Florentino Perez exclaimed in desperate optimism...

"Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello are two of the world's best trainers but I have another name for you, Wenger. I like him very much,"

Arsene Replied...

"That's very nice, but until 2008 I have glue on my seat here. You never know, but my desire is to stay here."

So that's the end of that then eh...?

...YEAH RIGHT!!

Listen here Perez

In case you didn't understand Arsene's words, allow me the pleasure of giving you the translation.

Vas a callarte? No me jodas! Un burro sabe mas que tu, Pelotudo.

(and that was the polite translation)

Here we go.

As if Henry to Barca wasn't enough, now this!

fantastico.

9 goals in 3 games

Not bad, not bad...

It's strange the way some managers think in football.

As soon as Arsenal have a dip in form and lose a few games, teams don't bother playing 4-5-1 anymore.

Fair enough, they may be trying to take advantage of the current 'apparent' defensive frailties in the team, but surely it's obvious that the attack is far, far better at the moment than it's been for years.

Anyway, Reading came to Highbury last night intent on attack and were sent home 3-0 losers.

They did actually do quite well, but with the pressure seemingly off Almunia due to Lehmann's solid form, he didn't succumb to his usual nervousness and mess up.

Quincy did really well again, with Arsene summing up his situation rather well...

"He has good ingredients, he is top, top class, Quincy. For him it's down to consistency at that level, and until now he has had swings in his form. If he can get his mind on the game he can be a great player."

A first goal from Reyes in ages, an 8th goal in 8 games from Van Persie and a cool finish from Lupoli meant that qualification to the quarter finals was easy enough in the end.

I'd like to see this team win this competition.

When I say that, I mean this team as opposed to senior players being brought in for the semis or the final, which from some of his answers last night I get the impression Arsene might be tempted to do.

Also remembering the fact that Richard Wright got dropped for the FA cup final a few season's ago after playing in every other round.

Next up, Bolton.

Jose Antonio Reyes has got the hardest flick in the world.

His deadly fingers can take your head off if he flicks out at you with enough effort.

Well either that, or Robbie Savage is a big girl.

Reyes flicked out at the ever-annoying Savage on Saturday, only for him to act as though he'd just been hit with a sledgehammer. The whole game he was putting himself all over the place trying to cause trouble.

He wound up Reyes

He wound up Thierry

He wound up Arsene.

But at the end of the day it was all for nothing, because his team left Highbury with no goals and no points.

Cesc got the first goal in the fourth minute with a nice side foot pass into the bottom right corner.

Henry made it two just before half time with a great finish from a pin-point Pires pass, making a point of celebrating as close to Savage as possible.

But the goal that everybody's talking about was Van Persie's.

Cutting inside from the right, breezing past one Blackburn player and evading a flying hack from Robbie 'Oh no, not him again' Savage, he thundered a shot in off the post from an incredibly tight angle.

WHAT A GOAL.

No wonder Van Basten loves him.


Overall it was a fairly even game other than the goals.

The left back situation seems a little less of a problem now...

but not much.

From what I could see, whenever Blackburn attacked down the right, Campbell moved out to become a second left back and Gilberto covered him in central defence.

It's not an ideal tactic for a number of reasons, but it worked well enough yesterday to suggest that Arsene might stick with it until Cole is fit enough to play.

So at least now the table is looking slightly more normal with Wigan losing.

Next up Reading.

Ashley Cole is out injured until January.

This means that Arsenal are leftback-less for games against Chelsea and possibly Man utd.

Eboue's good performance against Thun at least suggests to Arsene the option of putting Lauren on the left, which he has resisted doing so far.

That's what I'd do.

I'd put Eboue on the right, possibly even if Cole and Clichy were fit.

He reminds me of a young(er) Cafu.

These days, Lauren reminds me of an old(er) Dennis Irwin.

My opinion of Lauren's abilities went down somewhat after the FA Cup final where he just couldn't stop Ronaldo.

Even so, he's a much safer choice of left back than you-know-who.

I don't see why you-know-who has such a problem playing full back anyway.

Gallas can do it. Silvestre can do it. Thuram can do it.

Even Boumsong can do it.

Not so this Monsieur.

