I am beginning to wonder where and when Wenger will sign our new players or if there is any signings at all? While Arsenal remain domain like a dead volcano, the rest of the premiership were really busy.

Man U have already started preparing for the new season by getting Owen Hargreaves, brilliant young Brazilian Anderson and Portugal winger Nani. They have strengthen heavily and looks in good shape for the new season with no first team players leaving. With Solskjaer and Alan smith back from injuries, they are looking pretty strong. In addition, Ferguson is still looking at unsettled strikers Berbetov of Tottenham and Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax.

Liverpool has also started the ball rolling with the capture of Malouda of France. With Samuel Eto'o expressing a move to Pool being very interesting, it will get very uncomfortable for us if Benitez gets his strike force going. Speaking of which, Rafael has just gotten his owners going by forcing them to commit to his expectation of a huge kitty for transfer purchase. As before, rumours of Michael Owen returning home is still flying wild. After what they achieved with Fowler, nobody is betting that it will not happen for Owen.

Chelsea as usual, with the bank of Abramovich backing their moves, will be a major force in the transfer market when Mourinho decides who he wants. Mourinho has just picked up Sidwell from Reading and once he sets his sight on who, place your last dollar that he will probably get his player.

Elsewhere, the Hammers just got their man in Scott Parker, Spurs got star kid Gareth Bale and Kaboul while the rest are getting players players players......

For Arsenal, we are worrying about losing the ONLY player in the World that can keep us in the race. Henry has already expressed unhappiness at finishing fourth in the title race Again. If the board does not do anything soon, we will probably lose Captain sensational and that will be the decline that we must avoid.

For the sake of every Arsenal fan, I hope the board comes up with the CASH for Mr. Wenger to do his job properly!

Sidwell again..

Got a lot of stick on my previous posting..

so to set the record right:
Yes. Sidwell left 5 years ago. not just recently. My apologies for the wrong info.

and YES. He is considered WORLD Class by a lot of other writers. NOT just me.

Anyway, keep it cool guys.. ... Lets see how he turns out in a few days time at Chelski.

:)

Steve Sidwell Joins Chelsea

What an amazing story! A story that I can hardly ignore.

Former Arsenal player Sidwell agrees to join Chelsea on free transfer
The 24-year-old has quit Reading after rejecting a new £25,000-per-week, four-year deal. It was reported that he is getting twice that figure in Chelsea.

Former champions Chelsea have been consistently linked with a move for the highly-rated midfielder throughout the season. Sidwell opted to join the Blues despite interest from Newcastle United, Everton and Aston Villa. He is Jose Mourinho's first signing of the summer and will be a valuable addition to the squad.

An Arsenal kid, he grew up in the youth team and played a few games for Arsenal senior. Deemed not good enough to make the first team permanently, Wenger let him go to Reading. A year later, the kid scored 4 goals, had 6 assists and put in world class performances in the Reading midfield. The whole world sits up and take notice. Newcastle, Everton and Villa all offer contracts for his services.

However, he chose Chelsea. Its crazy. He will not get many games at Chelsea and his promising career will be stopped short befor it gets pumping. A perfect example will be Shaun Wright Philips. Look at how the move to Chelsea has completely derailed his development.

First thing that I dont understand from Steve's move is: Why did Wenger let him go if he is really that good? Surely, the gaffar knew better after nurturing all the youngsters coming through the team. Or is the rumour that Arsene did not like Brits in general true?

Second thing that I noticed is our ex-players are all coming of age and playing pretty well around the Premiership. Examples will include: David Bentley, Nicolas Anelka, Jermaine Pennent, Sol Campbell, Kanu, Sidwell and others. In particular, I think Bentley and Pennent have done pretty well this season.

Last thing I want to induce from this amazing story is the question of whether Chelsea is trying to build a Second Team of Gunners! First Cashley Cole, Now Sidwell and then who is next? Are they picking up our rejects? That will be a very funny thought for the World Richest Club!

Stuttgart

I have been working in Germany for the past 3 weeks. Sometimes interesting, most of the time working.. but luckily had a break the weekend that just passed.

Stuttgart won the Bundelisga on Saturday. There was a huge party. Based on my past experience with big soccer final, I regretably chose to stay away this time to avoid getting too drunk or hurt in the aftermath of their victory.

Instead, I changed my schedule to visit Munich on match day and Stuttgart the following day to check out the aftermath. Crazy? you may say.. but well, lets just put it that it was an interesting way to understand the aftermath for once instead of always being in the thick of action.

When I arrive in Stuttgart on 20 may 2007, the town is WASTED! yes, you read it here in my blog that the TOWN IS WASTED!... there is rubbish everywhere.. broken glass littered the train station, bus stops, streets, in front of shops, in rubbish bins (for once, the right place), on the grass patches.. everywhere.. beer beer and more beer! its amazing... rubbish are piled up, some of the guys are\were still pissed drunk.

