It seems like ages since we've started with a good, old-fashioned *boilk* so let me begin with a good, old-fashioned *boilk*:

*boilk*

Ahhh, that's better. So there's a game of football today. Hurrah. That always helps with the boilkiness. Fulham at home and there's a bit of good news in terms of the team. Abou Diaby is fit which is positive in two ways.

Firstly, Abou Diaby is fit after being injured. Normally it takes anywhere between three weeks and three months for him to come back after being injured so that's a good sign. And secondly he improves the midfield. So hopefully he can continue where he left off against Roma.

Fulham are the masters of the 0-0. They've had about 48 0-0 draws this season and given our recent propensity for scoreless draws this game could actually end up -2 all. An early goal is the key. That would mean Fulham had to come attack us and more space to play in would suit us.

I suspect Arshavin will start as well so we have that added threat. I wonder if the manager will resort to the traditional 4-4-2 or keep up with the formation which proved so effective against Roma.

We've spoken a lot about finishing in the top 4 and Arsene is confident that we can still do that, saying:

In football, nothing is unthinkable, but I am confident we will make the Champions League. There are 12 games to go, if we keep our consistency, spirit and attitude, and our focus, we will make it. We have 36 points to take, so let's not speculate too much on the weakness of any other team. If we win our games, we will be there.

There really isn't much margin for error but we know that already. Let's just start today and make sure we get the three points. And while I do have plenty of time for Woy Hodgson I hope we batter Fulham today.

Elsewhere the boss has been singing the praises of Manuel Almunia. He is unrecognisable from the Almunia who first joined. He is more assured, more confident and a much, much better goalkeeper than he was. I know he still doesn't convince some but I really have no problem with him at all. He could probably be a little more assertive and 'command his area' better but he's a fantastic shot-stopper. Comparing him to Jens Lehmann, the boss said:

Manuel speaks more than he used to but he is certainly quieter than Lehmann. Let’s just say Lehmann was never afraid to speak his mind. He was an interesting character who was respected in the dressing room. But he was not diplomatic.

Almunia is much calmer and not as unpredictable.

Lehmann, 'diplomatic, heh. One of the criticisms leveled at him was that he didn't make match-winning saves but this season he's kept us in games at crucial times. And while he is prone to the odd mistake so is every other keeper in this league. Reina, van der Sar, Cech, they all make mistakes. The article says he's gone 6hr, 29min without conceding, here's to adding another 90 minutes to that today.

He's also spoken about Nicklas Bendtner saying the Dane has a 'bright' future at the club:

He is 20 years old, playing at the top level and creating chances. The problem at that level is if you don't create chances. I have seen a lot of players who don’t score when they’re 20 but score when they’re 23.

Which harks back to what I was saying the other day. He's certainly working harder and the acknowledgement that he has to improve areas such as his first touch is good. I think he might start today, a bit of physical presence against Fulham's giant centre-half bloke whose name I can't remember. A goal would be nice.

AW's thoughts on some mooted rule changes. Those are piffling compared to the 6+5 rule which seems to be edging closer. It's something we will come back to but I'm with Wenger on this one. The idea that you have to choose 6 players in every team simply because they're English is ludicrous. It's basically nobbling the club game and will lower the quality of the sport. Boo, I say. And not boo-urns.

Finally, don't forget Arsenal TV online's free coverage of today's match (audio commentary and build up and such) and if you'd like to win a 6 month subscription just email tv@arseblog.com. Any comments you have about the match day show are welcome too - either via the email or in the arses here. 

Right, that's that. Time for some breakfast. Come on you reds.

I wish you all a happy and *boilk* free Saturday in the vain hope that the universe will reward my good wises and thoughts and render me free of the *boilk* which is *boilking* the shite out of me. Not literally though. Well, not yet, at least.

Still, at least there's football today to help me through. I was expecting a whole lot more team news but I can't seem to find any beyond what we knew yesterday. At least the team will be a bit of a surprise then. We have to wait and see about Nasri and the thinking about Threeo is that he'll probably start on the bench after playing two games in a week for England. 

The boss has been talking about Theo again, revealing he knew he wanted to sign him after seeing him play against us in the FA Youth Cup. Apparently we'd sent scouts to watch him more than 50 times. Which must be boring as fuck for a scout.

'What have you got lined up for me today, boss?'

'Go to Southampton and report back on Theo-'

'Walcott, yeah yeah. I know'. 

Back to today though and it's traditionally a tricky fixture. The tired old media lines about how Arsenal don't like travelling to the north-west will be spewed out again but Blackburn are a tough, physical side. As well as that this is the first time that Paul Ince will have faced one of the top clubs in his short Premier League management career and he'll be desperate to show he's got what it takes. I expect a very motivated Blackburn side today and we're going to have to be 100% focussed with no international hangover if we want the three points.