What a strange season this is turning out to be!

A thunderous Bobby Pires penalty was enough to make it 5 wins out of 5 so far in the Champions League.

Only another 8 more needed to lift the trophy.

I was looking forward to seeing the game to get a good idea of how well equipped the squad was to go all the way, and I came away with quite a mixed bag of conclusions.

Here they are...

1. At least now it looks as if someone else can get goals if Henry has an off day. Far too many times when the team has failed to win champions league games it's been because Thierry has been almost completely anonymous. Now Van Persie seems to be a real threat almost every time he touches the ball. OK, so he didn't score yesterday, but he had a great game as well as winning the penalty.

2. Alex Song is no Giles Grimandi. That's what the team needs. A Giles Grimandi type player who has experience, can 'mix it' and doesn't moan if he only gets 15-20 games a season.

3. The youngsters are coming along very nicely. Although it was only FC Thun, none of the young players looked particularly out of their depth, fitting into the system well. Especially Eboue.

So my conclusion:

This time next year Rodney, this time next year...

The squad needs improving to do it this year.

Upfront is fine. Midfield is improving. Defence needs tweaking.


Anyway, it's off to Blackburn on Saturday.

Expect Bellamy not to move from the right side of the pitch.

No

No, no, no

"We are not in a transitional phase"

Or at least, this was the official line two months ago when all the signs suggested otherwise.

Now at least we have a compromise, with Arsene finally admitting

"We are regenerating the team and I believe it is developing well, but the next three or four months will be vital and crucial for us."

So what's the difference between regeneration and transition you might ask...

...well I certainly couldn't explain it to you.

Maybe you could tell me.

So anyway, the regenerating team does battle against FC Thun tonight with tough kid Alex 'streetfighter' Song due to start.

Wenger explained

"He has a good knowledge of how to use his body in a fight..."

That's good then, he should definitely start the next game against the Mancs.

This should be a great opportunity to see exactly what the kid can do on the big stage, what with all the pressure being off after securing qualification.

If anything, this game should also be a good indication of how well equipped the squad is to challenge for the trophy.

After all, this side may be going out tonight because qualification is secured, but you never know what might happen with injuries and suspensions.

It could be a side similar to this having to play in a quarter final second leg away to Juve or Bayern.

Imagine Pascal having to play at left back against Nedved or Deisler!

The first away win of the season finally materialised on a freezing cold early afternoon in Wigan.

A powerful finish from Van 'the Man' Persie and two goals from Thierry including a great 30 yard free kick were enough in the end as the game finished 2-3.

Cesc in particular put in a great performance, but it was the defence that needed to be on their game because the whole Wigan attack, as Arsene had anticipated, proved to be a real handful.

The first half was pretty eventful with all of the goals coming before half time, but in a match that was full of talking points, the thing that stood out most in my mind was...

CYGAN IS NOT A LEFT BACK!

He drifted into the centre so many times it was almost comical.

I personally happen to be of the opinion that Cygan has a lot to offer the team. He hardly gets any credit at all when he puts in good performances, but put them in he certainly does.

Perhaps not as consistently as others, but he hasn't done that much wrong this season compared to a lot of the rest of the team.

Yesterday it was very clear that another solution to the vanishing left back problem needs to be found.

Lauren or Toure

Whoever it is, Cygan isn't the answer.


Anyway it was a very good game, with some of that top class one touch play in sustained spells.

Surprisingly, nobody got injured and Ljungberg even managed to play a whole 90 minutes without hurting a hamstring.

The result meant that for a short time chelsea's lead was down to eight points, with them still to come to highbury next month

Perhaps the season is not dead and buried after all.

Next up, FC Thun.


In other shocking developments, Ruud 'the cheat' Van Diverboy managed to score from outside the box for the first time ever

Amazing.

Arsene today revealed the extent of Gael Clichy's injury in confirming that he would be out for up to four months.

Four months!

Ouch.

Arsene also went on to reveal that he thinks that Cole is also at least 5 weeks away from a return.

The problem is that even after Cole's expected return to full fitness, having no natural cover for left back puts Wenger in a difficult position.

Does he try and make it to March without getting extra cover, hoping Cole stays fit and on form

Or does he buy temporary cover in January?

