A few bits and pieces to discuss tonight so I’m just going to get right into it. First up, Cesc Fabregas has been talking about how happy he is at Arsenal. It’s not the first time he’s had to make one of these declarations. Barcelona have been talking about Cesc’s ‘Catalan DNA’ again and he’s hit back saying he’s Arsenal through and through… again:

“It does not affect me at all because it’s been going for years. To be honest I just don’t think about it, I don’t want to and I don’t think I should because I’m at a great club and in a great team.

I’m very happy where I am and there is very long season in front of us. The last thing I want to do is get disconnected from what I have to do which is to play football for my team and for the Club that pays me. I’m really looking forward to a great season with Arsenal.”

Pretty standard but pretty awesome stuff from the captain yet again. Most Arsenal fans take it as common knowledge that he won’t be with us forever and will one day re-join Barcelona. However, he was also asked whether he would consider staying at Arsenal his entire career:

“Why not? I have never thought about it. I’m only 22. You never know what your career will bring but why not? I’m in my seventh season now and I’m really happy, better than ever.”

I don’t think it’s set in stone that Cesc will join Barcelona one day, but he knows he will always be welcome and always be loved at Arsenal however many years he wishes to spend here. No one will hate him for leaving, I’ll understand – but how good would it be if he retired here? He’s only three years away from a possible testimonial, here’s to another after that.

Moving on and Wenger’s been bigging up Carlos Vela who is currently negotiating a new contract. We seem to be tying everyone down to long-term deals to stop people leaving for free, so Carlos has got a big decision to make. He’s not quite getting in the first team yet but he’s only 20 and has a couple more years to work for it. Hopefully he’s patient and signs himself up for a future at Arsenal.

He’s an exciting prospect and he should take some confidence from Wenger saying he didn’t replace Adebayor because of him and he probably wont sign Chamakh to allow Vela an opportunity. Chamakh seemed almost a done deal at one point but Wenger obviously believes Vela will be better in the long run. We’re low on strikers at the moment but we’re scoring goals (Saturday excluded) and Wenger will argue we don’t need anyone else. Vela needs to take his chances now while Bendtner and van Persie are out and try push into that first team. Equally as important though, he needs to get that contract signed.

Gallas and Rosicky are also up for contract extensions. Both have recently been doubts for new contracts for different reasons but I’d love to see them sign. After everything Gallas has been through he’s come through it a quality defender; he’s got his head down and kept his mouth shut and is now half of a strong defensive partnership. As for Rosicky, we’ll just have to wait and see whether he really is over his injury problems but if he is then sign him up too!

Finally tonight, Wenger has emphasized that his players should be concentrated on this season with Arsenal and not the World Cup by interrupting a reporter today. He was being asked about the likes of Theo Walcott looking forward to South Africa but Arsene stopped him and said we do not pay our players to play in the World Cup, we pay them to do their best for Arsenal. Damn Straight!

That’ll do for tonight I think. Tomorrow I’ll try do a quick preview of the Liege game but the team news is that Gibbs is back in. More tomorrow, see ya.