By Ian Grant
Unique quote from Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia of Celta Vigo, who according to the Sun, has agreed terms with Arsenal subject to a medical.
“I don’t believe it.”
Meanwhile it looks as if Kanu is decamping to Charlton. And Sylvain Wiltord is making the right political noises about being favourable over a move to Spurs. Although if you read his quotes, he’s expecting other teams to come in and rescue him from a potential little local difficulty on the back of a half-reasonable Euro 2004.
And it seems like the theories about Freddie Ljungberg being on his way
are wide of the mark after a reported increased five year contract offer to stay from Arsenal.
Meanwhile, here’s a weekly news review:
PLAYERS
Edu says France will win Euro 2004. He said: “Technically they are the best in Europe. This squad with Zidane, with Henry, Trezeguet, Pires. They are so strong. Midfield is where they are special.”
Patrick Viera said after the Ukraine game: “That was ideal. Good opponents shutting down space, dangerous on the break. Just what we needed to get ready for England. Defensively we were sound and if we play like that then we don’t have to fear (Michael) Owen or (Wayne) Rooney.”
Vieira is reportedly afraid of the backlash if they lose to England. “We’re not allowed to lose. If we did it would be difficult for us to go back to England.”
Pires says: “My forecast is 3-1 for us but I believe the game will be a cracker. The fact that some of us at Arsenal play for either France or England will make it even more interesting.”
Ashley Cole says: “John and Sol are well equipped to play against Thierry. Sol plays up against him all the time in training and John has played against him in the Premiership (for Chelsea).I think the French players are away somewhere but when we get out to Portugal I will send them a little text telling them we’ll beat them.”
Martin Keown is donating a substantial amount of money from his testimonial to the Arsenal FC Charitable Trust. This will benefit our two charities, Childline and a local charity in Oxford called the Money Pot.
According to to the Daily Star, Arsenal will offload Francis Jeffers for £2m. Jeffers, who Arsenal bought for £8m is back at the club after a year long loan with Everton.
According to the Star Jeremie Aliadiere could be loaned out as well as David Bentley who joined Norwich on a season long loan.
Petrick Vieira, Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier and Professional Footballers’ Association boss Gordon Taylor have issued a statement asking fans to reject the far-right Party, BNP. They tell supporters: “We urge all football fans to kick racism out of our politics.”
Vieira has told other clubs: ‘Don’t even think about approaching me this summer’. “Every year I enjoy myself at Arsenal. I just have to look at the players around me. When you have Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and the rest of the guys, I don’t want to go anywhere else.And I know we have the quality to win trophies – including the Champions League.”
Thierry Henry talking in GQ magazine revealed Antonio Reyes’ sense of humour: “Someone said to him, ‘You should have used your head.’ But he replied: ‘The head is for thinking’.”
Arsenal have released 12 players, including Rabi Shabban, Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord, Martin Keown and Liam Chilvers.
TEAM
Arsenal will face Borehamwood FC at Meadow Park in a pre-season friendly. Borehamwood are managed by Arsenal old boy Ian Allinson. Arsenal Ladies have also confirmed they are returning to play their fixtures at Meadow Park next season.
TRANSFERS/TRANSFER TALK
Norwich boss, Nigel Worthington said of Bentley: “For such a young man, he’s very mature. He just comes across as a lovely boy. He’s confident, well-mannered, hungry to win, hungry for the ball. He just wants the ball at his feet. As a manager that’s lovely to hear.”
Wenger believes Bentley has the potential to become a regular at Highbury, but feels he would benefit from an extended run of first-team football: “I think this move will suit David very well, it will help immeasurably with his progress.”
Newcastle are chasing Hatem Trabelsi, who is linked with Arsenal, amongst others, says the Sun.
WENGER
Wenger said of Santini: “I’ve got a great amount of respect for him as a man and as a coach. He is a great signing for Tottenham and it is very good for north London to have him at Tottenham as I’m sure he will be a success. A good rivalry is always a good thing and I am sure he will do well for Tottenham.”
Chris Waddle reckons Jacques Santini can do for Spurs what fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal.
And on Arsenal: “Next for Arsenal is to be consistent, to try to win the Premiership again. We will now be fighting against two of the richest clubs in the world. They will not be sitting in their armchairs looking at us walking around and parading. Liverpool and Newcastle will join in as well, so we must keep concentrating on the quality of our game and be as good as we can be.”
And added: “Being unbeaten is a good basis to start the new season because we know people will be up for it, saying, ‘Come on, let’s keep the record going for as long as we can’. But we must keep going from game to game.”
BUSINESS
mmO2 said it had a winning year in 2003 thanks to sponsorship of the England rugby team and Premiership champions Arsenal, which built awareness of the brand.
Arsenal had revenues of £104m, according to the latest Deloitte report on football finances, 2002/3 season, second in the Premiership to Man U. It said that Arsenal were one of only four clubs to record a pre-tax profit of around £3-4.5m.