The CCF moaned about a fixture pile up. They’ll be telling us they got knocked out of the CL in the qualifiers because they wanted to concentrate on the league. Then, yes then, CCF got upset because he was accused of unsettling Scott Parker. This guy has tapped up so many players it’s unreal, then he gets upset, he never holds back at naming targets normally going round the bushes saying……….. ‘of course I like him, he’s a good player, I’m interested in good players’. Back handed prick!!

So all that and then I read the following

People say or talk about the physical nature of the Premier League but we don’t go around tackling players like that.

It was bordering on almost intent to harm a player by the looks of it, rather than a mistimed tackle.

Come on Arsene, er no, that was the fat Walrus, you know Boltan, and now Blackburn. Smashed us all over the park and then said Wenger was a whinger. Blackburn got turned over by AEK Athens. For the Walrus to come out with that though is unbelievable.

Then, shock of shock, Wenger announced his intent to sign a centre back, you can hear the euro signs rolling around chairman’s heads already. The Boss says we need four first team centre backs and currently we have three, Vermaelen, Koscielny, and Djourou. I agree and am happy Le Boss is ready to do a deal.

Le Boss also revealed Song has joined the minor knock camp and will miss this weekends action which should along Frimpong to take centre stage and the absence of Diaby and Denilson may give JET a chance to show the 120,000 people inside Ashburton what he can do.

Wenger also confirmed Arsenal will NOT negotiate over Cesc. The captain stays. Done. Cesc can bring that winning mentality into the squad.

So we’re all set, the season starts here, and I can’t wait.

The Sun have us back in for RVPs mate Afellay. Robin took the winger under his arm at Euro 2008 and I recon the dutch forward would love to team up with Afellay at home.

Afellay is a direct sort of winger but he is certainly not a priority in the squad. Would love to sign him but just hope the keeper, the centre back, and the centre mid come first.

According to The Sun we have suffered a triple blow ahead of Liverhoof away in two weeks time. Seriously any need to be that dramatic? We know Bendtner is missing. We also know Denilson is too who was not part of The Sun’s story. We also know RVP and Cesc are not back until Thursday for the team pics and Members day. So it’s pretty obvious they’d be short to start at Anullfield. With a fully fit squad I’m still pretty sure we’ll beat those hoofers.

I got some positive news today, Mark Hughes wants Schwarzer to stay as part of the deal to take him to Fulham, que a break down in my liking for Fulham. At least we don’t get another average keeper. Almunia and Schwarzer are much of a much, we need top draw, a big name signing, where is it?

Everyone is crying out for a name to bring in. Arshavin was only half way there. He’s shown what a class player can be like but where is our new big name to rank us alongside the top sides. Everyone is just getting so frustrated. We will hit August with an unkown centre back and a striker on the way up to show for our summer. Come on Arsene!!

Even a couple of Citeh’s cast off’s would be a start, De Jong, Ireland, Richards, or Kompany. There are deals to be done but are we even in the market? We can’t be settling for Vermaelen, Koscienly, Djourou, and Bartley, can we?

On the transfer links front The Sun again, link us with Seb Giovinco and Serdar Tasci, so more speculation then.

Emirates Cup wise the squads look quiet strong, I’m looking forward to Saturday, Milan should have a fair few “names” out there including their number 80 who always brings something to the party.

Last but not least today, the new home shirt, a real beauty, real Arsenal. Love it!! Love the crest inside the shirt, and I love the ARSENAL across the shorts on the back. Well played Nike a real Arsenal home kit.

In a strange twist of events I was in the boardroom at Arsenal today and the transfer hotline rang. You don’t know how tempted I was to pick it up.

Me – HELLO

Rossell – Mr Wenger?

Me – Wee Wee

Rossell – Okay 20 mil euros for Cesc, we can pay over the next 35 years.

Me – Ze Cesc of Fabrehas ist non por vendre

Rossell – Oh Okay

Me – je vous swap Fabianski for Messi

Rossell – Of course I will send the paperwork

But I let it ring off. Damn it!! It could have been Marchetti’s agent.

