Yesterday was Sunday, and as we all know, these days Sunday brings about rumours of embarrassing validity in embarrassing quantities. In terms of incoming player news, there were stories about Wellington, Huntelaar and Kalou. First off, we know all the stories about Wellington. He came on trial around December time and played for one of our youth sides against Norwich bagging 4 against them. He's 17, and will be yet another wunderkind to challenge in the reserves, although he may be fast-tracked to the first team. The Huntelaar stories don't have anything to them. I have been surprised by the perceived lack of interest in a striker I consider to be one of the best finishers in the world. But, there we are, something's wrong, and I really don't think Arsenal will go in for him. Especially at £15m. The Saloman Kalou rumours seem to be stories purely because Wenger made a bid for him a year ago. This article states that Kalou only has a year left on his contract. He's obviously angling for an extension, so his agent just picked a story from last year about a team that was interested in him, and said it's happening again. Thus hopefully panicking Chelsea into offering him a new contract. NoTW reckon we'll get him for £7m. Generally, whatever NoTW say, the opposite happens.
Now, there are some interesting rumours concerning Kolo Toure circulating. The Sunday Times suggest that Man Citeh have already agreed personal terms with Toure, with the fee likely to be £15m or £12m depending on whether you believe the Sunday Times or the Independant. Firstly, the fact that these stories have surfaced in papers with a fairly good reputation immediately catches the attention and secondly, Adebayor has been gobbing off to the press saying he wants a re-union with Kolo (someone's not happy with their new team then?). Let's get things straight first and foremost. Toure is an absolute legend, and a player that I will always love because of his work rate, professionalism, and the fact that he's always smiling. But since the African cup of nations a year and a half ago, he hasn't been the same player. He's lost a yard of pace, and an inkling of anticipation. 2 years ago I would never dream of saying he wouldn't be in my choice of starting XI yet recently I have found myself thinking those exact thoughts. Toure himself also handed in a transfer request in January, just as Kolo to City reports were first coming to the fore. £15m is a lot of money, especially for a player who perhaps is not as good as he used to be (although still one of the best defenders in the league). If I were Arsene, I would seriously consider selling Kolo if I already had a defensive midfielder lined up. However, I'm not Arsene, Arsene's Arsene. Plus I honestly don't think we'll be buying anyone else this Summer (unless it's a Silvestre/Diarra situation) therefore there won't be an incoming defensive midfielder, and thus if we sell Kolo the money will only go to paying off the debt caused by the purchase of a new fangled drinks machine we bought for the training ground.
Speaking of Citeh, Lampard has said (whilst sipping Champagne in a 5 star hotel in Hollywood during Chelsea's American tour) that Chelsea don't need to spend huge amounts of money to compete with the best. Lampard's little dig at Man City obviously came at the expense of his memory.
News of the World have reported that SHOCK HORROR, Henry had recommended Redknapp to Vieira. According to the NoTW, Redknapp chatted to Henry, and Henry recommended Vieira. Firstly, why would Redknapp talk to Henry? Their paths would never cross, unless he purposely contacted Henry for an opinion over Vieira. A secondly, if he did contact Henry over Vieira, it doesn't appear to be much of a recommendation when Thierry just told him what everyone who has watched the Premiership the last decade knows.
'The man would give you so much presence'.
That's it. Shows how desperate Redknapp is to add to his squad if he buys someone purely on that. It's not a recommendation by Henry, it's just what everyone already knows, and just the NoTW being a sensationalist tabloid. My gut feeling is that Vieira won't go to the spuds. He knows exactly what it would mean to us Gooners if he went. I can't imagine it would be great for the spuds either, buying a player that their rival's Manager 3 years ago deemed no longer necessary to the club.
Right onto today's match. According to the Austrian News Bulletin on ATVO, both Eduardo and Rosicky will get little run-outs today. Cesc came back to training about a week ago aswell. Will it be too much to ask to have Eduardo, Rosicky and Cesc all in the same XI? Anyway, the match should be an interesting affair as the teams will gradually get stronger and stronger as it nears the start of the season. There is no news on whether Walcott and Gibbs are back in training yet, so I guess neither of them will be involved today. Another person who won't feature in pre-season for Arsenal is Fran Merida. I feel so sorry for him. Every summer he gets the chance in pre-season to prove he can play with the best of them, yet every summer he is selected for international duty. Don't get me wrong, it must be an honour to represent your country for every age group since toddler years, but he must be getting seriously frustrated that it comes at a time when he should be forcing his way into the first team.
Anywho, I've just remembered it's my Mum's birthday so I must be off. I'll be back later for post-match chat, and after that it's only two days to Hannover, and 5 days to the Emirates cup. I'll be there, hope you will be too.
'Til later Gooners.
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