By Ian Grant
PLAYERS
Asked whether Patrick Vieira’s inclusion in Arsenal’s 10-day pre-season trip to Germany, means he stays at the club, the Arsene Wenger replied: “Exactly.”
“I feel like a parrot,” Wenger told a news conference. “For me that subject is over now. I will repeat what I have always said and that is that Patrick has shown his commitment to the club.”
Vieira played in the first friendly and was booked.
A Highbury insider told the People: “It seems Patrick is going to stay. This is the news we hoped for. Manchester United may have been lifted by the purchase of Juan Veron, but this news is like a new signing for us too. It is as if storm clouds have been replaced by beautiful sunshine at Highbury.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “By not making a statement Patrick Vieira has lost a fine opportunity, but August will be a long month.”
Wenger said of new Japanese signing Inamoto: “He is physically strong and a great passer of the ball. His enthusiasm and ability will undoubtedly strengthen our squad this season.” Japanese soccer expert Ossie Ardiles said he thinks Inamoto will make it big in England.
Inamoto becomes the second Japanese player to join an English Premiership club in a week after striker Akinori Nishizawa, signed a one-year loan contract with Bolton last Monday.
Sol Campbell said that Arsene Wenger was one of the reasons for his move to Arsenal, adding “It’s a fabulous club, everyone has been very welcoming to me. I want to be the best footballer I can be and that’s why I had to think about a few things.”
According to the Daily Star, Wenger reassured Arsenal fans that no-one would leave Highbury this summer.
“I am happy because I could keep the players I wanted to keep and could sign the players, in my opinion at a reasonable price in the positions we wanted,” he said.
However the Daily Star says Arsenal have released John Lukic and Christopher Wreh.
Ashley Cole, subject of an alleged £20m bid from Barcelona, says: “If I can keep playing alongside him [Sol Campbell] as well as training with him it should make me a better player.”
The Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF) has authorised plans to send another 18 patients to Israel for surgery in the next few weeks.
Kanu who was represented by Onyebuchi Abia at a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos, said that 12 of the patients were children below the age of 18 while the remaining 6 were adults.
The treatment of the 18 patients which include cost of air tickets, feeding and accommodation of the patients and accompanying parents, according to the Foundation, was estimated to cost about N24 million.
Kanu stressed there was a planned charity match between the Brazilian U-17 national team and Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the National Stadium, Surulere on August 5.
Other initiatives to raise money for the foundation include the ‘battle’ of ex-internationals and big heart dinner with Kanu.
TRANSFER TALK
Kanu could be on his way to Spanish side Malaga, reports from Spain say.
They are ready to make an £8m bid for the Nigerian.
Malaga finished eighth in the Primera Liga last season and boss Joaquin Peiro has been given the go-ahead to spend by new president Serafin Roldon.
Kanu, 24, is due to report back for training at Arsenal next Thursday, after Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Ghana on Saturday.
Arsenal said there has been no bid for Kanu from Olympiakos.
Dennis Bergkamp could be the latest player through the revolving doors at Villa Park now that his spell at Arsenal appears at an end, according to footballtransfers.co.uk. The highly unlikely rumour is also picked up by the Sunday Mirror.
According to the Mirror, Arsenal, Leeds, Manchester United have all been offered Argentinian whizz-kid Andres D’Alessandro, who plays in midfield for River Plate for £9m. He starred in the u-20 World Championships.
OLD BOYS
Steve Bould who starts at the Arsenal Academy said on football injuries: “I had friends at Stoke who finished through injury very early in their career, and it’s hard for them, it’s cruel. Their dream’s gone.”
Motherwell have made a bid for ex-Arsenal striker Chris Kiwomya.
Matthew Rose is staying at QPR.
MISCELLANEOUS
Alex Ferguson said:”I will have a team for the Champions League and the big fixtures in the Premiership like Arsenal, Liverpool and Leeds, and at other times I will change things around.”
“My house is full of Arsenal supporters and I don’t know how they’re going to greet me when I get home,” joked JP McManus who had just received a large slice of Man U shares.
The Sunday Telegraph pointed out that four London clubs – Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham – have all announced increases to season ticket prices, while most clubs in the Midlands and North have frozen prices.
One paper said that Arsenal also enjoy strong support in Malaysia, but, just as on the pitch, they are playing an increasingly forlorn game of catch-up. According to MORI there are 4.7m Manchester United supporters there.
STADIUM
Arsenal’s revised proposals for a new stadium at Ashburton Grove have won the overwhelming support of local residents, according to a survey. It received more than 700 comment cards from Islington residents following a public exhibition, with more than 75% saying that they are in favour of the proposals for a new stadium, the redevelopment of Highbury Stadium and regeneration plans for Lough Road.