Ian Grant
Editor
Thanks to:
Myles Palmer-
Features
Gary Jacob -
News researcher
Bob Bateman -
Design
Adrian Barker -
Perl and CGI programming
...and to everyone else who sent/sends things in
NEWS REVIEWS
FEATURES
POSTSCRIPT 07 AUGUST
There were many prices reported over the actual fee for Davor Suker. Reuters had it at $5.67m; the Sun at £500,000; The Times says: "thought to be less than a million." The Mirror at £1m.;The Daily Mail at £1.3m; The Evening Standard and the Guardian go with £3.5m. The Indy, perhaps the most sensible, hedges its bets with between £1m-£3m.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports the definitive price Marseilles paid Arsenal for Kaba Diawara was $5.8m.
Perhaps if David Dein takes his crusade to EUFA and FIFA there may be a chance that some good will come from the Anelka saga. There are legislative moves planned to tie agents fees to hours worked, and to have contracts not allowing the agent to destabilise the player. And also to divide agents' fees into instalments over the duration of the contract.
Tony Adams says this week that in training there's a Russian interpreter running up and down the line talking to Oleg Luzhny. (But he's not on horseback.)
So what exactly did Pat Rice say to Luis Boa Morte in the Monaco match?:"Now go, now go, now go, now go. Go on!"
At least Luis Boa Morte can chatter in Portuguese to Silvinho. And for that matter Suker can chatter in Croat to fellow countryman, Boro Primorac.
Only one commentator said David Beckham's free-kick almost matched the one Paul Gascoigne thundered into Arsenal's net at the start of the decade. Perhaps lucky that David Seaman missed the match, after all.
See David Lacey is back with some gems:"getting the ball off the Nigerian [Kanu] must be like attempting to take the ball off a circus clown who has it tied to an enormous foot."
One day this week, the bookies had Nicolas Anelka at 12/1 to be Premiership top scorer. Barely hours later they had Davor Suker at 20/1.
Slogger said that Lords should sell the Grace Gates, the Warner Stand, the Memorial Gardens, the Allen Stand and Father Time to Arsenal. Something to do with tradition.
In Hoovers Company database, the main competitor to the Manchester United company is listed as Arsenal.
The Sunday Times say Arsenal Ladies' 'Marianne Pacey' is up for its Sportswoman of the Year award. They add she has enjoyed an incredibly successful 1999, scoring freely for Arsenal and England. Well yes, Spacey is pretty Pacey, as well.
The Anelka effect is felt far further afield than just football fields. The Italian stock exchange reported Lazio shares down 1.55% after the soccer club said on Tuesday transfer talks with English premier league side Arsenal over the future of French striker Nicolas Anelka were not over yet.
And the final word to Wenger on the Anelka affair:"I have a duty to 250,000 supporters, not just one player."
Martin Keown says Kanu, is an even better player, and would give the team "better balance". Spot on.
The Sunday Times moots that if Stephen Hughes stays at Fulham he could become one of Arsene Wenger's biggest mistakes in the transfer market. He scored on his debut against St Johnstone.
Seems like Sunderland is taking over as the repository for Arsenal old boys. Steve Bould joins Niall Quinn. They are joined by Stefan Schwartz.
But Braintree Town are close behind. Manager and ex-Arsenal player Ritchie Powling has just signed ex-Arsenal defender Chris Whyte.
Strange but true: Michael Thomas supported Arsenal fan and new Sports Minister Kate Hoey to get elected at MP for Vauxhall in 1989.
The Guardian points out that since Bould, Adams, Winterburn and Dixon came together, they had the best defence in the division on six occasions. The worst was 7th in 1994/5.
Manchester United chief executive, Martin Edwards seems to think the government is packed with Gooners: "Maybe the Arsenal fans in the government who want us back in the FA Cup should think about the great advantages they will get from us going to Brazil."
Did you know that to keep the twin towers at Wembley, would cost roughly the same as Nicolas Anelka cost Real Madrid?
Referee, George Tyson of the infamous Arsenal v Norwich match where 21 players were involved in a brawl confessed in a BBC programme that he would have booked or sent someone off but for the fact he didn't have a clue what was going on.
Arsenal are being lined up for Jim Leighton's testimonial with Aberdeen at the end of the season.
Although Emile Heskey, Muzzy Izzet and Neil Lennon are all receiving treatment for various injuries, the trio are set to be fit for tomorrow's game at Highbury.
POSTSCRIPT 23 JULY
Roy Keane, Ronny Johnsen and Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer are all out of the Charity Shield match. Ryan Giggs is touch and go. Solksjaer was injured in celebrating his Champions League final winner.
Alex Ferguson today dismissed reports that Manchester United and Arsenal were locked in a tug-of-war for the 27-year-old Argentinian defender Mauricio Pocchittino.
