NEWS REVIEWS
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POSTSCRIPT
22 MAY
Arsenal had unexpected support from bookmakers on Sunday. The Man U triumph cost them a fortune in pay-outs. All the favourites had won the various divisions, so a lot hung on the last one. One punter won 600,000 for a £130 stake, predicting the winners of all the divisions.
Arsene Wenger summed it eloquently when he said:"It's like losing a marathon by just one yard."
And: "It's terrible to think that we have 78 points like last year when we won the Premiership but with a better defensive record and better goal difference and we have still not retained it."
Wenger admitted the championship was really lost during the first part of the season, when players were still tired after the World Cup.
But that:"But this is the best team I've ever managed, by some margin."
There were mixed reports in the media as to where the actual cup was. One paper said it was on a motor bike in a Chorley service station. Another said it was in a helicopter, hovering depending on the result. While a third suggested replicas were at both grounds.
Some of Arsenal's potential opponents in the Champions League became clearer this week - Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and, probably, Hertha Berlin; and from Italy, Lazio and AC Milan
Alex Ferguson said last year:" we will be studying what Arsenal did to finish above us." The general consensus is that United assembled a squad, while Arsenal assembled a team. And Arsene Wenger's next challenge is to build a great squad, as opposed to a great team.
One paper described the difference between Wenger and Ferguson as the difference between chalk and camembert.
Wenger outlined a potential dilemma next season. "I would like to use him [Kanu] as a regular but it's difficult to find the balance with the three of them [Bergkamp and Anelka]."
Besides warnings of the top three breakaway - in terms of quality, at least, there were warnings that the domestic league could beome a servant to greater happenings abroad, namely, the Champions League expansion, the possible World Club Championship,and perhaps a World Cup every two years.
One paper said that Wenger is getting close to asking Anelka to make a public statement that he is staying at Arsenal. It hints that both Bergkamp and Kanu can relate to him that playing abroad can be an unhappy experience.
Meanwhile congratulations are in order for the Nicolas. He finished fourth top scorer (along with Andy Cole) in the Premiership, after Yorke, Hasselbaink and Owen - all on 18.
Best banner at the ground on Sunday:"`We support Spurs (until 6pm
tonight).'
Manchester United only got £180,000 more than Arsenal for finishing top
- £3.68m to £3.5m.
Highbury's total attendance this season reached 1.93 million.
Gooner Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski were planning to finish their matches in time to watch Arsenal, in the World Team Championship. They didn't.
After receiving the PFA Award, David Ginola said:"All I want now is for Spurs to be playing at the same level as Arsenal next season."
We've heard so much of Kanu. Now Nano - or Fernando Macedo da Silva, the latest youth prodigy, 16 is reported to be arriving in the summer at Arsenal, from Barcelona. A midfielder, he was outstanding in the recent under-16 championship, and is allegedly on a four year contract.
The football memorabilia market is worth £5m a year, according to research by Axa, the insurer that sponsors the FA Cup. So keep on buying them programmes - and keep them pristine.
Kanu's goal at Middlesbrough was the third best of the season according to the S.Times. It notes that Olivier Dacourt, courted by Arsenal, has been booked 16 times and sent off once this season.
Tony Adams revealed his future ambitions this week - winning the Champions League, beating David O'leary's record of 722 games for Arsenal, and captain of a Championship winning side over three decades.
Jaap Stam said this week:"We've played Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Bayern Munich this season, but if I had to nominate the toughest side we have faced it would be Arsenal. They have quality running through the side, and enormous self-belief which shows itself in their determination to win every game."
Thanks
Thanks to: Myles Palmer, Gary Jacob, Bob Bateman and Adrian Barker and everyone else who has sent things in
NEWS TO - 30 JUNE
Wednesday: Arsenal have signed Silvinho for £4m, from Brazilian club Corinthians.
David Dein put the finishing touches to the deal in Sao Paulo.
Silvinho is seen as a long term replacement for Nigel Winterburn at left back.
Arsenal have rejected the idea that the Charity Shield be the first league match of the season.
The suggestion was put forward by the FA in a bid to solve Manchester United's fixture pile up.
Meanwhile the boring Anelka saga drags on and on, bringing the game into the mud.
His brother Claude dismissed reports from Italy that Lazio had signed the Frenchman, saying Real Madrid are still in the race.
A number of papers report that Wenger has given up hope of trying to presuade the Frenchman to stay, and is resigned to selling him.
