Beveren defender Manu Eboué will sign a four-and-a-half year contract in January.

He has already been looking at appartments in London, and met Dein and Wenger to finalise the deal yesterday. Primarily a right-back, his recent marriage to a Belgian girl has enabled him to obtain the work permit neccessarry to sign here.

The fee, as ever, remains undisclosed.

Personally, I’m delighted. I saw Eboué play three times during our pre-season, and was immensely impressed on each occasion.

On this very website, following the River Plate friendly, I wrote:

“Manu Eboue is someone who particularly impressed me at Barnet, and who did so again last night. His driving runs with pace, power, and flair are not entirely dissimiliar to those of our supposed transfer target, Hatem Trabelsi. However, it makes little difference, as Eboue is far from eligible for a work permit. Still, I’d expect him back on another trial here next year.”

With Trabelsi now having sorted out his contractual dispute with Ajax, it seems Arsene still felt the need to strengthen at right-back.

With Eboué now arriving, it does raise questions over the future of young Justin Hoyte. Our new Ivorian, however, has also played at centre-back and right-midfield.

The move seems a brilliant one on all fronts. Cheap, it strengthens both our defence, and our ties with Beveren’s highly productive youth system. Eboué’s signing is made all the more delicious by the fact that Chelsea showed an interest in his services.

Current incumbent of the right-back role, Lauren, has responded by declaring his interest in securing a new contract – his current one expires at the end of the season.

Welcome, Manu. We wish you all the best in your time with Arsenal.

What a game.

It’s difficult to describe quite how bizzarre this match was, though if I had to try, I’d probably say “very”.

Two thirds of the way through a fairly even first half, Patrick Vieira missed his header, and Naybet crept in behind Toure to make it 1-0 to Tottenham. No worry, though – right on half-time, a cross from Lauren was plucked out of the sky by the right boot of Thierry Henry, who swiftly poked it underneath the advancing Paul Robinson. 1-1.

At the start of the second half, we began to look like The Invincibles of two weeks ago. Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by Pamarot, and referee Steven Bennett gave the penalty, which Lauren swiftly tucked away for 1-2.

Who says the refs are against us, eh?

Shortly afterwards, Patrick Vieira robbed their midfield of the ball and strode through to lift the ball over the keeper and make it 1-3. Game over, it seemed.

Not so.

Kolo Toure stepped aside to allow Jermain Defoe a nice clear run on goal, and he responded by firing the ball into the far top corner. An excellent finish, and all of a sudden, it was 2-3.

However, Cesc Fabregas had ideas about restoring Arsenal’s two-goal advantage, and his beautiful reverse pass slipped Freddie in to make it 2-4.

Almost immediately, Ledley King rose majestically to head the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Jens Lehmann. 3-4.

Despite this, substitute Robert Pires showed a cool head and lightning-quick feet to go up the other end and make it 3-5.

The fun was far from over, with Freddi Kanoute knocking the ball past Lehmann for 4-5.

Confused?

You oughtta be.

It was a very mental game. The defending was pretty appaulling from both sides, but even so, I don’t know who Jose Mourinho thinks he is with comments like this.

In midly unrelated transfer news, Shaun Wright-Phillips is playing hard to get, whilst Manu Petit is back at the club, albeit just to keep fit.

I hate Mondays.

Arsenal play Tottenham today in a massive game.

We’re going through a sticky patch and need a big result, whilst they have a new manager and plenty to prove.

The squarest face in football.

The only real question mark in the side is over which one of Reyes, Pires and Bergkamp is left out. I’d imagine it’ll be Pires, with Reyes on the left and Den back up-front. Cesc Fabregas should continue in the middle, though Matthieu Flamini is breathing down his neck.

This is quite an important game. Southampton didn’t matter, and Palace was negligible (Disclaimer: I don’t really know what that means).

This result will be quite significant.

Let’s hope the boys give it their best.

Some things in life are just meant to be.

I doubt a Manchester United vs. Arsenal League Cup Quarter final is one of those, but still, it’s a nice coincidence.

Their team last night (Howard, Phil Neville, Brown, O’Shea, Fortune, Kleberson (Spector 79), Fletcher, Djemba-Djemba, Richardson (Eagles 79), Bellion (Rossi 86), Saha. Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Ngalula) included more senior players than ours did against Everton, but I’d still expect our kids to give them a good game. It’ll feel a bit like we can’t lose. We can only gallantly fail. I, for one, can’t wait.

Something I didn’t mention yesterday is that Tony Adams has quit as Wycombe manager.

