Archive for June, 2006
June 7th, 2006
Yesterday morning brought the news that Arsenal had an £8m bid for Yaya Toure rejected in January of this year. It seems that we ended up going for the cheaper, younger option in Diaby. However, in the light of Diaby’s injury, the feeling is that we may return to pluck Yaya from Olympiakos.
I reported recently that the Greek press believed an Arsenal bid of â?¬15m had already been lodged. I spent yesterday trawling around Greek websites, and came across some findings which lend further credence to the rumours. The reason the fee is so high is that Olympiakos only own 50% of the player’s registration: the other half is held by Toure’s agent, who would subsequently recieve half of any fee. There would also be some money due to the player’s former club, Metalurg Donetsk, as part of a sell-on clause.
In spite of this, Olympiakos fans seem to recognise that the kind of money Arsenal are reportedly offering goes along way in Greek football. Whilst they freely admit Toure is their best player, they wouldn’t begrudge him a chance to play in the Premiership alongside his brother.
Another reported Arsenal target, Franck Ribery, came on to create two goals (one for Titi) in France’s 3-1 win over China, and I have to say, was mightily impressive. Ribery, who I still believe is likely to join Lyon, is expected to announce a decision on his future this morning.
There’s more on the Sol Campbell to Turkey story here, whilst we’d better be careful: Portsmouth are threatening to swipe possible replacement Curtis Davies from under our nose.
World Cup tomorrow. Can’t wait.
June 7th, 2006
It’s a slightly wordy translation, but this is apparently what Sol Campbell told Turkish newspaper Vatan.
“Playing for Fenerbahce could be interesting for me, but first we have to return to England with victory. That’s all I want for now.“
It’s this quote that convinces me that the article is probably for real. Sol’s obsession with prioritising England comes to the fore here, and that’s probably one of the main reasons Arsene wants rid.
If Campbell has been a liability, alongside him Kolo Toure has been magnificent. Here he enthuses on Ivory Coast’s chances in the World Cup, whilst Manu Adebayor grabbed a goal in one of Togo’s warm-up games. Whilst the Togolese chances of success are minimal at best, Toure and Eboue could look forward to upsetting the likes of Holland and Argentina with the Ivory Coast.
Roll on the World Cup.
June 6th, 2006
But hey, what do they know?
After my insistance that we wouldn’t be involved in any transfer activity until after the World Cup, the press have swooped in to to stamp all over my fanciful claim with the news that we have joined Lyon and Manchester United in the tug of war over Franck Ribery.
The article suggests a decision is due in the next 72 hours, as Ribery is keen to settle the matter ahead of France’s opening World Cup match. If the winger were to leave Marseille, he’d be joining his seventh club since January 2002: an incredible, if slightly worrying, statistic.
If you were to ask me, I’d say our interest is somewhat token. We don’t need a winger, and I personally happen to believe Ribery will end up at Lyon, where he is almost guaranteed domestic titles galore.
However, he does have his fans at our club. It’s strange all this, considering that yesterday Arsene came out playing down the possibility of much more transfer activity, suggesting he would look to add one more signing to the duo of Song and Rosicky. However, what Arsene says and what Arsene does are often very different things.
Last year, the only significant addition was Hleb. However, I have it on very good authority that we were not too far short on Shawn Wright-Phillips, Julio Baptista, and Robinho. Those three names should satisfy anyone who doubts this clubs ambitions.
So the next month might not be as free of Arsenal news as I suggested…
June 5th, 2006
That, my friends, is when the World Cup ends. Until that date, there’s no way any international players will be involved in any significant transfers. Rosicky arrived before the Czech squad departed on their big summer holiday, but now we’ll have to wait until the last ball of Germany 2006 has been kicked.
Why? Several reasons. Firstly, all quality international players are fully focused on the tournament – they simply won’t head off for a medical two days before a World Cup quarter-final. Secondly, Arsenal do not know who they need to bring in until they know who is leaving; and lastly, Arsene is busy working as a pundit for French tv.
However, in the meantime, we have made what could only be described as a “minor” signing. â?¬4m has made Alex Song an Arsenal player for the next four years. This news arguably tops Pascal Cygan’s declaration of loyalty as the feel-good moment of the summer.
So that’s two players in, with arguably no real improvement to the squad. As Wenger admits, Rosicky is a straight-swap for Pires, whilst Song was here last year and hardly set the world on fire. With the possibility of both Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell leaving the club this summer, the month of July could be a tumultuous one for Arsenal fans everywhere.
It’ll be interesting, whatever happens.
June 3rd, 2006
Firstly, you awake to news of a BBC investigation into your club’s agreement with Belgian club Beveren, with allegations you have bought an illegal stake in the club for £1m. It’s pretty boring stuff, but if you’re keen you can read the full case here. However, if I were you, I’d read this excellent piece from Arsenal times, which basically concludes there isn’t too much to worry about. Lawyer Mel Goldberg agrees, stating:
“UEFA and Fifa have rules about clubs owning shares in foreign teams. I don’t think that’s happened here because Arsenal say, rightly, they have no control of a foreign club.“
It’s all a bit confuddling, but at the end of the day it’s not good press. I’m sure we’ll get away with it, but after the controvery with the handling of Quincy’s transfer from Ajax we don’t need any more scandals of this nature.
The timing of the leaked investigation was fascinating, what with yesterday being election day on the Football Association board. Dein ended up losing out to David Gill, the Manchester United Chief Executive. This can’t be too bad a thing for us, as any accusations of FA bias can now hopefully be passed on to United.
Still, after that 24 hours, one wouldn’t be surprised if Dein’s face was even redder than usual.
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