Why there was no post yesterday…
55 comments August 6th, 2004
It’s because I’m tired. Not just physically, but I’m now drained entirely of any ability to add even more to the pack of lies surrounding this:
Arsene yesterday categorically denied accepting a bid, and I probably believe him. However, the phrasing suggests there has been a bid, but negotiations will continue.
I suppose the question of who might replace Vieira will eventually have to be raised. The current favourite is Maniche, but here Merse claims that the Portugese player “couldn’t even lace Patrick’s boots”.
I’m tempted to agree. Maniche is without any doubt a good central midfielder, but he’s a very different player to Paddy. Far more Lampard-esque.
Other potential targets include Stephan Appiah, Mark van Bommel, Xabi Alonso, some Argie kid, and interestingly Michael Carrick.
Of those, I’d prefer Xabi, but do reckon the Argie’s quite likely.
Despite the claims of The Sun, Freddie Ljungberg isn’t leaving. His denial of rumours, coupled with those of Edu’s, make Vieira’s silence all the more embarassing.
In other news, Hatem Trabelsi could sign within 24 hours.
That’d be nice.
UPDATE (9:57am) : I saw Paddy this morning. With mine own eyes. He popped out of his house to get a french loaf, then dashed back home again. Lovely Aston Martin. Anyhow, it’s only worthwhile telling you because there were a few dodgy reports that he was out in Spain.
Arsenal have a press day today, and if Paddy turns up, that’s a very good sign.
Perhaps another clue as to the big Frenchman’s future arrives in the fact that Real have left the number 4 shirt free.
However, conversely, Florentino Perez here seems less than certain of a deal.
Oh, and Matthieu Flamini, who would’ve started, is out of the Charity Shield after legal wranglings with Marseille. Wangers.
