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"I like money, but I don't love money. I love football." Arsene Wenger, Thursday 8 July
Editor - Ian Grant
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
Lazio have apparently got out of the pre-contractual Real Madrid agreement by offering first option on Diego Simeone.
Incidentally if Anelka goes for £22m, according to one paper,Arsenal, will make a 4300% profit on him.
However if he goes for £32m (£21.5 +10.5m rated Henry), Anelka will be worth around the estimated value of Highbury.
Will jet lag be a factor in the Charity Shield. Manchester United won't touch down again in Manchester until just five days before the Charity Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley on August 1, following their world shirt selling jamboree.
Is Kings Cross emerging as Arsenal's favourite location? Jeffrey Archer was reported to be putting together a consortium for a conference/leisure centre and has approached Arsenal. The plan appears to have the blessing of the Business Tourism Forum, and would use some of the government's £300m urban regeneration fund.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder, Stefan Schwartz could well join up with Steve Bould again. At time of writing he was set for talks with Peter Reid at Sunderland. Kevin Campbell's transfer to Everton is reaching Anelka saga proportions with threats of court action.
Bruno Leal, brother of Luis Boa Morte has joined Southampton on his brother's advice. "I spoke to Luis before I signed for Southampton and he said they are a good club who would be good for my future. He said I would like it in England and so far he is right."
The Times said this week that Wenger calls for the leading clubs to band together and act responsibly, but he knows that the hope is forlorn. Each is trying to get the better of the other and one will always break ranks to set new standards of financial recklessness and deviousness.
Quite an achievement for Steve Bould to hit the post before he even got on to the field at Sunderland - a lamp post in the car park. Dazzled by the Stadium of Light?
The betting fraternity thinks David O'Leary is safer in his job than Arsene Wenger. The Irishman is 8/1 for the sack , while they reckon the Arsenal manager is 7/1.
Manchester United appear to have been knocked out the Cup in the preliminary stages by a little known team from Lancaster Gate.
Analysts said this week that the consistent success of Arsenal and Manchester United squeezed margins in football betting.
According to Reuters, it could be Petit's last season in premier league before trying his hand at Italian serie A.
For those fed up with the transfer speculation, Arsenal have until August 31 to sign players eligible for the Champions' League.
Nano, the 16 year Barcelona based midfielder, who was thought to have signed for Arsenal, is staying at Barcelona.
Giles Coren, commenting on the projected excess of 600,000 men to women in their mid to late thirties by 2007, says going out on the pull on a Saturday night will be like trying to get lucky on the North Bank at Arsenal.
Getting two more strikers, as Wenger has pronounced, seems eminently sensible given that Kanu will miss a month in January due to international commitments, combined with Dennis Bergkamp's non-availability for fly-to matches.
Byron Glasgow, the player at the centre of drug allegations was rejected by Arsenal as a schoolboy because he was only 5ft 6in.
Nicholas Finney, member of the Monopolies Commission panel said this week there were only six Premiership backers of the BSkyB/Manu takeover - including Arsenal.
Ken Jones reminisces over the fight in 1960 of George Eastham, then at Newcastle, to break the retain-and-transfer system which held players to clubs under a £20 per week ceiling on wages.
Ex-Arsenal player, George Eastham says from his South African home:"I don't think any of us thought that things would develop in the way they have. He adds:"Some of the salaries are ridiculous, frankly out of all proportion to the ability I see on television."
POSTSCRIPT 09 JULY
Man U fans will have to pay dearly for success. Following all last seasons Cup games would have cost £268. Getting to Rio and accomodation will cost around £1885 - and that's without match tickets.
The mag Revolution reported that the Arsenal official website attracted £53,000 in ad revenue during March.
Quite a few eyes on Arsenal youngster Jermaine Pennant in the u-16 England v France and Argentina games. Pennant beat his men in wide poistions on a number of occasions, and won a man of the match award. His performances prompted Howard Wilkinson to say that wing play is a dying art, and wingers a rare breed indeed.
Frank McLintock reveals this week that: "Every Friday at Highbury there would be a Scottish v English five-a-sides match. We had an indoor gym at the time made up of red ash. And, no matter who we were playing the following day, we used to kick lumps out of each other!"
He adds: "I had a pub in Islington at the time called the Sutton Arms. The Scots fans were returning from the game and they all had souvenirs. My pub was covered in Wembley turf. It was amazing!"
New Forest manager David Platt was rumoured to be after George Armstrong and Stephen Hughes this week. Forest have a tradition for wing play, but Armstrong is being touted as his NO 2.
Arsenal are alleged to have bid £1.5m for Bernard Diomede, the Auxerre and French World Cup forward. Peter Taylor is said to be interested in Nigel Winterburn as his NO 2 at Gillingham.