Clichy's injury is a real turning point, because it means that if Arsene doesn't buy, which I don't think he will to be honest, someone else is going to really need to step up and raise their game during the most densely fixtured point in the season.

When Silvinho left for Celta Vigo I was really concerned that the only natural left back in the first team was a 19 year old kid who'd only had a few good games the season before.

Cole managed to do well enough then, but that was at a time when he was desperate to make it at the club.

Who would have thought at the end of last season that the club would need him as much as he's needed now.

Certainly not me.

Whatever happened to sportswear manufacturer CICA?

Remember them?

They invented/patented the blades that some players wear instead of studs.

They must have gone bust or been bought out by some other company because now every other company makes football boots with blades.

I have a pair of champagne coloured Adidas Predator blades and I'm very pleased with them.

Arsene thinks that a lot of the recent injuries have been down to the boots the players have been wearing. I think he specifically mentioned blades.

So now not only does Clichy look like Cole

Play like Cole

Run like Cole

But now he's even got the same injury

Does he wear the same boots?

Whatever the problem is, There's not going to be a natural left back for at least the next few games.

Many people have different opinions as to who Arsene should play there, but the way I see it, none of the potential stand-ins have much of an advantage over the rest.

The whole team needs to adjust

and stay injury free.

Maybe they need some £10 umbro's with plastic studs.

"I was angry, surprised and upset - I had been at the club nine years"

These are the words of Patrick Vieira as he describes how he felt forced into leaving Arsenal in the summer by David Dein's refusal to confirm that he wanted the then captain to stay.

Vieira explains

"Dein said: "We are neutral. We are giving you the choice of deciding what you want to do."

I knew if Arsenal really wanted to keep a player they fought tooth and nail - they didn't leave it up to him to decide.

I asked Dein what he meant by giving me the choice. He repeated that the offer was generous.

To me, that wasn't the issue. It wasn't about a good or bad contract - the word that swung the decision for me was 'neutral'.

'If that is how it is,' I told him, 'whatever happens now, I'm off. And I'll go to the club that I choose - because I will be able to choose.'

The club had made its feelings known - and now it was a straightforward decision."

I can see why Pat would have felt quite gutted

After a season where Arsene and Dein had fought so hard to keep a wantaway Ashley Cole after the infamous 'tapping up incident', to hear Dein openly claim that he wasn't bothered if he stayed or went must have felt like a real kick in the teeth.

Having said all of that though, did he really need to be told every single summer the same thing over and over again?

Forget about Dein and the rest of the board for a second, what about Wenger, the rest of the team and the fans?

Was it not blatantly obvious what they wanted?

Arsene built his team around him, Thierry is still sulking about him going, even now, and it's obvious what the opinion of the fans was.

Was it really that important for him to be desperately wanted by every single part of the club, without exceptions?

Anyway, he's gone now and concentrating on the future is far more important than saying this was a mistake, or that was the wrong decision.

He's gone. Rocastle went

Merson went

Overmars and Petit went

Jeffers went (joke)

but the club is still here challanging for the biggest trophies year after year.


So other than that, it seems that according to some agent, Arsenal are going to bid for 24 year old St Etienne midfielder Didier Zakora in the summer, having as expensive a bidding war as possible with the Mancs.

Or then again, it could just be agent talk.

What do you think?


Finally, I just thought I'd mention how much better it feels not to be on the recieving end of two late goals from Micheal Owen.

Much much better.

Robert Pires makes me laugh.

He has revealed that he was close to joining Juve with Patrick in the summer, but Arsene blocked the deal.

Apparently.

Bobby explains:

"This summer there were really close contacts with Juventus, but I had another year's deal with Arsenal and Wenger didn't allow me to leave."

But then he goes on to remind us all how good he is and just what a pivotal role he plays in the team

"It wasn't my decision, but I'm happy for what happened because many people told me I would have problems in playing, instead I am playing and Henry continues scoring thanks to my assists."

Well thankyou very much for reminding everyone just what an impact you have made this season Bobby!

Of course, who could forget the fact that without your wayward passing and lack of defensive awareness in those early fixtures, the team would surely be in a much better... err, I mean worse position than it is now.

