By Ian Grant
Sites which take this copy, stick it on their own sites, and gain revenue from the hits, are ripping off fellow Gooners.
Dennis Bergkamp is ready to stay at Arsenal for one more season. Rob Jansen, his agent said: “It”s true. It’s possible he may play on for another year but he can’t make that decision until he has spoken with Arsenal again later in the season. He feels great and, as always, he’s had a brilliant start but we will make a decision later.” Wenger said of the France-Israel game: “Patrick [Vieira] has been out for two months and I think he did some very positive things for a guy playing his first game in so long. The crowd was impatient. It was the first time I’d seen this stadium half-empty for a competitive match. I don’t think the crowd were getting on Patrick’s back, I think they were disappointed with the team as a whole.” The Arsenal midfielder said afterwards: “I had a little problem getting into the game in the first 15 minutes but after that I found some rhythm. The result is a little frustrating but all we were lacking was a goal to make it a happy night.” And Vieira added: “We knew it would be a difficult group with teams like Ireland and Switzerland. Not winning at home against Israel in the first qualification match isn’t ideal. But there will be plenty of chances to show improvement.” Henry said of Vieira staying: “He is a great captain and it is fantastic he stayed at Arsenal. It is fantastic for the club, for me and even for the English league.” Vieira said: “We are talking about the last four or five years of my career. It was a big decision but the club supported me all along. I am in my eighth season and they respected my desire to make the decision on my own.” And added:” I am now training without a problem. I might be lacking in rhythm because I have not played any competitive games but I feel well in my head and I feel ready.” Henry told L’Equipe: “I felt pain at the end of the last season and also during the Euro championships. I thought the holidays would erase that but after four or five training sessions at Arsenal I was forced to stop. I had pain walking, but resumed training a couple of days before the Community Shield. Now I still have pain.” Sven Goran Eriksson said: “I saw Pennant in Amsterdam at a pre-season tournament and I was impressed. And in the last England Under-21 match he was fantastic – the best player on the pitch.” Sol Campbell, still struggling with an Achilles problem (not back for two weeks), happily strolled through the streets at last weekend’s Notting Hill Carnival before teaming up with DJ Norman Jay in his tent. Wenger said: “Fabregas can play with anybody. We have four or five midfielders who are all very, very good and the ones who don’t play can rightly feel sorry because for me they all have the qualities to play.” Jose Antonio Reyes gained the penalty which put Spain level with Scotland before the match was abandoned. However the Mail point to dissatisfaction of his boot sponsors Kelme who spotted he’s been wearing Nike boots while scoring all those goals recently. MISCELLANEOUS Real Madrid want to sign Steven Gerrard after missing out on Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, say the Evening Gazette. Arsenal Ladies recorded their first victory of the season with a 4-0 win at Liverpool. The lucrative catering industry at Carrow Road which Arsenal intend to use as a template once their new stadium is complete, includes a club restaurant – “Delia’s” – creating a £2.8m annual turnover. Delia Smith said of Arsenal: “”After a while I just sat back and appreciated their quality. I’m a huge fan of Wenger. You cannot help but admire his team.” Jose Mourinho plans to get Chelsea to copy Arsenal’s fluid style of play. “Arsenal play differently to other Premiership teams. Their wingers come inside when they need to. Their centre-forward comes to the halfway line, and their defenders are not always looking to kick the ball long into the box.” [In the real world infringement of a patented system, particularly from a team who invests £210m/yr more than Arsenal in a so called competitive sporting league, should cost them around £100m, at least] And added: “We, too, have to adapt. Rafael Benitez at Liverpool is going to play this way, and I am going to do the same.” Mourinho, Wenger and Ferguson are among 11 managers who want to increase the size of Champions League matchday squads from the permitted 18 to 20 and to be able to choose three from nine possible substitutes. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has been appointed to serve two years on G14’s (the elite grouping of European clubs) management board. TEAM Arsenal have received £50,000 for winning last season’s Fair Play Leagues for players and supporters. As a reward, the club will ensure that each fan who buys the Arsenal matchday programme for the game against Charlton on October 2 will receive a £1 voucher to spend on refreshments or in the club shop. Arsenal’s share price rose £75 to £1600 after excellent full year results were issued. Bookies predict an English side can triumph in the Champions League at 7-4, while Spain are 2-1 to provide the winner, Italy 5-2 and Germany 14-1. OLD BOYS Emmanuel Petit, a free agent, is set to sign for Bolton, says the Sunday People. Ex-Arsenal striker Frank Stapleton is among the contenders for the manager’s job at Preston. Stapleton, who recently lost out to Ian Rush for the Chester City post, impressed Preston chiefs during talks this week.