Monday: According the the D.Mail, Arsenal are chartering a private plane to take Anelka from Paris to London for talks. He's back in Paris, say reports.
David Dein said last night that Arsenal are NOT pursuing their interest in Dietmar Hamann. He said Newcastle said that he's not for sale, and says Dein, it is the end of the matter.
So Arsenal look to have captured the Brazilian Silvinho. Although the deal isn't signed and sealed - two papers report that Arsenal directors are flying to Brazil this week to tie it up.
Arsenal have reportedly had a couple of previous bids rejected - but the NoW says that after four days of fax negotiations an agreement has been struck.
Silvinho is a Brazilian international - but his appearances have been limited by Roberto Carlos. He's a left back, but he can also play in midfield.
He's 24 (some papers say 23), and the fee is a reported £4m.
Incidentally the NoW has a table of foreigners on the books with Liverpool top at 20 and Arsenal at 19. Presumably the transfer will make Arsenal joint top.
The noises from all the papers, before Dein's pronouncement, at least, is that Hamann will joining Arsenal this week too. A couple of papers (NoW and MoS) report that George Boateng has been lined up by Newcastle as a replacement.NoW reports Hamann at £7m, while the MoS says £6m. One paper has Villa going in for Hamann for £7m.
As predicted, Olivier Dacourt isn't going to Arsenal, but Lens for £6.5m. There are reports that Arsenal bid £5.5m, but our sources say Arsenal weren't really interested in him.
Following the transfer listing of Stephen Hughes, and Chris Wreh, Alberto Mendez and Jason Crowe - most of the talk is over Hughes.
Quite a few papers think he's worth £2.5m - although some have quoted £4m. There's an article in the NoW about how foreigners have limited his chances at Highbury.
There are arguments on both sides. The situation is a microcosm of the wider debate at the FA with new chairman David Thompson coming out against foreigners - limiting it to three. But with David Dein saying players with EU passports can play anywhere under EU law (subject to contract of course).
As with most things, the solution lies somewhere in the middle, and Hughes has some interesting remarks saying he thinks the limits should be five. And that is the less good foreign squad players which are limiting the chances of home grown youth talent breaking through.
A wild number of clubs are reported to be interested in Hughes - the NoW has Liverpool, West Ham, Middlesbrough and Fulham, while the People has Sunderland, and Sport First has Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Leicester and Celtic. Should up the price at any rate.
[English football is a European game now - and Arsenal are going for best value world wide. I cannot emphasise strongly enough what a difference the new training ground will make. Arsenal will be able to produce Wenger trained young footballers - able to command big sell on fees. They need the income - given that a lot of Northern clubs are expaning their stadiums.]
Following an editorial in the Stoke Sentinel urging Steve Bould to become player manager, Lee Dixon has been approached about the role, according to one Sunday paper. Although it says he still has an important role at Arsenal.
The People reckon that Arsene Wenger may be interested in ex-Arsenal target Stubbs of Celtic, who is rated in the £4-5m bracket.
And so to Anelka. Talks are reportedly underway this weekend. Arsene Wenger is quoted in the People as saying last month he was 95% sure Anelka would stay - but now is less sure.
He adds that if he does move, Anelka is taking a risk with his career, as he has a lot going for him at Highbury - Champions League etc;. There's an article about Real Madrid's pre-contract methods. Real have to answer to FIFA's letter about Anelka by Wednesday.
The EoS says it is expected that Anelka is going to Lazio for £23.5m.
Meanwhile there's one striker Arsenal aren't linked with - Turdo from Independiente. Southampton are interested. Could be mispelling of the week as another paper spells him Cuerdo. A trip to the solicitors and deed poll documents are in order here.
Any views on any of the above - please send comments
MISSING PERSON CALL
I am looking for my Brother Nicolas. My name is Stephanie. I live in New Zealand, now. I last saw him in Islington in 1982, before going to India to be with my guru.
Nicolas was last seen heading north in a van with a live bunny, going to antique fairs, car boot sales. He was well known around the streets of Islington, often providing cheap Christmas toys for the kids, a generous and unusual character, kind and fun, unmistakeable.
We were known at the health food store, then known as "Bread and Roses" and often had dinner with them.
Anyone able to locate him, and give him my email address, would be truely blessed. And or send me information, please.
thankyou,
gratefully,
stephanie.
stephaniel@clear.net.nz
POSTSCRIPT - 26 JUNE
A look at the Arsenal stories of the last week
Arsenal have made an official complaint to FIFA and the English FA accusing Real Madrid of making an illegal approach for Nicolas Anelka.