The Irish Times points out the irony of the fact it was ex-Arsenal player George Eastham who broke the "retain" transfer system in 1963 - only for it to go full circle with the "Anelka Frankensteins".
Arsene Wenger still has a lot of sympathy with Anelka:"I talk to Nicolas a lot and still like him. He is being badly advised. If he returns, we'll call all the players together. Nobody knows what the reaction of the players and the fans will be like."
He added:"Before the big clubs came in for Anelka they had all looked everywhere and could not find anybody. That's my problem now," said Wenger.
Emmanuel Petit said £22m is too much for just one player.
Anelka isn't too popular among lower leagues at the moment. If players are allowed to buy themselves out of contracts by paying what the current club initially paid for their services, it could mean clubs such as Crewe, Stoke and Vale, who buy shrewdly to develop talent, going bust.
One paper said in relation to the threatened Anelka strike action, that using that term is downright insulting for anyone who has had to fight for reasonable pay or conditions in a real working environment.
At time of writing, Arsenal are awaiting the decison from the Office of Fair Trading on whether the BSkyB package for televising Premiership games is a restrictive practice. If it is, then Arsenal will be able negotiate TV rights for some of their matches. The decision is more important, long term than the Anelka transfer cash. Carlton are expected to resume talks, if the decision goes against BSkyB. (It didn't - probably for the good of the game?)
As Patrick Burton of Allied Domecq says:"Media is in such a state of flux that no-one can see clearly where we'll be in the next five years."
Jason Crowe has been replaced in the right full back pecking order by 19-year-old Allan McLeod. He appears fourth in line at the moment.
He might take note of the Arsenal career of Laurie Scott who died this week. He didn't have a first team game in his first two years at Highbury and had to wait seven years (war-time) for his debut, going on to be an international.
Arsenal Reserve coach George Armstrong said this week:"If we had an exceptional teenager, I'm sure Arsene Wenger would play him. But because of the competition I can see more young players being unemployed than there used to be."
The Sunday Times noted that Wimbledon scouts have become very active in the North London area. Not surprising, given that ex-Arsenal youth coach Terry Burton and Islington Schools team coach Terry Howard are heading up the scouting network.
Harry Redknapp says Arsene Wenger's problems with Anelka are nothing compared to his trials and tribulations over Florin Raducioiu, who once missed a Cup match because he took his mother in law to Harvey Nicholls.
Arsenal youth player Graham Barrett got rave reviews in the Irish press for his midfield performances in the u-18 European youth Championships.
The Cybury Gooners, a team drawn from Arsenal supporting Internet fans, won World Net 99, a competition against fellow internet football supporters from other clubs.(Well done the lads).
Sega announced it was looking at German and Spanish clubs to sponsor (as well as Arsenal, St Etienne and Sampadoria). A Sega Euro Championship perhaps?
HITS: 1 DECEMBER 1998 - 9 AUGUST 1999 - 339,422
ANR also has a weekly column in three North London papers
NEW FEATURE:SUKER - PROF POACHER
ARSENAL 3 ASTON VILLA 1
Vital match for Arsenal this - and one which turned on a dodgy knee.
Earlier in the week James caught a stud in training (and said whooaa, you shouldn't be doing things like that).
So come 49, holding the ball, with knee getting progressively worse, and unable to kick, James was stranded with no-one to throw to.
And conceded a free kick from five yards for time-wasting.
Up step Bergkamp and Suker. Slight tap - and bang. Anyone who hadn't heard of the Suker left foot - would be hearing about it now. It executed a perfect rising volley avoiding around 17 players in and around the goal-line.
Suker had previously knocked the stuffing out of Villa, near the stroke of half-time.
Arsenal had huffed and puffed in the 85 degree heat. Pretty good build-up play - but the final ball had let everything down.
Until Bergkamp around 30 yards out tried a reverse pass one-two, which put Ehiou and Southgate off guard.
Suker earned a half yard on Southgate, accelerated and toe poked the ball rising into the roof of the net. Welcome to Highbury (on his full debut) Davor Suker.
Arsene Wenger was pleased. "He has the qualities we needed. When he gets a chance he hits the target; he smells danger in the area. He loves to score. He's got good communication with the fans, and is a box player, a bit like Ian Wright"
In fact Wenger said he'll take the free kicks on the right side from now on.
The first half though was a reminder of ANELKALESS ARSENAL. Fine intricate build up play, breaking down a defence by stealth rather than pace.
It is both better to watch, but more frustrating at the same time, if it results in no goals.
Several times, the Arsenal attack cried out for a ball over the top for a rapid striker like Wright or Anelka to get one on one on James - even though Villa play deeper than most.
Until Thierry Henry transforms his game, then we are in for plenty of stealth football.
Overmars, Suker, Parlour and Vieira all had efforts wide or over in the first 45.
