Morning.

A 3-2 win over Ajax last night. That's good, eh? Oh wait. It's not good. Or something. I must confess I've only seen highlights but from what I've read it seems Adebayor missed 76 chances in the first half, we still can't defend, our midfield is light and we're all going to die. Distressing times.

The goals (from 101 Great Goals) are interesting viewing on their own. The first Ajax goal was an incredible strike but you could ask why William Gallas didn't close him down with any kind of urgency. The second was also a fine hit but you could ask where the hell William Gallas was.

Our first came from a fine cross by Eboue (who has, with that one cross, now cemented his position as first choice right midfielder until 2013) and a very good header by Adebayor. The second from Bendtner came after good work from Adebayor to incercept a back pass and just about keep it in play then Denilson laid one on a plate for Adebayor to win the game.

Obviously there are things for the manager to work on. If we can see the flaws then so can he. The defensive errors are worrying though, especially coming from the player many fans consider to be our best central defender. Afterwards the manager said:

In the whole game we were always dangerous going forward, but they took advantage of two lapses of concentration and scored two fantastic goals. Some players are still a bit short physically, but I am not really concerned. We were much better defensively in the second half.

We're not always going to score 3 goals when we concede 2 though. That was the Ardiles philosophy when he was manager of that lot down the road. Still, it's pre-season and this is time to make those mistakes and ensure they don't happen again. At the end of the day we won the game.

Tonight's game against Sevilla is likely to feature a much changed side. I'd play Kolo again, get some playing time under his belt before next week's game against Twente. Anyway, that kicks off around 5pm I think.

Some transfer news yesterday with the agent of Udinese's Swiss international Gokhan Inler admitting he'd been in talks with Arsenal. He said:

It is true that I met with Arsene Wenger. There were very positive talks.

No question we need a midfielder. If this is the signing then fine. But let's do it and not procrastinate too much. The boss can lament the absence of Diaby all he wants but the fact is Diaby is a player who is rarely fit for long enough. We keep hearing about how he was all set to be given his chance alongside Cesc in last year's Emirates Cup but injury cost him that chance. This pre-season would have been the perfect opportunity to stake his claim, injured again. We can't count on him and once you lose him you've got Denilson (who is a Cesc, not a Flamini) and then you're into the kids like Ramsey or Wilshere (with Song bizarrely being considered a central defender).

We have to make a signing in the centre. No team can afford to lose 3 players with the quality of Gilberto, Flamini and Diarra and not replace them. Arsene's job is not to provide a platform for Diaby to thrive, it's Diaby's job to thrive when given the chance to do so. Something he has pretty much failed to do. Get someone in. It's critical now. 

It looks like we're about to sell another player. This time Justin Hoyte to Middlesboro for £3.5m. I think at 24 years of age Hoyte really has to make a decision about his career. I think this is probably a good move for him, he'll play more regularly and as much as it'll hurt him to leave (he really is a proper Gooner) it's probably the best thing for his career. 

Right, that's about it. Have a good Saturday. Raining here again. Boooo. 

How do?

It's all about trophies. Trophies and silverware. Trophies and silverware and cups. Trophies and silverware and cups and prizes. Trophies and silverware and cups and prizes and medals. Yep. That's according to the boss anyway who has prioritised the league and the Champions League, as you might imagine. He says:

It is clear there are two trophies we are focused on - the Premier League and the Champions League. After that, the FA Cup, but we will never go seriously for the Carling Cup, again this year we will have the same philosophy on the Carling Cup.

I hope this year we don't do what we did in the FA Cup last year. It was embarrassing and given our fantastic record in the tournament our craven surrender at Old Trafford was a bit shameful. The Carling Cup is going to be very interesting this season again. Lots of young players looking to make an impact so from that point of view I'm looking forward to it.

But as Arsene Wenger says the priority has to be either the league or the Champions League. And our European campaign kicks off ahead of the domestic one next week with a game against FC Twente. The Amsterdam Cup this weekend will be decent preparation. Again the manager has spoken about adding that one experienced player to the mix but he doesn't feel it's right to call Arsenal an inexperienced side, saying:

It is not wrong to call Arsenal a young side still, but it is wrong to call us inexperienced. Cesc Fabregas, for example, has already played in an FA Cup final, a Champions League final and also now a European Championships final, so you cannot say he has no experience.

