By Ian Grant
TRANSFERS/SPECULATION
Wenger said on the Inamoto speculation: “It’s not a good time to talk about whether he’s leaving Arsenal or staying. I haven’t decided yet but he’s shown that in Europe he can play in any team. I’m confident he would play like that in the future. You can’t ignore his contribution to the team. Not only has he become a very good player but someone who can play under pressure and take responsibility.”
He added: “It is important at the moment that he is quiet and not bothered by this story,that I feel is a non-story.” Although Wenger told Fuji TV: “I have to be honest enough to think that if he will not be a regular member, to let him go somewhere else.”
But Wenger, in his column for Sankei Sports newspaper gave hints that, after seeing him play 175 minutes of competitive football here – more than in his entire first-team career at Highbury – score twice and earn two man of the match awards, he was beginning to re-evaluate the youngster’s potential.
Inamoto said: “I didn’t play for a year but practising with excellent players has helped me greatly improve my skills.”
Lee Dixon said: “After his performance in the World Cup, clubs will be queuing up for him. That club is going to have the benefit now of signing Inamoto the goalscorer.”
The Daily Yomiuri newspaper claimed PSV Eindhoven had made a multimillion pound offer for the 22-year-old and were willing to send Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel as part of the deal. Sport Nippon said Italian clubs Perugia and Atalanta had joined the bidding.
Wenger signed him from Gamba Osaka last summer, reportedly for four years and £4million. But Express Sport says that the Gunners only landed him on a one-year deal, with the option to then pay the full fee for the remaining years if they liked what they saw.
The Express says both Arsenal and Spurs have registered an interest in Nigerian forward, Julius Aghahowa.
Manchester City are reportedly ready to pip Newcastle United’s move for Martin Keown and lure him to Manchester City. The Standard says he will discuss his future when he returns from the World Cup.
The Independent says Arsenal are making a move for Turkey’s World Cup midfielder Emre Belozoglu, for whom Internazionale want around £4.5m. There is the possibility of a one-year loan arrangement.
The Mirror also says Igor Stepanovs could be set for a summer switch with Real Zaragoza enquiring about the £3m-rated Latvian.
Espanyol are connected with Alex Manninger, the £1m plus Austrian goalkeeper still on Arsenal’s books.
PLAYERS
The Mirror also reports that Tony Adams has split up with his girlfriend Poppy Teacher.
The Mirror says Kanu is the Beckham of Nigeria with giant posters of him looming down from thousands of billboards in Lagos.
Kanu said of the Nigeria v Argentina match: “My injury is down to an elbow from Simeone which, in my opinion, was completely unnecessary.”
Kanu said: “I will not be on the pitch but I think there will be a big satisfaction back home if we can save some pride. I think England can go a very long way in this tournament. For us it’s not the end, it’s the beginning. The youngsters are coming up, they will be in the team and we are building for the future.”
Ashley Cole said: “I think it’s [the Argentian match] made us realise we’re a great team and that we can go forward now and try to win the competition. Before we came here a lot of people thought we couldn’t do it but now there’s a lot of belief in the team that we can.”
Lauren, did a bit of a Roy Keane and said: “The way we [Cameroon] travelled here was terrible. The way that we prepared wasn’t good enough for a World Cup.”
Freddie Ljungberg is still struggling with a hip injury, prior to the second round World Cup matches.
OLD BOYS
Ian Wright and Peter Schmeichel ended one of the longest-running feuds in football by appearing together live on BBC television.
The Mirror reports that Ian Wright is a long term asthma sufferer.
MISCELLANAEOUS
A contested goal between Arsenal and West Ham lead to the development of an electromagnetic sensor. A group of management students at Heriot-Watt University won this year’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship prize for a ball with a sensor implanted.
Nancy Dell’Olio, Sven Goran Eriksson’s girlfriend, will be joined by close friend Barbara Dein – wife of the Arsenal chairman, David Dein on a three-day break in Onsen, says the Mirror.
FIFA have warned about creatine, which can be contaminated with banned substances, such as nandroline.