transfer target list apparently sent by Arsene Wenger has revealed Shaun Wright Philips as a transfer target for Arsenal Football Club.

The Online Gooner has reproduced a list that seems to suggest Wright Philips as the wide midfielder Arsenal have been lacking since Jose Antonio Reyes joined Real Madrid on loan last season.

While I feel this list is more than a little dubious a link to this player does ring true. Manchester City have clearly been tipped that Wright Philips is available and are sniffing around but Ian Wright quickly refused any suggestion that the move was possible saying "It won't happen. He loves City, but whether he loves them with Sven in charge is another story". And of course, Arsenal would be yet a further story entirely.

Chelsea are moving towards signing Daniel Alves this week but have also quietly tried to tempt sp*rs to exchange Pascal Chimbonda for Glen Johnson and Wright Philips as a fallback option. Insiders note that Wright Philips wages would be a stumbling block for sp*rs who pay Robbie Keane 50k a week as the teams highest earning player. SWP earns about 40% more than that. In spite of their pretensions to being a big club, sp*rs do have a rather consertative salary structure so unless Chelsea eat some of the wages to allow SWP to join sp*rs at a massive discount from the £21m they paid scant years ago, this will simply not happen.

Transfer Possibility Rating - 3/10

It makes sense on both sides but whether Chelsea will want to sell to us is the likely stumbling block. Wright would probably have to agitate for a move to make this happen and we all know his dad would advocate SWP joining Arsene Wenger's wingless wonders. However, there is an attractive English clique at Chelsea that may prove too attractive leave.

My view is that SWP would do well to join Arsenal and push his way back into the England set up. He should join but I dont think it will happen.

Transfer Rumours - Obafemi Martins

Arsene Wenger may today bring his July spending to £35m by making a move for Nigerian International striker Obefemi Martins. The Newcastle striker had a strong first season in the Premiership for Newcastle but is thought to be unsettled and keen for a bigger club to activate his must talked about £13m release clause.

I have talked about this player before, particularly with reference to his titanic tussle with Kolo Toure in that famous Champions League 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan at Highbury.

Martins is a very very direct striker with lots of power. His transfer would suggest that one of both of Eduardo and Robin Van Persie may be used as left sided forwards this coming season. Martins also has a ridiculously hard strike on him. Martins tally of 17 goals in 33 appearances for the club was a rather decent beginning to life in English football. He even recorded a strike of 84 mph (135 km/h), or the ninth hardest shot ever recorded in football beating sp*rs 3-2 in January at Three Point Lane. Much to like.

Transfer Possibility Rating - 8/10

This one looks done. The Arsenal seem to be circling Newcastle for a bid. This one may happen very quickly given his release clause so more should be known in the next couple of days.

Transfer Rumours - Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg may be set to move to Fiorantina, Newcastle or Manchester City as the Arsenal continue to surprise in the transfer market. The club are in definite talks with the Italian side as confirmed by Freddie's agent who yesterday said that the two clubs were about to agree transfer terms leaving Freddie to examine his options more closely.

Ljungberg has seen his pace and vitality compromised by injury over the past several seasons. That said, go rent Goal 2 to see just how effective Freddie was in that fantastic club defining 1-0 victory against Real Madrid in Spain. He was excellent in a striker supporting role just in front of the midfield. That was some time ago now but may be the defining match in his very accomplished career.

There was some talk about Ljungberg moving in January but nothing came of it.

Transfer Possibility Rating - 7.5/10

I think this will happen. Freddie has little to offer the club other than leadership at this point in his career. The phrase I keep hearing from Gooners is "bite their hand off" in refernce in the Fiorantina interest. And I agree. But let it not be forgotten just how effective Freddie was in making those cutely timed/angled runs into the box to perfectly compliment the intelligent passing of the Arsenal.... all to be completed by a routinely excellent Ljungberg finish.

As an aside, Fiorantina forward Valeri Bojinov may be part of the package after very recently turning down a new contract.

Transfer - Bakari Sagna (£7.5m)

Bakari Sagna has completed a successful medical in London and Arsenal Football Club have agreed a fee of £7.5m with Auxerre for the versatile defender.

Arsenal should unveil Sagna at a press conference some time today.

I have previously speculated about this transfer and it is certainly nice to be right once in a while.

Transfer - Angel Di Maria (£2m)

Arsenal Football Club have signed Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria from Rosario Central for an undisclosed sum (thought to be £3.5m-4m). The 19 year old is currently playing with Sergio Aguero for the Argentina Under 20s in the Fifa World Cup in Canada.

Gilles Grimaldi has been tracking the player for some time and it is thought that the left winger, nicknamed Angelito, will replace want away left side Jose Antonio Reyes. Inevitably the winger has been compared to Maradona. But then so has every young Argentinian forward for a generation.

Deportivo La Coruna were also interested in the player.