As it's Interlull and the only stories are those relating to International football I thought I better talk about the two biggest local stories. Switzerland are playing Israel tonight in Basel and only need a draw to ensure that they win the group. I think that they can lose and still would be in the play-offs but Greece are hoping for a Isrsael win so they can get the winners spot! St Jakob Stadium was getting ready at lunch time as I went past (after my Gym session) and despite the FIFA ruling of no beer in the stadium I think the fans will manage to get enough before and after the game!

Over the border in France they are relieved to be in the play offs and L'Equipe reported yesterday (here's an English report) that Ligue 1 will be postponed for the 11th round in October, The odd fact is that the games are on the 28th October - well in advance of the play off games in November (14th / 18th) so it really seems a little strange.

Despite the Interlull I am quite looking forward to staying up late and watching the Uruguay - Argentina game tonight.

Partly because it was the most interesting game on show last night, partly because there were a couple of Arsenal players on show and also because Arsene says more interesting stuff on TF1 than we ever hear in the English press, I watched the France v Argentina match. One thing is for sure, whatever the football bodies are on when deciding the best footballer on the planet they can ignore it this year and give every award going to Lionel Messi, he was superb last night and the French commentators couldn't stop "Ooh-la-lahing" and saying, "Superb, magnifique", etc...

The other interesting moment was when the French commentator asked Arsene's opinion on Diarra and though he remained diplomatic, he did say that the simple reason Diarra left was that he lacked the patience as well as a willingness to fight. He, of course, hoped he did well at Real Madrid as Arsene has never been one to criticise ex-players though I thought he could have made a comment regarding Flamini who has still not made an impact on the French team whilst hardly playing in Milan!

Another couple of points from last night on the two Arsenal players, both Gallas and Sagna played pretty well but Sagna got further forward than he even does with us. He was often the most forward player on the French side.

The trouble with these midweek international games, especially when they are mainly friendlies, is that despite your intention to not bother with any of them you end up flicking around the channels and  watching one of them. It seems that, here in Switzerland, I can get my adopted nation against Bulgaria (nope don't think so), Austria v Sweden, Germany v Norway or France v Argentina. Now that last one has a bit more of a ring about it even though it's a friendly and will still be dull it may just keep me interested for 30 minutes or so.

As usual Arsene will be providing the commentary and maybe I'll get to hear his thoughts on Scolari and Adams' departures though we can probably guess his response to such a question. They didn't get enough time, I'll give Tony a ring to offer him a job (maybe not) and shame they don't have such a enlightened board as I do here at Arsenal. Maybe he'll just see if that Henry chap who plays for France is any good?

Whatever I watch none of it will take the place of proper football and we still have to wait till next Monday for our next game!!!

Many people, of whom Platini is a prime example, have said that Arsene Wenger doesn't care about anyone other than his beloved Arsenal and truly hates International football - it is no longer relevant. Well, to all of them I say, too bloody right as I read today that Sagna now has an injured knee following on from Gallas's injury last week whilst with the French squad.

Of course, this leaves the door open for our new wonder signing, Silvestre, to show his worth in the coming weeks with his defending and his versatile attributes, whatever they may be!

I'm too pissed off to write any more stuff other than f### you Raymond Domenech, I hope you're happy and has that woman said yes yet!!!

It would be easy to ignore International weeks as an inconvenient blip in the search for glory of your own club side and generally I'm never that impressed with either the quality or excitement provided by International sides at this stage of the season. However, sitting down on a Saturday evening in Switzerland I had the opportunity to watch SIX games live through various channels and what did I learn....

Firstly the games I could watch were: 1) England v Kazahkstan 2) Switzerland v Latvia 3) Serbia v Lithuania 4) Germany v Russia 5) Roumania v France & 6) Bulgaria v Italy and what did I witness.

Well I learnt that:

1) A football fan will watch any game at any time as long as it is interesting and/or exciting which in the case of Roumania v France it certainly was. 2-0 down after 17 minutes France managed to get a draw.

2) Italian commentary is still the best to listen to even if you have no understanding of their language

3) As much as I hate Ashley Cole from an Arsenal perspective, booing a player whose team you've come to support (and after one mistake) is wrong, very wrong

4)How did Lithuania get to the top of their group considering they lost 3-0 tonight.

5)There haven't been many better long range goals than the French equaliser from Gourcuff this evening - watch it if you can...

Oh and one extra thing, Thierry Henry looks old now, don't know why but he just does..

Trying to read through the sporting press around here means that you invariably look at L'Equipe as a sports paper should provide many juicy nuggets of interest. However, as it's Interlull week we get story after story regarding Les Bleus but there seems to be little critical comment on the manager and whether he will go or stay after this weekend's game against Roumania. From an Arsenal perspective it seems that William Gallas and his penis have an injury that may or may not result in him missing games fro the club. Let's hope so because as he admitted himself he hasn't exactly been playing that well and Arsene seems reluctant to actually drop him and give, say, Djourou a go.