But the real moment of midfield creativity in thge first half came from the Magic Man Merson, who juggled the ball three or four times, before setting up Joachim in space to turn it around Manninger.
It seemed like the Villa heads dropped after the second Arsenal goal - as if they'd set out for a point - or a nicked 1-0. Alan Wright seemed the only player to show some effort.
Bergkamp and Suker went off with Fiorentina in mind. And it was only a matter of time before Arsenal added to the tally. Overmars broke on the right and fed Kanu who sidefooted it in with ease.
Arsene Wenger said Arsenal were disciplined and organised and won the battle, and said Grimandi did well in a relatively new position.
John Gregory's deputy, Steve Harris, said:"The ref could have shown a touch more understanding. One or two decisions went against us. We thought the last goal was offside."
"We didn't play well. In the first half, we battled and scrapped, but the longer the game went on, Arsenal became more confident. Once they get into a flow, they are a difficult side to play against."
Older readers may remember the "farce in the fog" of 1945, when Moscow Dynamo beat Arsenal 4-3, allegedly bringing on a substitute without taking anyone off. It is remembered in the new book - Football's Strangest Matches by Andrew Ward.
When Suker arrived at Highbury, ANR wrote:"He is very patient, a player who can concentrate, seeming to do nothing for 89 minutes, and then score." Last Saturday, he's down as scoring in the 90th minute in Croatia's 1-0 victory against Ireland. It was his 42nd goal in 52 internationals.
Ian Wright's zestful performance for Nottingham Forest against Walsall, no doubt had many a Gooner wishing he was back at Highbury.
Ray Parlour was no doubt grateful for being switched from left to right on Saturday. He looked out of position for 20 minutes. As one paper put it:' Keegan realised he was not Romford's answer to Rivelino."
The predictions about Nicolas Anelka's move to Spain appear to be fulfilling themselves. Already he's created problems over his shirt numberand boots, is threatening not to talk to the press, reportedly thinking of quitting football, and saying Raul Gonzalez and Fernando Morientes are not great players but always give each other the ball.
He adds that Spanish football doesn't suit him - the style is too slow.
Arsenal's Stuart Taylor gained valuable experience in the international week, training with the England squad at Bisham Abbey.
Arsene Wenger helped boost last year's poppy appeal for ex-servicemen and women by £250,000. He helped launch the appeal with Des Lynam and Tony Blair for the Royal British Legion, who raised £17.5m.
The Independent on Sunday said there is talk of Don Howe, currently involved in Arsenal's youth set up, joining Bobby Robson's sexagenarian revolution at Newcastle.
Dennis Bergkamp, for one doesn't like playing at Wembley. He told Barcelona's Daily Sport: "I think it's a disadvantage for us. The pitch is very wide and our midfield will be spread out. We have to work a lot harder. I prefer to play on our own pitch." He says the Dutch players in the Barcelona camp say Wembley will suit the Spanish team's style of play.
AIK Stockholm's entry to the Champions League, has made them the richest club in Sweden. For the record they haven't let in a goal for 13 games.
Arsenal are reportedly tracking Brentford centre back Darren Powell.
What was old fox Guy Roux, the Auxerre manager doing at Arsenal v Tottenham Reserves match? Trying to snap up Arsenal talent? Trying to tempt Moussa Saib back to France, more like.
Bob and Meg Wilson have set up a charity called the Willow Foundation, to give young people struck by cancer, special days out, like meeting celebrities. Bob Wilson was nicknamed 'willow' in his playing days, and the foundation is in memory of their late daughter Anna, who fought so bravely against the disease.
Catherine Porter has split up with Arsenal fan and comic Alan Davies and left the house near Arsenal's ground. His agent said:".. Alan's one of the few decent blokes in showbiz...even though he's a Gooner.
Asked who he would lock up and throw away the key for, Tony O'Callaghan who plays Sergeant Boyden in The Bill, said Arsene Wenger the Arsenal manager."They've been doing too well in the Premiership and getting into Europe."
Some pundits wondered last week what would have happened had Bobby Robson come to Highbury after George Graham. Both parties wanted a deal but for Porto's insistence he saw out his contract.
Arsenal Ladies' Marianne Spacey is apparently in with a chance of winning the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award.
When Michael Black replaces Henry, you'd have thought it was an Arsenal match. But no - Barnsley v Tranmere where the young Arsenal player has moved recently. David Hillier is apparently making an impact with Bristol Rovers, following his £15,000 move.
International Federation of Football Historians and Statisticians have worked out that Arsenal are the 21st best club side in the world. Their table is based on a complex formula. Man U are top with Chelsea 5th.
The market liked what they heard at the AGM, with Arsenal shares rising £100.
15 AUGUST-06 SEPTEMBER
Thanks to Gary Jacob for his reviews.