Fantasy League's throw up strange prices for players. Take the People's, with DIxon and Winterburn being £1m more expensive than Oleg Luzhny; and Ray Parlour being half a million more than Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit.
With all the fuss about Nicolas Anleka, Eric Chukwunyelu has slipped in virtually unnoticed from St Etienne.
The makewights in any Anelka transfer deal increase by the day. First it was de la Pena, then Boksic, the Andersson, then Mancini, and now Salas. Scottish papers are reporting the Chilean is available for £16m.
The FA's David Davies should by rights be an Arsenal supporter. He was born in N. London and his parents ran a grocery shop near Euston station - but he turned to Man U, which has turned out to be quite handy for them of late.
Tony Adams requested that a hit record be played for his daughter Posh Spice on BBC Radio 2. Ed Stewart asked, somewhat ridiculously, if Posh was really the Arsenal player's daughter. But it was Tony Ash Adams, father of Victoria Adams.
Hills have made Arsenal 6-1 FA cup favourites. The draw for the preliminary round on August 21 took place yesterday.
Michael Thomas's winner at Anfield is still the most memorable moment in football, according to a poll in Total Football. Gazza's goal against Scotland was second, with Solskjaer's winner against Bayern, third. Nayim's goal in 1995 was 26th, while Dennis Bergkamp's winner against Argentina was 40th.
Next season's Champions League winners will get £4m, with the runners up at £2.4m. Seventy five per cent of the £331m in sponsorship and TV deals will be shared among 32 teams, with the rest going on administration. All clubs will require all seater stadiums to take part in the competition, the season after next.
The following 15 clubs, along with Arsenal will enter the first round of the Champions League, joining 16 clubs which have come through the three qualifying rounds: Manchester United, AC Milan, Lazio, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bordeaux, Marseille, Feyenoord, Willem II, FC Porto, Olympiakos, Sparta Prague, Rosenborg (Norway).
Today sees the traditional Borehamwood v Arsenal fixture at 7.30pm.
Arsenal are 7/4 for the title according to Ladbrokes, with the Tote placing them at 5/2.
According to Danny Baker, if Arsenal lift the treble, it will be a sort of two and seven eighths, achievement, now that Man United aren't in the FA Cup.
Arsenal fan William Winter, 81, of Chigwell, Essex, said in the D.Mirror: "If they [Man U] pull out of one competition they should pull out of the lot."
Connor Hanna, Mirror journalist and United fan said:"I'd rather see us humbled in the third round by a mediocre side like Arsenal than not play at all."
Columnist Mark Lawrensen said that United could have played in the FA Cup:"If Arsenal or Chelsea were asked to put out two teams capable of competing at the top level, they would have no chance. But United have."
At time of writing (Tuesday) Arsenal player Michael Black is deciding whether to accept an offer from Stockport County. The Stockport boiss says:"He comes highly recommended by Arsene Wenger, which says a great deal." But three days is a long time in football - he went to Tranmere.
The 20 Premier League clubs are expected to lay out some £80 million in net transfer fees this season, paying the players in their squads more than £300 million in wages - an average of more than £6,000 a player each week.
Arsenal young Irish star Graham Barrett will feature in the forthcoming u-18 Championship in Sweden, later this month.
Saying you want to join Arsenal can be costly. Dietmar Hamann was fined £30,000 this week for saying it.
Strange letter in Design Week from creative consultancy, Enterprise IG, which says If Arsenal can be creative, so can we.(?)
Veteran teams from Arsenal and Tottenham, along with others will take part in a tournament at Battersea Park on Sunday. Terry Venables will present the prizes at Shoeless Joe's, the following Monday (19th).
Meanwhile Terry Neil will present a trophy to the winners of the City World Cup - a competition between community teams and companies in the City.