And that's true. Gallas, Toure, Sagna, Clichy, van Persie, Adebayor, Rosicky, Senderos and even Nasri, who has more than 150 first team games under his belt at 21 are all experienced players now. Almunia may not have the games but he's got the age. So inexperience is not a factor this time around. We were taught some very harsh lessons last season and we have to show we've learned from them.

Adding some more experience and quality to the squad won't do us any harm though but I do think, as the man from East Lower pointed out, that he's going to wait to do it. I think it'll happen but I suspect it's going to be close enough to the transfer window to have everyone biting their nails.

Last night we played a pre-season game against Huddersfield and beat them 2-1, late goals from Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite securing the win. It was a fairly young side with most of the first team squad being held back for the Amsterdam Tournament this weekend. I know there were some complaints about this but after the Emirates Cup to play a midweek game, then play at the weekend and then play a Champions League qualifier is probably too much at this stage.

Justin Hoyte says he wants to get back into the Arsenal side by proving he's as good as Bacary Sagna. The sentiment is admirable but I'm not sure it's going to work out the way he'd like. Sagna really is an excellent footballer and there's a big gap between him and Hoyte. But if he's going to get his head down and work hard then that's as much as you can ask from your squad players.

To an ex-Gunner now and it could be curtains on Freddie Ljungberg's career. He's considering his future after being released with a £6m payoff from West Ham. All in all the 22 games he played for the Hammers have cost them in the region of £12m. Amazing. It's sad to see someone fade the way Freddie did though. From the energetic, effervescent poacher we loved to someone who struggled with injuries that badly affected his ability. I still think he could do a year or two in Spain or Italy and it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up there.

And Freddie is one of the topics in this week's The Week in Football podcast with me and the Mugsmasher - latest episode here. 

And there you go - that's about it for this morning. More, and an Arsecast, tomorrow.

Bank holiday Monday greetings to you all.

So Hamburg won the Emirates Cup yesterday. Their 3-0 victory over Juventus meant Arsenal had to beat Real Madrid by 4 goals which was never going to happen.

In the end it was just the 1-0 to the Arsenal but it was a deserved victory. We played quite well, I thought, having put out what was as close to our 'first' team as possible. The goal came when Michel Salgado creamed Robin van Persie in the box, he jumped right into his back with an elbow and Emmanuel Adebayor stepped up and stuck the spot kick away very confidently.

Then, predictably, he ran to the crowd and kissed the Arsenal badge. A truly vomitous spectacle, shameless, clueless and transparent. Now, don't get me wrong. I understand why he did it, I just really wish he hadn't. Given the circumstances a raised fist to acknowledge the goal and a quick trot back to the centre-circle would have been more appropriate - and some of the newspaper reporting this morning is ridiculous. Apparently a goal in a fairly meaningless friendly has won over the Arsenal fans. It's going to take a bit more than that.

On the other hand though, Adebayor had a decent game. He really worked hard, he linked up very nicely with Robin van Persie on a number of occasions and had a couple of chances but his finishing, for the moment, is a bit on the rusty side. But that's what it will take to win the fans over. Hard work, good play, goals in games that count. Not kissing the badge. I'm pretty sure he's aware of that though. Apart from the not kissing the badge bit, but maybe someone could have a word with him about that.

Beyond Adebayor I thought Denilson had a very good game in central midfield, especially considering it was his second 90 minutes inside two days. The whole of the back four was very solid and the two full backs are looking just awesome again. Theo had a good first half on the right and Nasri showed some nice stuff but he is going to take a bit of time to bed in. We had another crazy good cameo by Jack Wilshere and when you hear the boss saying he's focussing on what he's doing on the pitch and not his age you know the young man is going to get some chances this season.

All in all though it's been a good run out this weekend, good for fitness and match sharpness and with two games next weekend against Ajax and Sevilla pre-season is going well thus far. Arsene Wenger's post match reaction is here.

The Guardian is reporting we've made a bid for Xabi Alonso but have asked Liverpool to lower their £18m price tag. Personally I think this would be a good signing. I know the Mugsmasher would be absolutely gutted if we bought Alonso and Liverpool replaced him with Gareth Barry. He's 26, quality, experienced in the Premier League and possibly in need of a change of scenery in his career. As for the price tag, there's no harm in asking for a reduction, but if we consider David Bentley going for £15m, Andy Johnson for £12m, Villa quoting £18m for Barry, then is £18m too much for Alonso?

