“My view of how I should be playing didn’t coincide with the manager’s. I told him last season I wanted to leave and think he was quite upset about it. But ask him. It may turn out he’s happy to see me go. I don’t know where I’ll be next season but I’d prefer Barcelona. It is being negotiated and, hopefully, will be decided soon.”

When we get scoring opportunities, Fabregas is much more selfish than me. Given a chance to shoot, he always goes for it — unlike me.”

When I heard these quotes this morning from Hleb, I was absolutely fuming. How dare he?! I was especially upset with that second statement, about Fabregas, I screamed at the television: “Well maybe you should fucking shoot then, you twat.”

However, I had the afternoon to think about these (out of the blue) quotes whilst I was very, very bored at work. It’s obvious that this has just been lost (or should I say ‘manipulated’?) in translation. These quotes in this morning’s Sun were quite shocking, but you have to be suspicious…

Apparently, these quotes are from ages ago, from the Russian media I think and they have been totally twisted. It’s understandable. I think what Alex probably said about the manager is that they have different ideas and that a move for him is for the best. And on Cesc, The word ’selfish’ has been slotted in there purposely to cause a fuss. In translation, it would be a different word, not meaning selfish, but just saying that Cesc likes to take the ball on his own and has the confidence to shoot, and that is not Hleb’s game. That’s all.

Hleb was quick to deny these quotes on his official website:

“I am shocked by some media-reports. In some newspapers it was mentioned that I have attacked Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas. But let me tell you: This is not true! The statements in the papers are definitely not my statements.

I would never ever say something disrespectful about them. And there is a simple reason for this: Cesc is a very good friend of mine and Arsene is one of the persons, I respect most.”

I believe him. It’s The Sun’s job to make stories like this out of nothing and it is a perfect example of the tabloids twisting words. Hleb is still yet to sort out his move away but any news on that and I’ll update you here.

Today is officially the first day of the season; the first set of players went back into training today. Photos are here. It was basically all the players that haven’t been involved in international fixtures this summer.

And finally, Ray Parlour is set to retire. No, he hasn’t retired already, if you remember, I actually told you a while ago that he joined up with Barnet’s training sessions last season to work on his fitness but it looks like a knee problem is going to stop him from playing professional football again. Shame really, good luck to Ray anyway.

Thanks for reading, speak to you soon.

Aaron Ramsey has spoken to the media for the first time since his transfer to Arsenal earlier this summer. Aaron has spoken to the press in Wales about his move and how excited his is to be playing for us next season. He says he’ll always have a place in his heart for Cardiff City but Arsenal is a great opportunity for him. He also says he’s aiming towards that first game of the season vs. West Brom and will fight to make the first XI. Here’s what he had to say:

“I am just so looking forward to the start of pre-season training on Tuesday. Obviously the plan for me is to have a good pre-season and try my hardest to get up to the fitness levels the Premiership requires. I will try my best to get in the starting line-up at the beginning of the season against West Brom.

I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal and I can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, one which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level. I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes there.

I supported Manchester United as a youngster because they were on the TV the whole time and my footballing idol was Roy Keane. But once I had spoken to Arsene Wenger, the way he described the Arsenal set-up and their plans for the future impressed me. I just had a gut instinct that the right move for me would be joining Arsenal. It was my decision. I thought about where the best place would be for me to develop as a player…and that was Arsenal.

I don’t think too many people wouldn’t look forward to coming under the guidance of Arsene Wenger and playing next to someone like Cesc Fabregas. Arsene is a great manager and Cesc can make something happen out of nothing on the pitch.”

I like his ambition, and I’m sure if Wenger sees that Ramsey is giving 100% in training, then he will give the boy the game against West Brom to prove himself. Arsene loves a player that is committed and tries his hardest so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him starting along side Cesc.

As he is a new player, he’ll get plenty of action in our pre-season friendlies. I’m quite looking forward to seeing what this guy has to give. I’m guessing he’ll start against Barnet on the 19th, we’ll all get our first glimpse of him in the Arsenal shirt then and I bet he’ll be out to impress.