I think we've got the quality to do it, we have Robin van Persie who loves scoring against Blackburn, and we know that we don't want to be playing catch-up this early in the season. Three points an absolute must today, especially in light of the lack of transfer activity. Things have calmed down a lot and as I've been saying good performances and good results will keep things that way. 

Speaking of Robin van Persie he has ruled out any move to Moneybags City and reveals that the manager did try to bring in a certain player but the price being asked was too high. I think we all know who that was but it's interesting to hear it from one of the players. 

I know you know this already, what with Arseblog having exclusively given you the news yesterday, but here's confirmation that Mineiro took part in a behind closed doors friendly at the training ground this week.

There was some bad news about Tomas Rosicky as well. His return had been earmarked for the middle of this month but it seems he's as far away as ever. The Czech national coach, Petr Rada, says:

Tomas has started another stage of recovery, including training with the ball. But recently his knee reacted badly to that.

While Rosicky's agent says:

Without the permission of Arsenal I am not allowed to be more specific on Tomas' health.

The injury he suffered was very serious and very, very rare, I'm told, so nobody really knows how to estimate the recovery period for it. However, at this stage I think I would be surprised if we saw Rosicky in an Arsenal shirt again. I think we need to plan for life without him and if he does make it back then it's a nice bonus. Fingers crossed he can beat this though.

And that's really about it. The game is on TV over here today, which is most excellent. Here's to the three points, talk to you tomorrow. 

Hmm, where to start? *boilk* might be a good place.

Now, let's put that behind us and move on. We have a game against Fulham today and preparation has been far from ideal. With all the internationals this week the manager just had one outfield player to work with, Denilson, and that may see a revolutionary 0-1-0 formation today at Craven Cottage. I suspect we'll line up:

Nobody - Nobody - Nobody - Nobody - Nobody - Nobody - Denilson - Nobody - Nobody - Nobody

Obviously a lot will depend on the service Nobody gives Denilson but unless Nobodybayor converts the chances we could struggle today.

In seriousness though we might see the same team as last weekend although if Eboue went right, Song came into the middle and van Persie started up front I wouldn't be surprised. Fulham had a bad start to the season, losing to newly promoted Hull City, so they'll be desperate to get a result today. This won't be an easy game by any stretch but one that we do have the quality to win. Kick off is 5.30 and it's on Setanta.

The Independent has a very readable article about Arsene Wenger. I have to say despite feeling a little irked with him at times due to his apparent stubbornness in the transfer market he is somebody I greatly admire for his belief in himself and what he does and has done for Arsenal. In the article he says:

For me Arsenal is a club which tries to respect tradition, style, honesty, fair play. If you come in and behave like a gangster you will not last long. The supporters will be the first ones not happy with that. A club needs values. If a club has no values you go nowhere.

I love that and it's a philosophy he's had for his whole career. I'm currently reading the biography of the man by Xavier Rivoire and it's very interesting. The behind the scenes stuff about how he works, prepares, deals with players and his squad is quite fascinating. Above all you get the impression that we have a wonderfully intelligent and decent man as our manager but as well as that somebody with a deep desire to win and bring success to the club. While some people might question how he's going about doing it there should be no doubt over what he's trying to achieve.

The manager has defended Emmanuel Adebayor saying he believes the striker has been treated unfairly. Classic Wenger stuff that. Publicly he will be unfailingly loyal to the player but he knows well enough why the fans might be unhappy with him. But the fans have made their point, there's no need for it to be made again, and now it comes down to Adebayor to put the work in to repay the faith of the manager and get the fans back onside again.

Martin O'Neill says Villa have had no contact from Arsenal about Gareth Barry and has called Arsene's comments about him bizarre. I suppose they were a bit odd really but I don't really think we're interested in Barry at all and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if, on or close to the deadline, we saw Arsenal buy Alonso and Barry go to Liverpool.

Kevin Keegan wants Philippe Senderos but AC Milan are also reported to be interested. The arrival of Fishface has probably made life very difficult for Senderos now and he might well decide it's time to continue his career elsewhere.

Right, that's that. Some breakfast required and here's to three more points later on. 

Morning all,

so we won a trophy! Hurrah. I think that's the third time we've won the Amsterdam Tournament. We drew 1-1 with Sevilla in a game which told us little that we didn't already know.

Lukasz Fabianski had a quite marvelous game in goal, commanding his area and making some fantastic saves. I was glad to see him have that kind of a game as things like that will ensure competition between the two keepers and competition means you get better performances.

