By Ian Grant
On Rooney – he could just be born under a bad sign. With those injuries and such negative publicity at just 18, trouble could be just inherent in his psyche and it won’t matter what Sir Alex does.
OK, he’ll have some great moments. But with explosive, meteoric talents – they often burn out. What goes up, must come down.
Meanwhile, Bravo has commissioned a video diary show for an access-all-areas look into a week in the life of Edu (and Robbie Savage). During production he will return to Brazil. Bravo, incidentally holds the UK rights to screen Brazil’s World Cup 2006 games.
And talking of media – Video games company Konami has signed Thierry Henry as its brand ambassador, poaching him from Electronic Arts (EA).
Meanwhile, here’s a weekly news review:
PLAYERS
Sol Campbell told the NoW: “I have accepted a pay cut to stay at Arsenal. I accepted it because Arsenal have been so very good to me and I wanted to repay them.”
The Mirror says Nordic Gooners have given Arsenal players Viking monikers from a website which creates them using their original names. Thierry Henry is Furir Quickjaw, Jose Reyes, Jusurr Cowpounder and Ashley Cole is Aslkr Elkgrabber.
Jose Antonio Reyes has admitted he practises his skills in his garden – by dribbling around garden gnomes.
TEAM
Arsenal and Real Madrid are 6/1 joint favourites for the Champions League.
The Daily Express says: “Arsenal are to send a delegation to study Norwich City’s catering operation and try to copy it when they make their £400m move to Ashburton Grove.”
Arsenal have another record of sorts, the most goals in the first four Premiership matches – 16 compared to Newcastle’s 15 in 1994.
WENGER
Arsenal said they are confident of keeping manager Arsene Wenger beyond the end of his current contract, which expires in 2006. MD Keith Edelman said: “The manager said he would like to renew his contract and we’d like to renew his contract as well so there is a meeting of the minds and I think that will happen.”
On the Norwich match, Wenger warned a danger may come from within: “We had problems with the focus, the determination and the killer instinct because we were certain it was won. If you do not play very well and you do not focus, you can lose anywhere. But I think the players sometimes underestimate the difficulty of the game a little bit. It’s difficult to convince the players that at 3-0 the game is not won.”
OLD BOYS
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Junichi Inamoto has joined West Bromwich Albion from Gamba Osaka.
Sylvain Wiltord joined Lyon on a two year contract.
TRANSFERS/RUMOURS
Valencia midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo has done a mysterious u-turn on an expected move to Arsenal and re-signed a four-year deal with his Spanish club. The 27-year-old completed a medical at Highbury before returning to Spain on Monday night to sign a new four-year deal with the Spanish and UEFA Cup champions. He was worried about fitting in at Arsenal and living in London.
According to the News of the World, Arsene Wenger has scouts checking on 18 year old Seville midfielder Jesus Navas.
According to the People, – Arsenal sent former manager Don Howe to watch Derby’s Tom Huddlestone at QPR last Saturday.
The Mail on Sunday says Arsenal are keen on £6m rated Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
MISCELLANEOUS
Southampton back Graeme Le Saux has warned Chelsea they have a lot of improving to do to take the title from Arsenal. He said: “I was very impressed with their overall quality, but they will have to pick up their game a bit.”
A special service of Songs of Praise was broadcast from Highbury last week.