By Ian Grant
PLAYERS
Patrick Vieira, has joined Sports, Entertainment and Media, the Aim-listed representation agency. SEM will represent Viera in wage and transfer negotiations as well as handle other off-the pitch business affairs including additional sponsorship opportunities. Tony Adams and Thierry Henry are also on the books.
Arsene Wenger has met Tony Adams over lunch to discuss a new one-year contract – with an option for his captain to walk away whenever he likes. Adams plans to take a holiday before deciding on his Highbury future.
Robert Pires has landed a radio programme on Europe 1, the French equivalent of Five Live.
“It’s great chatting with my mates. It helps me feel I’m a part of the competition. I’ve known most of these guys for so long now that many of us are inseparable. The Arsenal boys, in particular, Titi [Thierry Henry], Pat [Patrick Vieira], and Nino [Sylvain Wiltord], are special friends. When we’re in London, we meet two or three times per week; now, we talk on the phone.”
Pires is also producing a book, Profession Footballeur, in conjunction with L’Equipe’s England correspondent, Xavier Rivoire. “This was an opportunity for me to describe exactly what a footballer like me does on a daily basis.”
“My father sacrificed quite a lot so that I could make it. I remember him once spending most of his money on football shoes for me. My parents were struggling financially but I was so young I didn’t really realise. Looking back now, I can see that my father was living his dream through me. He wanted to be a professional footballer, too, so my having a chance to make it was the next best outcome for him.”
According to his former chairman at Metz, Carlo Molinari says:”Robert is still the nice guy he always was off the pitch, but he has toughened up considerably on it.”
Pires said: “That is an image[when the squad bowed to him] that will never leave me. It certainly makes me realise how happy I am to have chosen to go to Arsenal rather than Real Madrid after Euro 2000.I love it at Arsenal,”because life there is so serene and tranquil. These are the best conditions I’ve ever known. It’s a bit of a paradise.”
Martin Keown said: “Some of us are instinctive defenders. Forwards can smell a chance. I can smell danger. It comes from experience and understanding opponents.”
Tony Adams writing in the Observer said: “.It [team-mate punch ups] even happened with Freddie and Lee Dixon once at Arsenal. I think Freddie may be ready for tackles in games but not so much in training. The important thing is that he accepts any apology quicker than he did with Lee.”
Arsenal are set to offer Jermaine Pennant a new five-year deal. The 19-year-old midfielder has two years left on his present contract but boss Arsene Wenger, who rates him highly, is keen to get him tied to a longer deal on improved terms.
Thierry Henry is replacing Nicole in TV adverts for the Renault Clio, taking over from Estelle Skornik, who played Nicole in adverts famous for the words “Papa” and “Nicole”. Renault bosses hope he’ll emphasise the “strong and masculine” side of the car.
Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp along with other players are featured in a dispute over image rights with BAT and Dunhill in Malaysia.
Africa News Service says Arsenal are seriously interested in £7m rated Julius Aghahowa, who is playing alongside Kanu in the World Cup. Kanu scored in the last warm-up match against a J-league side.
Daily Star reports that Francis Jeffers has undergone a successful operation to remove a piece of outgrowing bone from his ankle. His surgeon reports that the Arsenal striker will be back in action early next season.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports Kanu as saying: “I’d rather stay at Arsenal and fight for a shirt than go to a new, strange club. The World Cup will give me a new platform to convince Arsene Wenger that I can play full-time.”
TEAM
Scotland on Sunday reckons Arsenal and Chelsea are also knocking on the G14’s door.
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to make a renewed £8million bid to sign Japanese World Cup star Hidetoshi Nakata.
The Sunday People says Arsenal are in the hunt for Lee Bowyer, the Leeds transfer-listed midfielder. Leeds have had no official approach for the listed player.
The Northern Echo says Kevin Phillips’ luxury home is for sale – fuelling rumours that he is on his way out of Sunderland this summer. It says Arsenal are his first choice.
Barcelona’s new boss Louis van Gaal is reportedly ready to foil Arsenal over long-standing target, PSV Eindhoven star Mark van Bommel.Van Gaal, installed at the Nou Camp for a second term, rates van Bommel, having promoted him into the Dutch side when he was in charge.
Observer reports Arsenal are thinking over a move for Portuguese superkid Hugo Viana. Sporting Lisbon will take £10m for the playmaker.
The Daily Star says Arsenal’s first close season signing could be Seville’s £11m-rated teenage star Jose Reyes. Arsene Wenger is thought to be viewing the 19-year old as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.
ARSENAL LADIES
Marianne Spacey won the AXA players’ player of the year Premier League national division award.
Spacey said: “I think the major change has been the fitness levels and the technique because girls are getting good quality coaching at a young age now.”
FOOTIE FINANCE
Arsenal have shortlisted four banks to finance its planned £450m new stadium in north London. Barclays Capital, HBoS, Royal Bank of Scotland and Societe Generale have been lined up for final bids by NM Rothschild.
According to the People, Arsenal are considering a break with tradition by inviting bids to sponsor the name of their new stadium.
WORLD CUP ARSENAL
John Crane and Tim Sonnex are Arsenal doctors with the England World Cup camp, along with Gary Lewin.
OLD BOYS
Eddie McGoldrick has moved into the property business now. When he was a footballer, he reckons he moved house 14 times making a profit almost every time, minding his money and investing it wisely. “It’s what I do now.”
MISCELLANEOUS
Bobby Robson once said: “Arsenal would have won the 1986 World Cup with Maradona.”
Nike are looking for four winning teams – Under-13s boys and girls and Under-16s boys and girls in a three a side tournament at the Dome, June 1-15. Each winning team will spend a day at Arsenal’s training ground and have a training session with Arsene Wenger. to www.nikefootball.com/uk
Fever Pitch is still in the top ten best-selling Sports books, at Waterstone’s.
A version of Monopoly featuring Arsenal stars will be out by Christmas says the Daily Mirror.
Media Week reports I-level’s David Katz leapt into the air and then promptly landed on the kerb and broke a metatarsal when Arsenal beat Man U.