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
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
Omer Riza - unconfirmed
Probable Out
Stephen Hughes - transfer listed -£4m
Alberto Mendez - transfer listed
Christopher Wreh - transfer listed
Probable In
Possible In
Nakarta - Perugia - £3m
Robbie Fowler - Liverpool -£12 -15m
Kieron Dyer - Ipswich - £6m
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
Stubbs - Celtic
Possible Out
Gilles Grimandi
Retired
Remi Garde
Season stats
Kanu came third in the goals/minutes played ratio -90.3 mins /goal
Anelka came third in the most shots (95), and second in the most shots on target (51) section
Arsenal as a team had the most shots on goal - 524
Vieira came second in the most tackles (209), beaten by prospective Arsenal player Olivier Dacourt (216)
Arsenal, the team, came third in the most tackles league at 1333
However Paddy came second too in the most fouls, coming second to ex-Arsenal player John Hartson (106)
Injuries
16/05
Vivas - knee
Manninger - broken arm
Nigel Winterburn - broken nose
Dennis Bergkamp's record (up to end March)
Goals - 9
Goal assists - 13
Shots on target - 31
% shots on target 57
Corners won 16
Points - 1286
Arsenal's record prior to Newcastle (supplied by OPTA)
Goals 43
Average/game 1.31
Shots 330
% on target 47
% goals to shots 10
Short passes 9072
Long passes 1232
Pass completion 79%
Crosses 422
Cross completion 21%
Goals conceded 12
Goals conceded/game .46
% of tackles won 66%
Blocks/interceptions 1688
Fouls 313
Yellows 47
Reds 5
Foul Play Table
Sheff Wed - 478
Leicester - 518
Aston Villa - 526
Wimbledon - 530
Man U - 584
Newcastle - 587
Arsenal - 598 (5 Red,47 Yellow,313 Fouls)
Riches League (Deloitte Touche) 1996/97 season
Manchester United £87.9m
Newcastle United £41.1m
Liverpool £39.2m
Rangers £31.7m
Tottenham Hotspur £27.9m
Arsenal £27.2m
Arsenal are third in the Premiership attendance League on 38,095
Goal Ratio League
Arsenal are 14th - 23 games and 24 goals
Goals/game 1.04
Minutes/goal 86 mins
Arsenal are second in the HOME POINTS league
Arsenal are fifth in the AWAY POINTS league
Arsenal are fourth in the S.Mirror's average attendance in 34 years league (!) - 31,149.
Arsenal have not lost at home for 24 games
Arsene Wenger is the 8th longest serving manager in the Premiership.
Arsenal are currenly third in the Mail 's Entertainment League
Anelka's Premiership record
Minutes 2018
Goals 12
Shots on target 38
Off target 37
Assists - 4
Passes - 592
OPTA Leagues
David Seaman 9th- 55
Lee Dixon -7th - 658
Nicolas Anelka - 10th -655
Dennis Bergkamp -9th -666
Most fouled
The NoW says Ray Parlour is the fifth most fouled player in the Premiership (on fouls for). He's been fouled 43 times prior to Preston. Ginola is top at 52.
Statistics - history (Premiership games up to Villa, from Carling OPTA)
Matches -16
Goals -15
Average goals/game -0.94
Shots - 218
% on target - 48
%goals/shots 7
goals against - 7
Average goals against/game -0.44
Tackles - 552
Tackles won - 70%
Fouls - 181
Yellows - 28
Red - 3
Arsenal are currently 10th in the MoS European League:
Played 27
Won 11
Drawn 11
Lost 5
For 31
Against 20
Points 54.3
NEWS TO - 21 JULY
Arsenal and Juve are in talks over Thierry Henry for between £9m-£11m, depending on which media you take.
It is good news if it comes off because:
*Henry wants to play for Arsenal and Arsene
*He can play left, right and down the middle - giving much needed versatility to the attack
*He'll fit in with the other World Cup squad members Petit and Vieira
*Wenger knows him from his Monaco youth days
*He can develop as a player under Wenger, whereas at Juve his chances were restricted
There is talk of a six year contract, for the 21 year old.
Scary talk from Anelka and Bosman's lawyer in the D.Mail about challenging the rights of clubs to stop players walking out (buying out of contracts) which is successful would bring anarchy to the transfer market.
One paper alone says Arsenal are planning a double swoop adding the £6m rated Christian. Arsenal sources are quoted as saying they are confident they can agree a package - even though a package has been agreed with PSG.
NEWS TO - 20 JULY
Stop Press: Incredibly muddled reports say Arsenal are about to sign Lennie Henry.
One theory is that Arsenal bid for Emile Heskey, and were turned down - and Lennie was the nearest person who looked like him.
Sources close to the club said:"After the Anelka affair we need to put the fun back into football."
Henry was thought to say:"My wife's French, so I'll probably fit in"
Not much Arsenal news in today's digital scans and paper searches.
Main story, is that Tony Adams isn't with the party which went to Lyons in preparation for the friendlies against St Etienne and Monaco.
Both these matches are being televised (See cable & satellite listings for times and exact details - believed to be Eurosport on Saturday (St Etienne), and Channel 5 on Monday (Monaco).
The tabs go heavy on clinical investigations over the next 48 hours to see whether Tony A has to go under the knife for a hernia.
All in all it is a blow, given Steve Bould's departure and Matthew Upson's hamstring (Notts County). Injury crisis before the season begins? Perhaps.
One paper says the most likely pairing is Keown and Luzhny at centre back.
One paper says Wenger bid cheekily for Chris Perry at the end of last season for £3m, but was knocked back.
