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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
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.
POSTSCRIPT
05 JULY
A sociologist, Patrick McGovern has said that Arsenal's recruitment policy in Ireland is like that of US Corporation Intel. He said they have shifted from buying to expanding youth recruitment networks, where you get greater control over the quality of labour. Liam Brady has established good links with the Dublin and District Schoolboys League.
In transfer talk this week, ex-Arsenal player Alan Ball is interested in transfer listed Jason Crowe for £1m. AEK Athens could well buy, the similarly listed Alberto Mendez and Christopher Wreh. They have been on loan there. And nine clubs are reportedly interested in Stephen Hughes, who is set to leave Highbury - the latest being Newcastle who suggested £6.5m + Hughes for Hamann.
Steve Bould was reported to be asking Arsenal to drop the £1m tag which is putting clubs off. Sunderland appear best placed to capture the Arsenal stalwart, if Arsenal drop the fee.(see right)
Bookies are furious about the decision to let Man U pull out of the FA Cup. It has sent their betting odds into disarray. Arsenal should move up to favourites in some estimations. Meanwhile bets for retaining the treble are off.
With the Premiership fixtures released, Manchester United are top-priced 6-5 to retain their title. Arsenal are 5-2 with the Tote, who also offer the best on Chelsea at 11-2.
Incidentally, Arsenal's David Dein supported the decision. Dein also had confirmed that if Arsenal drew Partisan Belgrade in the Champions League - their home matches would be in a neutral country.
David Dein, this week scotched all talk of quotas, instead talking about his hope that work-permit rules governing the introduction of non-EU players may soon be appreciably relaxed.
Arsenal were reported to be interesedt in Lens Ghanaian international Alex Nyarko.
Tennis star Nathalie Tauziat and cousin of Chelsea's new star Didier Deschamps, is an Arsenal supporter. She says: "I like Arsene Wenger and the attacking game his team play."
Mick McCarthy, the Ireland team manager pointed out a problem with the squad system this week. He said young players like Robbie Keane could only expect to play 25-30 games/season at best, and that Robbie would prefer to play in every game.
Scottish whiz-kid Lennie Walker, 15, has been courted by seven clubs already at 15 - including Arsenal and Man U. But Walker, from a notorious area of Glasgow - Cranhill, has chosen to go to Leeds.
Sega said it was likely to advertise Dreamcast and its other brands when Sampadoria played at home and only use the Sega name on the away kit. Something to do with the word SEGA in Italian, meaning something else entirely.
In a roving series around England, Arsenal are having a soccer school at Bourton-on-the-Water run by former Middlesex and England cricketer Roland Butcher between August 9 and 13.
The Football League wants to hand out commemorative medals to 26 remaining families or relatives of the chosen 100 footballers. Ex-Arsenal players relatives that the FL wants to find inlcude: Alf Common, Charles Buchan, David Jack, Eddie Hapgood, Alex James, Cliff Bastin, Wilf Copping, and Tommy Lawton.
Jez Moxey, Stoke's chief executive admits he has a soft spot for Arsenal. His Dad took him to Highbury as a kid. Incidentally after talk of Steve Bould and Lee DIxon becoming player managers, Michael Bailey 17, unemployed and with no academic qualifications, has been turned down.
Arsenal will have no problem with feeder clubs in Africa. Internationals Shaka Mafa and Motlatsi Maseela both play for Arsenal in Lesotho.
The legal situation about feeder clubs will become clearer this week as the Court of Arbitration in Lausaane will decide whether two connected clubs can appear in the same comptition. The problem arose because ENIC had interests in a couple of clubs in the UEFA Cup.
Marc Lawrensen said this week:"It doesn't surprise me at all about Didi Hamann. I mean I would want to go and play for Arsenal. To be quite honest, Newcastle are a very big club but they are not an Arsenal."
Former Arsenal youth goalkeeper Beal, 18, will join Exeter City on an extended trial when pre-season training gets under way on 1 July.
Meanwhile Ex-Arsenal's Richard Hughes has turned down a chance to go to Italian Serie B side Alzano, preferring to stay in Bournemouth.
It emerged that Arsenal supporter and England golfer Trish Johnson, deliberately set out to miss a cut so that she could get home to watch Arsenal play in the Cup Final.
Harry Enfield's 1930's soccer match where baggy-shorted, pipe-smoking Arsenal meet 1990's Liverpool FC was voted 28th in the funniest comedy sketches of all time.
Arsenal fans in the City are set to take issue with monetary committee member Willem Butler when compared the public's attitude to the euro with their support for Arsenal: "These things fluctuate over time. It is like support for Arsenal," he said.
First match change to report: Leicester v Arsenal at Filbert Street has been put back a day to Sunday, December 5, because of Sky, with an 11.30 kick-off.
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."
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'.
Another story (People), hopefully consigned to the dustbin, is Nigel Winterburn to Gillingham as No 2 to Peter Taylor.
The People reckons Arsenal have already bid for Diomede, the dangerous looking French winger who got three run outs in the World Cup.
He's with Auxerre, meaning that any transfer dealings have to be with that old fox, Guy Roux. And the reported £1.5m bid has been reportedly rejected.
But given that Roux has just splashed £3.5m on Stephane Guivarc'h - an increased bid may see Arsenal get the cover they want for Marc Overmars.
Who the hell knows what is going on with Anelka. There is a theory that Arsene Wenger has let the drama play itself out, and everyone will get so fed up with the whole thing, that he'll remain an Arsenal player.
The Sunday's report that AC Milan, Juventus and Parma have all made inquiries - the latter two more firm. One paper says even if Anelka doesn't want to go to Juve they'll buy him anyway (a fate that some Arsenal fans thinks he deserves.)
The People say that a swap plus cash for the £8m rated Juve player, Thierry Henry, might be a solution.
Lazio, are said to be offering £17.5m (down from £22.5m) - given he has allegedly to be bought out of the pre-contractual arrangement with Real Madrid.
Still, if he goes, the price will be higher with the other clubs interested.
Whatever, Anelka and his camp are best served keeping their mouths shut. Alleged reported comments, like I never wanted to leave Arsenal anyway - it was the press that drove me out. And that I'll strike if I'm kept at Arsenal, quite frankly, stink.
The current Dynamo Kiev manager once made a player do the boots and sweep the floors for five months before selling him!
There's a good article on Silvinho in Friday's Evening Standard.
Basically it says Arsenal are lucky in that Silvinho's father was a Portuguese citizen - therefore the left back has an EC passport and gets round the FIFA clause that the player has to play in 75% of his country's internationals.
Other facts:
*Father - steelworker; mother- seamstress
* He's a high school graduate - rare for a Brazilian footballer (joins only Rai and Leonardo)
*Wanted to study PE at University, but couldn't afford the fees
*Deeply religious (Evangelical Church)
*Married a couple of months ago - wife Lucilene
*Spotted in Sao Paolo indoor league and turned professional at 20 with Corinthians
*Reportedly entitled to 15% of his £4m transfer fee. He's on a reported £15,000/week - eight times more than at Corinthians, and a five year contract
*He says the tradition of English football has always appealed to him
*A Brazilian journalist says in the Standard:"He doesn't have what you would call the fantasy normally associated with Brazilian players, even the defenders. But he has speed, great control and can cross the ball well. England will suit him."
*Favourite food - black beans and rice (his mother is supplying him from Brazil)
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.
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) - undiscolsed
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