No Bid For Arteta, Wilshere Signs Pro Deal, Wenger Going Nowhere

Morning all. A pretty good bit to get through today so let's get right down to it.

We've been linked with Mikel Arteta quite a bit going into this transfer season, but Wenger says no enquiry has been made. Now this could just be trying to throw off potential competition for his signature or he could really be serious about, and I have a hunch that maybe they really aren't interested in Arteta. The rumor was made up first by News of the World or something first, which gives it about zero credibility, and has just taken off from there. I still think he would be a good signing, but as of this point there is no move for him.

Wenger was a little more clear when asked about Andrey Arshavin, saying that there is no progress on him, not saying that we haven't put in an offer or an enquiry. I think Arteta would be a better signing than Arshavin as I've said but many people think he is the answer to our problems. I just think the price tag is too high and the standard of league he has been in does not make for a quick transistion into the Premiership. However, as Wenger said, there has been no progress towards signing him so we'll have to wait on that, which is the usual way Wenger operates. Usually when we buy a player we wait till closer to the end of the transfer window so that we can get the price down a bit.

Moving on to some good news, yesterday was Little Jack Wilshere's 17th birthday, which saw him sign professional terms with the club. It is believed to be up to an eight year deal, which is fantastic. I'll confess that I'm a bit obsessed with Jack Wilshere in a completely not-gay way, but just the same way I'm obsessed with Cesc Fabregas. He's just really, really awesome. I think we can expect huge things from him in the future if all goes well, and I sincerely hope that it does. In other young gun news, Jay Simpson has gone on loan to West Brom and Gavin Hoyte has gone on loan to Watford. It'll be nice to see how Simpson does with the Premiership matches and I'll be looking forward to Hoyte's development as well.

And the latest Arsene Wenger rumor is that he is leaving Arsenal for Real Madrid and taking Cesc Fabregas with him. However, Wenger has rubbished these rumors saying that nobody can doubt his commitment to the club.

“I don’t think anyone can doubt my commitment here. You can question my decisions and I accept that, but not my commitment.

“No [no one has spoken to my representatives], because I represent myself.”

So that clears that one up. He's had the chance to go to Madrid before but I really don't think he wants to. Arsenal gives him the freedom to essentially run the club how he wants to whereas Madrid or say Barca he would always have to be bringing in big names and he would have to take a lot of input from others as to how to run the club. I just don't think that is his thing.

And the last piece of news today is that Shay Given is not a target for Arsenal. It has been rumored by many sources that we would pursue him this January but Arsene says he is not interested in signing Shay from Newcastle. Personally I am a fan of Almunia and think he's proven that he is good enough to win. Is he as good as Petr Cech? No, but only two other people in the world I'd say are as good as him, so what can you expect? I'd rather spend the money on a defender or a midfielder personally.

So that's all there is today. Quite a lot going on, or not going on depending on which way you look at it. Maybe we'll get a new signing today, but then again maybe we'll have to wait three more weeks. We shall see. I'll keep you updated right here though. Cheers.

Freddie Ljungberg to MLS, Amsterdam Cup

Mornin all. It's been very very quiet on the Arsenal front lately. Tomorrow we start the Amsterdam Tournament, which matches us up against Ajax and Sevilla. It should be the final preparation for our Champions League match next Wednesday against FC Twente. We'll be seeing what will most likely be our starting eleven out there Saturday or Sunday. So if you want to know who will be starting in midfield, then you will be able to find out this weekend. Jack Wilshere is again traveling with the squad to Amsterdam, so we'll have another chance to see the youngster work. I love watching him. He might already be in my top three players, although Sagna, Clichy, and Cesc are a hard trio to break into.

Recently released by West Ham, former Gunner legend Freddie Ljungberg is looking for work, and it looks like he may sign with Major League Soccer. I have to say I'd enjoy it if he came to the US. While it's not the best league to watch, it would make it more watchable with Freddie in the mix. I've tried to get into the MLS supporting Colorado (because they have that agreement with Arsenal) but I just can't do it. If Freddie came though I'd have a team to root for, so that'd be good. Either way, I wish him good luck. He's just had some really mad luck with injuries for the last couple of seasons and it hasn't worked out well for him after leaving Arsenal. So best of luck to him, no matter what he decides to do.

Justin Hoyte looks like he could be on his way to Middlesbrough after their sale of Luke Young to Aston Villa. While I am personally a Hoyte fan I think it's probably best if he goes. He's good cover at all of the defensive positions but he will never be a first choice player at Arsenal. He can start week in, week out at Boro and I think he'll be happier being able to play more. He's an Arsenal man through and through though and has been a top class professional during his time here, so I wish him all the best regardless of what happens.

I don't really have that much else to write about honestly. Predictions for the tournament? I say we beat Ajax 3-1 and beat Sevilla 3-2. Adebayor will score in both games. You heard it here first.

Please remember to sign up for the ArseNole Fantasy Premiership League, of which the winner will receive a brand new home kit with any name they want on it. It takes about 2 seconds to sign up so there really is no reason not to. We're going to watch all the matches anyway so just play some fantasy along with it, have some chatter and smack talk, and maybe win a new kit.

There should be a new podcast sometime soon I just haven't had a chance to get it done yet. Let me know what you wanna hear on the next one. Cheers.

Arsenal To Sign Nasri

Ok so it's a very very late post today, and it's not going to be a long one because I am sick at the moment and I'm also tired after work. I was going to wait until tomorrow for this but it appears our first signing of the summer is going to be Samir Nasri. Quotes from the Marseille playmaker seem to point to a move to Arsenal in the next week.

“I’ve maybe played my last game at Stade Velodrome,” said Nasri. “In any case I wanted to finish well.”

Several sources are reporting that the fee is going to be 13.5 million pounds and that it should be completed within the next ten days. It looks like Alexander Hleb may be moving to Barcelona and Nasri is seen as his replacement.

This article contains a quote from his agent confirming that there have been approaches for Nasri.

In other news, Roman Domanech has again proved how much of a cunt he is by leaving out Gael Clichy AND Bakary Sagna from the Euro 2008 squad. They both were in the team of the season and yet can't make it into the French squad at all. Absolute bollocks.

Also, Justin Hoyte has been linked with a 4.5 million pound move to Aston Villa. I like Hoyte more than I like Eboue, but I think Wenger likes Eboue more and he isn't really listening to me, so I'm guessing he'll probably be off. At least it'll bring us some money. I'd be sorry to see Hoyte go though.

That's about all I have time for right now because I've got to lay down. More tomorrow if I get a chance but cross your fingers on the Nasri thing. Cheers.