Whether Arsenal are a mystery bidder for the Millenium Dome site will become clearer this week, when English Partnerships, owners of the land, announce a short list of six bidders. Among the favourites is a consortium of British Olympic Association, Sky Sports, Olympic Spirit, Greenwich Council and the University of Greenwich. Charlton Athletic are interested in joining the consortium.
Arsenal are allegedly said to be keen on Nicola Ventola, the Inter Milan striker. He is meeting Inter officials this week to discuss his future. Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are 'also' said to be interested.
Football critic and commentator Brian Glanville said this week that Nicolas Anelka is never going to be happy anywhere. He is one of life's malcontents. There will always be something wrong. He added that playing in an international against Russia, that without Zidane, he was anonymous. Arsenal Reserve coach George Armstrong added that Anelka is far from the finished article.
Strange what can happen in ten years. Michael Thomas is being used (sold, along with another player) to finance the move of South Americans Carlos Bossio and Ricardo Rojas to Benfica.
And another alleged Arsenal target goes south. Olympique Lyon have broken the French transfer record with the signing of Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson for 116 million francs ($20 million) from Barcelona.
Barcelona are planning to use the money from the sale of Sonny Anderson to sign in-demand Mallorca striker Dani Garcia, also linked with Arsenal. It would help the club counter criticisms that there are too many non-Spaniards at the club.
According to the Belfast Newsletter, Arsenal have ended their interest in Newcastle midfielder Dietmar Hamann. The publication says Arsenal confirmed that they did make an offer for the German international. This was rejected by Newcastle, who are determined to hold on to the former Bayern Munich star. However the D. Telegraph says Newcastle could find it difficult to keep an unhappy player and an exchange deal involving Stephen Hughes may yet see Hamann get his wish.
Hamann says:" If you are offered the opportunity to play for someone
like Arsenal, then you should take it. It is true I want to leave
Newcastle. I have to think about my family and my career. The
best way for me is forward
and that means joining Arsenal. I have told Newcastle that I want
to go."
Arsenal are negotiating with United Respone in Business, a company which provides a chance for mantally disabled people to hold down jobs. Fulham, Leicester City, Sheffield United, Derby County and Crystal Palace are also involved. Fulham, for example, have awarded a cleaning contract.
The D. Telegraph says Arsenal are set to announce that once again they will play their Champions' League home ties at Wembley rather than Highbury.
Recently honoured Tony Admas will get more invites like this. He presented Dunmow firm RGH Rubber & Plastics with a QS9000 management award.
The French Parliament passed a draft law last week prohibiting transfers involving minors. It says that a teenage professional's first contract should bind him to a club for at least three years. It also proposes that clubs become limited companies allowing them to sell shares. Had it come in two years ago then Anleka and Aliadiere would not be Arsenal now.
David Dein has been busy in the last week. Beside the Lazio talks, he presented an Arsenal shirt (No 50) to SJ Berwin's Jonatham Metliss, at Stamford Bridge, for his 50th birthday. Leeds chairman Peter Risdale, and David Meller was there - the Watford chairman, not the ex-Tory minister.
Good to see foreign papers get it wrong too. On the 18th, the Adelaide Advertiser said Arsenal has agreed a British record $53.53 million deal with Italian Serie A club Lazio for its French international striker Nicolas Anelka.
Sega Europe, who signed a record sponsorship deal with Arsenal in April, this week signed deals with Italy's UC Sampdoria and France's Saint-Etienne clubs in a strategy to promote its Dreamcast console across Europe.
The son or daughter most likely to send a Father's Day card tends to be an Arsenal supporter, listens to Madonna, owns a cat, watches BBC1 and surfs the net, according to Royal Mail research.
Nelson Vivas is Arsenal's representative in the Copa America, currently underway in S.America.
According to an editorial in the Stoke Sentinel:"it would be good to appoint a player-manager and bring Steve Bould back from Arsenal. It's his ambition to manage Stoke and that would be a great seller of season tickets."
In case you think Arsenal aren't casting their search net far and wide, 100 boys and girls are invited to Arsenal training schools in Plymouth, for five days expert football tuition.
NEWS TO 25 JUNE
All papers cover the signing of Stefan Malz for £650,000 from 1860 Munich. The Guardian has the best coverage - [and that's not because I write for it from time to time].
