Edelman
Keith Edelman – right man, right time.
Talk to people with City connections and they say: “safe pair of hands.” Would Arsenal have got the funding for the stadium through without Edelman? Would Arsenal have been able to re-package one part of the debt and get it re-financed at lower interest? Had they dillied and dallied, Arsenal would now be in a position like Liverpool with far tighter credit restrictions and a costlier stadium compared to a year or two ago.
The Arsenal chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, said: “Keith has played a major role in the growth of the club since he joined in 2000. In that time we have successfully implemented the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium that has underpinned the future of the business and confirmed our position as one of Europe’s leading clubs. We are grateful to Keith for his crucial role in this transformation.
“Under Keith’s stewardship the club has achieved record profits and the board owes him a debt of gratitude for his contribution. We wish him the very best for the future.”
One ANR reader would like to draw the board’s attention to Birds Eye ceo Martin Glenn who has been tipped as a potential future ceo for the FA.
Edelman was in the ‘running football as a business camp’ as opposed to the ‘relying on the benefactor camp’ and his departure with Ken Friar in as acting md, will lead to speculation veering to the latter, particularly with Usmanov and Kroenke in the wings, and some fans disgruntled about the amount of money in the transfer pot and aspects of income from other parts of the club.
Flamini
One ANR reader says he saw Flamini saying what looked like his goodbyes’ in the City. Reading between the lines, as yesterday’s deadline passed, it would appear Flamini is off.
The press have not been slow off the mark to speculate about replacements. The Times goes for Man City’s Michael Johnston, who they say can support Fabregas in joining attacks. The paper also says Gareth Barry is a priority, but question whether Arsenal could compete against Chelsea and Liverpool, for the Villa midfielder.
Irish Examiner says press in Portugal suggest Wenger is already planning for life without Flamini, and has identified Algerian Kamel Ghilas, who plays for Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, as his replacement.
Karelis
Reports in Greece say teenage forward Nikos Karelis, 16, has been given a trial with the Arsenal youth squad for a mini-tournament in Italy.
After the 10-day trial the striker who became the Greek Super League’s youngest ever player when he appeared for Ergotelis last weekend, said: “we will decide together what will be my future.”
Arsenal’s stress
Dr Jeff Halperin, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Arsenal fan has emailed ANR to remind that he has written about the stress the team suffered in the latter part of the season.
http://www.sortoutstress.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55:arsenal-stressed-out-team-&catid=1:features&Itemid=2 Worthwhile project.
Arsenal Supporters Gala Dinner
Theme is to celebrate Arsene Wenger’s achievement’s ten years after his first double on Saturday 24 May.
Speakers include Oleg Luzhny, Nigel Winterburn, Ray Parlour and Perry Groves. There will be a raffle and auction.
Ticket prices are £69 per person for AISA members or for those booking a table of 10; £77 per person for non-members. The price includes a 3-course meal and starter drinks.
For more information please email AISA at aisa@fsmail.net (with Gala Dinner in the subject line) or call Lois Langton on 07769 655271 or Steve Goodwin on 07787 500667
And finally…
… a fellow Arsenal supporter has reminded us about the qualities that any incoming midfielders may need. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVARRpwRAvc&feature=related