The top story today comes from the mouth of our Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood. He’s been speaking to the Daily Telegraph about various things and of course Adebayor’s future was the first thing he was asked about:

“We want him to stay, definitely. Adebayor still has a long time left on his contract, and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him from that contract. You want to keep your best players and Adebayor is one of those.

Personally, and I think most fans are of similar opinion, Ade has gone too far and I have lost interest in him. The club might be doing their best to keep him but at the moment I hope we flog him for a decent price. He is under contract though, for three more years, so we aren’t forced to sell him. That gives us the advantage because a large fee will have to be paid if we are to let him go. This story goes on and on, there must be an ending soon…

Hill-Wood goes on to talk about the contemporary footballer; the way that contracts now must be renewed every year to secure their future and that money rules everything. The chairman believes there is no loyalty any more like their used to be:

I’m afraid that’s the way of the world. It’s annoying, but it is modern football. The idea that you are going to have a number of your team playing for you for 15 years, as one used to have, has disappeared. It makes it harder for the manager, but he is fully aware of what is happening.

It’s the modern way, so we have to adapt. Arsene will manage the situation to the best of his ability. But it’s true though, years ago you never used to get worried about Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Ray Parlour etc leaving every summer, you just knew they would be staying, unless they said otherwise.

The chairman also admitted that Hleb might not be an Arsenal player for much longer:

Hleb has made it clear he wants to go. I think maybe he will go.”

I thought he would be long gone by now but the search for a club goes on. It’s gone a bit quiet over Hleb recently, but that could just be because it’s been overshadowed by the Adebayor saga. Recently, I started to think about whether Alex might stay, but Hill-Wood today confirmed that his intention is still very much to leave.

And finally, Cesc Fabregas is our official Player of The Season. Well done to him. He did have a fantastic season, and at the start he was unstoppable when he went on that goal scoring run. He was an inspiration to us every single game and truly deserves his award. Thank God some people have some loyalty and we can look forward to him doing the same again next season. Nice one Cesc.

Ok that’s it for today. Every Monday I think about whether we’ll come any closer to some transfers in the next 7 days; and usually I say we are. However this week I’m predicting precisely fuck all.

The players go back to training tomorrow. Yipee.

Arsene Wenger:

“The strategy of the club is to sell every year and to buy less expensive players.

We manage at Arsenal to maintain all our football ambitions - national and European - while having to free up - for 17 more years - an annual surplus of £24m to pay for our stadium.

The club’s strategy is to favour the policy of youngsters ahead of stars and to count on the collective quality of our game.”

These are the latest quotes from Arsene Wenger which made disturbing reading for Arsenal fans. For a few years now, we’ve usually ended up making profits in the transfer window. I assumed it was just a nice coincidence but the manager has told us this is now our strategy. Last summer we sold our top player, Thierry Henry, and bought less expensive players (Eduardo). Now we’re set to sell Adebayor after a great season.

It’s horrible thinking that if a player has really successful year with us, he won’t be there to help us the next. If this policy is true, how long until we have to sell Fabregas? Then van Persie? Then Walcott? Then who next? We might have great youngsters coming through but everyone knows you can’t just keep selling your best players.

Arseblogger reacted to these quotes saying they don’t sound right to him. It’s true, Wenger keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to matters involving transfers; it’s unlike him to come out with such a bold and negative statement (i.e. the first sentence of that quote).

If it is true, then it is quite depressing for Arsenal fans. It shows a lack of ambition and togetherness. An ever-changing squad is not a good thing.

I used to get so worked up about transfers, but now I realise all I can do is just sit back and watch. It’s a much less stressful approach but I’d hate to just be sitting there watching Arsenal collapse.

It’s all very, very depressing so let’s move on shall we?

Andrei Arshavin’s agent reckons that his player’s transfer in our hands. Not because we’re trying to sign him, but because the futures of Hleb and Adebayor need to be sorted out before Arshavin can sort his deal out. If Hleb goes to Barca, then they won’t need Arshavin. If Barca buys Adebayor, they might not be able to afford Arshavin too. So if Adebayor goes to Milan, then Barca might have some spare cash. Etc, etc…

All these players all need to go somewhere. Once one high-profile transfer gets done, then I’m sure there’ll be loads to follow.