He would certainly add depth to our midfield and if I had to choose between him and Barry I'd take Alonso every time.

Robin van Persie says he's discussing a new contract with Arsenal. Good news, but I suspect we'll wait and see how fit he stays this season before anything is finalised.

Bacary Sagna is bringing some hard man talk back to Arsenal. He says:

Everybody was disappointed at finishing third and of being eliminated of the Champions League like that. So we are going to try and achieve a season as good as the last one, being more malicious, concentrated on important moments.

I like the idea of us being more malicious. Is it any coincidence our glory years coincided with a plethora of red cards? Now that we're not as sendy-offy we're not winning any trophies. More violence, that's what's needed.

Right, Bank Holiday Monday here, as I said. Not much else going on. I've got to eat breakfast then begin the mental preparations for five-a-side later. Would running about the place topless in a kilt smeared with honey howling like a dog be mental preparations?

Till tomorrow.

Well, yesterday was certainly an interesting day with a match, a look at new boy Nasri and a new signing which sparked plenty of debate.

Let's start with the football and a 3-1 win over Stuttgart continued our pre-season preparations (Arsenalist has the goals and highlights). The first half was pretty dull but it gave a run out to Adebayor and van Persie up front and those 45 minutes will have done them some good. The Dutchman looked far sharper than his erstwhile colleague. Gallas started at the back alongside Djourou, Denilson in midfield with Eboue of all people, while Nasri and Walcott started on the flanks.

From what we saw of Nasri he looks quick, moves well, likes to have a shot (which is an obvious improvement on Hleb) and he can take a decent corner. I can remember Jens having to make a couple of good saves in the first half. The goals came in the second half though. Bendtner had come on and you could see what the previous couple of games had done for him. He looked quick, sharp and strong and he made the difference.

After we had gone behind it was he who ran and played a lovely ball through to Carlos Vela who took it wide and finished from a tight angle. The same two combined again for the second. Bendtner playing it into Vela, taking the return with his head and tucking it away smartly. I know he's had his critics but I think with regular playing time he could score a lot of goals in the season ahead.

The third came after typically tenacious work from Gael Clichy down our left. His cross came to Jack Wilshere, who was impressive in his short cameo, and his left footed finish was very nice indeed. Probably not the kind of scoreline Jens was hoping for against us but there you go. It's about our pre-season and it seems to be progressing very nicely.

And while we keep stressing there's not too much to be read into these games it's good to see some of the younger players really take their chances. Vela looks very useful indeed and Bendtner I've mentioned above. Walcott too looked quick and direct and while I've been very impressed with young Jack I think we need to bear in mind he's just gone 16 and we'd do well not to raise expectations too high. Let's give him time and let's keep the pressure off him.

Afterwards, and speaking about strikers, the boss said:

We're not as short of strikers as people thought. Vela is integrating very well into the team and Bendtner was already a force at the end of last season . . . and he will confirm that this year. Overall, we are still maybe one player short. But up front we don't need anybody.

Can't argue with that although I don't think we needed a striker anyway, now that Adebayor appears to be staying anyway. It's midfield where most of us think we need the signing and yesterday's news that we had signed Amaury Bischoff was met with ...erm... not much excitement? Is that fair?

His name was linked with us a a few weeks back and on the face of it, it seems like a typical Wenger signing. Nobody's ever heard of him, he has some French heritage, nobody's ever heard of him and he's cheap. It's hard to work out why we've bought him though. His professional record amounts to one professional game for Werder Bremen, and that was 16 minutes as a substitute. He's not a kid either. He's 21 years of age, compare the amount of games Cesc or Nasri or Walcott (by the time he's 21) have played and it seems most odd indeed.

I suppose if he's a cheap gamble who is not being counted on for the first team but who might play the odd Carling Cup game then there's no real problem with his signing. What has people worried is the idea that this might be the one signing Arsene Wenger was talking about. With some time having passed and being a little less cranky and full of wine as I was yesterday, I can't see that being the case. We're short in central-midfield, no question about it. You only have to look at the fact we played Eboue in there last night. Where is Diaby this pre-season? Injured, probably, which just about sums him up.

Perhaps Bischoff will surprise us all and turn out to be another gem unearthed by the boss. Perhaps he might establish himself as a decent squad player. Perhaps though, we're looking at another Alberto Mendez or Stefan Malz. And if I had to put money on it now I think that's where it would be going. I still think we'll make a signing in midfield simply because it's obvious to everyone that we need to. There are plenty of Arsenal sites out there, many of us differ in opinion, but I think this must be something everyone agrees on. And if it's obvious to us surely, surely, it's obvious to the boss.

