Alexandre Song has left the building… 30 January, 2007

Many Gooners were waiting for the day that Alex Song would leave The Arsenal, and that day is today. He’s joined Charlton on loan until the end of the season, Arsene’s revenge for the little scrap at Upton Park. With Fabregas, Gilberto, Denilson, Flamini, Diaby plus other players who can play in the centre there was no way Song was going to get any games this season. We may have seen the last of him but at the moment he’s due to return in the summer. I wish him the best of luck at Charlton.

I’m afraid it’s not all good news today, Julio Baptista has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game with that groin injury picked up against Bolton. He took a late fitness test today as there was a chance he might play but Arsene’s decided not to risk him and will go for Aliadiere/Adebayor up front. Gilberto will captain the side after serving a three-match ban for his red card at Ewood Park.

Nicklas Bendtner has extended his loan at Birmingham until the end of the season. His current deal expired this month and with our current striker shortage there was an option to bring him back but Arsene has allowed him to complete the season with The Blues. Whether or not he’ll return to Arsenal in the summer is a different matter but for now he’s still officially our player. On the subject of Birmingham, Fabrice Muamba has said it’s up to him whether he decides to return to Arsenal or move elsewhere. I’m a fan of him and his tough style but with Diaby, Fabregas and Denilson I don’t think he’ll ever get that many games here. He’s a good player but to be fair we’ve got even better ones in that position so we don’t really need him.

And finally, we’ve apparently signed some French 15-year-old striker. Gilles Sunu has completed talks with Arsenal and will finalise a move to London in the summer. They’re getting younger and younger. If Wenger has confidence in this kid at such a young age then he must be good. Well we’ll see in about 5 years time.

That’s it for today. A preview of the scum’s 2nd trip to the Grove tomorrow, until then.