Another paper says the Dalglish leaving Liverpool, because of stress, could be used in the Anelka transfer fiasco.
Although Lazio have officially stated they have pulled out - unofficially this might not be so. One paper puts it:" the transfer might be resurrected if pressure is brought to bear."
Wenger is quoted that he'll press Anelka into service if he hasn't signed another replacement striker by 31 August - the CL deadline. He says he doesn't want a recurrence of last year when it took around 6 months to replace Ian Wright.
A Highbury spokesman is quoted as saying - it is not known whether Anelka will join the main party in France.
[At the moment it is the worst of all worlds. Either Anelka is in for another season; or we get a replacement striker or two with the money. At the moment we neither have Anelka, or replacement strikers.]
Elesewhere, it is mooted that the Anelka entourage might apologise to David Dein (in an attempt to get the Lazio ball rolling?).
And finally, Glenn Helder, a sort of Arsenal panic buy from Vitesse Arnhem right at the end of George Graham's tenure, who promised much, but delivered little, is moving to MTK Budapest.
He's obviously Hungary for the action.
NEWS TO - 19 JULY
A real rag-bag over the week-end.
Arsene Wenger in some ways exorcises our frustrations over the Anelka shenanegans by saying he's frustrated as everyone else; that he wanted to keep the player; that Arsenal have been forced to sell him.
He adds that Arsenal now have to get the best price for him; and he says that a replacement won't be found in a couple of weeks. It will take time.
He points out (in more than one paper) that everything has been back to front on this one - that Arsenal have often been last to know of developments. This all originated from illegal approaches, and not through the club.
There is a story in the News of the World that Arsenal could dock Anelka's wages for not turning up for training.
There's an opportunity, now, to make a stand - a la Sheffield United - and take a swipe at player power for the clubs' sakes.
It is difficult to judge the truth of any report. Wenger says Arsenal are still negotiating with Lazio. Lazio say they have broken off negotiations. Highbury insiders are quoted as favouring the Juve package - which some papers report as £22m, some £32m.
Juve meanwhile are quoted as saying they are not interested in Anelka.
The Observer points out that whatever happens, this will be the longest running transfer saga. (Hmm, not sure about that.)
The Express on Sunday focuses on the fact Wenger wanted to sell Anelka for £18m and get on with squad rebuilding. While it says Dein wanted more - £20m (plus). (Not sure about this, either.)
One paper points out that Anelka blows hot and cold - in May it was Marseilles for Anelka; in June it was Real Madrid, and in July, Lazio was Anelka's favoured destination.
Wenger, post Notts County match, which Arsenal won 1-2, denies he is after Jeffers, saying he's a bit unproven. But he still admits to tracking Christian, the Brazilian forward.
Silvinho shone in the County match. Wenger said:"he's neat, quick and got an eye for goal."
And finally, congratulations to Alex Manninger for being called up into the full Austrian squad. He'll miss Arsenal's preparatory matches at St Etienne and Monaco.
NEWS TO - 16 JULY
Shock news is that Tony Adams is reportedly (Sun) out for six weeks with a hernia.
He doesn't need an op - just rest.
The Sun also reckons Arsenal are after Jeffers the 18 year old Everton forward and preparing a bid for £5m. (Can't see this somehow).
The paper points out that although Walter Smith doesn't want to let him go, he didn't want Feguson to go and was powerless to stop it. Everton may want the money.
Is the end in sight of the Anelka affair?
Everyone hopes so.
Lazio increased their offer to £20m (with a £2m reduction in agent's fees) which goes half way to Arsenal's reported valuation.
So £2m stands between the deal going through, allegedly or not.
The D.Mail alone says Lazio have pulled out of talks for good, quoting Cragnotti as saying he's sick and tired of the story.
The Guardian has an in depth piece on the whole affair which claims the 'latest' Juventus bid is a red herring, and were never interested.
Luciano Moggi, the club's vice-president said:" We could have signed him in April when we had the chance."
Stefano Chioffi of Corriere dello Sport says the Anelka affair represents a big increase in player power in relation to the clubs.
Indeed, the article says the Anelka affair has left an indelible mark on future transfer dealings.
There is still some disagreement among the papers as to what is on the table. Some think it is £20m plus the £4m sell on clause + £2m in agents fees, while others say it is £20m straight cash + £2m agents fees.
There's an article in the Mirror about Emmanuel Petit - and how he feels a special bond with the Arsenal supporters - something he'll never get in Serie A, even though he could get three times the money.
He said he was presuaded to stay by Arsenal staff and lots of letters from Arsenal fans, at the time he was contemplating leaving over the attitude of English referees.
