Apologies for the crashes and patchy availability of the site over the last two weeks.
An upgrade to the Content Management System was downloaded – and we are still trying to fix the bugs. Once they are fixed, we may also have to move again to a bigger server.
In the meantime during service disruption we will post to our other site http://www.anr.uk.com
Nothing much in the Sunday press – at first glance at least, which tells its own tale. Calm before the storm?
There's a piece in Sunday Express (and SoS) saying the meeting which took place in a New York hotel between Keith Edleman, Peter Hill-Wood and Stan Kroenke resulted in 'an openness to co-operate' provided David Dein is NOT involved.
It says Dein wanted £60m of shares transfered without the board knowing and is a PNG at The Emirates. It adds that the board is worried by Dein selling to Kroenke and then launching a hostile £600m takeover.
There's a piece in the Star saying Arsenal's PR is terrible – that every year the club is wracked by 'will he won't he' sagas. Which other club's supporters go through this every summer?
There's another Patrick Vieira missive about worries for Arsenal in the Mirror. Nothing much we don't know. There's a boxed piece about the Diambars charity, which I reckon is highly worthwhile. http://www.anr.uk.com/articles/i-2005-02-04-19-00-08.html
http://www.diambars.com
And a small piece tucked away in the NoW saying Arsenal are fifth seeds in the Champions League (Liverpool are third and Chelsea ranked seventh). That needs some clarification.
Kirsty W said on Newsnight to Barry Silkman [scroll to 13th minute]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_4670000/newsid_4679900/4679986.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm
Thanks to 'Mr Splash' for the link.
Thanks also to the speculators: Julian Jackson points out that Barry Silkman represents: Yakubu, Rochamback, Geremi, Shwarzer, Boeteng, Viduka and Eyal Berkovic. [So Yakubu could be a possibility]
One Gooner emailed to say. Barry Silkman represents SFX. SFX represents Michael Owen. And Newcastle are looking to land Freddie Kanoute.
Meanwhile, ANR reader Martin writes from Norway of the Havard Nordtveit transfer for £2m: the 16 year old comes from Haugesund in Norway's west coast. He has played regulary for Haugesund in Norway's first division this year impressing a lot.
The Norwegian first division is far more physical than our Premier League so its not usual for 16 year olds to play regulary. Our national team trainer, Åge Hareide, has just called him our biggest talent ever so I believe this could be a real bargain.
Aftenposten reported: The young talent, 17, had also been sought by Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid, according to the newspaper.
Nordtveit joins Arsenal on July 2nd, and will therefore be able to take part in the club's tour of Asia [?] in the same month, it said.
Ryan Babel played well last night against Belgium – at times looking like a young Henry – great movement off the ball and technical ability. He's strongly linked, and says he wants to come at £6m.
Arsenal are also linked with Portuguese's Emmanuel Petit lookalike – well he does have a blonde ponytail – Veloso, a number 4 who plays a holding role. Also with Moutinho, a more attack minded midfielder with silky ball skills.