That is fantastic to hear from our captain, it is indeed important if not necessary to have friendships on the pitch. I am sure we will witness great things from both Cesc and Rosicky next season

I can taste football for 2009/2010, it is only a day away until our first pre season of the new season. There is certainly something wonderful about watching the players come back in new shirts, fresh haircuts and a clean slate. There are no gaps to make up, no injuries to worry about (for once in our bloody lives) and the club is hopefully full of optimism.

It is also great watching a new face amongst the squad, watching how he responds to his new team mates, watching who is laughing and joking with who.

One face that we are all looking forward to seeing is that of Tomas Rosicky. He although an old face will look like a new one after being out for so long. It appears that it is not only the fans that are happy with his return but Cesc Fabregas is also overjoyed to have his midfield sidekick back in action.

“I have spent a lot of time with him and I know how he feels,” Fabregas told Arsenal.com.

“I know what he wants and I have never seen a guy being so committed, so professional and never giving up. If this happened to me I probably wouldn’t want to talk to anyone, I would be always down and angry. But he’s unbelievable and when we see that he will be back next season, he will be strong and hopefully he can help us improve a lot.

“He’s the type of player you enjoy playing alongside and as a guy he’s amazing. He didn’t deserve his injury but I am sure he will come back stronger. I wish him all the best because everyone here at Arsenal loves him a lot.

“I feel sorry for him but I don’t need to say that to him, he’s my best friend in the team and one of my best friends in football and my life.”

That is fantastic to hear from our captain, it is indeed important if not necessary to have friendships on the pitch. I am sure we will witness great things from both Cesc and Rosicky next season as long as the injury problems are a thing of the past which I am hopeful of.

Cesc went on to talk about how Tomas can help the team for the upcoming season.

“He can bring many, many things to the team,” said the captain. “He’s a guy with a lot of experience, he has won things, he knows how to compete, he’s very humble and he works for the team.

“Technically he is one of the best in the world and physically I am sure he will be really strong because he’s been working really hard. I am happy because soon he is going to be back and I can’t wait to see him playing again.”

That is pretty much a great assessment of the player, Technically one of the best yet a humble hard worker. You do not get many of those in the game nowadays, so he should be able to contribute to both our offensive and defensive play.

I will find the team selection interesting depending on how long the squad remains injury free. We have starter overload in both central defence and in midfield. The rotation theory can easily be thrown into the mix but that goes out of the window if it is a big game, a game where you need your strongest eleven on the pitch. One of Vermaelen, Gallas or Toure will be sitting on the bench thinking that they could be starting. One of Rosicky, Nasri or Walcott could well be thinking the same thing.

Obviously strength in depth is needed at the top level and all players will be used accordingly throughout the big season ahead but it still interests me to see who Wenger will choose for balance and preference.

Well at least we do not have to wait very long until we find out what the manager is thinking.

Arsenal seem to be on the verge on picking up another two talented kids. Jamie Edge is set to complete his move to Arsenal from Cheltenham. Edge can play in defence and in midfield and has impressed the staff at Arsenal. Another deal that could go through is that of FK Bubamara striker Veljko Batrovic. Batrovic is coming for a 7 day trial and then hopefully to sign a contract and become part of the academy.

I looked through a few forums, had to translate but from what I heard he sounds like the bees knees and all that sort of stuff. Very skilful, quick, two footed and is being dubbed as the new Messi. He probably isn’t the new Messi but if people are saying that he is then he is probably a decent player.

The 15-17 age group are quite amazing, we have some way to get them to first team stage but that’s the thing about being a supporter of a club. It is for life so we have good times to look forward to in the future.

Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud has been telling everyone that many porkie pies have been told about his striker Marouane Chamakh.

“Arsene Wenger hasn’t called me to say he is interested in signing Chamakh,” Triaud told France Football.

“Who has talked about Chamakh going to Arsenal? Journalists. These are just stories without foundation.”

I guess it would be unlikely that we would put in a bid for anyone without a certain striker putting pen to paper with another club.

If this is just rumours then Philippe Auclair has a lot to answer for *wags finger in direction*

Right thats it for now, I’ve missed out on a few bits and bobs so sue me!

Match preview tomorrow. God, that feels nice to say that again.