And we'll finish as we started with Tony Adams. Mike Rowbottom says in the Independent that Tony Adams appealing to the referee whilst at the same time obstructing the opposing player is a 'thing of beauty'.
OK, if you say so - beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.
NEWS TO - 16 JULY
The Anelka saga drags on and on. Yesterday, it was dragged into the realms of a circus, as Lazio were going to parade Anelka at a press conference, before Arsenal stepped in and objected.
However, as much as can be deduced from the sub plot, is that both parties are talking.
The Indy even goes so far as to say a deal might be concluded soon. The Times quotes Lazio officials as waiting to be invited to London for the resumption of talks.
One paper has it that "Highbury insiders" say Arsenal favour the Juve package - although some say he should sit out some of his contract.
A couple of papers quote parallels with the George Michael case against Sony - how the singer fought and lost. It by no means certain if Anelka takes legal action he'll win. It might be he has to buy out - but a lot of things are uncertain.
It was also a day of might have beens, but weren't as regards other players linked with Arsenal.
Christian has been snapped up by PSG, according to the D.Star which goes on to list Nistelrooy and Nano as other players to turn down Arsenal, this summer.
Hamman, who is Liverpool bound for £7.5m, is another who slipped away in strange circumstances, with one paper saying Newcastle refused to do business with the London club.
Meanwhile, the Sun reports that Eric Chukyenwalea (sp), the 17 year old Nigerian striker, has been given a year's trial here. He's from St Etienne.
ANR reported this over a week ago.
NEWS TO - 15 JULY
Strange political stuff.
The D.Mail sums it up:"Last night Cragnotti's personal spokesman in Rome confirmed: 'Yes, Arsenal wanted £22 million, we offered them £18m. And we also offered to pay Arsenal the difference, £4m, if Anelka moves on before the year 2003.'"
The Times disagrees. It says Arsenal wanted £22m plus 15% of value when sold.
Another paper says £22m plus £2m commission. The Sun says there is £4m in agents fees; the D,Express says £1.5m.
The D.Mail says Juventus have come up with a plan - £32m for Anelka plus Henry, plus a loan move allowing Anelka to go the real Madrid for a season. Juve would then sell Inzaghi, with Anelka replacing him in the 2000/1 season.
So the D.Mirror was the nearest the truth in predictions yesterday.
In some fields of journalism, companies sue if you report the wrong figures!
Interesting that a couple of premiership heavweights have sided with Arsenal and Anelka. Dennis Bergkamp says that Arsene Wenger has done everything right so far. David Ginola, says, he should stay at Arsenal, who have been loyal - English football is good for him.
A Lazio spokesman said that there's an 80% chance of things going through. It could go through in the next few days. But Arsenal have to contact Lazio.
Arsenal were reported to have bid £7m for Roberto Muzzi, the Cagliari striker, whose move to Udinese has broken down.
Ruud Van Nistelrooij has re-affirmed he won't be joining Arsenal, even if they increase their offer (£12m). He says he wants to stay on home soil in the run up to Euro 2000; and he wants to win something with PSV.
(Interesting than RvN is DB10's replacement when Holland fly abroad.)
Stephen Hughes turned down a £3m move to Fulham - he didn't want to play non-Premiership football. Liverpool are still interested - and the only club to meet the asking price (£4m) so far.
However, Stefan Schwartz is emerging as a rival at £5.5m - although some papers report he's virtually a Sunderland player - only having to have his medical.
And finally - at the nobler end of the football spectrum, Tony Adams received his MBE yesterday.
He looked suitably down to earth, even though he was wearing a top hat.
He said that his hard work had been rewarded; that he's a humble human being; and that this is his 17th season - and that he has one or two more left.
NEWS TO - 14 JULY
July 14 - Bastille Day - a French day if ever there was one. And the day that Nicolas Anelka is set to finally walk out on Arsenal to a new career at either Lazio, Juventus or mending TV sets.
The chances are that' he'll go to Lazio - for £26m (plus a sell on fee which some papers believe is £5m).
This would avoid a nastly legal situation, involving European employment law and the Bosman lawyer, Jean Marie Dupont, who Anelka called in yesterday to get Juve off his back.
It will be interesting to see who is right. Today's papers -
*£26m (plus sell on) D. Mail and Guardian
*£23m (£18m now plus £5m sell on) D.Mirror
*£19m all in - The D.Express
Even Arsene Wenger thinks the balance is in favour of Lazio because Anelka doesn't want to go anywhere else.
Anelka is quoted in one paper as preferring to mend TV sets, or go on strike rather than go back to Arsenal.
He (Nicolas van Hoijanelkadonk, or Nicolos Collynelkamore) is quoted as currently being off sick with stress and depression.
