The race for the title starts today 19 August, 2006

Sorry I didn’t write anything yesterday, my flight was a bit delayed and the trains home took ages so I was home much later than I thought, also I was too fucking knackered to even think about posting. Anyways, we play Martin O’Neill’s Villa today to kick off our season. It’s the first competitive match at Ashburton Grove and should be a good game between the teams 1st and 2nd in the league, so a win is vital here. We should beat Villa, the only thing about their team that concerns me is Martin O’Neill. He’s a great manager but it would take some sort of managerial genius to beat us. We should collect all 3 points and it would be nice to start our season with but with have to put in a good performance, the win won’t come easily.

We have several players out; Rosicky and Reyes haven’t recovered in time for the game which will see Ljungberg come in. Senderos, Clichy, Diaby and Lauren are also all out, that’s quite a long injury list. I hate it when we have loads of players out, that’s what loses us the league. Most of them will be back soonish. Ashley Cole has made himself available for selection but Wenger has left him out because he thinks a deal will be done very soon. However it’s looking increasingly likely that he might actually stay, we know Chelsea are stubborn cunts so they’re not going to take much notice of our valuation of him. Also the Russians bought another defender which could be Gallas’ replacement. It’d be really good for us if Gallas came here as part of the Cole deal, he can play all sorts of positions and he’s good at it too! Hopefully this is all sorted out soon, I can’t believe Cole still hasn’t gone. I thought he would have fucked off while I was away but no. Arsene Wenger was asked where he thought Cole would be on the 1st September, and he said Arsenal, and I’m afraid he’s probably right.

Also Reyes looks like he’s off to Madrid soon with loads of reports and quotes flying about while I was away but Wenger has said Real Madrid haven’t made any offer and it is just unsettling for Jose. It’s really obvious the lad really wants to go there and fair play to him, he might be our record signing but he’s not our best player, it wouldn’t be that much trouble if he left. He was left out of the Zagreb tie because he was unsettled by the speculation, hopefully he can either get over it or get over there, just sort it out. However Wenger has dropped a bombshell saying that if Cole or Reyes don’t get sold, they are going to still be our players! Wow, shocking stuff. I don’t know what sort of reception either of them are going to get if they do get a game for us at some point, I’ve decided I’m neither going to boo or cheer them. Not that it counts what I’m doing…

Vito Mannone has gone to Barnsley on loan and Lupoli has gone to Derby County for the season. All these loans are quite worrying now, if we ever have loads of injuries and need back up, all our best youngsters are on loan. To add to those two there is Bendtner, Muamba, Larsson and I think Connolly’s off on loan too, that’s all I can remember off the top of my head.

That’s all the news that’s about. Can’t wait to get inside The Grove again, I hope we make it a good atmosphere, should be a nice opener to the season. I’m going with my mate, it’s going to be a good day, I just hope we get the points. Also one last thing, after that infamous blunder at the world cup, we’ve got Graham Poll refereeing the game today. I’m sure we won’t let him forget his 3 yellows = a red. Right, I’m just going to watch the end of Soccer AM then it’s down to The Grove. Have a good day. C’MON THE ARSENAL!!!