A close friend has revealed that it’s in order to “finish his degree” after Adams initially gave the new in-vogue response of “personal reasons“.

I would suggest that it might be because he was rubbish.

Some folk hope that he’ll return to us as some sort of defensive guru, but if Adams swallows his pride and becomes subservient to Wenger, I’ll eat any hat of your choice.

It’s Thursday. I like Thursdays.

You should too.

What a night.

Just phenomenal. These kids are amazing. When Wenger says, “I believe I could put that team out against Tottenham“, he is not lying. Everton are 3rd in the league, and we destroyed them with our reserve side.

There were so many stars that I ought to give them all a mention.

Manuel Almunia
Seemed fairly comfortable all night. Made a couple of good saves, and kicked very well. A decent back-up for Mad Jens.
7

Justin Hoyte
He put in a very good defensive display, but didn’t do as well as he can going forward. Many are convinced we need to buy a reserve right-back, but I’m confident enough in Hoyte to give him the chance.
7

Phillipe Senderos
Nervous early on, and made some mistakes with his judgement and footwork. His strength, however, enables him to get out of any mess he gets himself into. His sheer size makes him an exciting prospect. Led the back line well in the absence of any real experience.
7

Johan Djourou
We hadn’t heard much about this kid. But you felt that was deliberate – That something special was being kept under-wraps. Tonight showed that that may well be the case. He was excellent. Powerful in the air and the tackle, he also showed good passing ability, and I’d very much like to see him play in central-midfield. His combination of craft and crunch make him one to look out for.
8

Danny Karbasiyoon
For a player who until last season was known as a striker, he’s developing into a very decent full-back. The fact that he is 20, and thus older than Gael Clichy, does not bode well for him, but he should be able to make a decent career for himself at another club.
7

Jermaine Pennant
I thought he played well. Some didn’t, but then this isn’t their website. When he sticks out on the right and crosses the ball in to non-existent target men, he looks bad. On days like today, when he drifts inside and across to the other wing, he looks like a brilliant little player. Pace, panache, and some impressively improving upper-body strength made me salivate. However, he only seems to produce these sorts of performances when he is the senior member in the side, such as last night, or during his spell at Watford. Needs to make the step up – he hasn’t got much time left. Finished the game as captain.
8

Matthieu Flamini
Solid, and most certainly unspectacular. A bit like Gilles Grimandi without the characterful charm. A decent midfield blocker who needs to work on his passing.
7

Edu
Came off after an hour’s excellent display. Perhaps it was the fact that he was made captain, or perhaps it was a response to recent criticism, but he played like a man possessed last night. In fact, so much so that David Moyes was furious he wasn’t dismissed for an over-the-top challenge on James McFadden. Moyes has a point – Edu was a little over-zealous. But when the team could’ve given up having gone down so early on, Edu’s fire helped lift them. His inury is infuriating, because he looked more than ready for Tottenham on Saturday.
9

Sebastian Larsson
Replaced Edu, and did his job as tidily as ever.
6

Ryan Smith
Got injured, yet again. Only on for 21 fairly ineffectual minutes, but produced one exciting run.
6

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Unbelievable. A footballing demi-god, capable of the sublime, the ridiculous, and so much more. From the moment he replaced Smith he didn’t make one error. His first contribution was an electrifying run that, had Richard Wright not plunged low to his right, would’ve resulted in the goal of the season. His goal included a neat turn and explosive finish, and his shimmying run created the second. He also showed magnificent awareness to pick out Arturo Lupoli for the third. As against Manchester City, he seems to have matured as a player, and channelled his talent in the best possible way. Wenger commented, “He had a major impact when he came on. It’s a very difficult job to predict a young player. Many people had questions about him but, when a boy has talent, you have to be patient with him. He has matured and grown up, and was very direct. He’s not miles away from the first team at all.” Our Cristiano Ronaldo, and the subject of the masterful chant that features in today’s headline.
10

Robin van Persie
Showed some brilliant touches, and almost scored with a swerving, dipping free-kick. If anyone else suggests that he is an “aerial threat” I shall be very very angry. He isn’t. He’s Bergkamp, but left-footed, and more direct. Should get some more first team game-time soon.
9

Arturo Lupoli
In last night’s programme he stated, “I knew I was the first Italian player to play for Arsenal, but now I want to be the first Italian to score for Arsenal, and the first Italian to win trophies with Arsenal.” With the first part of that now complete, the second can’t be far away. Arturo Lupoli is an assassin of a striker who finished two moves off with neat, effective finishes. Celebrates like he plays – with real passion. His Latin blood lusts for goals, and lets hope he scores them for many years to come. Brilliant movement combined with lethal finishing. The archetypal goalscorer. Went off late on to a standing ovation.
9

Patrick Cregg
Didn’t do much in the couple of minutes he was on.
5

——————

It ought to be mentioned that the atmosphere last night was absolutely superb, and that has a lot to do with the REDaction Singing Section in the North Lower. They were every bit as outstanding as our kids.