Justin Hoyte says he’s going to stay and fight for his place. I thought he might be leaving this summer but he says Arsene has a plan for him so he’s going to remain at Arsenal and do his best. Fair play.

On the subject of selling. A company offered to buy The Cannon off me yesterday. I told them I couldn’t do it. So I hope all you lot appreciate my crap. Thanks for reading, again.

Hello to you from a sunny Saturday in London. Oh how I’d love to be going to football today. So much. TWO MORE WEEKS. In exactly a fortnights time I will be in Barnet for our first pre-season friendly at Underhill. I can’t wait.

No massive news to report today, still no signings, still no departures. There are some little bits though…

Obafemi Martins has said he’d quite like to play for Arsenal. We’ve been linked with him…like forever, so it’s no real surprise his name has come up again. I’ve always been a bit of a fan, and when Newcastle signed him for £10m I thought he’s be a great signing for them.

He’s been ok; I just feel that if he had the quality at Arsenal feeding him balls then he’d play to his full potential. He’s quick, not afraid to shoot, packs a good shot, good on his feet and remarkably he’s only 23; I swear he was older than that. Anyway, here’s what he said:

“Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team. But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.

Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.”

Nice. I’d still like us to have Martins in our squad. If Ade does ever go then I’d put him on our shopping list. He might not have taken the Premier League by storm up at Newcastle, but I still maintain that if he played in a team with the likes of Fabregas etc, he’d be scoring for fun.

His signing would depend entirely on Adebayor. Wenger’s not going to sign any more strikers with the squad as it is, but if he does go then he might be tempted. The latest on his situation is that nothing has been decided. His agent says no decisions have been made, even though the clubs were meant to be in talks this week. He also said that they’re keeping quiet for a little bit; I think maybe they’re realised how much they’ve pissed off the Arsenal fans.

The latest on another transfer: Nasri is on holiday and will sign in about 10 days time. OK then. This must be the longest transfer, ever. We were meant to be signing him back in May, then it was before the Euros, then it was after the Euros, then is was after July 1st, now it’s after his holiday. I’m just hoping we sort it out before 1st September.

And Wenger says he told his squad to go off this summer, have a rest, forget about football, then come back with a desire to win. Last season must’ve been hard on the players but if they can rediscover that attitude they had at the start of last season, and hold it, then we could be on to something.

Right, that’s your lot for today. It’s 3:00pm on a Saturday. I want to go to football. Argh! See ya.

This week, news towards the Adebayor story has sort’ve gone in ‘Arsenal’s favour’. That’s in inverted commas because I’m not so sure we’d want to keep him anymore.

Earlier this week, AC Milan ruled themselves out of the race saying that they cannot afford our valuation of the striker. He has three years left on his deal, and he’s in great form, so there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be a hefty price tag dangling from him.

According to their chairman, we apparently asked for £35.8million to secure Adebayor’s services. That’s 45 million euros! If we could get that sort of money for him that’d be great. Not surprising that Milan have opted out of a deal. Maybe they will re-negotiate? However it does seem like they’ve lost interest and will now fight Manchester City for Ronaldinho’s signature…haha!

Since Milan pulled out, it’s all gone a bit quiet; haven’t heard much from Barcelona. Now, his agent has spoken about it again. Doesn’t sound quite the same as last week; He’s not going ‘we demand this’, ‘Adebayor deserves that’ and ‘we’ve had offers from so and so…’. Now this is what he’s saying (I’ve highlighted 3 sentences that I’d like to answer specifically to):

“It is vital that Arsenal show their motivation to keep him. (*1) There has been a love story between Adebayor and Arsenal and his relationship with Arsene Wenger (*2) is based on trust and respect.

If this was a money problem, then he would have asked to leave. He is a man of heart, not of money. He is not greedy. (*3)“

BULL-FUCKING-SHIT!

