It looks like he might actually want to go

I didn’t initially think that there was much to the ‘Henry to Barcelona’ stories that have erupted over the summer. Last summer was the nearest he went to leaving, and in the end he decided to stay, penning a new contract to boot. It was no surprise though when constant reports linking Mr. Va-Va-Voom away again started up. I just didn’t think there was much truth to it all. Anything he said was misinterpreted best it could be to somehow translate as a ‘come and get me plea’ to Europe’s elite. But the latest word from Henry has actually got me thinking that he’s not so sure anymore.

Speaking on the French story that seemed to suggest Henry to Barca was a done deal and that meetings had taken place already with Thierry’s agent, Henry and his agent denied this. It would appear legal action might even be taken. That was reassuring, even if I hadn’t believed the story anyway. However, what he said after was less reassuring and I quote:

At this moment I am an Arsenal player and in the same situation as I was last year. Last season people were announcing all over the place that I was leaving. Some people wrote that it would happen for sure but at the end of the day I stayed at Arsenal. It could be the same this year. I’ve not taken any decision and my name is not up on any departures board. If something happens, I will tell everybody.

Make of that what you will but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to excuse the stuff he comes out with. The way I see it is that the same situation he was in last year means he is again contemplating his future, probably because again we failed to challenge for the title. He also says ‘at this moment,’ not hinting as ever that his future is yet tied to Arsenal. He also goes on to say last year there was similar talk, he stayed at Arsenal in the end and the same could happen this season. Could. I think we can safely say his future is again in doubt.

He also reiterated his feelings on David Dein’s departure and while I thought many media sources were clutching at straws when they linked Dein leaving to Arsenal players and Wenger casting their future’s in doubt, Dein’s leaving does seem to have had an impact on Thierry.

David Dein’s departure was a mistake.

I have said it before and I will say it for the next 20 years. If there was one person who had to stay at Arsenal, it was David Dein.

I’d have said Arsene Wenger but then again, Dein was the one who appointed our manager.

Thing is though, if was 100% convinced he wanted to stay then a simple ‘I’m staying’ would suit me quite fine. The media wouldn’t stop of course but it would satisfy myself and a number of other Gooners, I’m sure. Right now though, my mind is that he’s not sure and would seriously think about an offer from Barcelona or whomever.

If he does up and leave, and I’m not one for keeping a player who wants to pack his backs and not fully commit himself, then we’d need a good enough sum to dig out a replacement. Eto’o thrown into the deal would always be nice but that isn’t going to happen.

I’ll give you more as it unfolds.

• As per usual, Arsene Wenger’s in the market for some new potential he can mould into some serious quality. The kid in question is sixteen year old Havard Nordtveit, who’s already a first teamer, albeit in Norway’s second division. We’ve had a bid rejected with Nordtveit saying the club’s estimation of his value is too high. It remains to be seen whether Wenger will pursue with it.
• Fabianski’s came out with a nice piece showing his determination to beat off competition from Lehamnn and Almunia to be Arsenal’s number one next season, which is only healthy.
• Real Zaragoza are said to be pondering a move for Philippe Senderos, which I’d wager would be a more appealing prospect for him than Charlton. If he did go, we’d surely have to get a replacement in, especially with Toure off for a spell in January what with the African Nations Cup taking place.

Ribery to Bayern and not Arse’

So, we didn’t sign Franck Ribery. Bayern Munich did. This comes as a shock to most as he’s long been tagged as an Arsenal target and we’ve long been the favourites to win the race for his signature. Ribery went to Bayern because their offer put off any other interest, including our own. We wasn’t beaten to his signature, he didn’t choose Bayern over us and contrary to popular opinion, we weren’t too slow, Wenger just wasn’t prepared to pay what he saw as over the odds for a player. There might well have been interest on his part but Wenger, along with most managers, is surely interested in a number of players. He obviously wasn’t interested enough to pay £17M, or else didn‘t have that kind of cash to splash. I’m not sure which but just because we didn’t match the offer, it doesn’t necessarily confirm the latter. Even if you can afford a player, he still might be overpriced and Wenger strikes me as the type who wouldn’t spend more than he thought a player was worth, no matter how much he had to spend.

This is no great cause to worry. The summer transfer window’s far from over and I’m sure Ribery wasn’t the only target Arsene had in mind. I trust his judgement and ability to spot talent. All in all, I’m confident he’ll sign someone good, and at a reasonable price too. So, any outbreak of panic is uncalled for. Have a little faith. I know I do.