Last night was a great night for this football club.

Let’s hope we and the young stars who did so very well share many more magical moments in the future.

Drawing with Crystal Palace is made so much easier when it’s at the hands of this man.

Another day, another draw, another “disaster” (if you listen to some people).

We’ll beat Tottenham on Saturday, and all shall be well.

It’s worth looking out for Chelsea though, particularly Arjen Robben. Sadly, he’s every bit as good as I expected/feared he might be. And that’s “bloody good“. With a capital “bloody“.

Tomorrow we play Everton in the League Cup, and I shall be there, cheering on the kids.

The Arsenal kids, you understand. Not my kids.

I don’t have any kids.

Robin van Persie will definitely start, and you’d expect Matthieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Manuel Almunia, and Arturo Lupoli to be involved.

I’d love to write more, but I do feel genuinely ill.

So I won’t.

See?

Apparently, we’re in a crisis.

If I’m honest, I hadn’t noticed.

I didn’t comment on our midweek draw with Panathanaikos, because there wasn’t much interesting to say. We didn’t win in Europe. But we don’t often win in Europe. It’s not unusual. Nobody can explain it. Many have tried, but no-one can. It’s a mystery. So what’s the point in trying to find scapegoats and create a horriffic mountain out of what barely amounts to a mole-hill?

Below’s the probable line-up for today’s evening kick-off:

Robin van Persie, however, could start ahead of Jose up-front.

Oh, and this is utterly hilarious.

Tonight, Arsenal face Panathanikos in what is now a fairly crucial Champions League tie.

Ahead of the game, Patrick Vieira has been talking about his likely midfield partner, Cesc Fabregas.

“What I like about Cesc is that he is not afraid at all,” said Vieira of the teenager. “He will be a big star for Arsenal in the future. He is like Xavi at Barcelona, a midfielder who reads the game really quickly.”

Paddy is exactly right. Cesc will be great tonight because he knows no fear. He oozes class, and against the tight defences of European competition, his perceptive passing will be critical.

Robin van Persie also deserves another chance, most likely from the bench.

Oh, and watch out: Arturo Lupoli is coming.

The run of spectacularly bad headlines continues.

Robin van Persie is one of the rawest, yet most exciting young talents I’ve ever seen in this country. Back on the 10th July I told you that his performance at Barnet had me “drooling”, and I think that kind of ability is now beginning to shine through.

His last minute equaliser in yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Southampton was one of pure, expolsive brilliance.

His step-overs and mazy dribbles are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.

His perceptive passing and upright posture trigger comparisons with Bergkamp.

He shoots with the ferocity of Hasselbaink, whilst his arrogance and passion inspire association with Henry.

By the end of this season, he will be the heir apparent to DB10′s throne.

A 2-2 draw with Southampton is no disaster, especially when you consider the nature of the game. We didn’t play particularly well, and were in fact losing with just a few minutes left.

Plus, Man U lost to Pompey.

Harry’s a Gooner, don’t you know.

Happy Halloween.

I have no evidence to support that headline. I don’t care.

After Arsene finally put pen to paper on his brand new 3 year deal yesterday, you felt that our kids might feel particularly inspired to see off Manchester City last night.

And Lo, they did.

Pascal Cygan (who impressed as captain) and Manuel Almunia were the only players aged over 21 as Wenger’s Wonderkids dispatched City in a convincing 2-1 victory.

Robin van Persie impressed, and notched his first goal for the club following what Wenger described as a “typically Arsenal” move. The relief in his celebration was obvious – up to then he’d been so desperate to impress that he was almost trying too hard. His talent, though, remains unquestionable.

The second goal came from spectacularly-named substitute Danny Karbasiyoon, who finished brilliantly after good work from Cesc and Quincy.

All of the above mentioned were excellent, but special mention must go to Philippe Senderos, who, making his long-awaited competetive debut for the club, looked worthy of the hype.

Robbie Fowler’s free-kick came too late to be of any real significance.

Apparently, David Dein has met with David Gill to ensure there will be no repeat of any pizza-throwing antics.

Why?

That won’t be funny.

Ashley Cole has a much better idea, threatening to sue Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Go on Ash. For a laugh.