The 27 year old left sided, versatile midfielder, said:"this is the biggest thing in my life." He added that a lot of people in Germany think Arsene Wenger is one of the best trainers in the world.
Arsene Wenger said Malz is a sound acquisition, adds quality and strengthens the squad. The contract is for a reported - five years.
Wenger also intimated that there would be more acquisitions.
Martin Keown has signed a three year contract - worth £1m/yr. The D.Mirror and Indy report as such, with the former saying he can expect a new partner at the back from time to time, given that Tony Adams is expected to rest for some matches. Given the midfield targets, the talk is Emmanuel Petit could drop back.
ANR heard that Ray Parlour has signed a new contract too - but haven't seen this reported anywhere.
Apart from Malz, which is clear cut, the other transfer talk is like a real 'web of murk'.
Dietmarr Hamann says the move to Arsenal is still on, in a couple of papers. He claims he had a gentleman's agreement with Freddie Shepherd, that he could leave he Toon, if he didn't settle. And he thinks he's coming.
Arsenal were widely reported to have stopped pursuing the German after a £7m bid was rebuffed.
Newcastle are reported to be closing in on Luis Enrique and Reiziger for £10m, which could mean Hamann could go.
[ANR believes the Hamann to Arsenal transfer is still on, despite the capture of Malz.
Incidentally, I was in Newcastle on Wednesday, and they are expanding St. James Park. It looks like a building site.The taxi driver said to 60,000, and added that Sunderland were expanding to a similar figure. I shocked him somewhat when I said wasn't like that when my relative played in goal there, in the thirites.
We also think that Arsenal aren't interested in Olivier Dacourt, despite being widely reported as being very keen.]
And what has a Serbian computer tycoon got to do with Arsenal. Well Milan Mandaric has bought into Portsmouth for £5m. And they are after Omer Riza and Jason Crowe, for £2m.
Meanwhile, another player appears desperate to come and play at Highbury. Silvinho was reported as saying in a mid-range tabloid thate he's very disappointed that a bid has been turned down.
The Brazilian club, Corinthians are holding out for £4m, and Arsenal's bid for the left back, is reportedly under that.
The Anelka saga drags on, with its unpleasant whiff. Arsenal are, via David Dein and Arsene Wenger, reported to be meeting him in Paris, to sort out his future.
[ANR, and it is sticking its neck out here, thinks that Robbie Fowler could well come to Highbury, for a somewhat higher fee than suggested, with Steve Bould going the other way.
We understand that Steve wants to go on a free - with a two year contract, which would represent a great deal for him. But Arsenal want £1m - and Liverpool are reluctant to sign a 36 year old for two years.]
The signs yesterday were that Arsenal are about to capture Albert Celades the 23 year old Barcelona utility player for £2.4m, with papers in Spain reporting the fee has been agreed between clubs.
Celades is interesting in that he plays well at the back and can be a midfield playmaker - even warranting a midfield World Cup call-up, last year. Would seem like a typical Wenger type player.
The new fixture list for the Premiership 1999/2000 season gives rise to thinking that some weighting factors were put in for those clubs in the Champions League. Both Man U and Arsenal have relatively easy matches during the autumn first CL matches.
Several people have already complained they will miss the crunch match on 21 August between Arsenal and Man U - bang smack in the middle of the busiest holiday period.
For the betting people amongst the readership. Arsenal are currenly 2/1 to win the Championship - and 200/1 for relegation.
NEWS TO 21 JUNE
Reserve coach George Armstrong slates Nicolas Anelka for being immature and greedy in today's Sun.
He says he's driven by money; owes a great debt of gratitude to Arsene Wenger for bringing him on; but that he's by no means the finished article and can't head a ball.
Lazio are reported to have given Arsenal a midweek ultimatum with a £21m take it or leave it offer.
A heavy depuatation met Lazio reps, including a European labour lawyer, and FIFA agent Marc Roget, to discuss a £70,000/week offer.
The D.Mail says Anelka will put in an official transfer request today. Roget will advise that Arsenal sell him to Lazio if no agreement can be reached with Real Madrid. That seems unlikely, as Arsenal put in an official complaint to FIFA and the FA about the Spanish club's approach.
Newcastle have upped the price tag of Dietmar Hamman's head to £10m, after a £7m bid from Arsenal.
