Sometimes you think bad news is attracted to Arsenal. A week goes by and there’s a threat of expulsion from the Champions League, and the Premiership; David Dein loses his place of the FA board to David Gill of Manchester United; we have Arsenal putting a gagging order on Ashley Cole – and his forthcoming book including the Chelsea affair.
Arsenal fans need a lift – and expect some big signings. But while rivals are buying and being heavily linked, a scan of the Sunday’s isn’t encouraging. While Spurs are heaviliy linked with St Etienne’s Didier Zakora, with a £7m bid, and Man U in for Franck Ribery with a £9m bid; Chelsea completed their fifth signing in Obi, Arsenal are linked with some Italian relative unknowns.
Giorgio Chiellini is a Juventus left back, 21 who hasn’t made the World Cup squad, but has international experience. The S. Star reckons it will be back up in case Cole departs – as looks increasingly likely.
It also says Arsenal are interested in Michaelangelo Albertazzi, a Bologna central defender.
The S. Mirror says Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool are looking at Aimo Diana. The 28 year old Sampadorian midfielder has a lot of experience at several Serie A clubs.
Today Arsene Wenger says on arsenal.com he would be “comfortable” if he failed to make any further signings. “I said recently I would sign one or two high-calibre players and I have already respected my word. One is in. But I give myself time now for the second if it happens because I feel we have plenty of players.
“Look at our squad. In defence there’s Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini and Justin Hoyte coming back. In midfield we have Gilberto, Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb, Tomas Rosicky, Fredrik Ljungberg, Mathieu Flamini, who can still play there, and Jose Antonio Reyes.
“Up front as well we have plenty of players too. Remember we have players at the World Cup who have not featured for us. I’d be comfortable if we brought in no one else but you never know, we might go for somebody else if the right occasion comes along. There are one or two positions we can still strengthen.”
[Not the news that Arsenal fans wanted to hear, with an exceptionally busy season starting virtually straight after the World Cup where 16 Arsenal players are involved, and lots of trips to the North West.]
In other old boy gossip, Patrick Vieira is linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Nicolas Anelka is subject of a £1m bid from Bolton.
According to The People, Arsenal have asked the Premier League if they can kick off the 2006-07 season with a home fixture to celebrate the opening of their new Emirates Stadium home.
Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial on Saturday, July 22 will feature Arsenal v Ajax current sides in the first half, with Arsenal legends v Ajax legends in the second.
The Mail on Sunday says Keith Edelman insisted no rules were broken over the Beveren deal and added: “This is a classic piece of irresponsible journalism in that they have got quotes from people who don’t know what they are talking about.
” We don’t divulge, and nor should any business, intimate details of what we do. The only reason we put out our statement is because of the wild allegations. We had a technical relationship with Beveren and that’s it.”
In the Sunday Telegraph, FIFA’s Marcus Siegler, said: “The Belgian FA must look at their member club and the English FA must look at their member club. According to the structure of rules and responsibility, the FA have to look into the matter.
“Arsenal are innocent until proven guilty but if there is a story like this in the media -and there is clearly a matter which needs investigation here – then the FA must take it up and deal with it.”
The FA don’t know what to do because it appears no rule has been broken.