Surprisely, the stadium itself was well cleaned up. not much rubbish. just bits and pieces.. but well, the fan shop is closed after the exhaustive final. ( shucks, half the way around the globe and cant buy a sourvenir!) Well, the stadium seems serene and it just amaze me when I juxtapose the roar the day before against the serenity(almost ghost-like) of today.

Soccer is really a game that will bring the world together......

Fine Young Bloods

Wenger has placed his trust once again in his youngsters before his transfer kitty for next season is even confirmed.

Three young names come to mind: Eboue, Djourou and Bendtner.

Eboue, 23, has come a long way in a short space of time since joining from Belgian club Beveren two years ago.Eboue retained his place at right-back for Arsenal following the return to fitness of veteran Lauren, who was eventually released to join Portsmouth. (Quietly left, I dont even know about it.) However, for all his strengths, particularly in helping support the attack down the flanks, Eboue is still somewhat a raw talent - and prone to the odd loss of self control, as shown during his involvement in the melee at the end of the Carling Cup final which earned him a three-match ban.

Wenger, though, clearly believes that Eboue has a bright future ahead, despite the club not revealing the length of the 'long-term contract'. What do you think? Is he that good? i thgt Lauren was more stable and Kerria Gerrant before his injury was much better. By the way, Kerria was English.

Another young Gunner hoping for more first-team action next season is Johan Djourou.
Djourou have made 30 appearances this season, mostly at centre-back and proved stable and confident in his position. He was even called up to the senior Swiss side and made some appearances for his country.

'I am very proud of my season. I am only 20 and I have played a lot of games in the Premiership,' said Djourou, whose progress was hampered by a groin problem.
'That is all good for my experience and I hope I can keep going now, to play even more.'

Djourou added: 'Guys like Cesc [Fabregas], Denilson and Justin Hoyte, who have all shown that they are ready when called upon to play. We just have to be more consistent and then we can start challenging for trophies"

'We have had a couple of injuries, with Thierry and Gallas, which was a bit of a blow for us - but now if everyone is back, we will have a chance for everything.'

Wenger is also about to tie up another youngster on an extended contract. Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner is set to return to Arsenal following a successful spell at Coca-Cola Championship winners Birmingham. Reports from Denmark suggest Bendtner, 19, is to be handed a new, five-year deal with the Gunners. The young Gunner has even scored a goal for his country during his call up for his nation.

All in all, it seems the average age of our young team will go even lower with more youngsters hogging the limelight. Now, it seems like Kolo Toure at 26 years of age is an old papa and Jens Lehmann is the great grand father......

money money.. or no money?

I read in the internet that Wenger will discover transfer funds for next season.
How much will it be? that is the KEY qquestion.

Wenger will by next week find out what funds he will have available this summer - but he understand throwing money at the Arsenal squad in search of a quick fix is not necessarily the answer.

However, it is believed what is to be made available from the new American owners at Liverpool and Aston Villa, not to mention how much Chelsea will spend looking to wrestle the Barclays Premiership title back from Manchester United. In addition, Man U already targeting three star players to be added if Fergie comments are to be taken seriously.

Maybe if the interests of new Arsenal shareholder Stan Kroenke, with the involvement of the American billionaire is true, we might get some decent cash to buy some big name players. It is also understood that ex-vice-chairman David Dein might also be back if Kroenke has his way.

For the moment, however, Wenger has little choice than to accept what is on offer within the constraints the club operate under, having an on-going commitment to their new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium.

'Certainly there is money to spend in the summer. How much? Frankly at the moment I do not know. We have to see,' said the Arsenal boss. He added: 'I will be meeting the board at some point next week to discuss the budget.'

Which board will it be? One wonders. However, as a Gunner Fan, as long as it is for the best interest of the club, SHOW us the MONEY!!

Cashley Cole returns - JUDAS!!!

Wenger has called on Arsenal fans to respect Ashley Cole and remember his achievements for the club when the Gunners take on Chelsea on Sunday. The England left-back is expected to receive a hostile reception on his first visit to the Emirates Stadium since his controversial transfer to Jose Mourinho's side in August, which involved William Gallas going the other way.

The decision of Cole - a graduate of the Gunners' academy - to leave sparked a barrage of criticism from supporters accusing the defender of betrayal. He was booed by away supporters throughout the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in December on what was his first appearance against his former side.

But Wenger would prefer to remember the part Cole played in their successes, helping the Gunners to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He told Arsenal TV Online: 'I feel you have to respect the desire of the player - and it was to leave. 'You do not always look at the fact that you have lost a player, you look at what the player has achieved for the club. He achieved a lot, you must respect that. 'I want them (the fans) to remember what he did for the club.'

The Arsenal boss, who revealed he has spoken to the player since his move to the current champions, believes the fans only have 'sour' feelings towards Cole because they wanted him to see out his career at the club. 'The fans loved the player. They would have loved him to stay at the club all the way through his career. When this does not happen they feel a little bit sad, sour and betrayed. 'That's not the intention of the player. He was not happy here anymore so he decided to move. That does not take away what he achieved for the club.

'Whatever you say boss... BUT i still hate him for leaving us in such a lousy fashiON!!!Useless ...