I love Cesc to itsy bitsy pieces and stuff and he was fantastic last season but I am getting a little fed up with these stories hanging over us whenever we compile a title challenging side.

As the world cup is slowly reaching its final conclusion, the beginning of the 2010/2011 pre season is peaking its head in from the distance. I have not written as much as I would have liked over the last few weeks but now the Arsenal are soon to be back in town, I think I should start looking down the sides of the sofa for spare time to get writing once again.

Things are pretty much as they were when I last contributed, well as far as Arsenal are concerned. The world cup has been a little more exciting as the games become more and more important. The strange thing is that not one team has really stood out so far as being head and shoulders above everyone else. The Germans look very good, the best so far but the Spanish on their day can beat them. Having said that, Spain look pretty toothless apart from David Vi-yaa who is pretty much carrying the Spanish attack on his own shoulders.

The Dutch haven’t gone above second gear so far, which is a little disappointing when they have so much attacking flair in their squad. I like many Gooners expected Van Persie to be banging in goals left right and center but unfortunately that hasn’t happened for him thus far, that isn’t to say that he hasn’t been playing well, because he has. It is a little like his early form when adapting to the new center forward role at Arsenal last season. Involved in plenty, assisting in team mates goals but not getting on the end of chances himself. His wonderful technique allows him to make space, hold the ball up and link with the likes of Robben, Van Der Vaart and Sneijder. Once he hits his stride then he will continue but as we are coming towards the end of the competition, perhaps that chance will not come for Robin. He can still make some huge contributions as the Orange crew look to bring the World Cup to Holland for the very first time.

I expect the Dutch to brush aside the plucky Uruguians. I look forward to Spain vs Germany and then Holland vs Germany/Spain. It will not be the same if Uruguay make the final even if we like to see the underdog win. On this occasion I would rather watch the attacking quality of the larger forces in world football.

Cesc has been practicing his reverse psychology skills by stating that the Germans are the favourites for the game, ignoring both the rankings and the destination of the last European Championships winners medals.

For obvious reasons I do not want Spain to do well, the obvious being the Barcelona clique they have in their squad. I didn’t like listening to Gerard Piqué’s recent comments. I am sure Cesc could have put a stop to these comments from the same players who he is training with every day and who are supposed to be good friends with him.

Cesc: ‘Gerard! listen mate, thanks for the help with the err comments to the press but it is making me feel a little uncomfortable. Its probably better that we leave it down to Bathalona and Arsenal to sort it out amongst themselves. ‘

Easily done really isn’t it? The truth is, Cesc wants to join Barcelona and Barcelona know that Arsenal want to keep their star player and will only sell if the price is right. The trouble is, Barca don’t want the price to be right for a few reasons. One because they are skint. Two because ‘he is their player’ bollocks! and three they do not really need him.

For goodness sake, shouldn’t reasons one and three make them leave us the hell alone? Clearly not.

I love Cesc to itsy bitsy pieces and stuff and he was fantastic last season but I am getting a little fed up with these stories hanging over us whenever we compile a title challenging side. If he stays then great, we can build on last season if he goes then lets reinvest that cash into the squad and lets try and make our squad stronger.

I have too much to worry about in life without adding Cesc Fabregas onto my list. I do like my health you see and I wouldn’t mind keeping it to a reasonable standard.

Fran Merida has no regrets when it comes to leaving Arsenal. Not really much of a surprise to be honest, joining his boyhood club in search of more first team games, well it became a bit of a no brainer really. Had Merida of been in Ramsey’s position last season (before the leg break of course) then I think he would have ducked the lure of his new club but everywhere Merida turned he saw a player in his position or coming through to challenge that position.

Thomas Vermaelen is convinced that Arsenal can win trophies next season and it is the type of positive content that starving Gooners need to fill us up since we blew away Fulham in May.

Vermaelen said:

“It is not easy when you come from another country because the Premier League is the hardest league in the world, I learned a lot from playing at a higher level, I have learned from different situations in the games, so I hope that I can improve next year.

“This year it did not work out, but we have a lot of good players and a good team with a lot of quality. We have to continue what we have been doing, we are working hard. I am convinced that next year we can win trophies with this team.

“We had a lot of injuries, and if we can all be fit for a long time next season, it will be a good year for us.”

It is easy to forget that Vermaelen has only been at Arsenal for one season and if he can build on his first mainly successful campaign then it can only be positive for Arsenal football club. It seems increasingly likely that his new team mate will be Laurent Koscielny. Apparently the deal has already been agreed, it is just a case of announcing it. This seems to be a problem to many Gooners judging by some of the comments on other blogs. If the deal is completed between the two clubs and then subsequently between Arsenal and the player then why are we stressing about when the player is announced? I don’t quite get that one.

Do you only tuck into your weekend take away once you’ve checked the bank statement on the following Monday? Do yourself a favour, tuck into it while its still hot and stop making an issue out of everything…. Jeez!

According to the Young Guns blog the player has already trained with the youth team which would be good news.

Hopefully Arsene can tie up all his transfer dealings as soon as possible. It is important that all our new players start and finish pre season together. Developing understanding and partnerships with team mates is vital. As well as reaching your peak fitness. Now that Koscielny has all but signed for us can we cross off the ‘if it appears on Arsenal.com rumours page then it isn’t going to happen’ speech.

One player who may not be around for pre season training with the lads is Nicklas Bendtner, it looks as if it is playing up once again since he has not had the chance to rest it following his op last season due to Arsenal’s run in and then the world cup. If he is still carrying his groin problem around with him then I would expect Arsene to give Nick a long lay off to make sure that he is fully recuperated. Chamakh may not have to wait long to get his chance in the Arsenal team if Arsene continues with one central striker.

Not much is happening as yet in the transfer market, these things usually start heating up in the latter stages of the month. Did I read somewhere that Yaya Toure is getting £220,000 per week at Manchester City? Please tell me that isn’t so. He certainly isn’t leaving university to go to school. He is leaving university to get a full time job. I thought the new rules would prevent this type of transfer madness. If someone could explain the rules in regards to spending within your means then I would be grateful. I cannot imagine how a self sustaining Manchester City (according to the rules) could afford those wages along with the inevitable pay rises being handed out as Toure strolls into his first training session.

Something has to be done about the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid because it totally disrupts the whole transfer market.

Transfer dealing should start speeding up as clubs prepare for the start of the pre season, we will have plenty more to talk about then.

Have we announced the signing of Koscielny yet? Oh FFS!!

Back tomorrow.

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