Apparently we cannot agree a price with Liverpool for Xabi Alonso. although there is no proof in that. I like Alonso quite a bit, a very classy player but like Barry, I feel he is not the answer next to a creative playmaker like Fabregas

The Gareth Barry rumour is in full swing this morning, every site and newspaper are suggesting that Wenger will make a bid to sign the England international.

To be honest, I watched the press conference with Arsene and struggled to see why this has come up. He was asked if he is interest in the player and Wenger said something like ‘Interested always’ and smirked. Then he basically said that a player’s value goes down once they are cup tied. I just have the gut feeling that he is using the Barry situation as a smoke screen. Arsene was in Switzerland during their friendly. Could it be to watch Djourou? A player that he watches every training session or was he there for a certain Mr Inler?

Gareth Barry is a good footballer and has his plus points but are his plus points what we need right now? Barry is a left footed box to box energy player who is good at set pieces. He would help the side be more creative and have a few assists under his belt but would be able to dominate against Essien, Hargreaves and Gerrard?

Can he fight off the physical midfield at Bolton and Blackburn? I am not so sure.

Apparently we cannot agree a price with Liverpool for Xabi Alonso. although there is no proof in that. I like Alonso quite a bit, a very classy player but like Barry, I feel he is not the answer next to a creative playmaker like Fabregas.

Armand Traore has gone on loan to Portsmouth which will be good for the young lad. He will hopefully get the chance to play first team football and get the much needed experience. He is a player I like, especially on the left wing. I would have liked him on the bench this season to use as an impact sub but I suppose for him development this is a good move, especially under Harry Redknapp who plays good attacking football.

Traore said:

‘I spoke to Younes, he said that it’s a very good club and that I would do well here.

‘Harry Redknapp is a good manager and the fact that he told me he had confidence in me; that was a big reason for me to come here.

‘And Portsmouth are a very good team. They are in the UEFA Cup and that’s great for the club.’

Good news on the injury and squad front, Alex Song and more importantly Sami Nasri will be available to play against Fulham on the weekend. It looks like Nasri pulled a Giggs, escaping playing a needless International match.

Silvestre might also be involved (sounds weird ey?!) but like all Arsenal players, he is carrying a slight injury right now so we will wait and see.

He will probably take a place on the bench.

I will be going to Dorset for the week on Saturday and will be without Internet connection so you will probably be reading Squid boy’s thoughts and feelings on the daily stuff. We are in last minute negotiations but I would say by Saturday all will be completed. Something about the French tax year is holding up the deal.

Have a good day. Drop your view in the comments.

Until tomorrow.

Your Vision

I will not be able to upload YourVision articles until I get back next Saturday, but keep sending them in.

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