Arsenal are still heavily linked with Rune Lange (Tromso), Roberto Muzzi (Cagliari) and Albert Celades (Barcelona).
NEWS TO 17 JUNE
The Lazio-Anelka talks were blanked totally by three broadsheets - The Times, The D. Telegraph and the Independent. The Guardian has a few lines on a reported £21m bid for Anelka.
If you want the details, down to what the parties had for lunch read the D.Mail, by far the best coverage in the tabs.
The truth, as far as I can deduce from reading ten papers is that Lazio came with a valuation of £18-20m, but with players, Ivan de la Pena and Pavel Neved as part exchange.
Arsenal made it clear, they didn't want part-exchange unless it was for Salas. And Arsenal valued Anelka at £28-30m. Alen Boksic came into the equation at some point. But it ended up that Lazio offered £21m cash for Anelka. And that Arsenal will talk to the Frenchman about playing in Italy, and the parties would meet in three days. A Lazio spokesman said that a deal should be concluded by Monday.
It appears that Arsenal, if they let Anelka go would want a higher, compromise fee. But Cargnotti the Lazio President says he wants to stick at £21m.
Of course, even at £21m, it would break the English transfer record of £15m for Shearer.
The Mirror says Arsenal would want to spend any money on Roberto Muzzi (Cagliari) or Henrik Larrsen (Celtic). The D.Express goes with either Fowler, Heskey and Larrsen as the replacement.
Anelka said this week:"I will be both upset and embarrassed if I have to go back to Arsenal now," and, referring to his relationship with the media, added: "I have stomached it for one year but not two." One paper says just wait for the media in Spain!
[They say top transfers are like an international domino effect these days - one goes, they all go. So Christain Vieri's world record transfer from Lazio to Inter has set things rolling. And it has had strange effects. One fan committed suicide over it. Lazio's shares rocketed, while one paper, the daily Osservatore Romano denounced the transfer as a `miseducating event' and `an offence against poor people'.]
The D.Mail also pours cold water over Arsenal in for Rune Lange for £4m. The Norwegian u-21 forward is apparently in London for talks, although the D.Mail says Arsenal won't pay £4m for him.
It also re-iterates that Arsenal are keen on Roberto Muzzi, the Cagliari forward.
Other names to crop up in relation to Arsenal (Thursday) were Robbie Keane of Wolves (most papers) who has been transfer listed, at around £7m. And Nakata, the Japanese midfielder (Star).
One player that could be on his way from Highbury is Omer Riza, the £1m rated striker who is interesting Alan Ball, at Portsmouth. Ball says of Riza:" he's sharp, has plenty of pace and is the right age." [Arsenal seem to be producing a line of £1m rated strikers - witness Issiah Rankin.]
One player Arsenal won't be getting, and who they were allegedly interested in, is Lee Morris of Sheffield United. He's going to Derby on a strange transfer worked out in installments.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Emmanuel Petit will sport short cropped hair next season. Although opposition fans liked to taunt the tail, it is not the main reason for doing it.
Peter Hill-Wood says in the Islington Gazette that Arsenal hope in the not too distant future to have a 60,000 seater facility. He added that slow progress is being made.
Arsenal refuted stories about pulling out of the Charity Shield match on 1 August.
ANR wishes Remi Garde well in his future, after announcing his retirement from playing. He was set to go to Lyon last season, but was persuaded by Arsene and players to stay. He was a cultured performer, but was unlucky with injuries.
Fabien Cabellero has been released, and will play in Paraguay next season. He didn't make a big enough impression on the Arsenal,but he did on a Bolton defender. And he was suspended for three reservce games.
POSTSCRIPT 16 JUNE
The Times reckons Arsene Wenger who, it says, holds an economics PhD, is a more highly qualified economist than many of the economics profession's senior representatives. The comment is because no-one is doing economics Phd's these days.
It also says quite bizarrely that elder men in gyms can spend hours discussing footballers' Achilles tendon injuries or hours carping about the Arsenal full back's lack of pace.
Barry Jackson, head of the Royal College of Surgeons, said this week that:"Freddie Ayer impressed me, but I was disappointed to discover that he was a Spurs fan. I have always been an Arsenal supporter."
Russian first division side Arsenal Tula have invited Arsenal (London) to play a friendly in Tula next month. Tula general director Viktor Tyabus said: "We are hoping the London club will come here and play two games against Russian champions Spartak Moscow and Arsenal Tula somewhere between July 19 and 25."