Incidentally, one paper says Dennis Bergkamp knew that Anelka wanted to move on last season
By noon, then hopefully, THE BIG CONSTIPATION will be over!
Any Fowler transfer - even for an increased £15m appeared to be dealt a death blow by Liverpool's acceptance of an offer from Granada, which gives them £22m.
(Up until yesterday, quite a few sources believed Fowler was on his way to Highbury - the delay being due to collection of season ticket money.)
Arsene Wenger admitted that the Fowler thing was over last night.
Stephen Hughes was at Anfield set to join the Granada revolution for £4m, but Fulham appear interested too along with Watford. (Latest news is that he's Fulham bound for £3m.)
Ruud van Nistelrooij (oy) the PSV hit man, reportedly turned down a £12m offer to go to Highbury - even though it says PSV accepted the bid.
He says he may go to Highbury next season - but only when he's aware of all the offers.
However, the Daily Star thinks that an increased bid of say £15m would capture him?
The advantage to both Arsenal and Holland is that Rijkaard, the Dutch manager sees an ideal pairing of RvN and DB10 for the Dutch national side, rather than DB10/Kluivert.
The PSV manager is quoted as saying it is important RvN and Luc Nilis stay together as a pair.
In other news, Alex Feguson picks eight Arsenal players in his non-United eleven: Seaman, Winterburn, Keown, Adams, Vieira, Petit, Bergkamp and Overmars. The non-Arsenal players are Ferrer, Anderton and Owen.
And finally, a little paragraph, says Wolves' Dean Richards wants to move to the Premiership on a free and is thinking about Southamption. Jump in there Arsene?
NEWS TO - 13 JULY
Lazio appear to upping their offer on Anelka to £25m in a final take it or leave it offer. (Believe it when you see it).
Meanwhile the D.Mail has an interesting story saying Juventus are serious about a £32.5m package involving Anelka £21.5m plus Henry plus Amoruso on loan for a year.
It says they have enlisted the services of one Michael Platini to get Anelka to Turin.
Meanwhile to put it all in perspective, ex-Arsenal player Ian Selley is making the umpteenth comeback after only playing three games in two years.
He broke a leg early on in his Fulham career - and then broke down on his comeback.
He must be one the unlckiest players around - but can take inspiration from the career of Paul Bracewell, who overcame multiple injuries.
Human qualities is what football should be about, not the above, and his kin who have cast a sorry shadow over the beautiful game.
Incidentally Jeffrey Archer has approached Arsenal about joining a consortium to develop a centre at Kings Cross. Handy if he becomes mayor. The mayor has the final say over planning permissions. Tee hee.
NEWS TO - 12 JULY
The weekend throws up another exotic bunch of names in the transfer stakes linked with Arsenal.
Primarily Ruud van Nistelrooy, (S.Mirror) the young PSV striker who Bobby Robson describes as having more potential than Ronaldo.
He's valued at £12m and has scored 31 goals in 34 games.
The other main name is Niccolo Galli, variously reported at 16 or 18 and also Highbury bound, allegedly.
This is the smart work of Brady's ever expanding youth network. Liam knows Niccolo's father, Giovanni.
The Italian youth international is registed with Sampadoria - who allegedly are upset because they say they could have sold him to Bologna or AC Milan.
Nano, the young Barcelona based midfielder, who allegedly signed for Arsenal on a four year contract, is staying in Spain, after all.
Ugo Ehiogu would have been an exotic name had he been arriving - but it almost sounds English now.
Anyway, he's publicly criticised Aston Villa for their perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market, and may be censured.
However he sounds like he might want to be off with comments like 'I've been here eight years and I'm stale'. And Arsenal are reported to be interested (Sport First).
Quite a few papers say Wenger is looking to Fowler or Heskey, with the MoS saying both.
The majority think that Wenger will come in with an improved bid, £15m.
[ANR thinks Stephen Hughes availablility becomes highly significant in all this.]
We also have doubts whether Heskey is good enough, at the moment for the Arsenal first team. He also likes his Mum's cooking, and is cosy in Leicester.
Others say the Brazilian Christian and a swap such as Henry, or Boksic - related to the Anelka transfer.
ANR thinks Rebrov is a dark horse. Arsene often buys in pairs - and ex-team-mate Oleg Luzhny has laid the ground. That would make two horses.
Wenger says that Anelka is worth more to Arsenal than £30m, an indication that he's on his way or a last public attempt to get him to stay.
Again he re-iterates that Nicolas has had his head turned. It is based on an illegal approach, an offer of four times his current salary, along with agreed public statements designed to destabilise and make it impossible for the player to carry on playing with the club.
At any rate, the whole sorry saga has a deadline. Lazio's is noon today. While Arsenal's is 19 July. If Anelka hasn't gone by then, he remains an Arsenal player.