Well you go away, and come back finding Arsenal bruised, but staying at Highbury for another four years.
Good to see Stephen Hughes back from Fulham. He could do a job for Arsenal.
By the way - don't watch Arsenal v Manchester United matches in pubs in Cornwall - hairy.
Full write up of the AGM appearing here soon.
Congratulations to Davor Suker for his goal for Croatia - and to Ray Parlour for being picked in the starting line up against Luxembourg.
More reveiws soon.
SUNDERLAND 0 ARSENAL 0
Stadium of Light, but a game of midfield mediocrity.
Peter Reid packed five in midfield for a point - and with old heads like Schwartz and Helmer, mission accomplished.
Arsenal were the bettter side, but lacked that 'Suker punch'.
Ljungberg, on for Petit, had three chances, the best when he broke clear, and was one on one.
Kanu had a couple, including a diving header towards the end. But he tended to over-elaborate and got caught on several occasions.
Henry had chances too, but at the moment he doesn't look like a natural goalscorer - and will need time to bed down into the Premiership. And to go hard into the tackle.
Upson grew in stature during the match - and given a decent run, has the ability, physique and talent to take over the long term mantle of Tony Adams.
Only towards the end was he troubled by the height of Niall Quinn.
Quinn, on for Phillips, who Upson totally mastered, had Sunderland's best chance - but headed straight at Manninger.
Silvinho was beaten worryingly several times on the left - but he had lots of composure. It will take him several games to get into the swing of things too.
Arsenal really needed the inspiration of Petit and Bergkamp to break down an obdurate defensive shield. But they didn't last longer than the second half - Petit damaging knee ligaments, and Bergkamp dead-legged in a late challenge by Steve Bould.
DERBY COUNTY 1 ARSENAL
On this performance, it looks certain that the World Cup robbed Arsenal of the title last season.
Take just one participant Dennis Bergkamp, who looks a transformed player.
One moment in the first half Derby broke clean on the left. There was only one player who had tracked back - DB10.
At the other end, he was playing more forward, and set up a Vieira volley.
As his manager says, Bergkamp is physically fit for the first time in a long time. And he doesn't come off complaining of pain after matches.
Arsenal demonstrated their superiority in the first half, via passing and clever running off the ball.
Although Delap and Baiano made some headway down the flanks, it was Arsenal who carved out the better chances.
Kanu set up Henry, who shot wide. Then the Frenchman had a glorious chance from a rebounded Dixon cross. But he was a foot wide.
Kanu had a couple of chances - the first a dangerous deflected shot, collected by Poom. Then a shimmy and an attempted banana shot curving inside the far post. It curved past the near post.
So it was down to Emmanuel Petit to show how it was done. With half-time approaching, he found space outside the area, was fed by Vieira, and let fly a curling shot which beat Poom all ends up.
Soon after, though Martin Keown tackled Beck, the ball squirmed up, and fell invitingly for Rory Delap, who hit a wicked curving low volley into Arsenal's net.
A minute after half-time, Dennis Bergkamp timed his run on to Petit's threaded pass, controlled it with his left, looked up, and stroked it sidefoot style, past Poom. Simple, but clinical.
After that, the match became scrappy. Derby terrier like refused to lie down. Some of niggle prevalent in Arsenal-Derby matches re-surfaced. Namely when Henry tugged Scnoor's shirt, with Prior reacting and getting booked. Scnoor appeared to damage a muscle in the incident.
Arsenal - possibly signalling a policy change brought on Luzhny for Kanu and Boa Morte for Henry. Silvinho had already come on for Parlour - damaged ankle ligaments.
And late on they demonstrated a potential goal source hitherto regularly unavailable.
Luzhny took the ball out wide on the right and fired in a perfect cross, curling out slightly and at head height.
This time Boa Morte missed. But a classy header of a ball, like Davor Suker, would possibly have buried it.
As Arsene Wenger said, the perfromance was more resilient thna brilliant.
But with Arsenal topping the table - and with Seaman, Adams to return, and Suker to debut, and Henry to further adapt his game to the Premiership, things are looking up.
