At least make the figure somewhere realistic if you are going to make up a value for goodness sake. I would have said something like Arsenal are set to table a bid of £12million with an extra £3 million add-ons

Football is back today, Cesc has been told that he is staying at the club. All is well, so far at least.

Barcelona’s statement was hilarious. We are upset that Arsenal would not agree to a mars bar, half a packet of cheese and onion crisps along with 12p in two pence coins. Hopefully it is time to close the chapter on that story for this season, although you can bet your bottom dollar that it will rear its ugly head again in January and most certainly next summer.

I was umming and arrhing about going to the Arsenal XI vs AFC Wimbledon game this afternoon at 3pm. A good chance to see the kids in action, in particular Wellington da Silva but as it turned out all of my Gooner mates were already occupied, so I shall settle for watching the first team instead.

I say first team but several members of our first team are still going to be unavailable which is a little worrying to me. Perhaps Arsene and the coaching staff have it all under control and they will be doing the necessary work at London colny to be ready by Sunday August 16th.

Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie have yet to play a single minute of pre season so when it comes to the crunch, those players will be behind the rest in terms of match sharpness and possibly fitness. Denilson should get a run out tonight which is good. Potentially three of our starting central midfielders could be short before the start of the season so is it inconceivable that Emmanuel Frimpong could have a good chance of starting in such a big game at Anfield? It would be an almighty jump in the space of a few months for the 18 year old but I just don’t see him featuring so soon. Even if he has been impressive thus far.

Andrey Arshavin also has a little knock so hasn’t travelled to Poland, Arsene said that the team that starts this afternoon does not be decisive in terms of which team takes to the field at Anfield for the all important opener.

I think that is fairly obvious given the amount of absentees but I am sure we will be able to find out a few answers. The central defence is one that I am keeping my eye on. If Sagna, Clichy and Vermaelen start then the second choice central defender will be likely to start the season. Koscielny has played more minutes alongside Vermaelen and I am putting my money on the new boy to start the season.

Nasri’s position is of interest. I suppose we cannot judge what will happen until Cesc is back in the team but in his absence Nasri has been fantastic in central midfield, I am guessing that Nasri will go back to the right when Cesc comes back, unless Wenger believes that he can offer Diaby’s defensive protection and power. I don’t believe that to be the case although I would love to see Cesc and Nasri start some games against less physically demanding teams at the Emirates, a little like Xavi and Iniesta for Barcelona *retches*

Wenger should be giving Fabianski the chance to prove that he can be number one and I am sure he will get the chance to start, that doesn’t mean that he will be the first choice. Arsene knows what Almunia can do and Almunia doesn’t need to develop partnerships with his players. Personally if it is down to the two, then I would start with Almunia. He looked refreshed and sharp against Celtic so if Arsene doesn’t find a new keeper by Anfield then Manuel would be my choice but it certainly isn’t down to me.

Wojciech Szczesny is certainly not going to start the season for us and is likely to go on loan to gain another years experience. Like I’ve said, rewind two seasons and I would be more than happy enough to start the season with Almunia. Arsene will have a better idea of what his mental and physical condition is like in August 2010.

The rumours going around about Arsenal putting in a bid of £23 million for Liverpool’s Reina is beyond laughable. At least make the figure somewhere realistic if you are going to make up a story for goodness sake. I would have said something like Arsenal are set to table a bid of £12million with an extra £3 million add-ons if we win a trophy then another 30% make actually believe the story.

Andrey Arshavin an attacking creative player is our record signing at £15 or so million, why would Arsene Wenger break our record transfer fee by that much on a stupid fool like Reina who all of a sudden thinks he is part of the Barcelona squad? After that shirt incident, I can’t help but see Reina in a totally different light.

I don’t know why I have just spent my time writing about that story. I guess they are getting what they want.

Ok, time to call it a day. Enjoy the game later.

Back tomorrow.

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