And in other news…

• We’re widely reported to have hijacked Liverpool’s bid for Florent Malouda. I didn’t watch much French football last season so I can’t possibly comment but word is that he’s not Arsenal quality, or so I’ve heard. Of course, if Wenger did go in for him he must see something in the player and I do trust Wenger’s judgement. He was awarded French player of the year though so he must be doing something right. It is said Wenger has chosen Malouda over Ryan Babel, who we’ve also been linked with in the past.
• There’s been a lot of bets made on Henry going to Liverpool, something which made me laugh. And something that won’t happen. He’s unlikely to go as it is and if he did, it wouldn’t be to Liverpool, it would be to a European club outside of England.
• Robert Pires has said Henry should join him in Spain. He claims Arsenal are at the end of a cycle and he’s right, but we’ve begun a new cycle and if Henry wanted to leave at the end of the last cycle, along with the likes of Pires, Vieira and co, he would have done.
• There’s a little talk that Freddie Ljungberg could be off to Celtic. It’s said that Wenger could let him go on a free transfer.
• We’re also linked to Yaya Toure, brother of Kolo, but that’s unlikely to happen and is agent talk more than anything. Wenger could’ve bought him before if he wanted and for cheaper. He didn’t. We’ve also no need to further strengthen the central midfield. Just because he’s Kolo’s brother, doesn’t mean we’re in for him, nor does it mean he’s as good.

Henry’s off to Barcelona or Inter Milan

Thierry Henry will move to Barcelona or Inter Milan, understandably, because he is unsettled after David Dein left the club. Barcelona will be a good choice for him because he rejected their advances last season, after they’d finished a fantastic season. He might well go to Inter though because they have Patrick Vieira. Or not.

Speculation on Henry’s future at the club seemed to explode today all because Henry commented on how our season went. Bare in mind first of all that he was probably asked his thoughts and more worrying would have been had he said it was a successful season that he was happy with. It wasn’t. And I’m sure he’s more than eager to return to the squad and aid in tabling a title challenge for next season. Doesn’t mean he wants to go. For further proof in an interview published in Q magazine, upon being asked to promise he’ll stay at Arsenal, Thierry had this to say:

‘I did think about leaving last season, I’ve made no secret of that. If Barcelona come in, you’re going to listen. But the love I have for Arsenal, the relationship I have with the fans and with Arsene Wenger, meant I couldn’t leave.’

‘People keep wondering if I am going to go. But there is no way I could leave now. I have grown to know what it means to wear an Arsenal shirt, and it is the most important thing of all. So let me say it to you once more: I’m not leaving. And being in London makes it even better, because London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. What more could you want than to play for a great club in a great city?’

Sounds like he’s happy, or maybe that’s just me. As I’ve said before, if he goes, it’ll probably be because Wenger wants him to go. What he said recently to the official club website seems to confirm that he doesn’t.

‘It is more down to imagination than anything else, Thierry Henry will be here next year.’ Asked whether he could guarantee Henry would remain at the Emirates next season, he added: ‘Yes, of course.’

I don’t deny clubs are interested. There might be some truth in that. Inter are ready to test our resolve with a  £15M bid, which I don’t think Wenger will find acceptable. More ludicrous is the suggestion that Barcelona are ready to offer us Samuel Eto’o on top of £17M. I mean, if they did, I’d bite their hands off. Eto’o is younger, a natural scorer of goals and a top prize. £17M on top of that’s pretty generous. Of course, it’s a wild imagination kicked into gear more than anything else. I can only see that he’ll be staying put. None of the reasons given to as why he’ll leave are any good and are countered with quotes of a manager and player who sound as if they’ve got the same intention and that’s Henry remaining an Arsenal player for next season and the foreseeable future.