Then of course there was the moment that will go down in history as the greatest assist of all time...

Your quite amazing penalty trick against Manchster City.

What an assist that was!!

What would we do without you Bobby?

According to Guadalalalalalajajajara's (Mexican club) official website...

"It's official that Carlos Vela, the under-17 world champion, will belong to Arsenal"

Apparently he's going to play/train/live with Spanish side Valencia until he's 18 and eligible for a UK work permit, then properly join.

Don't quite know what to make of this one.

I haven't seen him play, and the only description of his abilities that I remember reading is that he's supposed to be the 'next Ronaldinho'.

I wonder if he's planning on buying a house like Ronaldinho's...

If you haven't seen his house yet, you can here: http://yonggoh.multiply.com/photos/album/60

Not such a bad place to live if you ask me.

Anyway, this is a pretty high publicity signing and I think it can go in either one of two ways.

1. Vela will be a superstar!

2. Vela will be a Jermaine Pennant!

I remember watching Pennant on his senior debut on a typically cold and wet night against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

He came on in the second half and didn't really do much

He just seemed to stand on the half way line and knock the ball square.

Even so, I thought he'd turn into a first team regular, but he just didn't have the right temperament.

We'll just have to wait and see if Carlos has it.

Roll on 2007...

I hate press transfer speculation.

or at least 99% of it.

The stuff with quotes, or actual facts is ok

The rest of it is a GIGANTIC waste of time and ink.

I remember the first time I really realised that I should never believe what the papers say until I see some proof for myself.

It was some time in the very early 90's, Les Ferdinand was at QPR and scoring goals like his life depended on it. There was a bit of speculation that he might be on his way to highbury at the time because QPR looked like they were on the way down and he'd need a BIG club to help keep his england place.

Then I tell you no lie...

Not once

But twice

Two times I read in black ink on thin, light grey paper in The Sun 'newspaper' that Les Ferdinand had actually signed for Arsenal.

Since that very day I just flat out don't believe a word that the newspaper prints unless I see it somewhere else.

They're all just as bad.

The Sun, The Mirror, The Express, The Daily Mail, etc. Take your pick.

So now it seems that According to no source whatsoever, Arsene is going to bid £20m for 'the Spanish Wayne Rooney'.

Yes, I can see it now....

Arsene has obviously only sold Patrick because he realises he doesn't need a midfield anymore.

He's going to play Torres and Henry behind Van Persie, who in turn will sit just behind £12m Kuyt, with Hleb and Reyes on the wings.

Yeah right.

I wonder how the tabloids actually come up with this stuff.

One of the most logical things that I can think of is that they all write down the name of a player, a club and a price on separate pieces of paper, throw them into a hat and whatever comes out gets printed the next day.

'...ah, yes the first name we have is Torres everyone...then £20 million, who wrote that, I bet it's martin, he always writes £20 million!...ooh, and the club is...Arsenal...get writing boys.'


So it looks like mid 'silly' season is here anyway.

I wonder if the papers can keep the amount of players linked down to less than 30.

There have already been 5 and there are still another two months left until January.

Just who did Arsene fly all the way to Holland to watch on sunday?

Why did he tell everyone about it??

If he took the time to go to Seville in a flat cap and false moustache to see Reyes, how comes the world and his wife knew what he was doing that afternoon?

Scouting.

Scouting who?

According to the latest reports it's Dirk Kuyt, a 25 year old goal machine.

Someone apparently told him before the game that "important people would take a look at me."

But the earliest reports all claimed Arsene was there to watch 23 year old midfielder Hossam Ghaly, who has a bit of a 'bad boy' reputation.

Whoever it is, Wenger's interest appears to be quite advanced. Maybe he's just trying to unsettle the player by leaving the disguises at home so that he can show just how serious he is.

A striker of Kuyt's ability would be great, especially considering Bergkamp's impending retirement, but as I've said before, I think experienced cover for midfield is the most urgent priority for January.

Maybe he'll go for both.


Arsene has a 10 game plan for Van Persie.

He says he's going to have to play no more than 70 minutes for 10 games before he'll consider giving him a full 90.

But Thierry says...

