What a bore the Cup Final was. They ought to cap the top Premiership teams in the FA and Carling Cups to even it out, give other teams a chance of silverware and increase the chances of an exciting spectacle. Not present players to the world stage who are knackered in pursuit of bigger prizes.
Wenger is in effect imposing a cap by playing youngsters in the Carling Cup – and that final was ten times more an exciting spectacle.
Quickly on to ARSENAL news. Mundo Deportivo says a reliable Barca source claimed to be relatively optimistic having held talks with Henry.
Thought Henry said he was happy in London and didn't want to disrupt his family. So is there any truth in this? If Henry wants to stay and Wenger wants him to stay – then he'll stay. What happened to tapping up under contract? How different to this is Ashley Cole's case, if true?
Then see a story in the Sun which says Henry has spent the last two weeks in the gym doing stamina work and got the go-ahead to go running each day next week and will continue to train throughout the summer as he bids to be fit for the start of next season.
"It is a big relief. It has been a frustrating time. It will be great to go running again, as this is all I have been working towards, all I care about." He dismissed as 'nonsense' reports he is off in the summer.
Which puts a spike in the Express story saying he's told colleagues he's off after a crisis meeting. And further fuelled by the mischevous Patrick Vieira, who seems to want to destabilise his old club, with quotes such as Wenger and Titi will be off.
The People run an editorial suggesting Dein's departure could cause a domino effect ie Wenger and Henry could depart, with others following. However the Star on Sunday says Peter Hill-Wood has put off standing down as chairman, given the potential instability that would cause.
William Gallas has similar outspoken things to say in the Mail: "I'm ambitious and I want to win the lot, but we haven't made any progress this season. Frankly, I'm disappointed we have not won anything. I know Arsenal have got some talented young players, but I won't be at the club in a few years' time and I want to win something next season.
"Arsenal have lacked an awful lot this year. The season is long and if you want to remain consistent, you need a squad with plenty of depth. That hasn't been the case with us. You need experienced players as well and we have not had them. Our young players have been given plenty of responsibility, but when you are 19 you can't be good throughout a season.'
"When I came back from the World Cup, I wanted a month off to give myself a rest. Clubs need to change their perspective on this matter.
"It is better for them to let their players rest for three weeks after a big international tournament rather than playing them and seeing them get injured and be out for three months. That is what happened with me last season."
The club's managing director Keith Edelman has told the Arsenal Supporters' Trust that manager Wenger will be backed with all the cash he wants in the summer transfer market, in contrast to reports which claimed unhappy Wenger was ready to walk out on the club with one year of his contract left.
Arsenal expect a profit in the region of £100m from the development of their old Highbury stadium, where demand for the luxury apartments has exceeded expectations.
The Times says, Wenger will be given considerable funds to strengthen Arsenal's squad this summer.
It says Wenger is concentrating his efforts on signing Franck Ribery, the winger, from Marseilles.
The Indy says he may be outside the price range and interest in Babel has cooled. They posit the 19-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Renato could come in. He plays for Flamengo and has been tracked by Arsenal, and other clubs, for some time.
Wenger has analysed the results of last season and come up with this perspective: Arsenal were almost invincible when they took the lead last season and were at their strongest at the end of games.
According to Wenger on arsenal.com: "If you take our season, it's simple. In the Premiership we had the lead 16 times. We won 14 times and drew just two – the two Chelsea games — and lost zero. But we were behind 20 times in the League.
"We were the only team who scored 21 goals in the last 15 minutes. The second team scored only 14 or 15 I think. For me, that means we have the quality to push teams and kill them off. But what is linked with our conversion rate is the aggressive level at the start of the game and [the need] to be alert. That is because we have a lack of experience.
In transfer talk, Hearts assistant boss Stephen Frail says they won't sell keeper Craig Gordon to Arsenal for less than £10m. 'I hope he stays with us for next season but he will go to the top of the game.'
The Observer says Arsene Wenger fancies a big cash bid for Rennes starlet striker Jimmy Briand, 21.
The Xinhua News Agency says Arsenal has made an offer for young Icelandic footballer Kolbeinn Sigthorsson according to reports from Reykjavik.
For some time scouts from Arsenal have been watching 17-year-old Sigthorsson play, and have already invited him to practice with the team on several occasions, Morgunbladid reported.
Sigthorsson, who plays for Kopavogur-based football club HK near Reykjavik, has been invited to play with Arsenal's youth team in an international tournament in Hong Kong next week. He played for Ajax in the youth team tournament in Spain at Easter. Liverpool, Feyenoord and Cardiff City also want him to practice with their teams.
The Standard says Curtis Davies remains on Arsenal's shortlist but the club are refusing to pay more than £6m for the defender.
In terms of outs – Freddie Ljungberg will go on a free if a club can pick up his £70,000/week wages according to the Independent.
Also to go, they say, are Flamini, and Aliadiere, with doubts about Song and Gilbert.
The Standard says Senderos is also on the out list. In today's papers, Fiorentina and Juventus are said to be interested in the Swiss defender.
And Birmingham want Jonathan Djourou, according to the Mercury.
Emmanuel Eboue has signed a new contract [a similar one to Niklas Bendtner]. Emmanuel Adebayor is also believed to be close to completing a new five-year deal.
The Lyon chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas, has been elected to succeed the former Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, as president of the G14 group of leading European clubs.
The G14 are to open their doors to new members – including Chelsea who fit all the criteria. A spokesman said Chelsea had indicated they want to join, but Arsenal and Manchester United were against it.
In other news, Emmanuel Adebayor will meet with a mediator appointed to try and resolve the controversy between players kicked out of the Togolese national side in a row over bonus payments.
Barnet have already arranged home friendly against Arsenal (Jul 14). Check this please, as it is unverified.
And Wenger is coaching Kanu's African All stars today in a charity match for his heart foundation, against a Portsmouth eleven.
Incidentally, The People reports that contrary to public appearances, Wenger and Ferguson get on well in private after they were seen talking tactics together for a fair while.
And finally, was invited to a commercial function at The Emirates last week. The O2 competition was on at the same time and looked out from Club Class. Great view.
Chatted to a couple of really down to earth stewards (one proudly showed his Diamond Class ticket stub) and a woman who takes tours, who pointed out Frank McClintock, Martin Keown and Nigel Winterburn in dark track-suits were giving free coaching to the amateur players.
Made me glad I support The Arsenal.