Have we found our new no.9? 15 May, 2007

Maybe.

It looks quite likely that ‘The Beast’ we be leaving and there’s no chance Reyes will return, so that would make the no.9 shirt will be available. Some say the shirt is cursed, and those people might have a point but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nicklas Bendtner claimed the shirt in the new season. He signed a 5 year deal year today showing us all just how much faith Wenger has in him. There were doubts whether he’d break into the first 11 at Arsenal, and possibly move on this summer but it looks as if Wenger intends to break him into the side. I do like Bendtner, I’ve seen him a few times for the reserves and he looks a good prospect, but I don’t think he’s quite first team Arsenal material yet to be honest.

I know Nicklas said earlier in the season that he’s only interested in the top level of the game now and said he’d only return to Arsenal if he was guaranteed first team football. Sounds as if the boy has quite a big ego because most players are going to find it difficult to beat Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and the upcoming Theo Walcott into a team. If we are unlucky as we have been this year with injuries I’m sure Nick will get a pretty decent run in the side next season; but other than that, he’s going to have to work very hard to get in the team. So with this new 5-year deal, don’t be surprised if you’re seeing ‘Bendtner 9′ shirts around the Grove come August.

Emmanuel Eboue also signed a long-term deal today. He established himself well in the last season at Highbury but was always 2nd choice to Lauren, now he’s moved on to Pompey Eboue is now officially our first choice right back. Quite a few people aren’t going to happy about that, and there were shouts that we might sign someone in the summer but it was never going to happen and Arsene’s confirmed this by offering him a new deal.

I’m sure we’ll hear it all summer but here’s the first quote of Wenger saying he targets the title next season. It’ll all well and good saying it and I know one of Arsene’s main points is ‘when we get our injured players back’ but everyone knows if he’s going to challenge with the top teams he’s going to have to spend a bit this summer. I’m sure Chelsea will buy, they always do, Man United will have some extra cash from winning the title so they’ll add to the squad and Liverpool’s new owners have promised Benitez a large sum of money to spend. To be fair, yes we do have some pretty good players coming back from injury but I’m sorry that’s not going to be enough. We’ll see what happens in the coming months.

Thanks for reading.