“One thing I like about him at the moment is that he wants to go and score. That is the most important thing for a striker. He just wants to go behind the defence and get into the box. The first goal [at home to Sunderland] was amazing I think. Sol put in an incredible ball with his left foot and Robin made a run behind their defence.

He has done that a lot and it is a sign. He just wants to put the ball in the back of the net. When someone has that attitude then there is no stopping them.”

Looks like Reyes' conversion to striker is going to have to be put on hold if Thierry has anything to do with it.

"Our aim next season has to be to go through the season without losing in the league," said Terry.

"Maybe targeting an unbeaten season is setting the bar high but that is what this club is all about.

Arsenal showed last season that it can be done.

They did it, so why can't we?

None of us see any reason why we shouldn't be able to do that.

BOOM!!

Did you hear that??

Could it possibly have been the sound of Chelsea's hopes of doing an 'Arsenal' crashing to the floor?

Or was it the sound of Mourinho smacking his head against the door because he realises that he would have had a better chance of not losing tonight if he didn't leave Crespo in London?

A Crespo who will probably never WANT to wear blue ever again.

Either way two Arsenal records still stand. 49 games and an undefeated season.

Jose's invincibles they most certainly are not.


A good 3-1 win against a very weak looking Sunderland puts Arsenal 11 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.

It's nothing to shout about yet, but it's a much more encouraging situation than it was only a couple of weeks ago.

Two goals from Henry and one from the sparkling Van Persie sealed the points in a game that Arsenal were always expected to win.

What does Robin have to do to get 90 minutes?


Apparently, Arsene was in Holland tonight watching Hossam Ghaly, a 23 year old Egyptian play for Feyenoord...

...So Chelsea will probably sign him for £30m in January.

Even so, at least it looks like some midfield cover is on its way in the transfer window. Although I don't know whether this is the type of signing that would help to convince Thierry to stay.

What a strange season this is turning out to be

Not since a two week period in the mid 90's when Kevin Campbell scored a couple of hatricks have Arsenal ever had TWO prolific strikers!

Now up steps Robin Van Persie.

He's one of the best finishers I've ever seen. He reminds me of Batistuta the way he hits the ball with such power and accuracy.

He's looking much stronger now than when he first arrived and seemed to be getting kicked all over the pitch by almost every opposition player he came up against

Almost as strong as a young Vieira.

Two great strikes from Robin who replaced Henry last night, clearly show that he can do it at the highest level.

No wonder Van Basten's convinced he's the future of Dutch football.

Thierry got the first goal with a great finish from 25 yards out. It was a good performance all round, except for the occasionally shaky defence, but I think that was more due to Pires and Flamini not working hard enough defensively to help gilberto, as well as Almunia feeling the pressure not to make any mistakes

which he did.


Although I feel about a million times more confident about the Champions League now than at the beginning of the season, to me it's still obvious that extra experience and depth is needed in the team. Particularly in the middle of the pitch.

Anyway, lets hope Arsene finally decides to give Robin a decent run in the team alongside Thierry so that the goals can start flowing again in the Premiership.

Next up, the Makems at Highbury.

Alex Ferguson must be feeling neglected

Not only is his side suffering from a recent run of bad form and 'internal disputes', but his old drinking buddy Jose Mourinho has been ignoring him to spout nonsense about Ferguson's old sparing partner Arsene.

Gone are the days of comments of wit, such as Arsene's "Everyone thinks they have the most beautiful wife at home."

It's decended into baseless, childish personal attacks.

Arsene today hit back after being labelled a pervert by Mr Mourinho by threatening legal action.

Lets be perfectly honest, Even though in my opinion all of this is just pointlessly far away from actual football, he deserves it.

He just doesn't seem to learn.

Told off and punished by both UEFA and the FA and even told to shut up by his own club, Mourinho just keeps on spouting comments that land him in trouble with one authority or another.

If he's not tapping up players in public, he's accusing someone else of cheating or referees of being useless.

Then he gets in trouble and claims to be the victim!

Arsenal Grouch says...

Even though he deserves it Arsene, don't waste your time chasing him around in the courts. Beat his Chequebook Champions on the pitch and send him back to Portugal a loser.