An interesting initiative is reported in Sport First, which has backing from the LMA - clubs being docked points by FIFA for illegal approaches for players.
If it gets sanctioned then it should be called the "Wenger" principle.
BOREHAMWOOD
There's a good article in the Independent by Alex Hughes on the Borehamwood game which ARSENAL WON 1-6.
He runs the rule over the new and newish boys.
*Malz appears creative, having some mazy dribbles, comfortable with both feet on the left midfield area
* Luzhny is quick and strong, as expected, on the right
*Pennant beat his men with regularity, got good crosses in, reminding the author of a young John Barnes.(If Anelka was worth £500,000 at 17 and is now £20m plus, how much will Pennant (£2m) be by the time he's 20.
Arsenal old boys figure in transfer talk. Stefan Schwartz could be re-united with Steve Bould at Sunderland. He's having talks there this week.
Kevin Campbell's transfer to Everton is reaching 'Anelka saga' proportions.
Arsenal reserve coach, George Armstrong has turned down Nottingham Forest's approach. The People say his wife didn't want to live in the Midlands.
And finally there's a slightly ridiculous story in the S.Mirror about Adidas, Spurs kit sponsors, beaming an image onto Highbury.
Not illegal, as such, but rather silly. They are behind in the giant competitive marketing race, which may account for these sort of tactics.
NEWS TO - 09 JULY
Nearly all the papers have identical stories today.
First the non-Anelka news.
Arsenal have confirmed their home ties in the Champions League will be at Wembley.(Indy)
Arsene Wenger is quoted at 8/1 to lose his job before the end of the season.
Steve Bould had an accident with a lamp post in the Sunderland car park (obviously dazzled by the Stadium of Light). To hitthe post before going onto the field is quite an achievement.
Arsenal have confirmed they are looking at Christian, the Brazilian forward -" along with several other players." ( Our contacts say he's big and beefy and could be a handful).
Wenger is quoted as saying he wants two more strikers.
Roberto Muzzi has confirmed he wants to go to Udinese not Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger talks deeply in most papers about the Anelka situation:
*he's not a bad boy; his head has been turned by agents/advisers
*he's not that unhappy in London; he's probably been told to say that he is
*It is not certain that he'll go
*If Arsenal don't want to sell him, then he won't go
*But if a club can meet Arsenal's valuation, then maybe he can go
*It could be unhealthy in the dressing room, if a player just doesn't want to play for the team
*(Again there is confusion as to what Arsenal's valuation is - quoted at £21m, £22m and £24m in today's press)
*Clubs should make a stand against player power - it is ruining soccer
*Wenger refers to the de Boers and van Hooijdonk
*Wenger has lost contact with Anelka - an unhealthy situation
*To approach players under contract with offers of higher wages, is not legal
Arsene Wenger also comes out strongly against the Man U pull out, saying they have enough reserve strength to play in both competitions.
Interestingly missing the FA Cup will make their League run-in easier.
NEWS TO - 08 JULY
Anybody notice that Eric Chukwunyelu has arrived from St Etienne.
According to some papers, the Anelka thing should be sorted out today. An Anelka delegation is allegedly flying in from Paris.
The Italian press is reporting that the Henry swap + cash is on from Juve - it was reported in a UK Sunday.
However, Boksic, Andersson, Couto and de la Pena are all mentioned as part of deals to Lazio.
The exodus of players from Arsenal continues with Jason Crowe joining Portsmouth for £1m depending on appearances.
Michael Black has gone to Tranmere on a free.
Liverpool are keen on Stephen Hughes with some saying they'll meet the £4m, with others saying £2.5m.
Arsenal are still listening to offers for Wreh and Mendez, according to the IG.
ANR sources say Omer Riza has gone (probably to Portsmouth) but this is unconfirmed.
Steve Bould in an interview, reported in most press, says that Tony Adams and Martin Keown have at least another two years, while Nige and Lee have 18 months.
He said Arsenal's fitness regime has extended his career for two years. And he pays great tribute to Arsene Wenger who was as good as his word by keeping Bouldy informed if anyone was interested - even though Arsenal didn't really want him to go.
And he says Anelka should stay under Wenger for another two years.
The Islington Gazette says the new training ground is on course to finish in September.
It also says the three new recruits could play at Borehamwood on Friday (7.30).
Both Jerome Pennant and John Spicer got rave reviews for the England u-16 games, recently.
STOP PRESS: News just in: Nicolas Anelka has gone on loan to Darlington for a year.
NEWS TO - 06 JULY
The Daily 'NELKA: Roll up, roll up - hear how a confused 20 year old makes a mockery of the Euro transfer market.
Do we hear £21m for a prime bit of French rosbif. Yes, why it's the Daily Express.