• Carlos Vela, the promising Mexican who can’t play for us because he’s yet to get a work permit might be off on loan again to Spain, this time to Levante. That’s providing his work permit problems aren’t sorted in the summer. If he does go though, it’ll be a step up for him having enjoyed a spell last season at Salamanca in the Segunda Division, where he’s said to have impressed.
• Giorgos Efrem, of the Arsenal Reserves is reportedly off to Rangers after they beat off interest from other Cypriot and Greek clubs. His departure is probably to make way for new players in the reserves, meaning he wasn’t deemed good enough.
• We’re pondering a move for Saint-Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis, as are Chelsea and Tottenham, supposedly though I don’t see why we need another striker to add to the ranks.
• We’re also following the progress of Swedish whizkid Albin Ekdahl and again, so are Chelsea. He’s only 17 so if we are interested, he’s unlikely to be introduced in order to strengthen the first team but rather will find a home in the under-18’s and reserves squad for a few seasons.
• A change of agents means Franck Ribery now might sign for Real Madrid.
• Wenger’s planning an £8M bid for West Brom central defender Curtis Davies. If this is true, someone else in the position will likely to have to make may.
• Seven preseason fixtures have been confirmed, the highlights of which include the Emirates Cup where we’ll face Inter and Paris Saint-Germain as well as the news that we’ll be taking part in the Amsterdam Tournament, and will play both Lazio and Ajax. Other fixtures include an opener against Barnet and a trip to Austria where we’ll play out matches against Turkish team Genclerbirligi in Bad Waltersdorf before visiting Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg.
• Rosicky claims he’s ready to return from injury and hopes to do so by playing for Czech Republic on Saturday. Hopefully he won’t get injured during the game.
• On a final note, Justin Hoyte’s been selected in the Under-21 squad for the Under 21 European Championship.

Reo-Coker won’t be an Arsenal player this season

There’s not much Arsenal based shenanigans to be heard on the web today. It’s all rather quiet. One player that appears to be dominating the headlines however is Nigel Reo-Coker as speculation regarding his future hots up. I’ve already mentioned that he’s handed in his transfer request and it seems he’s attracted some interest. Tottenham have gone as far as to make a bid and the latest is that he’s waiting to see if we’ll match the reported £9M offer. I’m confident we won’t though, there being little needs of his services at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s not that he’s a bad player. It’s more that our central midfield is congested enough as it is. We really don’t need anyone else. We’ve already got Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto Silva as starters. Behind them in the pecking order you’ve Diaby and Denilson, both who’ll need their fair share of time on the pitch for development purposes. Then you have Alex Song to consider and even if he left the club, both Tomas Rosicky and Aliaksandr Hleb are accomplished central midfielders. Where is Reo-Coker supposed to fit into that?

We might have well been interested last season, when Diaby was out but his return and the emergence of Denilson means there’s precious little need for a player who won’t add anything particularly new or special to the side. He’s an alright player but he must see that his first team choices will be limited with us unless we got rid of someone. And even then I can’t see him fighting his way in front of Denilson and Diaby for a place. We don’t need him and £9M’s an expensive price for a player we don’t need.

No, I don’t think he’ll end up an Arsenal man and it’ll be a side in the vein of Tottenham, Newcastle or Villa who’ll get him, with Tottenham the favourites as they’ve already supposedly made a bid and it’ll mean he won’t have to move home. Tottenham are also the more likely of the three I mentioned to break the top four and will have UEFA Cup football to offer. Of course, if as suggested by the media he supports Arsenal, that might be a factor dissuading him against the move but he’s a career to think about and there are many other players out there who’ve had to make the same sacrifice.

And in other news…

• Jean Makoun’s signed a new contract at Lille ending speculation linking him to us. For the same reasons as Reo-Coker pretty much, I couldn’t have seen it happening anyway.
• There was a suggestion that we could make a move for Craig Bellamy, Wenger being a long term admirer ‘n’ all that. Personally, I don’t think we actually need another striker though I know there are many others that do and while Bellamy’s a decent player, I don’t think if we were to enter the market for a striker he’d be the one we were looking for. Added to that, I doubt Wenger will pay the £12M Benitez wants.
• Another Premiership want away striker we’re linked with is Benni McCarthy. Again, sorry, don’t see it happening. I’m not against the addition of another striker but we do have enough and there are other priorities.
• Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf has seemed to confirm that Ribery will indeed leave despite Ribery having said he could stay. Diouf said ‘Ribery will leave for a significant fee that is good for l’OM. But that doesn’t mean we want him to leave.
• Oh and Wenger has slammed reports that claimed he and Fabregas would be leaving the club for Real Madrid. Apparently that was why he was in Spain. This will come as no surprise. I think few believed this rumour anyway and we all knew Wenger was in Spain to try to sell Jose Antonio Reyes which he confirmed. Wenger‘s not going anywhere for this season. And either is Fabregas.