ARSENAL 2 LEICESTER 1
EXCITING? Didn't live up to pre-season soap hype
KEY MOMENT (s): Thierry Henry running onto through balls from Kanu and Bergkamp. Symbol of the future
ATMOSPHERE: Steamy
HEARD IN PASSING:"Lucky we didn't buy Heskey." [after he was stretchered off]
WHAT ARSENAL LACKED AT TIMES: Anelka's pace
WHAT ARSENAL DIDN'T LACK: Anelka's face
BEST ARSENAL PERFORMANCE: Bergkamp - classic inside forward play reminsicent of George Eastham, followed closely by Winterburn with an excellent last ditch tackle
WORST ARSENAL PERFORMANCE: Grimandi, gave ball away which lead to Leicester goal
BEST REALISATION: Seeing subs - Henry, Overmars, Silvinho and Upson warm up at half time. Strength in depth
STRANGEST FORMATION: Leicester's 2-8-1. Obviously a point to prove
MOST REASSURING MOMENT: Kanu taking a high ball from Bergkamp, turning and shooting in one movement
MOST UNCOMFORTABLE THING OVERALL: Several people looking at me scribbling notes, one peering over to see what I'd actually written
SECOND MOST UNCOMFORTABLE THING OVERALL: Smoker, in next seat
MOST UNCOMFORABLE INCIDENT: Seeing a bloke in a wheelchair getting knocked over in Gillespie Road - by a big Gooner running for the Tube
FOURTH MOST UNCOMFORTABLE MOMENT: Seeing an article of mine face down on Gillespie Road. There's a lot on Gillespie Road on match days!
MOST CONSOLING MOMENT: Alan Smith's, Tom Watt's and Danny Peters' articles were face down too
WORST HAIRCUT: Emmanuel Petit's. According to the press, he promised to have his head shaved
BEST HAIRCUT: Matt Elliot's
LEAST LIKELY TO SAY: 1-0 to the Arsenal
MOST LIKELY TO SAY: Lucky Arsenal
You don't know what you've got 'til it is gone. And that was true of Anelka's pace in this match, at times.
Watching Arsenal, was like watching a slick machine trying to crank up the gears towards a smoother operation.
Leicester, often playing 2-8-1 made things very difficult. They had a point to prove after their last visit - and an Anelka hat-trick. His ghost possibly pervaded both sides' play.
Dennis Bergkamp, although not 100% match fit, stamped his class and intelligence on proceedings. Early on he set up Ljungberg.
And then sent a long ball, which was instantly controlled by Kanu on his chest. He turned and swivelled a shot all in one move.
Quite a few Arsenal corners and free kicks came to nothing.
Arsenal-Leicester games have a chemistry of throwing up interesting incidents.
On 17 Steve Walsh fell to the ground with no-one near. He tore a groin muscle on the turf. Towards half-time Heskey fell to ground in a challenge with Grimandi. He was stretchered off with a neck muscle injury.
The injection of Thierry Henry at half-time changed things.
He looks like an American 400 metres sprinter. And it only took a minute for him to take a dip over the North Bank. He certainly made things happen.
When Overmars came on he switched to the right. He looks better placed there.
But on 65, Arsenal's defence went to sleep. Grimandi lost the ball, it was fed out left to Steve Guppy whose cross evaded Manninger and Petit's lunge, for that experienced 34 year-old poacher Tony Cottee to tap in.
Arsenal didn't deserve to be behind. And with some good fortune Keown's centre was knocked back by Taggart. The ever alert Bergkamp stole in between Flowers and his defence to control and score a difficult chance with ease.
Kanu set up Henry on goal. His pace got him the chance, but he shot wide. Then Bergkamp did likewise. Same result - only closer this time.
So it was down to an injury time corner, swung deep to the edge of the box. Henry used his height to head goalwards. Frank Sinclair, in no-mans-land went for the headed clearance, only to see it hit the back of his own net.
Arsenal were gifted two points, which, who knows, could be vital come May 2000.
News to 5 August
Another day, another signing. This time Niccolo Galli, the 16 year old Fiorentina defender - who joins Arsenal's band of growing young footballing talent from Europe and beyond.
[That makes it nine in - nine out].
Galli is an u-16 Italian youth international.
Arsene Wenger has denied there will be more signings. He said he definitely won't be signing Karembeau from Real Madrid.
The agreement with Real and Arsenal over Anelka was signed yesterday, according to an Arsenal spokeswoman. It is all down to his medical now.
[Sources close to the medical team are expressing concern that they think he might be an alien, and are examing the contract closely.]
Patrick Vieira says Thierry Henry will fit in at Arsenal well, and take the Premiership by storm. After all he's worked with Grimandi, Petit and Wenger at Monaco and with Petit and Vieira at international level as well.
David Dein says Arsenal regret losing Anelka, because of his talent.
And finally, the Independent has Arsenal finishing fourth in the Premiership this season.
It says it has no worries about Suker and Henry being adequate replacements for Anelka, but has concerns about the number of games, the ageing back line, and the integration of so many new imports.
News to 4 August
Thierry Henry arrived at Highbury yesterday, as expected, for a reported £10-£10.5m - a record Arsenal transfer fee.
He's on a five year contract, worth a reported £20,000/wk.
He arrives with a reputation as a winger - both right (Monaco and France) and left (Juventus). But Arsene Wenger said he's buying him to turn him into a central striker.
That was the position he played when first breaking into the Monaco side at 17. He was top scorer in the French international youth side u-17.
