Barnet Preview and More

Arsene Wenger has said that he will probably field a "very strong" squad for tomorrow's friendly against Barnet. It will probably be some first team players and then anyone who Wenger thinks is on the verge of breaking into the first team. He gave a list of the big names that could feature.

“Basically the players that are back in training are available, so you could see Kolo Toure, Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Denilson, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. They are all likely to be included so it should be a very familiar side.”

So Flamini is back in training? Doesn't he want to leave? I guess nobody has really shown him much interest. He's kindof had it rough, he can't get a chance to play regularly here, which affects other teams' interest in him. Hopefully we can offload him and get a couple of million before the end of the transfer window.

There is no official squad list for this one but that's what we have from the boss.

Elsewhere, Alex Ferguson has said that Arsenal are better off without Thierry Henry.

'They'll be in the top four,' said Ferguson on Sky Sports News. 'I'm more convinced they will be in the top four without Thierry Henry. 'I just thought it was time for him to go. Arsene Wenger knew that, and I think they'll do better.'

That's the first person that has come out and said that he thinks we'll be better without him. I have looked at it both ways myself and have moved on mentally from having him in the team. We played most of last year without him, and we will be fine this year and for years to come.

Cesc Fabregas said that he did talk to Real Madrid, but after talking with Arsene Wenger, decided to stay with Arsenal. He just signed an 8 year deal last year and it's a bit disheartening that he had to have a talk with Wenger just to think about it. You'd think he really loved the club by the length of his deal but I get more and more worried about him leaving sooner rather than later.

He added: “I would try to sign Eto’o — he would be the ideal replacement for Henry. I know it’s difficult, maybe impossible, but it would be the perfect solution.”

That's right about all. Good day lads