Being up at the club today has got me excited about the season to come and the Emirates Cup. It also got me thinking about what song the boys will run out to at the start of the season? Presuming the club don’t want Elvis to sing us out like we’re some Las Vegas minor league baseball side what will it be? Good Old Arsenal? A bit of Go West? Forever Arsenal the chipmunk remix? Some loud noise or war chant? Anyone got any original ideas?

Wenger has drawn a line under Cesc and the possibility of him leaving. So expect The Daily Star to splash the headline “Cesc and Sealed: Barca complete Arsenal captain transfer” on Monday. Cocks!! It is my firm belief Cesc will have played for Arsenal over 300 times before he leaves the club and I think most gooners are looking forward to him leading the team out before Blackpool under the shadow of the Clock End.

Clichy has said today that a better defence will lead to us also scoring more goals. Well yeah Gael, if we stop throwing it in our own net, we’ll have more time on the ball at the other end that is for sure!!

We’ve also just been linked with Miguel Voloso, last I heard he was on the Boltan wanted listed, I’m pretty sure this is another one of those, he’s been linked before so lets do it again. Buffon, Melo, Seb Frey, Scott Parker, this list is endless.

That’s me done for today. I’m off to read Arseblog………… oooops no I can’t there host is having problems!! JOKE!! JOKE!! Don’t take it to heart.

Adios! God I’m multi-lingual.

You get to a stage as a fan when you need a player you’d just take anyone. It’s getting to that stage. You couldn’t have imagined Arsenal starting 2010/2011 with the same number 1 and 13. Neither of home would be rated anywhere near the top keeper in the EPL.

Marchetti is rated highly despite a poor World Cup and The Sun, yes The Sun, claim the Cagliari president has said Arsenal are pushing for his signature.

31st July 2010 – 4.05pm

The game started on the slow side. Arsenal clearly suffering with heavy legs from the hard work they’ve done out in Austria. Captain Manuel Almunia could have seen his goal bulge and go one down as a header was only cleared off the line by Sammy Nasri.

Wilshere was by far the most assured in midfield making the most of the ball and looking to put Theo in behind. Frimpong was a rock in the centre of the park too. Arshavin and Theo combined to test the Austrian keeper but with no go to show for their efforts. Walcott though moments later riffled home for one nil and what seemed like straight from the kick off Gibbs found JET for two-nil. Arsenal had cranked up through the gears to show their class.

Chamakh came on at half time and 5 minutes in he burst through on goal only to be bundled over for a penalty. The Morrocan quickly dusted himself down and slotted home the spot kick for three-nil.

His strike partner for the second half, wearing 11, Carlos Vela was put through with a lovely ball from Nasri on 65 minutes. He made no mistake and sent the gooners 4-up.

Second half keeper Mannone got the chance Almunia was waiting for when Nordtveit handled in the box. The striker sent the ball right but Mannone got to it.

A very comfortable night as the Arsenal now fly home to prepare for The Emirates Cup this weekend.

Arsenal First Half: Almunia, Nordtveit, Koscielny, Djourou (Vermaelen 29), Gibbs, Rosicky, Wilshere, Frimpong, JET, Arshavin, Walcott.

Arsenal Second Half: Mannone, Nordtveit, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Sagna, Frimpong, Nasri, Eboue, Vela, Chamakh.

I get fiercely defensive over anything Arsenal and will normally pull out a stat or two to back up my claim. Everything from injuries to money spent gets my full attention. Who else could have built a brand new stadium whilst maintaining regular Champions League football every season???

It all started about 4 years ago when my friend Gareth claimed that the only reason they didn’t win the league was because Harry Kewell was injured for half of it. Don’t make me laugh I said. Injuries, you really want to talk about injuries. He is the most rose tinted fan in the world and I can’t tell you how much it pisses me off. He’ll defend the indefensible like. “Voronin is top class”, “Diao is the new Viera”, “Ngog is the new Henry” or “Rafa is the best manager ever”.