He was put out wide because of other strikers at the club. Similarly at Juventus, who bought him from Monaco for a reported £8m in January, he was played on the left.
With opportunities limited at Juve - and being asked to play a defensive game which didn't suit him, the move to Arsenal was a natural one.
He said he always wanted to come and play at Arsenal. And Arsene Wenger always wanted him here. He confessed he was too late when Juve "snatched" him from his old club Monaco. He would have liked to play him with Anelka.
Arsene Wenger said at the press conference that he has pace and power and with the ball at his feet he can do anything. He added that these qualities are needed in the centre, more than out wide. Although his wing experience will add versatility to the squad.
Wenger said Arsenal had lacked pace in recent games without Overmars and Anelka and it was essential in the Premiership.
It appears that he will dovetail as a front striker with Dennis Bergkamp and Kanu in the hole. That's one theory at any rate. Davor Suker will be cover - at least for the early games.
Nearly 22 (born - 17/8/77), he has remarkable experience - including getting to a semi of the European Cup, and being top scorer for France in the World Cup of 1998, holding 11 caps.
Strangely he lost his place to Anelka earlier this year. One of the reasons he came to Highbury was to get regular games so he could figure in the international set up.
Mates with Patrick Vieira, he'll know Petit and Vieira's style very well, and vice versa.
He's much more of an extrovert than Anelka - and says Wenger he's a team player who works hard.
Henry says he doesn't forsee any problems settling in.
He could well be called on for the Leicester match, given that Kanu is currently reported to be Nigeria, visiiting his mother who is ill.
Some papers think Wenger will further strengthen the squad with a midfielder or defender, with the remaining £10m from the Anelka sale. But Wenger said that was it - for the time being at least. He's happy with his squad. And he doesn't like to buy mid-season.
In fact he regretted not having Henry and Suker a month earlier. Being a sports scientist, it gives him little time to prepare the players for the coming campaign.
News to 3 August
Errr, how the hell can nearly every paper disagree on the price of Suker.
At the bargain basement we have the Sun at £500,000. The Mirror doubles that at £1m. The Daily Mail has it at £1.3m. The Evening Standard and the Guardian go with £3.5m. The Indy hedges its bets with between £1m-£3m. And the Times says: "thought to be less than a million."
Davor says 'gimme a good review in this column'
Most are agreed that he's on £25,000, dropping from £40,000 at Real.
There's an almost Zen type symmetry to the Anelka-Suker moves. But there are major differences between the players.
At the press conference, Wenger likened Suker, or at least his potential, to that of Ian Wright.
Although he's not that quick, particularly compared with Anelka, he has quick feet and a quick footballing brain - which is what you need with Bergkamp, Petit, Vieira and Kanu supplying passes.
I don't think any of the papers provide such a lucid and in depth analysis of Suker than Myles Palmer on this site. Email if you disagree.
His analysis says:
*Suker will be worth £3.5m if he scores goals in the Champions League
* He's a left sided, touch player, and a goal poacher
* He works had at being invisible - and then pounces
* He drifts to the left flank and can relieve defenders by holding it up
* He's used to working with fabulously skilled midfielders
*He's a good passer, header and volleyer.
He's not fit at the moment. Target date is the Manchester United match in three weeks. He has an international in the meantime.
The Anelka move to Real is due to go through tomorrow, with Arsenal receiving the money, reportedly in three separate payments. But just don't bank on it. The medical will probably throw up a spanner or something, which the brothers will want to sell as part of the deal.
It is reported variously between the parameters of £22.5m- £24m - whatever it is, a British transfer record and second only behind Christian Vieiri from Lazio.
And it hasn't stopped there. Juventus chief Moggi, says there's very little difference between Juve's and Arsenal's valuation of Theirry Henry and he will be an Arsenal player. Fee has been variously reported between £8m-£12m, but seems to be hovering at £10.5m.
The Mail reports that Arsenal will buy another striker or central midfielder by next week.
Favourite appears to be Christian Karembeau of Real. Heskey still
crops up too. 
It also says that Luis Boa Morte and Christopher Wreh look set to go.
David Dein says, with Wenger agreeing, that it is hard to find a winner in the Anelka affair. Arsenal got a huge fee, [undervalued says Wenger] but lost a player they didn't want to lose.
Perhaps if Dein takes his crusade to EUFA and FIFA there may be a good chance that it will turn out beneficial to the game.
There are legislative moves planned to tie agents fees to hours worked, and to have contracts not allowing the agent to destabilise the player. And to divide the agents fee into instalments over the duration of the contract.
STOP PRESS: David Dein said: "Arsenal have agreed a fee for Anelka from Real Madrid, subject to contract, and him having a medical." The deal should go through in the next 48 hours.
