The Mirror says Arsenal have signed Russia youth defender Vyacheslav Dmitriev from Torpedo Moscow. The 17-year-old will arrive at the Emirates in the summer. Also see http://www.football-talents.co.uk/List_player-3_7-9884-2.html
According to the Independent Arsenal are tracking Spanish u20 goalkeeper, Fabricio who plays for Deportivo La Coruña. He has conceded seven goals in 19 games for the Deportivo B side this season.
Meanwhile the Mirror is fairly sure that Lassana Diarra is going to Portsmouth for £5.5m, on a 60K/week deal – but this isn’t picked up in many other outlets.
William Gallas says one day he wants to be a boss in the Standard: “To be a manager you have to understand players and know your football, so that can be easier if you have been a player yourself. I will take my qualifications and maybe I will become a manager.”
Tomas Rosicky is fit for Fulham, according to London Lite, while other press report that Burnley have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players in the recent FA Cup defeat against Arsenal.
And the Emirates sees international football again when Brazil take on Sweden in a friendly to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the 1958 World Cup Final where Pele scored twice in a 5-2 win.
Setanta yesterday launched Arsenal TV, available on a Sky satellite channel between 5-11pm. Virgin customers will have to wait for the outcome of talks between the two parties.
At the launch, Wenger said that Nic Anelka wanted to return to his old club – but that he doesn’t take old players back; and earlier that he wanted to develop Nic Bendtner.