We saw that for all their talent that some of the kids are still very raw. Aaron Ramsey caught in possession twice just outside our box, Johann Djourou once and our full backs got the run around all night. Our goal came from Carlos Vela who showed good strength to hold off the defender and finish well. I think he's going to really push on when surrounded by more experienced players. The manager said it was a lesson in defending under pressure and really it won't have done anyone any harm.

So, pre-season is over and done with and now it's time to get on with the real thing. We start with the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday against FC Twente and with midfield looking very light at the moment there's unlikely to be a signing before that game. Arsene Wenger says:

At the moment, I am not close to concluding any transfer deal, because I am too busy here. Maybe next week something can happen, but for now we have to focus on the Champions League and forget about transfers because it is a big target for us.

Of course it's a big target but wouldn't signing a good player make life a bit easier? Perhaps that's just me. It does look as if there is something going on though and as I said yesterday I think the sooner we do the deal the better. I think, as it stands, we're more than capable of beating Twente but I think everyone would feel a lot more confident if the squad was that bit stronger.

The boss also dismissed reports that Justin Hoyte would be leaving the club saying no firm offer had been received. There was a Boro scout in the stadium last night and I suspect someone told Hoyte because he played like he didn't want to be bought. I thought his performance was very odd last night.

Rounding up the stories in the Sunday papers the News of the World we're 'keeping tabs' on Yaya Toure. Zzzzzz.

They also have a story where Manuel Almunia says Theo Walcott needs to be a bit nastier on the pitch. I remember some film where this American footballer guy was running through to make a touchdown and from under his shirt he took a gun and started shooting the defenders out of his way. That would be cool although probably just a touch too nasty.

And that's really about it. Have yourselves a good Sunday.

Look, the thing is you need to be really, really quiet. Thanks. Apparently it's Father's Day today. That means you should shut up.

It's a very quick Sunday round-up right now starting with AC Milan saying Adebayor is too expensive. Silvio Berlusconi says they cannot spend an 'exorbitant' amount due to the economic downturn. Whatever. He can just print his own money if he feels like it but perhaps the fact that they're competing in the UEFA Cup next season is handicapping their ability to sign big players.

The People links us with Daniel Parejo. I try to care somehow. That's a lie. I don't. Try, that is.

Reports in Spain say Barcelona are 'fed up' negotiating with Arsenal over Alexander Hleb. That makes all of us. I'm fed up with people not buying Hleb. Despite their vice-President arriving in London things have not advanced at all. I say we sell Hleb to some kind of circus where he's made perform tricks and stunts and forced to do things with horses that no man should do.

William Gallas missed France's training session for an unspecified reason. I can exclusively reveal that he got caught up watching the box set of Twin Peaks and lusting after Audrey Horne. When people came to get him he insisted they provide him with some 'damn fine' coffee and a slice of delicious pie. Raymond Domenech is furious because the person who made the pie was a Sagittarius and once had nose sex with his wife. Seriously. No, really.

Bob Wilson talks about Aaron Ramsey.

That's it. It's Sunday, I have to play 5-a-side at some point today. Sweet Jesus. I have the pain. And the tired. And the hunger. And the getting a taxi home at a stupid time this morning. And the taxi driver laughing at me. And the 'Oh shit, it's bright. I hate the bright'.

I'm going to lie down.

Now, you might think that this is a relatively late blog because I was out until 4am last night having beer and rum and Jack Daniels but you would be wrong.

I have been up and about since the crack of dawn scouring the newswires and such for the latest and greatest Arsenal news to bring you, but it has been so, so quiet it's taken me this long to get anything together. Seriously.

Yesterday we had a bit of an Arseblog golf day, I am sunburnt - in Ireland, haha! - then we had some Guinness, some steaks, some more Guinness, some more steaks, no sorry, more beer, then some rum, then some shorter drinks. I even met Goodplaya, the big tall cunt. Some of us even went to a nightclub although as the night went on they dropped like flies, leaving only myself and the Mugsmasher. Then I left the Mugsmasher and proceeded to walk halfway home before I got a taxi. The taxi driver was a big fan of Kanu.

Anyway, on with the blog. Gilberto says Arsenal need signings to compete with the other big teams. First XI for first XI I think we compare quite favourably to Chelsea and United but there's definitely a depth issue. Like a man with one eye trying to drive.

The Mail on Sunday says we're signing Mouhamadou Dabo and Blaise Matuidi. Of course it is the Mail on Sunday and you have to take everything they say with a pinch cup bucket industrial sized warehouse of salt.

This made me laugh.

And that's really about it. I, for one, condemn the Sunday newspapers, tabloids and broadsheets together, for not making up more transfer stories for this blog. Don't they know they have a responsibility to invent utter claptrap to keep the people happy? Shame on them. Shame on them.

