By Ian Grant
Inamoto virtually done and dusted
Arsenal are close to signing the Japan international midfielder Junichi Inamoto, 21, after reaching agreement with his club Gamba Osaka.
The deal, to be announced after the J-League season breaks on 21 July, will make Inamoto the first Japanese player to play in the Premiership.
Gamba Osaka confirmed on Thursday they have reached a basic agreement with the English premier league club.
He will be the first Japanese player to play for an English premier league side.
“Obviously, I’m a bit nervous. But I’m motivated for the challenge of winning a first-team spot and helping Arsenal to win the title,” said Inamoto.
He added that Arsene Wenger’s experience of managing J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight in the mid-1990s had been a factor in choosing the club ahead of a number of other European teams who were chasing his signature.
“Mr. Wenger knows a lot about Japan, which will be a big help for me.”
John in Hiroshima writes…
Inamoto was on tv here in Japan this evening, saying that he had joined Arsenal and other than the fact that they were a big club, he didn’t know much about them.
He said he was looking forward to it but would have to
wait until he arrived at the club before being able to make any specific comments about the team. The impression I got was that he saw the move as very much a leap into the unknown.
I wonder if he’ll be satisfied playing reserve team soccer because unless he improves a great deal I don’t think he’s going to break into the first team.
The J-League (Japan’s top flight football league) plays at about the standard of the English Third Division. I don’t suppose Highbury would be buzzing if the new acquisition were Southend’s promising young centre half.
Likewise there ought not to be much expectation surrounding Inamoto.
Still I expect that merchandise sales on the back of the move will provide a better revenue stream than would the sports outlets on Southend high street.
Ljungberg signs five year deal
Freddie Ljungberg has signed a new five-year deal with Arsenal worth around £3m a season.
Ljungberg joined from Swedish club Halmstad in 1998, is delighted to be staying at the north London club.
Real deny Vieira link
Real Madrid have denied reports linking them with Patrick Vieira. “We never talked about signing Vieira,” said Real’s general sporting director Jorge Valdano, who is responsible for transfers.
Arsenal make it up with Feeyernoord
David Dein flew to Holland several days ago to win over their head-honcho van den Herik.
On Australian paper said it could precipitate a move for Brett Emerton. It said Arsenal registered their interest.
Feeyernoord have had $20m bids rejected, but need to sell to balance the books.
Campbell out, but Wright, Jeffers and van Bronckhorst on show
Sol Campbell has ligament damage in both ankles and is out for tonight’s game at Borehamwood tonight, but the other pre-season signings – Richard Wright, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Francis Jeffers – are all expected to play a part tonight.
Andy Goram, who ended last season with Manchester United, will make his debut for the Rymans League Borehamwood.
Silvinho to stay
Silvinho said he was happy at Arsenal and wants to stay, saying he doesn’t know where the stories about him wanting to leave are coming from.
Who the hell is Ray Carmen?
The Scottish Daily Record reports on the court case involving the alleged change of personality of publisher Richard Davies.
Davies explained what happened at the exclusive Middlesex and Hertfordshire country club – which is a favourite haunt of footballers and Page Three girls
“One night, I was walking through the club, when I spotted Maria Whittaker. She was talking to several of the Arsenal first team players – Steve Bould, Ray Carmen and Paul Merson.
“Sauntering up to Maria, who was already engaged in conversation, I started to chat to her.”
It emerged that Paul Merson threw some coins. He threw them back and this precipitated a punch up on the patio.
Wright banned
Ian Wright, who is employed by the Lawn Tennis Association to improve the image of tennis, was barred from the courts at London’s exclusive Queen’s Club after turning up to play in shorts, T-shirt and trainers which were less than two-thirds white.
He had to spend £150 in the club’s shop on a new all-white outfit.