Les Bennett, Arsenal fan as a boy, but member of the Tottenham push and run side of the fifties, is remebered in an obituary this week. Les was a ball boy at the 1932 Arsenal v Newcastle Cup Final.
Britain's High Commissioner to Malaysia said this week that Manchester United may be the most popular English football team but I have met plenty of fans here of other teams like Arsenal.
Ex-Arsenal's Hope Powell, 32 is the first female salaried national football coach. Capped 66 times, Powell is in charge of former team-mates including Gillian Coulthard, the England captain (112 caps), and Arsenal's Marianne Spacey, restored to England's attack after having a baby. Womens' football is officially the fastest growing sport in the country.
The Epic - Manchester United v Arsenal FA Cup 1999 Clashes MUFC, £11.99 is second in the sports video best sellers list, after - Sunderland AFC Champions!
Terry Butcher said this week:"Just look at Arsenal. They could have the best young English midfield prospect for years and yet he'd never get in ahead of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira who are two of the best midfielders in the world. That's the trouble, the big-name foreigners are blocking the path of the best young talent in this country."
Chelsea topped the Premiership foreigners league at 19, with Arsenal and Newcastle in second place at 16 each.
Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa and Bordeaux are all reported to be after Olivier Dacourt, allegedly on his way to Arsenal. Wolves' Robbie Keane was linked with Arsenal again last week.
Stop Press:Frank de Boer for Anelka + money, is the latest story to emerge from Spain. France are training there at the moment. Sonny Anderson the Brazilian striker may also be on offer as a part of any deal.
Barcelona have just won the services of Dehu, and thus there's a possibility Frank can go. And as the evening Standard points out, he would fit in well at Highbury with the Dutch contingent.
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The only really hard news is that a life-size waxwork dummy of Dennis Bergkamp can be seen with the opening of the FA Hall of Fame, this week. [0870 8488486 for bookings.]
The League managers' Association is backing Arsenal in their stance over Anelka and 'illegal approaches'. Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will get FIFA to look into it.
The Guardian reports that Paraguayan striker Jose Cardozo could be coming to Arsenal - that is if you believe stories in the Mexican press.
Cardozo is a 27 year old striker who plays for Toluca, who have just won the Mexican title.
Wolves' Robbie Keane is also reported as interesting Arsenal - but we knew that anyway.
Emmanuel Petit says a lot of players will be on drugs to help them cope with the stresses and strains of modern football.
This follows fellow international Youri Djorkaieff collapsing with exhaustion after the Francce v Russia game. Some papers says he will have to answer to the PFA.
The Mail (Monday) excels with a couple of decent pieces from Martin Lipton (ex-PA). One outlines how Arsenal take credit for making a stand on Anelka in the fickle world of transfers. A contract should mean something.
The other on the enigma of Fredrik Ljungberg - how he shines in internationals, but plays in fits and starts for Arsenal. The Swedish manager gives him far more freedom to roam than Arsene. And also he appears to be guaranteed a place in the international side, but has only had three consecutive starts since he came to Arsenal.
The piece says Ljungberg was bought as a squad player and cover for David Platt. [Ljungberg was unlucky in that he didn't have a break, due to the length of the Swedish season, so he could well figure much more prominently this season, given the team will be rotated.]
The Express has a little story on how Arsene Wenger was highly impressed by the Celtic forward Larsson, on Saturday, and it says would consider a bid, if the Fowler thing breaks down.
The Fowler leaving Liverpool story takes on more credibility, as Houllier is quoted as saying:"I won't stand in his way if he wants to leave." This, when he utters an angry denial that Jamie Redknapp is NOT leaving Liverpool.
The questions now are more, which club: Arsenal or Manchester United and whether he will break the English transfer record of £15m for Shearer.
NEWS TO 6 JUNE
So the Sun and the Star, followed obviously by Teamtalk, go with Olivier Dacourt agreeing terms with Arsenal and his advisors. But the piece somewhat mysteriously says that it won't be announced officially for two weeks.
The reported fee is £6m - and Spurs and Chelsea were interested. But Dacourt seemed to want to go home to France - so Highbury was a half way house. He reportedly hasn't settled on Merseyside. And he's big mates with Patrick Vieira, who advised him on moving to England in the first place.
Interestingly Dacourt topped the Premiership for the most tackles, pipping PV into second place. But that came at a price of 14 bookings - an obvious penalty in a high tempo pressing game.