Haha! Someone’s changed their tone. From the sounds of this, a transfer is falling through.

*1 - What?! We never tried to get rid of him. You engineered all of this!

*2 - You didn’t seem to care so much about this special relationship last week when you were flirting with Barcelona and AC Milan.

*3 - I’ve never heard such shite in my life! Last week Adebayor clearly explain that this was a money issue. He said he needs to save for his retirement and feels he should be on a much better salary. This third part is hysterical.

For me, he’s crossed the line too far. I’m not sure I could accept him back. If a transfer does fall through, and he does end up playing for us next season, I won’t know what to think. Do I boo him? No, but I’m certainly not singing his name. I’ll probably give him evils. Then he’ll feel sorry.

It’s not over yet so we’ll have to see what happens. My prediction? This’ll go on and on until 1st September until we finally find out he’s staying. But to be honest, I don’t give a shit what happens.

So who got their new shirt today?

I’ve just come across the new poster for the away kit, and I thought I’d share it with you. Basically, I’m too tired to write a post.

I quite like the kit, I mean, most of you will probably have seen it before but this is the first time I’ve seen the team wearing it. It’s based on the 1988/89 title-winning kit, that’s why there’s Alan Smith, Steve Bould, Micky Thomas and Paul Merson in the poster with the Division One title in the background

The new home kit come out tomorrow morning, mine’s in the post.

Right, I’ll write a proper article tomorrow, until then.

It’s the beginning of the new financial year today, which should see a bit of transfer activity get rolling. There was a big rumour that Marseille didn’t officially want to announce the Nasri signing until today, so that the sale counted towards this new year’s financial profits. Well nothing has been revealed yet so far this afternoon but there are a lot of Gooners who have been refreshing the internet all day waiting for some official confirmation. Good luck with that.

The month of July might also see us get rid of Adebayor. He told us he would sit down with Arsenal this week to discuss his future. However, I have a feeling it will be a short discussion. A £30m cheque from Barcelona wouldn’t be a bad start to the year.

Today, we’ve been linked with a brand new player. Amaury Bischoff has said he is about to sign for Arsenal after turning down a new contract at Werder Bremen. The player says that Arsene is very much interested in him and the clubs director has even said on Werder Bremen’s official website that he’s sorry to see him go. Here’s what Bischoff said about it:

“Bremen was superb, but Arsenal is a huge opportunity for me. Wenger has known me since my time at Strasbourg and believes in my quality. He trusts me to be in the first team. Wenger has not put me under any pressure. He said, ‘Take all the time you need’.”

Sounds pretty legit, if he’s telling the truth. To be honest I haven’t heard of this player; and before you start slagging me off, I don’t follow Werder Bremen and I don’t play football manager, so why should I know about him? Anyway, he’s a 21-year-old midfielder and if Wenger likes him, then I like him.

There’s more quotes from him here, where he says he’s been waiting for Arsene to return from Euro 2008 and his transfer will be completed in the next few days. More on this when I hear it.

Gael Clichy has been voted 2nd in our player of the season award. Gael’s had a brilliant season and I’m glad that he’s been shown some recognition. I’m sure he’ll be chuffed it with. How often does a left back get voted a team’s second best player of the season? Well done to him, well deserved.

And finally, Cesc Fabregas has said he’s in the winning mood after this summer and can’t wait to win Arsenal their first trophy since 2005. As you might be aware, he just won Euro 2008 with Spain and he’s said it was the best day of his life. He was incredible for Spain this summer and I see him having a great season for us. Hopefully he can make his, and our dreams come true and bag some silverware next year!

Thanks for reading. Hopefully we’ll have some transfers to announce later in the week.

It started off a stupid rumour, Adebayor dismissed it, it didn’t go away, he once again declared his future to Arsenal, the speculation persisted and now it looks like Adebayor is actually leaving.

His recent quotes, which I spoke to you about in my last post, were the point when the transfer looked like it could actually happen. I had just ignored it all summer but I now believe Adebayor has a strong interest in leaving.

