Hiya.

There isn't a ton of Arsenal news at this moment.  Rumor has it that Hleb has made an awkward request to leave the brutal chaos that is London--

--to head for more pastoral settings.  Milan?  Detroit?  Well, whatever. 

And Wenger has said that next year's Champions League qualifier may be tricky, as so many players will be fatigued from the Euro 2008 tournament. Arsenal is likely to have 10 or 12 players in that competition.  Geez. 

But what I'm most worried about and interested in discussing is the effect of cash money bling on the game, on transfers, team make-up, etc.  Looking at Italy, Spain, and England, the teams with the most cash are certainly all near the top.  There may be exceptions, of course, but one might easily point out how the wealthiest teams can casually outbuy any mid-table squads.  Or one could consider how Flamini, at contract's end, leaves for the clear offer of more cash, cash that Arsenal may not have been able to match.  And then there's the waste that happens when promising and expensive (SWP) players end up on the benches of teams already super stacked.  And other players then leave those heavy squads and act as though they deserve Saturn and all of its moons--example, Diarra being so surly about starting for Arsenal's midfield.  What?  Remove Cesc and Flamini?  brilliant..... 

Finally, I can't believe that Manchester United is being promised more money for this summer.  Last summer's splurge wasn't enough?  Perhaps I'm simply bemoaning the fact that Arsene doesn't spend big, when/if he can.

So, I'm still forming my thoughts on that one.

And in blog news, a good friend of mine is going to join the team.  He loves Torres.  You'll see.

See ya.