But wait a mo, what's that red thing over there, why it's the Daily Mirror at £25m. Corrrrr.
But ooohhh arrr, not so far, it's the Daily Star at a staggering £28m.
The Times and Indy think that Roberto Mancini may figure in any deal. He was with the Cragnotti's yesterday in the hours of negotiations.
The Times thinks he may be a makeweight (at 34?), saying now Sutton is at Chelsea, they wouldn't want Mancini. But the Indy veers more towards the fact Chelsea are still interested.
The D.Star has some interesting quotes about sticking points, and focuses on a £4m discepancy between Arsenal's alleged valuation of Anelka £28m compared to Lazio's £24m.
Strange quote from Wenger in the Express after hours of talks:"There's no new developments. I'm concentrating on the players who are here."
And from the Lazio camp - there won't be a breakthrough in the near term.
Could it be he's staying another year. Doubtful, if you read the D. Telegraph.
The best article, by far, today, is by fellow Highbury & Islington Express columnist Alan Smith, in the Telegraph.
Alan calls it a "disgraceful and underhand" transfer saga and points out:
*Anelka didn't like London, had no friends there, and the press 'didn't like him'
*That a few observers said he didn't have what it takes in the competitive league
*He seemed unwilling to put himself about for the team cause
* David Grondin seemed to be his only friend at the club
*He never seemed to grasp dressing room humour, thinking they were laughing solely at him
*He refused to travel to an away game, and Wenger had to get off and coax him, via his brother to get on, whereupon Anelka said he thought the entire team didn't like him
Other news:There's quite a few transfer tables in the light of the Sutton to Chelsea move at £10m.
Sutton is fifth in the list of top transfers involving British clubs. Dennis Bergkamp is eighth at £7.5m.
Given Stan Collymore is seventh at £8m, and Kevin Davies ninth at £7.25, the Bergkamp transfer must be the best value buy in the whole list, by a long way.
NEWS TO - 05 JULY
So Steve Bould goes to Sunderland for £500,000. A fair compromise given that Steve wanted and deserved a final big pay day and a two year contract, but Arsenal wanted a reported £1m.
Watford's interest meant he wouldn't have gone on a free anyway. He'll miss an Arsenal testimonial. But he'll get more first team appearances than at Liverpool.
[Steve Bould was a person you'd have liked to have alongside in the trenches, solid, dependable, reliable. When the going got tough, he got going.
Opposition forwards said over the years that he was, like Tony Adams hard but fair. And he earned their respect.
He got really close up to opposition forwards on the pitch. But he had to adjust his game quite radically over the years. First - with the offside laws changes. Then with the FIFA rules favouring attackers - and the onset of more yellow and red cards for mis-timed tackles.
His pate was a symbol of the longevity of the Adams, Bould, Dixon, Winterburn (ABDW) back four. As he lost more and more hair, his play seemed to get better and better. I can remember when Arsenal played Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly the light reflected dazzlingly off his head, as the players warmed up.
He was a great servant to Arsenal. A model professional. And we wish him well.
Of course Steve's departure means the break up of the ABDW defence.
Arsene Wenger summed it up when he said that they are a unique modern phenomena - that you'll never get a whole defence staying together for over a decade, in the current footballing world.
In sixty years, people will roll their names of the tongue, and they will attain deserved legendary status in the annals of Arsenal history, like James, Hapgood and Bastin from the thirties.
In conclusion, I think we've been lucky as Arsenal fans to have witnessed this unique phenomenon - commitment and total dedication to a club, in a world where rising amounts of money has meant football and fickleness have become increasingly intertwined. ]
COMMENT
Some interesting names crop up in Sunday's round of tabloid transfer gossip. The MoS says Arsene Wenger is interested in Andre Perlo - the Inter Milan striker, on loan, for the season.
Given that Arsenal have conducted some difficult negotiations with Inter over the last few years, this one, for the ex-Brescia player, has at least some possibility of materialising.
The other name is Christian - a forward from Internacional Porto Alegre. More than one paper says David Dein was in Brazil for more than just Silvinho - with this player as the chief rumoured target. A potential deal of £6m for Rangers fell through last season.
Arsenal are linked with Peterborough's £2m rated wonder kid, Matthew Etherington, again. So to are Celtic.
The Bergkamp to Ajax story has all the hallmark's of a silly season affair, based on the fact that Wouters and Blind are in charge of Ajax and wnat to build back Ajax pedigree after their worst domestic finish for a long time. They failed to qualify for the Chmapions League. Ajax's finances aren't that good - and one paper reports they can only afford £10m.
David Dein is quoted as saying Dennis Bergkamp wants to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career, and 'we are happy with that'.