CHARITY SHIELD MATCH REVIEW
Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1
This one washed Anelka, stink and all, down the plug'ole.
Arsenal, with grit, determination and invention, showed they didn't need the disgraced striker.
In fact, the match highlighted that £24m, if used wisely, could well be significant in tipping the balance of the Premiership Arsenal's way.
Arsenal played Kanu and Ljungberg as deep lying strikers, which had the effect of disrupting Manchester United's play through midfield.
Parlour had an early break - and won a corner. Kanu got in an early back-heel for Petit. Silvinho had a rasping drive.
At the other end the question was: would Arsenal's changed defence stand up to the best attacking force in the Premiership?
A couple of dodgy Grimandi back-passes and hurried clearances set off some tremors.
The challenges suggested that this was no Charity match - confirmed when Butt dived for a penalty, annoying Keown - and attracting a melee of physical angst.
Manchester United were beginning to play the better football. And on 26, Beckham strode up and hit a wonderful free kick with pace and dip - which hit the bar and bounced "in".
It all happened too fast for the ref - a sign that officialdom isn't keeping pace with the game's advances. And it was left to Yorke to head the bouncing ball goalwards, and for Manninger to perform his dsypraxic cat impression, clawing the ball into the goal with his wrong hand.
What officialdom did show in this match was that it is getting more petty - and as Beckham's booking for lip showed, dissent will not be tolerated.
Nor too simulation. [Very worrying considering Arsenal now have Dreamcast plastered all over their shirts.]
Ljungberg and Parlour made some impression down the flanks. And Parlour should have done better with a Ljungberg cross - but didn't connect.
Vieira set Ljungberg up down the left with one of his surging runs, but lacking any support, he fired into the side netting.
Arsenal were up against it in the heat. It was 103 degrees on the pitch.
But in the second half they tightened up a lot. Vieira had more surging and dangerous runs. Kanu held up the ball magnificently, bringing players in around him. Grimandi was putting in a big performance - probably the best seen in an Arsenal shirt.
With May replacing Stam, Arsene Wenger challenged the United back four with the pace of Boa Morte, switching Ljungberg wide, and taking off Silvinho.
[A worrying comment was that United saw Silvinho was very left sided and brought him in all the time, nullifying his effectiveness.]
And United were unsettled. Kanu set up Parlour on the right - and a low drive which beat Bosnich rebounded off the post.
Soon after, Vieira, who was having his shirt tugged by Irwin, fell to ground and won a penalty. He would have to have been having his shirt ripped off his back to match the extent he fell. Nontheless, it was a foul, and the tumble illustrated as such.
Kanu, nonchalantly sent Bosnich the wrong way from the spot.
United had a couple of chances. Yorke was set free, but hit it wide of Manninger's right hand post. And then the Austrian pulled off a great low save from Cole.
But on 76, the ball broke for Kanu in midfield. His control was instant and his pass perfection - into the path of Parlour who drove it wide and low past Bosnich deflecting off the inside of the post and into the net.
Luzhny came on for Parlour late - but the heat also played a big part in Arsenal defending the lead.
Arsene Wenger summed it up when he said:"It was a trophy. And we wanted to win. It was psychologically important to beat them."[It was United's first defeat since last December - 34 games.]
"We had to fight to have a chance. We showed we had the mental strength and spirit to fight back."
"Kanu showed that what he does is class. I hope he has a successful season for his career. And a season without injuries."
On Anelka's impending move to Real Madrid, Wenger said that it is important now to concentrate on the players who "want to fight for us" and to show that the team is more than just one player.
News to 1 August
The majority of papers say Anelka is Real Madrid bound on a £23-£24m deal, in the next few days.
However, the Mail on Sunday, points out that this transfer is more than just money, and principles are at stake, like caving in to player power. So, it moots that a transfer is still a long way off.
A couple of papers point out that part of any Real deal is going public on what caused the situation in the first place. Arsenal again re-iterated that it wants FIFA to review the transfer situation.
Wenger is quite clear - that he's sold for the right price, or not play football for the duration of his remaining contract with Arsenal.
The Sunday Express comes up with a middle ground solution - with an increased offer from Juventus (plus Henry as bait). It says a Juve deal will save face, as dealing with Real could be seen as a U-turn.
[Seems like the majority of fans want to wash their hands of the whole affair and get the money.]
The S.Mirror moots that the Anelka deal will go through and Wenger will launch a £10m bid for Heskey (supported by around another three papers). And that Heskey and Henry are the two forwards that will come in, as required.
The Mail on Sunday has an interview with Anelka saying he won't watch the Charity Shield as he's nothing to do with Arsenal. And he's quoted as saying:"to hell with English people." [This when he could well encounter Arsenal or an English team as opponents in the Champions League, or internationals.]