Still, it's a sunny day outside, I might sit there shuddering for a while.

Good morning to you all,

it is very quiet today, I have to say. This is the way of the summer. I'm trying to go through today's blog without mentioning ***** ***** as it's all a bit boring now. When he signs, he signs. Until then I'm not getting involved in any of the rest of it.

AC Milan have targetted Adebayor, it seems. They've also targetted Eto'o and Drogba who are much more available this summer so I don't think we've got anything to worry about. You'd have to laugh if Drogba went to AC Milan though - take that Flamster! UEFA Cup football now you have to play with that cunt. Football is a hilarious game sometimes.

Gael Clichy, whose middle name should be Winston, I think, says that Arsenal won't make the same mistakes next season when it comes to the pursuit of the title. He says:

Arsenal won't make the same mistakes next season when it comes to the pursuit of the title.

Good man, Winston! I'm right behind you. Thankfully he didn't get picked for France this summer so he can chill out on the beach drinking rum based cocktails and recharge his batteries fully for the season ahead in which Arsenal won't make the same mistakes next season when it comes to the pursuit of the title.

Alexander Hleb's agent creams himself over the news that Real Madrid are after his client. He says:

This is fucking sweet. Honestly. Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid all want to sign Alexander. It's great. Do you have any idea what this will do for my profile? I'll have a stable full of Eastern European players now all convinced I can get them a move to a big club and I'll take my percentage of their wages and buy a big house and a big car and I might even have a harem. I've always wanted a harem and girls to put their finger up my bum.

Some people. I dunno, it's a crazy world we live in folks. Right, that's about all the news there is. I suppose we should get on with the Arsecast.

Firstly, there were some problems with the iTunes music store so if you want to subscribe directly via that simply click here and it should do the rest. If you don't want to use the store go to iTunes > Advanced > Subscribe to podcast and enter the feed URL which you can copy from here.

Obviously you can use that feed in whatever your favourite podcast getting feed type program you use.

To download this week's arsecast directly - click here (14mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

And that's it. Have a fine Friday. I'll be back with more tomorrow.

Good morning. It's the first non-footballing Saturday of the off-season. Non-footballing Saturdays are rubbish.

We'll start with news that the club are apparently set to offer Cesc a new deal. It makes sense. Despite him signing an 8 year deal just 2 years ago the new rules mean that in 2009 his contract would be 'unprotected', allowing any potential suitors to simply pay up the remaining years to bring him to their club. I know it hasn't happened yet but I'm pretty sure these kinds of deals will become more and more regular. It'll just take one to break the ice, so to speak, and away we go.

A new deal would obviously extended the protected period and the increase in wages would make it more expensive for the buy out to happen. And who can say Cesc doesn't deserve a new deal? 

Mathieu Flamini, meanwhile, says he didn't move just for money. Which is probably true to some extent. He did go to one of the most prestigious clubs in the world in AC Milan. Not bad considering Flamini and his advisors were ready to buy out the final year of his contract last summer to facilitate a move to Birmingham City.

Transfer speculation sees us linked with Werder Bremen's Diego should Alex Hleb leave. And I believe Hleb will go this summer. Diego is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal - he's in double figures for the last two seasons - and would certainly be a good addition to the squad. But it's all just speculation and it's in the Mail so it's probably a load of rotted cock.

When it comes to who's going to come in the boss says a big player is better than a big name. Can't argue with that. Signings of the quality of Sagna and Eduardo would fit the bill but at the same time often a guy has a 'name' because he's a good player. I think this summer is going to be really interesting across Europe, I reckon there's going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing. Even from us.

Reports in Spain say we're after Lilian Thuram. While I fully accept we need a centre-half I don't think Thuram is the answer. A couple of years ago, for sure. I think he would have been an excellent signing, a proper player, someone from whom the younger defenders could have learned a lot, but at 36 I think the Premier League would be too much for him.

Speaking of centre-halves the boss is convinced that Alex Song can be a great one for Arsenal. I'm still not convinced, despite some decent performances towards the end of the season, and he's a carbon copy of Toure and Gallas and I think we need someone with a bit more height and physical presence at the back.

Gerry Peyton, Arsenal's goalkeeping coach, talks about Jens Lehmann.

And that's about it. It's FA Cup final day today. Portsmouth has former Arsenal stars Lauren and Kanu, who I'd like to see do well. They also have BFS and Diarra who I'd rather not see enjoy themselves at all. But Cardiff has Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, whose goal for Leeds some years ago cost us the title. So, I don't give a fuck who wins, I just hope it's a good game of football.

Till tomorrow.