It's great to hear Cesc Fabregas talk about his commitment to the Arsenal, and how he wants to stay, but it's a little weird to hear him talk about a contract extension, when he signed an 8 year deal just two years ago.

Fabregas's excellent performances during the run to the Champions League final, and the promise of his fellow youngsters had led to him penning an 8 year deal, until 2014. This was designed to ward off interest from other clubs, as well as show that Arsenal were keeping their top players and building a consistent base for future success.

Transfer speculation of course continued, primarily because football clubs and newspapers in Spain would probably crumple up and die if they didn't produce copious amounts of transfer bullshit everyday, but Fabregas kept reaffirming his commitment.

Well today, he has come up with these quotes in an interview with Cadena Ser:

"I have a contract in force until 2014, I have six years remaining and I am talking with my club, who are interested in renegotiating it. I want to succeed at Arsenal and that the club wants me is fundamental for me."

It would be interesting to know what kind of terms this extension would be on. Still, Arsenal being Arsenal, we'll never find out anything other than "on a long-term deal, for an undisclosed fee". I'm sure his wages were already quite good, but they'll be bumped up a fair bit now.

Excellent news though. Arsenal have been playing some fantastic stuff, and Cesc is always at the heart of it, and will be influential to the future of it as well. Cescy football.

Barca's radio station, Cadena Ser has announced that Henry has signed for Barcelona for 4 years, for €24 million.

Sad if it's true, and many Arsenal fans will not be very happy with Henry.

The most frustrating thing is that there doesn't seem to be any sign of Eto'o coming the other way, and the fee that we're receiving for Henry is pitiful considering a player of his stature. He signed for just under £11 million, and he's being sold for about £16 million.

I don't think there's any question that he needed to go, because he was making his position at the club very difficult with his comments about David Dein and all the goings-on. It's not what you expect from a player committed to the club, and most definitely not the captain of Arsenal Football Club.

Last season, when Henry wasn't injured, he seemed to not care much. Many speculated that his heart was elsewhere, but by the end of the season, with both our top strikers out, fans were desperate enough to believe whatever excuses were on offer.

I can't really hold any grudges against Thierry for what he's given to the club, but the way in which he's behaved over the last year has been awful, and a bit reminescent of Patrick Vieira. He's openly flirted with other clubs, made vague and misleading statements, and set an awful example for the younger players. His comments about people within the club (and allusions to some of his teammates) have been very destabilising, and it's hard to take many positives from these events. He had almost become another Mr. Arsenal, and his lack of honesty more than anything else has been most frustrating.

I'm sure Arsene Wenger has a plan, and to be honest after his absences over the whole of last season, the team has learnt how to play without Henry, and to be honest, played better without him on many occassions.

But Arsenal is a big club, and needs its star power, so a big name will have to come in. Will it be Torres? Will it be Eto'o? At least we know what Arsene Wenger was meeting Barcelona for, but hopefully he will not be following TH over there.

It's a testing time for Le Professeur as well... he's lost his main ally David Dein, he's lost his two major protegees in the last two years (Vieira and Henry), and with all the politics at the club I suspect there might be doubts over his future as well. Maybe Henry knew that Wenger wouldn't be there to take care of his future after this season?

 

Fucking rubbish news if it's true, but France Football is reporting that Thierry Henry has reached a 3-year agreement with Barcelona after meeting with their officials in the South of France. This is an odd one from FF, because they are usually very good and reputable, and don't do large scale speculation like the rags. But they've really nailed their colours to the mast with this one, because it's their cover story:

Again, all this has been complicated by a statement from Henry's agent Jerome Anderson read out soon after saying that the article is pure bullshit, that Henry hasn't been to the South of France in years, and that they are conisdering legal action.

Let's see what unfolds, but after very bold moves from Henry in backing the departed David Dein and criticising some aspects of the team in an exclusive interview, this is an equally bold move from the usualy reserved and reliable France Football. It's nervy for everyone, and not what you wan't to see from your captain. I hope he stays, but if this is all part of some game, then things will be very, very bitter.