By Ian Grant
Edufication
Arsenal said on Friday: “Whilst still awaiting his European passport, Edu will be taking advantage of a break in the Brazilian season to visit the club and London for a short while. Edu will be arriving in London over the weekend.”
Injuries
England goalkeeper David Seaman (ankle), defenders Tony Adams (calf), Martin Keown (hamstring), Oleg Luzhny (broken rib), Gilles Grimandi (ankle), Lauren (knee) and strikers Thierry Henry (ankle) and Nwankwo Kanu (hamstring) are all out of teh Carlisle tie.
Confidence
Arsene Wenger said:”There is no doubt that we have had a bad Christmas. We are lacking confidence and we have to look at all the players to turn it around.
“Our last three performances have not been as bad as the newspapers have made out. I feel the press have been a little bit harsh, but because of the standards we set ourselves we expected more.
Arsenal 9/2 for the FA Cup
Manchester United have been rated 7/2 favourites with bookmakers William Hill to win the FA Cup.
Holders Chelsea are 6/1, behind Arsenal on 9/2.
Davids
According to the Mirror:Arenal are trying again to tempt £15million-rated Edgar Davids to North London. It says two Arsenal officials flew to Turin within the last week to keep the Gunners boss up to date. and claims that Davids, 27, wants to play in the Premiership.
Said and Done
Fred Done bookmakers, the firm who paid out on Manchester United winning the Premiership three seasons ago only to see Arsenal come from 12 points behind and win the title, are doing the same again this year.
Arsenal shares – one of four to increase
Only four out of the 27 UK football teams that have floated on the stock exchange have shown increases in their share price over 1999, according to a title I used to work for – Soccer Investor.
Bradford showed the biggest increase, climbing 46 percent in value. Shares in Manchester United , Arsenal and Leicester City also increased.
Kanu – not picked
Kanu was not included in the Nigerian squad for the African Nations’ Cup qualifier against Zambia on 13 January.
Nigeria Football Association press officer, Austin Mgbolu, said Kanu, twice African Footballer of the Year, was not selected because of a “previous controversy” over the Arsenal striker’s release by his club.
“We don’t want to step on Arsenal’s toes for now. After the dust has settled, we will invite Kanu to play for our national team,” Mgbolu said.
On ice
Arsenal Chairman, Hill-Wood told The Sun on the EU transfer problem: “We are faced with a potential killer of the game here.
“Why should we spend £10million on a player if he is free to walk out at the end of the season?
“We need new players and the money is available. But not yet.”