It gets worse though. Yesterday I said how Ade sounded like a changed person. A cocky person. Well get this:

“Milan are a big club but the fact they are not playing in the Champions League next season is less of a challenge. Barcelona have made a good financial offer and there is also the chance to play alongside great players. Yes, I am still under contract to Arsenal but it’s up to the directors to satisfy my demands or I’ll leave.

If my good form of last season has increased my value, my employers have to take account of that. I have to prepare for my retirement. Even if you are not scoring fine goals and you have money, you can enjoy a happy retirement. The time for preparing for that moment is now.

People ask if I am asking for the same salary as Henry. That is not necessarily the question. But I am being considered a worthy replacement for Henry while not deserving his salary. The question lies on this level.”

Incredible. You would’ve never heard him talking like this a few months ago. I just can’t believe that first paragraph: Threatening to leave if we don’t meet his wage ‘demands’. I just can’t believe it really. I used to love Ade because he’s one of those players who looks l like he genuinely loves playing for Arsenal and actually cares, like a fan. Now he’s got this sudden fixation on money.

And I thought this was all about going to AC Milan? Since when did it become about simply leaving Arsenal. Now he’s saying Barcelona have made him a good offer; Yet, if you read that last paragraph, it’s not good enough!

And as Arseblogger pointed out in the blog today, why is he going on about retirement?!? HE’S TWENTY-FUCKING-FOUR FOR FUCKS SAKE. He’s not even halfway through his career.

I don’t like this new Adebayor. That’s why I want him to leave. Never thought I’d say this, but: Ade, seriously, if all that money means so much to you, just fuck off then. Go and play with those other fools who are only in it for the pay slip at the end of the week, rather that the badge on your chest.

I hope he misses Arsenal, I hope he realises what he’s done.

This has now become a very bitter departure for me. These new quotes have just flipped my lid. How fucking dare he. I really am upset by this. I think mostly because of how drastically he’s changed his tone, and how publicly he’s made his demands. He’s had ONE good season and now he’s God. He’s still unproven. So I guess we should cash in. It might’ve been a one off.

Wenger reckons he’s staying. I just don’t care anymore. I’m going to stop wasting my time on this.

This transfer window is still very much open.

It was written in the stars really, wasn’t it? Ever since we signed Theo Walcott, I always thought he was the long-term replacement to Thierry Henry. Yes, he’s not really there yet, but you have to say he is steadily improving.

Now, he’s been awarded his old mentor’s shirt number. Walcott will wear no.14 from next season. I did think he might get it one day, but I thought 32 was his lucky number or something. Anyway, Theo’s no.14 now. Does this number change have anything to do with Arsene’s plans for Theo next season? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Yesterday, Emmanuel Adebayor was having a press conference with Adidas when the subject of his future came up. It’s the first time he’s spoke about it in a long time and it sounded like good news for Gooners:

“I have three more years with Arsenal, I have a good team there, I have a good contract. The most important thing is to keep enjoying myself. Of course (I am staying) I have three more years.

You can see people changing clubs because of money, because they want a change of atmosphere or to get their names in the big leagues. I just play football to enjoy myself. I play because I love it.

We all have the same ideas and we all want to achieve something. We have a good boss which is Arsene Wenger, he tries to bring this atmosphere to the dressing room where we feel like brothers and like family. Those are the reasons that give us a chance to play the football we play. We play good football, now we look forward to winning trophies.”

All good yeah? Well, after that press conference he was approached by a reporter and asked if there is still a chance of him moving to AC Milan, and this is what he came out with:

“I had a dream of playing for Arsenal, and Arsenal are one of the loveliest clubs in the world. When I go back to Africa it is obvious that a lot of people love the club. But now I have a chance of playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

I haven’t had a chance to speak to the manager yet. But we will sit down next week and decide what is good for my career. We will have to meet with the manager before anything can be decided. But, as you know better than anyone, a lot of teams want me to play for them. It will not be a difficult decision. I’m just going to sit down with my agent and with my family and decide what is good for my career.

