I am still having trouble understanding this story. Zenit wanted to sell for £24 million in the summer, now they are prepared to let him go for £12 million? Are you sure about that?

Afternoon Gooners,

It sure has been a while since I have written anything on this section. To be honest with Christmas and writing Match Reports, it has been pretty tricky trying to find the time.

Squid Boy has not been writing very much of late, he has had to take a step down for the time being due to more important matters. So apologies for the lowering of standards on my part.

Before I get started on the days news and thoughts, I would just like to point to towards a very well written article by Ole Gunner. It is called Top 5 Media Myths about the Arsenal, very good read.

So we have gained 4 out of 6 points over the festive period which looking on paper doesn’t seem too bad but when you look at the performances in both games you can see that we are currently far from perfect. At least the Portsmouth game came after the Villa game.

I am hoping that finishing 2008 with victory can positively affect the players physiologically for the new year. The players do not play a league match until January 10th against Bolton at the Emirates which should give the players enough time to recharge their batteries and go again stronger.

There was plenty of talk about William Gallas leaving the club after the whole captaincy situation but the praise coming from his team mates could excuse you from thinking otherwise.

Firstly Manuel Almunia who has been doing a lot of talking of late was in full support of his former captain.

“I see William on the pitch now and, for me, he is playing better,” said the Spaniard. “I spoke to him last week and he told me that is he playing better because he is not losing so much energy worrying about all the other players and their circumstances on and off the pitch.

“Now he is really enjoying playing without so much pressure. I think William took too much responsibility, it has to be shared among the group of players.

“William is a very good professional when he was captain, he fought for the team in every aspect. He is a real winner with a strong character and he has shown that. We are on William’s side and everyone supports him. Personally I have a very good relationship with him and I am very happy with him scoring because he is playing very well and he deserves it.

“He showed that he is an unbelievable professional. He is a player with the most trophies in the team and everyone respects that. He knows the way to bring success and even though he is not the captain we are all following him.”

I personally cannot really see how not having the captains armband can make a massive difference to your performances. If anything it should serve as an extra motivation. In truth Gallas like the rest of our team has been pretty inconsistent. He had a storming game against Chelsea, only to be disappointing against Porto. Against Villa he made a great block to prevent a certain goal only to let Agbonlahor to run past him, then bring him down.

Abou Diaby was also in a complimentary mood when he spoke about Gallas.

Diaby said:

“I am very happy for him, above all after everything that happened.

“William has the soul of a captain. During difficult moments, he is always present. Today, he helped us to get through that mess.”

Plenty transfer speculation flying through the airwaves at the moment, I suppose what is a transfer window without speculation. And before I go into that I just want to say a few things about certain sites.

While I write a daily blog, I usually have a procedure that I follow.

Read through new news, quote anything that needs quoting and then finally add my thoughts and views to that story. Nothing incredible but I try and make it real and natural.

There appears to be more of these money making type sites, designed to get clicks. I usually just ignore them but I rather stupidly clicked on one of them and I worked out their wonderfully creative formula.

Take the Wenger wants to buy in January story then search through several sites and blogs and work out who the fans want. Say something like Arsene is looking at or could be interesting in bringing in ‘player x’ then add the Wenger quote at the bottom. One site actually used the same template for the Arshavin and Arteta story.

Basically if one of these sites have one of these random headlines without it being on any other main site then just ignore it, please. I am fed up of seeing newsnow, arsenal news etc full of rubbish. The more attention these sites get the more of them will be created. More sites like Gooners Diary should be appreciated more. Very well written with a personal touch.

Right, that is off my chest, back to the transfer news. Arsenal Vision report that Arsenal are close to a deal that will see *quick flick through* Cana leave Marseille and join the Gunners. Click this article a few more times to read all the details.

Back to the Arshavin, his agent has been talking about his client and our club again.

“We know that Arsene Wenger likes the look of Arshavin,” Lachter told the Daily Mirror. “But I like the look of Angelina Jolie and it doesn’t always mean you get what you want.

“Arsenal were interested in signing him last summer and they still are, so we will wait and see what happens.

“There has been a lot of interest in him this time as well from England, Spain and Italy.”

I am still having trouble understanding this story. Zenit wanted to sell for £24 million in the summer, now they are prepared to let him go for £12 million? Are you sure about that? Half the price in a few months. Also Wenger said he wants players who can come in now and help the team. Arshavin hasn’t played in any other country but Russia. He would need Wenger’s usual 6 months settling in time.

As much as Arshavin is a talented player, one I like very much. I spoke about him enough in the summer months. Do we need another player to flit in and out of games. He showed in the European championships that when things are not going for him he vanishes. We need leaders on the pitch with this young squad.

I still think he is very much an Arsene Wenger player. Like to create things with his final ball, he is a passer and mover. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be upset if we got him but I just have my doubts.

What is the betting that Arsene Wenger’s comments today will make headlines on negative sites for the wrong reasons. Check out newsnow tomorrow.

Wenger believes that side is only missing 2% to dominate this league.

Wenger talking to the evening standard, said:

“I’m convinced that we are on the right track. We are not missing 10 per cent, we are missing one or two per cent.

“We can get that one or two per cent easily and then we can dominate the league.

“I’m disappointed that the team is not getting the praise or the respect it deserves at the moment, but we have to keep going. We will keep going with this spirit and we will turn people around.

“Getting that final per cent or two is down to being a bit more relaxed and composed when the situation calls for it.

“My hopes and aims for 2009 are to support this team. I believe strongly in this team and if they get the support I think they will be rewarded in 2009 because they deserve it. They have talent and I’m sure they will be rewarded.”

I certainly think we are going the right direction but I do think we have to correct the issues at the club. Defending, attitude in certain games spring to mind but I certainly think we have the talent there. A few additions and better luck with injuries should bode well for 2009.

Don’t forget that you can submit your own articles on the YourVision section and receive feedback from fellow Gooners. Latest article YourVision – Wenger should be more positive… (By Nishanth)