By Ian Grant
Players
Kanu has been selected for the 19-man Nigerian squad for the 5 May game against Liberia. Lauren is also on World Cup duty.
According to the Mirror, Arsene Wenger will keep faith with his ageing defenders after signing up full-back Lee Dixon for another year. It says Wenger will ask veterans Dixon, David Seaman, Tony Adams and Martin Keown for a last hurrah.
Dennis Bergkamp says he is hopeful of being fit for the FA Cup final against Liverpool on May 12. He has been out of action for over a month with a sore Achilles. “My condition is improving all the time and I could be back very soon,” he said.
Dennis Bergkamp, at £35,000/week comes out as Arsenal’s top earner in a Mirror salary survey. He is eighth in the Premiership list after Alain Boksic, Roy Keane, Robbie Fowler and Alan Shearer, Benito Carbone, Duncan Ferguson and Marcel Desailly.
Gilles Grimandi said:”If we beat Leeds it would be a big step towards second place and while I wouldn’t exactly say the FA Cup is a bonus, the whole season has been with a view to getting Champions League qualification.”
He adds:”To play in an FA Cup Final is a big moment for any player from anywhere in the world. But it seems like now our whole season is all coming down to these next two games. If we won the Cup but finished fourth then I suppose in a way it would be something of a disappointment.”
Point of trivia: John Lukic is the sixth oldest player to appear in the Premiership, at 39 years, 11 months, 0 days – against Derby on November 2000.
Ground
The Guardian says that sources within the FA have revealed that a possible ground share with Arsenal is an option they are considering, and talks have already taken place. However, although it would please City institutions, Wembley residents are against it. And planning permission would be something else.
Old Boys
Rushden & Diamonds, managed by ex-Arsenal midfielder, Brian Talbot, have won promotion to the Football League, for the first time.
Nottingham Forest have opened talks with manager David Platt over extending his current contract until summer 2004, the club said this week.
David Lewis, son of Dan Lewis, the Arsenal goalkeeper, who was accused of letting Cardiff score in the 1927 final, in order to let the FA Cup go to Wales writes to the Times, “I think how ironic it would be for Arsenal to bring the Cup back from Cardiff…and maybe lay one ghost for my father.”
Transfer targets
Wenger is said to be monitoring Hertha Berlin’s £5 million-rated full-back-cum-centre-half Marko Rehmer, while Barcelona’s £7m rated Dutch fullback Michael Reiziger is another possibility, according to some papers.
This is news to Michael Reiziger, however, who said: “I have made no contact with Arsenal. I’m still in negotiations with Barcelona. If that doesn’t work out, I must look at the English clubs and decide which one is the best for me.”
Celtic have kjoined the race for Crewe’s Dean Ashton along with Arsenal and Liverpool. The Scottish Daily Record reports that Arsenal have had a £1m bid turned down.
Spurs are also after Kevin Philipps, according to zoofootball.com.
Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal are one win away from the FA Premier League women’s title after a 3-1 victory away to Barry Town. Doncaster Belles slipped up 2-0 against Charlton. Arsenal play Doncaster at Highbury on 13 May.
Miscellaneous
Olivier Dacourt, said:”Leeds may appear like an average side – and even people back home in France view them like that – but that’s not the case. Ask anyone in England about Leeds and they will tell you we are at the same level as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.”