If they’re going to get 50million for me and they bought me for 10million, everyone is getting the benefits.

They have to make a good decision and I have to make a good decision. I have asked Arsenal to look at it and see what they want. I have a promise from the manager Arsene Wenger that they will call me next week. I am waiting for their answer and next week I will decide. I need to know before I come back to train on 21st July. At the moment, I am in a position that I don’t know where I will play.”

“I had a dream”….”But now I have a chance of playing with one of the biggest clubs”…”It will not be a difficult decision”…”I have asked Arsenal to look at it”…”I don’t know where I will play”….. It doesn’t sound so positive does it? After this yesterday, I now believe he is going. He sounds like a completely changed person, he’s doesn’t sound so modest anymore; this attention has got to his head.

£50m?! Is he joking? Seriously Ade, you aren’t that good…I hope when he sits down and talk about this next week, somebody talks some sense into him.

The thing is though, even though he’s flirting with these other clubs, I could still take him back 100% as an Arsenal player. It’s not like he’s actively sought this, its came to him on the back of a tremendous season.

Sure, it’s worth thinking about, but these quotes just aren’t helping. As I say, I hope he has a long think about it next week. When he does decide though, I just want him to get on with it. Whether it’s focusing on next season with Arsenal, or finalizing a deal with Milan, I just want it to get sorted out swiftly.

Right I’m getting pissed off now, so I’m off. Thanks for reading.

Well I am.

I just want the football to start again. I’m fed up with all the transfer rumours, I just can’t wait to be building up to games again. Both the rumours for, and against us, I just wish transfers would hurry up and there not be so much build up to them. Just get on with it and lets start playing football!

Wenger reckons the reason everyone wants our players is because they work so well together and points out the win over Milan as the point when people started paying attention to us. He explains that in one way the win was really good for us, but now everybody wants to buy of players!

It is very frustrating seeing Adebayor, Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini etc from last season being linked with moves away. True or not, it isn’t nice to see your top players on the back pages apparently moving to other clubs. Arsene says this speculation “disturbed” us in the dressing room.

Cesc is also fed up with the way people treat our players, and commends Arsenal for the way we deal with our transfers. Fabregas was speaking on Spanish radio when the topic of transfers came up:

A club like Barcelona must respect a little more the intimacy of a club that never makes ‘noise’ and that tries to do things well like Arsenal. In the last few weeks it’s come out that Barcelona want at least 7 players from Arsenal and this is not necessary. These things cast doubts on our players and upsets them.

Arsenal do things in a different way. Always in secret. This is much more normal.

[translation thanks to Arseblog.com]

It’s not just Barcelona that does this, in fact most of the top clubs work in that way to unsettle players, and it’s not very classy. What a legend Cesc is though. He speaks like the common Gooner, with the fan’s interests at heart. He is most definitely an Arsenal man; he knows what we’re about, what we’re made of, what the players mean to the fans. I bet if he lost both legs in a ski-jump accident tomorrow he’d be straight onto the terraces, singing the songs. Well, he’d have to be crowd-surfed to his seat or something but I’m sure we wouldn’t mind doing that.

If you’re still feeling Cescy, in that article Arseblogger goes into more detail of how much a God Cesc is. I’m with him on making Cesc the new captain.

Miguel Veloso’s agent says we’ve shown interest in his player. Cool. The 22-year-old is highly rated and has just been at Euro 2008 with Portugal, obviously he didn’t get any headlines being on the same team as Ronaldo, but apparently lots of clubs are looking at the Sporting Lisbon midfielder. More on that if it develops.

Tomas Rosicky has finally come off crutches. To be honest, I didn’t even know he was on them but he says he “was strictly ordered not to make a single movement without the crutches” and for the first time yesterday he was able to walk free. He says his knee is still stiff and he’s now flying back to London to go onto a rehabilitation process. There’s no way you can set a time scale on a Rosicky injury, I just hope this time he makes it through it ok. Get well soon Tomas!

Ok that’s it for tonight. Won’t get a chance to speak to you tomorrow so I’ll see you Saturday, until then.