Speaking of midfielders it looks like we're in for quite the windfall from the sale of David Bentley. Reports this morning suggest we could make as much as £7m from the deal which really is a brilliant bit of business. And Bentley confirms his status as a proper little cunt by joining Sp*rs. He'll probably be joined by Arshavin who has always dreamed of Barcelona, would love to play for Arsenal but is settling for them because nobody else wants him. I bet it will have always been his dream to follow in Rebrov's footsteps and let's hope he does exactly that.

Cesc talks about that game at Birmingham and while he says Gallas is a 'great' captain and says he has a lot of respect for him, he also says he's ready to take over the armband. You already know what I think about that so there's no point me going on about it. To me though it's telling that he references the Birmingham game. I know that it wasn't all Gallas that day, that the players would have been affected by what happened to Eduardo and the blow of the late penalty, but my point is that someone with real leadership skills would have dragged them out of that slump much more quickly.

Manuel Almunia says he has a lot of respect for Jens Lehmann but then makes it very clear that he's enjoying life without him. When he says himself, Fabianski and Mannone are three 'very nice guys' it doesn't take much to work out what he means.

And that's about it. The squad return to London to prepare for the Emirates Cup this weekend. They'll hook up with Kolo and Cesc ahead of the games against Real Madrid and Juventus which will provide more good tests for us, bearing in mind, of course, that their pre-season preparations are a week or two behind ours.

All the same I'm looking forward to seeing the games, they are on TV right? Final thought - the new away kit looks fucking brilliant, eh?

Till tomorrow.

Morning and happy midweek to you all.

We've got a game tonight against Stuttgart in what could be called the first 'real' pre-season game. Whereas the others have all featured teams with mostly youngsters with some regulars thrown in tonight should see a return to action for the majority of the first team squad.

Again the result really isn't that important but at the same time good results in pre-season can give a team a good lift and confidence as they begin their campaign. Look at last summer and how well we performed in the Emirates Cup and the Amsterdam Tournament. It definitely played a part in us starting the season so well.

Tonight though is more about fitness and getting some match sharpness back. One man likely to play tonight is Robin van Persie who is hoping to have an injury free campaign. He says:

Last year I missed too many games and I am still disappointed about it. This is a new year with new chances. Hopefully I can be injury-free this year.

He's not the only one hoping that. Regular readers will know I'm a big fan, I think he's a fantastically talented player, but so far his career has been blighted by injury. Some of them due to bad luck, others due to him not managing them properly and coming back too quickly. And I think we can all understand that. Everyone wants to play but he's got to be a little more mature. I really hope he can have an injury-free campaign and if he does I think he'll score a lot of goals. If he spends another season mostly in the treatment room though you have to start thinking about alternatives.

One of the names to emerge from pre-season is that of Jack Wilshere, a central midfield player who has caught the eye in the games so far. He is the youngest of the pre-season squad and the boss seems to have high hopes for him. He's obviously not ready for first-team football yet though and there is the danger that we hype our youngsters a bit too much. As talented as they are, and there are some obviously talented young lads, very few of them are going to make the breakthrough the first team squad.

Arsenal said goodbye to Gary Lewin yesterday. We've done this before but good luck to him and thanks for everything.

Gilberto talks about players who want to leave clubs for more money and challenges them to earn their money by winning things. He says:

When you win things, you achieve more than anybody else. You get better contracts, and more money, anyway. I can’t blame a player who wants a good contract. But I believe if they stay at the club, they can earn good money and do a lot for the club and themselves. So if they win something, it means more and they are more appreciated by supporters.

It's been mentioned before but a lot of player's contracts at Arsenal are achievement based. So if you win trophies you get more money. For most players that's an incentive to perform and to win things. There are those though who find that rather too much like hard work and would rather just go somewhere else to do the same thing and get paid more. What can you do? You meet them in every walk of life, not just football.

Finally for today OleOle's Fantasy Football game is kicking off soon. Prizes include match tickets, Champions League trips, PS3s and more. To sign up click here and I'll set up an Arseblog league which we can keep track of during the season. Let me see if I can't blag an Arseblog only prize as well. Details to come.

Right so, busy day today. More tomorrow.