Juan Mata and Phil Jagielka are names that have been on fans lips over the past few weeks and it was those two names that were brought up at the press conference from digging journo’s. Wenger seemed more certain about Jagielka explaining that it is down to clubs to agree a deal before talking about a player where as when it came to Mata he said that liking a player doesn’t mean that you want

As an Arsenal blogger, much of what I write about is based on what is happening around the club and what is being said on a day to day basis. You can imagine that at times, content is very limited and I have to delve head first into dustbins to find scraps to feed on but yesterday we were served a giant platter of juicy steak, roast potatoes and all the trimmings thanks to Arsene Wenger, Wojciech Szczesny and Thierry Henry. Unfortunately due to time restrictions, I will have to take a few bites and run.

Sticking the metaphors in a doggy bag for a moment, I found Wenger’s comments on Cesc Fabregas very straight forward and very honest for pretty much the first time. This is obviously the year that Arsenal and Arsene intended to allow our captain to leave the club but as has been the case, Barcelona have told us that they are popping to the bank and will be back in a second. Hours later, they are not answering their mobiles and have not even sent us a text to let us know where they are. Rumours have it that they have even found time to stop off and pick up a Sanchez.

As ever, Arsene was very coy about his potential targets and given how teams like Tottenham and Manchester City like to set up camp outside of Arsene Wenger’s home equipped with sandwiches and binoculars, so it is little wonder why we don’t go all Mancini when it comes to targets.

Juan Mata and Phil Jagielka are names that have been on fans lips over the past few weeks and it was those two names that were brought up at the press conference from digging journo’s. Wenger seemed more certain about Jagielka explaining that it is down to clubs to agree a deal before talking about a player where as when it came to Mata he said that liking a player doesn’t mean that you want to buy. Make of that what you will.

Given the fact that we have not gained any cash from selling Cesc as yet and that we are not yet in the Champions League then it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to suggest that at least one of these factors will have to be met before we see the proverbial splashing of ze cash on big money players.

Like it or lump it Arsenal (not Arsene, but Arsenal) run the club as a business and that means not taking risks and making sure the money is in the bank before it is reinvested. Well at least, that is usually the way we have worked since I have known the club back in the George Graham days.

Whatever happens, we need an end to Cesc-gate, one way or the other (I’m gonna getcha…)

When it came to Monsieur Nasri, Wenger’s tone seemed a little different to how it has been of late. He seemed far more confident about his attacker staying at the club.

Samir loves the Club. My wish is that Nasri stays. I’m convinced he is going to stay at Arsenal.

Who knows what has been going on behind closed doors, perhaps Nasri’s stance is starting to change maybe Arsene has been working on Nasri with his swirling hypnotic eyes who knows. Perhaps Cesc Fabregas is key to so many things happening like Nasri playing in a role he prefers, Mata joining and the money being available to spend on overpriced players based on their nationality, who knows? If that is the case and Cesc really does not want to be here then I think someone should send out a search party for Barcelona to come correc and pay up the money for their so called lost son. If they don’t want him then we should report Barcelona to the authorities. That’ll learn em.

Anyhoo, here is some friendly advice because I love you ‘all so much. If you find your knickers getting into somewhat of a Mata-esque twist then I suggest you untangle, take a step back and chill. Trust/Like/Hate our manager but obviously he will be trying to start the season with the best possible squad and our stress levels will not have any say into how we start the season so lets see how it unfolds without raising our blood pressure too much.

In real life news, Theo Walcott’s injury is not as bad as first thought and he should be raring to go for the start of the season which like Frosties, it’s great. Shame he isn’t around today or tomorrow but hey, I can live with that.

Wojciech Szczesny has told us all to look out for the new set piece work. Interesting. I imagine the squad have all been paying close attention to Daniel Larusso or to younger readers Dre Parker and as soon as the ball is swung into our penalty box then the Arsenal players will produce top quality flying kicks but I guess that may result in a few penalties. That tactic could only really work if tried by Manchester United preferably at Old Trafford.

Jokes aside (regardless of how unfunny they are) I am intrigued to know what the squad have been working on. Shezzer hasn’t been the only one to have spoken of our set piece work, Arshavin recently mentioned how the squad have been working on correcting it.

Hopefully whatever it is, it works and it is done well by both teams on Saturday and on Sunday. Whatever we see in the Emirates cup is usually what our plan is from the start to the finish of a season. Lets hope our pressing and set piece improvement makes a big difference to our defensive and attacking game.

Thierry Henry still knows how to woo Arsenal supporters. While the Arsenal is clearly in his heart, I reckon he knows just how to pull on the ol heart strings and… it works. I still love thee Henry. I watched that clip that is doing the rounds. A 14 minute video of all his Arsenal goals, wow. What a player. He spoke very highly of Gervinho and said that he would kill plenty of defenders this year, like I said earlier, that plan may only work for United at Old Trafford but hey, it might just work.

Henri Lansbury remains in Arsene Wenger’s plans according to the manager after recent speculation suggested that his career may have come to an end at Arsenal. Wenger said he needed a chance and while I like his commitment I struggle to see how he will get games just yet in a congested midfield area where Song, Frimpong, Cesc (I know, I know), Nasri, Diaby, Ramsey, Wilshere and probably Rosicky are all ahead of him in the pecking order. Before people jump on my back for that, I like the lad and we need more players like him with the commitment and will to win that he has.

I am looking forward to the first Arsenal game today. There are a few things that I am looking out for.

1) Will Nasri play in the same team as Ramsey, if so will Nasri play in Cesc’s role?
2) Will Wenger totally mix and match his two teams? or will he choose the team that is likely to start the season
3) Is it the end of Jenkinson’s time alongside our first choice defence?
4) How will Gervinho work alongside Van Persie should they start together
5) Will Jack continue to have added attacking responsibility?

There are plenty more but I don’t want to bore you senseless, if I haven’t done so already.

If I was going to guess two teams for two different days then I would go with something like this..

Team A:

Szczesny

Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs

Song Wilshere

Nasri

Gervinho Van Persie Arshavin

Team B:

Fabianski

Jenkinson Squillaci Djourou Traore

Frimpong Rosicky

Ramsey

(Gervinho/Nasri/Arshavin reused and rotated) Chamakh Vela

I will probably be completely wrong but nothing will be new there then. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Cesc will not be playing because his head is backwards or something but you already knew that anyway.

Right, time to eat and wait till the Arsenal entertain me.

Back tomorrow.