Meanwhile Chelsea are suffering from the credit crunch (despite Roman's millions) and are trying to achieve Peter Kenyon's goal of being self sufficient as a football club by trying to claim back the fees for Mikel. It seems this money grabbing bunch of suits that runs this mockery of a club will do anything to get a few quid but are happy to lose £12M on Shaun Wright Phillips.

As it's an England game tomorrow and the English media are now convinced they are world beaters (based on one good performance) until they are losers (based on one bad performance) I tried to think why I have such little affection for the England team. I mean, up until around 1996 I even went to games on a regular basis. Granted, there was the euphoria of 1990 and the European Championships in 1996 but there has been a lot less love recently. I think it stems from the 90s when suddenly everyone became an England fan and the media hype went into overdrive so you get the flags, shirts for 3 weeks in June. Add to this the rivalry with clubs such as Man Utd and Chelsea, who provide many players who you hate week in week out and then are supposed to cheer for England, it makes it hard. However, of all the strange things that can happen I found myself agreeing with Rio Ferdinand this week when he actually spoke some sense - long may it continue.

Having been busy with visitors this week has enabled me to miss all the dull action from the midweek games though the 2 young sons of my guests will probably want to watch some football at some point. However, waking up and quickly looking at the world it seems Arsenal have gone and bought a Manchester United player. Wow - I didn't see that one coming and I'm sure many fans will be wondering if this is Arsene's ONE signing that he has been going on about. Certainly doesn't fit the bill of a central midfielder but what do I know.

Anyway, it seems that Nasri managed to pull a "Ryan Giggs" and get himself withdrawn from the French team last night - about time we started doing this though, in all probability, he is actually injured and will unavailable for Rosicky length periods of time all season!

Unsurprisingly the French/Swiss papers are concentrating on either Olympics or last night's friendl games. France certainly had more joy than England with a 3-2 win in Sweden and the Swiss enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win over the mighty Cyprus.

Anyway that's those games out of the way for at least 2 weeks then. Maybe we can talk about the more important matches for the rest of the week.

As you probably know by now it seems that Arsenal have confirmed that Adebayor has signed a new contract. Now I'm pretty sure he did that last year and then spent most of the summer saying he wanted to leave (or words to that effect) so that leaves two questions. Was it all a ruse to get a better contract and will it all start all over again next July? What I don't understand is the sub headline in the reporting of this story on the Guardian website, how can they say without having a very large tongue in their cheek, "Deal puts an end to speculation linking striker with move abroad".

Erm - yes that's about as concrete as Ronaldo's contract (oops) or, maybe, Fat Frank's new one - they are meaningless bits of paper so let's just move on.

I guess everyone out in ole ole land is getting suitably non excited by the midweek International friendlies that are taking place. I've found some Arsenal news (sort of) as France are thinking of making Thierry Henry captain with the alternative William Gallas - all I can say is that I wish them all the best with that choice! It also seems that due to injuries in the French squad that Nasri is a certainty, so there's another injury for us waiting to happen. The lad himself has some words to say of his arrival at the club on the training, stadium and his debut - he sounds a good lad.

Yep it's just two week sbefore the start of the new football season in England, despite what you might think with 100s of Intertoto / Uefa Cup or Champions League Qualifiers plus the obligatory friendlies and pre season tournaments. Do we actually know anything now that will give us a clue to teh upcoming season?

I know, for example, that unsurprisingly the world of football is surrounded in its own hypocritical goldfish bowl that seems to allow everyone to act one way one day and then complain the next day when someone does it to them. Today's examples are Spurs and the way they see the acquisition of Ramos as different from Liverpool's "stealing" of Robbie Keane or maybe Adebayor and his new found love of his beloved Arsenal.  Toss in the words of Sepp Blatter or Alex Ferguson orpretty much any other "name" in football and they all do it all the time - strangely the one who hasn't (YET!) has been old hard case Roy Keane - surely just a metter of time in the universe that is football.

Looking across L'Equipe this morning, the key reported stories are "Gallas keeps his armband" and "Merci Monsieur" - A big thank you following the retirement of Lilian Thuram, one of the few footballers who realise there is a bigger and more important world beyond the corridors of football.Arsene Wenger expressed his sadness at the man's need to retire due to heart problems.

Having driven 3 people on a wine tour of the Chablis/Chitry region along with a visit to various Chateaux - I'm knackered and need some wine as I've abstained all day long being the chauffeur. So off down to the bar in a minute for some local produce.

Read a little of L'Equipe today in Tonnere and Le Tour still dominates, of course, though the 3-3 result in the 10th Anniversary match has a little paper space too. In particular, there is reference to David Trezeguet, who will only play for France again if Domenech goes!

Sorry too much wine to drink and not enough time so I'm off - normal (ish) service will be resumed soon - probably tomorrow when I get home!

Cheers!