By Ian Grant
Arsenal have resubmitted an application to build an indoor training centre in Shenley. It is situated further away from houses than the original plans. A decision by the local Council is to be made in August.
Meanwhile Arsenal announced a share correction for Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, saying she owned 15.9% of the share capital (9893 shares) not 16.8%. The wire service says: There has been consistent speculation that the club might seek a listing on the London Stock Exchange. Err umm, not likely if you heard the dogs barking in Manchester the other day.
Sticking on finance, an Islington company, VizioN7, is selling flats near the Emirates Stadium for upwards of £230,000 – with club level Arsenal seats thrown in for £2000.
PLAYERS
Jeremie Aliadiere has gone to Celtic for the season on a £400,000 loan move. He says he wants to prove himself and become one of the Arsenal greats. European football was a big draw.
Robin van Persie will miss Arsenal’s pre-season trip to Holland (the Amsterdam tournament) while he battles to clear his name.
Meanwhile Alex Hleb says he turned down offers from other top European clubs to move to Highbury. OK if you are trebling your wages at £60K/week.
He described Wenger as “clever, experienced and a very open person who I liked from the first sight. Arsenal reached the top with him as coach. He works with stars. Everything says he’s a perfect psychologist. I have a great desire to work with him and play under his control. Arsenal are a top team and it’s a great honour for me to play for them. This is the team I dreamed about. My task is to play in the first team and help the club win trophies.”
Wenger spoke to the £9.75m signing in German.
OLD BOYS
The 20 year old American, Danny Karbassiyoon has joined Burnley on a two-year contract.
Meanwhile, Edu has accused Arsene Wenger of freezing him out when it became clear that the Brazilian midfielder wanted to leave the London club. [Wish he’d keep his mouth shut. He got more out of Arsenal than Arsenal (with injuries and passport problems) got out of him.]
TRANSFER TARGETS
And saying Robinho should go to Arsenal was cloud cuckoo land stuff. It is clear Robinho is and was Real Madrid bound. The player, who has reportedly agreed personal terms, says: “My desire is to play for Real Madrid. It is the best place in the world for a Brazilian to play. I know (Real coach) Wanderley Luxemburgo and his work and the time has come for me to leave Santos.”
What may have more substance is David Dein reportedly jetting off to Spain to try and secure “the Beast” or in other words Seville’s Brazilian striker Julio Baptista who bagged 17 goals in La Liga and says he wants to play in the Premiership for Arsenal or Manchester United.
Reports said Dein was due to meet the Seville vice-president on Friday and expects to seal a deal for the 23-year-old international by the weekend.
One paper said Wenger believes he will be the perfect foil for Thierry Henry. Although the same paper said earlier this week that Arsenal weren’t going after him due to the fact he hadn’t played enough internationals to get him a work permit.
Still with Brazilian players, a High Court judge ruled against two agents claiming a £450,000 fee more than the transfer of Gilberto Silva to Arsenal.
And highly rated 16 years old defender, Lincoln City’s Jack Hobbs has started a trial with Liverpool, following Arsenal baulking over a sell-on clause.
MISCELLANEOUS
And finally, quote of the week from the wife of Ian Wright. The couple are to stand trail accused of littering. A traffic warden allegedly saw someone throwing a paper cup out of their Bentley.
His wife said: “These allegations are a lot of rubbish.”