Anyway to set the record straight I started a stats sheet, predictions, money spent, squad list, transfers etc. This blog can’t handle the whole spreadsheet so I’ll just publish a couple of examples. I wanted to prove at the end of the season who has the worst injuries and not just some shit squad player. Everyone would happily rather lose a right back over your best goal scorer or midfield superstar. The rules are simple. Pick your original squad 1 – 25 (1 being your most important player and so on). At the end of the season you then pick your revised squad. This list is always open to variables (players sometimes don’t perform as you hope / expect, like Arshavin for me this year. Originally I had him at 3 but by the end of the season he was down in 10th, he must do better this year) but at least it sets the bar. I’ve had a few howlers over the years, but more often than not it’s there or thereabouts. Just to hold my hand up a few years ago I had Flamini at 20 at the start and at the end of the season he was my number 1 (why did he leave to go to AC Milan?).

I also took great joy in tracking the Rafa Benitez shopping list throughout his Liverpool tenure. £242m spent and only £106m recouped. Rafa also won worst buy of the summer two years on the trot, Keane and Aqualini. £40m on absolute shit, ha ha ha ha ha. No wonder they are in such massive debt and can’t sell the club. Gareth seems to think that some mega rich Billionaire is going to just come and bail them out, and I keep telling him that no matter how much money you have you’re not going to pay the American owners £800m when the club is only worth £300m. I’d love it, just love it if they went the Pompey route, deducted points and relegated. Fingers crossed.

Next week I’ll name my squad for the forthcoming season (subject to change on the 1st September 2010 if we finally get the cheque book out)!!!!!

Ajax centre back Jan Vertonghen has sent a message to Arsene Wenger. Come and get me!!

But is he any good?

I was at the Emirates last week, buying a new mug in the Armoury – I have a fine selection of Arsenal mugs at home, but most are one season wonders ; I drink my first cuppa on the morning of the opening fixture, and then use that very same mug for every single cup of tea I have at home, all the way through to the evening before the first league game of the following season, when the new one comes out of it’s box. I have plenty mugs with years to identify them, such as ‘Littlewoods Cup Winners 1987’, ‘Double Winners 2002’ etc – Sadly, my last four mugs have all simply said ‘Arsenal’ or ‘Gunners’. ***A single tear rolls down my cheek***

Outside the Armoury there is some building work going on, and upon closer inspection, it is the installation of those personalised bricks in the floor – I had a quick look at some of them, and shed a tear for our new wave of moneyed fans – ‘DADDY LOVES HERMIONE’ was one that made me feel sick. Money rules, but fuckin hell, wot a bunch of cunts. I had a look for ‘RABBI LOVES WHITESLEEVES’, but I don’t think that one has been installed yet.

Eduardo leaving the club last week was a sad day for all, but sadly the right decision for everyone concerned ; Best Wishes mate, I’m so sorry that English football broke you. Let’s hope we draw Shaktar in the Champions League, so he can get a proper Goodbye from us all. Er, as long as we don’t have the play the away leg in Donetsk, OK? Valencia, Prague etc ; we can shift it somewhere, please?

The infamous Austrian pre season camp is now in full swing, along with the die hard travelling fans in tow. Nuff respect, but bloody hell, get a job or something.

Oh, Jay Simpson was left at home, and this is probably the final nail in his AFC coffin (get marketing on that one!), and the realisation that Le Boss just doesn’t fancy him and that his future lies away from THOF – He’s a decent player, but I think Championship standard probably his level – At nearly 22 he needs to move on and establish himself elsewhere.

I had my first every foray into the world of the Car Boot Sale on Saturday – It was mildly successful, even though I took 200 old Arsenal programmes down there……….and returned home 5 hours later, still with all 200  ; at 50p each, I didn’t even sell one! I just don’t know what to do with my programme collection ; it is so heavy and bulky, and probably worth next to nothing – I’ve had a look on ebay, and programme collections don’t command any money at all – there is no real interest as far as I can see. I might take the plunge and send them all to the local dump, but it would break my heart ; so many memories, so much money invested (wasted?). I will keep a few of them for sentimental reasons, including the one that Anders Limpar signed for me underneath the Clock End in 1992 ; I still have the pen too!

Emirates Cup next weekend……………ZZZZZZZ. I’m gonna give it a miss (as every other year), although I will be playing in the five a side tournament on Sunday – If any ladies reading this want to come along and throw their knickers at me, please go ahead. You never know, we might find a proper goalkeeper among one of the teams!