The Sunday Express, along with one other, says Arsenal could launch a bid for van Nistelrooy - although another has Man U and Arsenal chasing him next year. The Xpress also moots bids for Heskey, Keane and Weah.
There are articles on Alex Ferguson and Martin Keown's attitude to Anelka. Ferguson says he was a peripheral member of the team and Arsenal will recover. He says Seaman, Adams and Bergkamp are more important and influential.
Martin Keown says the team will have faith in whoever Wenger chooses as a replacement(s). However, opposition defences will be pleased, as he represented a big threat.
The NoW says Boa Morte is due to go to St Etienne, when replacements for Anelka and Diawara are found.
Adams and Seaman are due back mid-late August according to a couple of papers.
And finally most predictions say Arsenal will finish in the top
three, but haven't seen any yet which says they'll win it outright.
Terry Venables, somewhat strangely, says Chelsea will win the
title.
News to 31 July
Real Madrid have now nearly turned full circle in the ugly Anelka affair.
Could it be they are the Spanish prince come to rescue the ugly sister?
As one paper puts it rather critically either Arsenal stand by their principles - or sell him for £24m.
Long lens photos of Anelka's agent and Real negotiators were seen on a boat "Take it Easy' in the South of France.
Real look to have answered FIFA's question. And having sewn up a five year TV deal, can afford him - particularly as John Toshack appears potty over him.
Arsene Wenger further distances him from Anelka by saying:"I've washed my hands of him." And it is 99% certain that he'll never play for Arsenal again. The next sanction, if a deal can't be worked out is docked pay.
The Henry deal is " dead because of money". Although some papers are more positive still saying it is more or less a done deal - and that Juve have dropped £1m off the asking price.
Matt Jansen is a name that crops up in the Mirror. And is says Arsenal are set to bid £6m for his services. The piece talks of him being used as back-up when Bergkmap can't fly.
After all the negatives it is good to hear Silvinho talk about loyalty and commitment - even though he's barely been here over a month.
This interview with the press at Sopwell - looking every bit like a good PR move - indicates that the Brazilian, a committed Evangelical Christian (good to see his goal celebrations) with fight to overcome difficulties.
He may be missing black beans, but he says he just loves the Arsenal.
More positive news (two) is that Arsenal are likely to tie up a deal for the Italian u-18 defender Galli, this week. He plays for Fiorentina youth, but as he hasn't signed senior forms, he's eligible to sign for Arsenal - and it looks like he wants to.
One youth in - another out - seems in line with the Wenger Zen philosophy. David Livermore, 19, has gone on a three month trial to Millwall with a view to a £500,000 move.
And so to tomorrow's curtain raiser. The bookies have Man United at 6/5 to win and Arsenal at 15/8.
Arsenal will have a versatile formation with the most probable line up being:
Manninger, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown, Upson, Parlour, Vieira, Petit, Silvinho, Kanu, Ljungberg.
Some papers say Wreh will partner Kanu, and another Boa Morte.
In all the Anelka grime and negativity, there are some positives to look for.
Fred Ljungberg could make a big impact this season - as big as he does when he dons the blue and yellow of Sweden.
He came over really without a break, due to the Swedish season.
Also Kanu will be fitter - and could really show a thing or two.
Silvinho and Luhzny are excellent crossers of a ball and take mean free kicks - so there's already an added dimension this season.
Transfers
Completed In
Oleg Luzhnyi - Dynamo Kiev - Arsenal - £1.5m
Stefan Malz - Munich 1860 - £650,000
Silvinho - Corinthians - £4m
Moritz Volz (M, Schalke 04)- undisclosed
Eric Chukwunyelu (St Etienne) - one year trial
Davor Suker - Real Madrid -£3.5m
Thierry Henry - Juventus -£10.5m
Nicollo Galli - Fiorentina (undisclosed)
Completed Out
David Grondin Arsenal to St Etienne - loan for one year
Jamie Day - Bournemouth
Kaba Diawara - Marseilles £3m
Fabian Cabellero - Atletico Tembetary
Steve Bould - Sunderland -£500,000
Michael Black - Tranmere - free
Jason Crowe - Portsmouth -£1m on appearances
Stephen Hughes - Fulham - three month loan with view to permanent move
Nicolas Anelka - Real Madrid-£23.5m
Probable Out
Alberto Mendez - transfer listed
Christopher Wreh - transfer listed
Possible In
Sophia Kone - Nancy - £4m
Nakarta - Perugia - £3m
Robbie Fowler - Liverpool -£12 -15m
Sergei Rebrov - Dynamo Kiev - £10-£12m
Par Zetterberg - Anderlecht (fee unknown)
Roberto Muzzi - Cagliari -£7m
Joachim Borklund - Valencia -£6m
Jose Cardozo -Toluca
Robbie Keane - Wolves
Alan Stubbs - Celtic
Retired
Remi Garde