Uncle Bouldy is at the centre of an inquiry from Sunderland at £1m. This follows some strange reported shananigens with Houllier wanting him for two years, but the board blocking that and preferring Henchoz.
Joachim Borkland the Swedish and Valencia defender is interesting Arsenal, according to the People. The 28 year old would be available for £6m. Interestingly the same paper reports that George Graham is after Stefan Schwartz. (Can't see that given his wife didn't like it here, first time round. But he's still one heck of a player as yesterday proved).
Arsenal are on the verge of, or have, or are thinking of, or getting the FA to, - depending on which paper you read, report Real Madrid to FIFA for an "illegal approach" for Nicolas Anelka.
Real spokesmen are saying they have talked unofficially with Arsenal. But President Sanz says no official bid has gone in. Wenger and Anelka are reported to be having talks in the next fortnight.
Lots of articles on Anelka, including a critical one by Roy Collins. But Pele reckons he's like van Basten. The great Brazilian forward also says Patrick Vieira reminds him of Frank Rijkaard, but that: "Anelka is the stronger mentally."
In another article, Real manager John Toshack eulogises over NA, saying he's a great striker and that: "I could talk about him for two or three days".
Meanwhile Robbie Fowler is set to have talks with Houllier over his future. A couple of Sunday's report that Manchester United are in for him for £12m - with the Mail saying that Arsenal can only afford £8m.
After Liverpool were reported to be after Heskey, Paolo Wanchope appears to be a new target. (There's no smoke without fire).
Arsene Wenger was reported to be at an u-19 tournament in Holland, taking a particular interest in the Feyernoord v Ivory Coast game.
Talking of Africa, Kanu bought up 20 pairs of boots worn by Arsenal players - and some old shirts and distributed them to kids back in Nigeria - great touch - nice one, Kanu.
It is reported that David Dein isn't going to vice chairman of the FA.
And finally - those interested in general football finance, there's an important case coming up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Lausanne, on whether companies like ENIC who have ownership and stakes in five or six clubs, including Basel, Slavia Prague, AEK Athens and Rangers - can have the clubs playing themselves in UEFA competition.
It is one of those cases with wider implications for the game at the European level.
NEWS TO 4 JUNE
After the deluge, yesterday - quiet. Or relative quiet. Anelka spouts off that he thinks he's seen the last of London, and that things will be settled in the next few days. Real Madrid President Sanz, says negotiations are going on, but that no firm offer has gone in. A wild range of prices quoted - mid range £15-£18m.
A few Fowler to Arsenal articles outlining why it would make sense for a move South including:
- Safer - after his local troubles
- Enhance his international career
- European experience
- House down here
- Liverpool need to rebuild
- Competition from new strikers, including Camara
Houllier says: "Fowler won't leave unless he comes to me and says he wants to go."
One tabloid says Liverpool are rivalling Spurs for Heskey's signaure as a possible replacement for Fowler.
All quiet with regards to the other links, except that Arsenal say it is all speculation. One broadsheet points out that the sale of Anelka will help Arsenal buy Pessotto and Muzzi.
Transfers
Completed In
Fernando Macedo da Silva (Nano) 16 - Barcelona to Arsenal on a four year contract.
Oleg Luzhnyi - Dynamo Kiev - Arsenal - £1.5m
Stefan Malz - Munich 1860 - £650,000
Silvinho - Corinthians - £4m
Completed Out
David Grondin Arsenal to St Etienne - loan for one year
Jamie Day - Bournemouth
Kaba Diawara - Marseilles £3m
Fabian Cabellero - Paraguayan side
Probable Out
Stephen Hughes - transfer listed -£4m
Alberto Mendez - transfer listed
Christopher Wreh - transfer listed
Jason Crowe - transfer listed
Probable In
Gianluca Pessotto - Juventus -£5m
Possible In
Nakarta - Perugia - £3m
Chris Sutton - Blackburn -£12m
Robbie Fowler - Liverpool -£12 -15m
Kieron Dyer - Ipswich - £6m
Sergei Rebrov - Dynamo Kiev - £10-£12m
Par Zetterberg - Anderlecht (fee unknown)
Silvinho - Corinthians -£3m
Roberto Muzzi - Cagliari -£7m
Joachim Borklund - Valencia -£6m
Jose Cardozo -Toluca
Robbie Keane - Wolves
Stubbs - Celtic
Possible Out
Gilles Grimandi
Steve Bould
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