New White Kit - Diaby 2

Eduardo 9?

Van Persie 11?

Rosicky 7?

For a split second even Ljungberg 8.

But in the end I went for Diaby 2. He may not play as often as Cesc, Van Persie or Toure this season but I feel he is essential for our drive to win the league this season. His power in midfield and his surprising ability on the ball and in getting forward mark Diaby as a goliath for the future and essential midfield powerhouse for today.

Right. So there I am in line to have names on backs (and numbers on shorts) and a ticker comes across Sky Sports News quoting AP that Manchester United have signed Carlos Tevez. Seeing this there was an audible groan in the Amoury. Tevez is a fantastic signing for United. Even if they send Louis Saha on his way to West Ham in exchange, Tevez addition is a major statement of intent for United. More so than the depth and youth additions of Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves (in spite of their collective cost). In SPITE of myself, I was thinking of how well Rooney and Tevez could link together. But quickly I moved on and Diaby 2 was firmly sealed into my new away kit.

Walking around the Amoury was interesting this morning. There are statements posted from Thierry Henry thanking the fans for their support and such. Funnier still is the sale area which almost exclusively featured all manner of Henry hats, shirts, buttons and books. I noticed also that the "Way Out" in Arsenal Station had been returned to the panoramic photo (above) throughout the store but with Henry miraculously erased. Clearly with our support of course.

I noticed also that we still sell Dennis Bergkamp action figures. These were NOT on sale. Interesting.

On the way to the ground The Guardian informed me that the club are very confident of Arsene Wenger resigning for another 3-4 years. That's good if perhaps complacent. I would like to see Wenger sign his contract before this calendar year in over to allieviate the nagging concerns of supporters. I feel the players must present Wenger with fulfilment of their full potential as payback for his enduring trust. This is essential for Arsene Wenger to feel confident about realising his dreams with Arsenal Football Club. Abou Diaby can be a big part of those dreams.

HAHAHAHAHAHAH... stop

The new away kit is not THAT bad, Thierry. Haha. All the best, mate. You and Messi and Eto'o and Ronaldinho will be a pretty tasty combination. I can't wait to see you play in Spain. And have us play Barcelona (and you) in the Champions League. We've certainly got more than a score to settle now.

The Chicken Littles of the world have it that the Arsenal sky is falling. Or at least the press seem to largely be pushing that idea. I have actually found thatmost Gooners seem to be quite relaxed about Henry moving to Spain but quite clear that this move must be accompanied by at least two forwards to liven up the attack with width and penetration.

Robin Van Persie now becomes extremely important to the club. As the top scorer for the Arsenal (and top per match Fantasy Football scorer...with Henry second and Ronaldo a distant third) this past season anyway, we will expect RVP to push on an become the focus of our attack in the same way he is for Holland. I have no doubt he will. With perhaps his mate Babel for company.

And Cesc Fabregas should be named Captain. No discussion. Tomorrow he will be named the Arsenal player of the year as voted by the supporters so he will definitely be a popular choice with the fans. He has the necessary talent, desire and zest for the football we play as well as a cool head on his shoulders. In spite of what Frank Lampard's throat, Mark Hughes fragile ego and Sir Alex Ferguson's pizza'd face may suggest, he channels his passion in the right way and never glares at his own teammates for missing passes or simply failing to be as good as Cesc Fabregas. He will also be ably assisted by other natural leaders in Kolo Toure, Gilberto, and Jens Lehmann and be an example to the likes of Fran Merida and Gavin Hoyte pushing into the first team.

The New Kit Is Fantastic

It's been a while.

The world of Arsenal FC has been such a sedate boring place so far this summer that I have felt no need to dip my toe into the pool of tranquility on which the club happliy float into next season.

Right.

Just a word then about the soon to be released away kit. I speculated about this in a previous post http://arsenalrumours.blogspot.com/2007/03/this-new-kit-is-absolutely-white.html but my worry have been completely misplaced.

The kit is excellent and retains the redcurrent seen in our goodbye to Highbury (and Bergkamp)kit. I will have my credit card at the ready to purchase Diaby 2 on 5 July.



The photo above once featured a "Way Out" sign above Henry's head. Presumably Thierry would then seek to question what the French was for "Way Out" which... I would answer Vieira, Anelka, Petit, Wiltord and Pires... but Arsenal.com saw no humour in this and it seems airbrushed out the words from the right of Henry's head.

This story builds by the day with the media clearly pushing an upheaval agenda for the club. My meagre opinion is that Arsene Wenger will always do what he thinks is best for Arsenal Football Club. He gambled with selling Vieira two years ago giving rise to sp*rs widely suggesting that Edgar Davids was now the best midfielder in the neighbourhood. Haha. Quite. Fabregas quite comfortably was this year listed in the top 6 players in the league. Few would dispute his place. Wenger has been proven correct with Paddy's continuing injury issues also.

Will Wenger sell Henry?

I don't know. But I will say that it won't be the Sam(e) without Thierry if you gEt(o'o) what I mean.