Well chaps, not much to report on here. There is the usual bits and pieces about our pursuit of the Everton chap and Gonzalo and what not but nothing much more. Our former steadfast leader (Adams) is taking to the presses and feeding them plenty of fodder lately. Doesn’t really bother me much. The lad earned his stripes with our club and can say what he wants at this point in his life. Like so many other sports, former players don’t exactly have the impact the once had (Jordan anyone?).

I could go on and on about what players we should add and what the potential player adds would do but truth is I’d rather not get my hopes up. It gets a bit tiring to keep reading about the only player you have signed sharing his thoughts on almost retiring at 19. Not exactly the greatest news for shoring up our depth but it is what it is and now that Sanogo is with us I’d rather see him healthy and producing on the pitch. Seriously though, anyone else worried the poor boy is subject to me referring to him as “Sa NO GO” on the pitch? A guy who almost retired because of injury? Yeah… me neither.

Given the quid available to Wenger this summer I was really hoping that he would start off quick and make a solid, statement signing. Hopes of that are pretty much lost at this point and now we just have to hope that we make statement signings. Truth is, if we roll out our signings the way we seem to play our seasons these days I may be satisfied but always wondering “what if” in the end.

I am truly optimistic about our upcoming season. We have plenty of windows and opportunities to challenge for the title (IMHO) and all we really need is a healthy squad, some much needed depth and a few quality signings. Now, a lot of teams could probably say the same but our stability and consistency in Manager I think make for a good recipe. Along side that, I hope that some of our international boys get some rest (Santi anyone?) so that they can come back and start the season at 100% healthy.

Right then. Here’s hoping that I can report on something more a bit soon. Until then I will continue to live out my dreams via FIFA 13 on Xbox. Just completed the double. I have Barca in my attempt to pull out the treble. Let’s just say when my “fantasy” season is over I shall be using my board approved funds to shore up my striking options… hint hint Wenger?

I am not a fan of texting. Seriously. I don’t like what it does to me, others or the english language. I refuse to have a texting plan (because they seriously rip people off for what you get-bloody vultures) and I block texts to my phone (yes, you can do that). My work around solution is that I use a free text app that uses data (which I hardly use because I hate texting) OR I use my iMessage (which kind of makes me an iPhone snob). I see the place for texting. It can be very handy in certain situations: “I’m on my way.” “Dinner at 5” “What is the address again?” “Here is a recent pic of Jackson”. That being said, a full blown conversation? Bollocks. People are generally bad at communicating anyways. Texting is like the partial shite way of attempting to communicate. It is generally done without thinking, with too much over-analyzation, it can be heat of the moment and can even convey the exact opposite message because tone is generally lost. It is utter crap.

Why my diatribe against texting? Well, because I feel like the club is communicating via text right now and until we see some action I am not sure I like what I am reading. Kols to Barca or Bayern? Rumors only are they BUT if we even entertained the idea of selling a lad with 4 years left, at a reasonable wage for a paltry 15 mil or 20 mil… well, then we are nuts.

The club has to s(P)end a message this summer. We are Arsenal. We are here to challenge for titles, to spend money, to win. We are open for business in the buying department and we are NOT selling our best pieces to appease a prior debt. Selling Kols is not a part of that message. Hell, buying potential (injury) pieces like Sanogo is also not exactly the message we should be sending right now. Cleaning house in our academy? Sure. I guess. Bring in new blood. Bring in talent and dispense with those not performing up to their potential. But we have to buy. We have to ADD pieces. S(p)end the right message.

Footballing in this day an age of the gazzillionaire owners is tough. They view clubs as play things. Development and loyalty are not part of the equation. That doesn’t help a club like Arsenal whose history, loyalty and development are key cogs in their greatness and appeal. BUT, Arsenal also have plenty of money to spend, a fancy new stadium and a very reputable manager. I think it helpful that no one seems to speak ill of the manager or the treatment at the club. That also says something and should be appealing in a league as drama filled as the PL has been over the past years of twi(ee)ts and what not. Thus, this all has me begging the question: Why don’t players want to come to Arsenal? Short answer: Money. Long answer: Money.

It’s a piss poor reason but that is the world we live in. Until we splash the cash the only thing we will be putting into our trophy case is coupon’s and stacks of unspent cash. We are craving for big, quality signings that help create depth across our ranks. We need to send a message. We need a signing that causes other players to see how serious we are and that Arsenal are more than the good feelings club. We need to take advantage of continuity this season and pluck that damn title from the air because it’s Arsenal, Arsenal FC we’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen.

Until next time chaps…

This time of the year could easily be considered the doldrums of being a PL fan. There isn’t much action in the transfer wake for us and there obviously isn’t any gaming going on. That said, the MLS is in full swing (nope, have really watched it this year) and the English rumor mill is churning milk into butter as usual. Some mighty fine ideas out there being floated that are worth a few notations:

Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid: The guy is a legit striker and would certainly take the starting spot from day 1, relegating Giroud to a reserve role. First, let’s chat Gonzalo. The guy brings that instant striker capability that we have missed since the dutch skunk took his toys and left the playground. I salivate at the idea that we could land a striker of his caliber and his game, and his familiarity with the Spanish style would serve our team well. Additionally, a move like this addresses a need that everyone and their mother knows is missing in our game. Second, what to do with Hey Hey Giroud? Well, nothing. We need another striker. OG knows it, the fans know it, everyone inside London, outside London and stateside knows it. IF we landed Higs then a competition brews (not really though) and we now have a bit more depth in our central striker spot. OG isn’t exactly a bad guy to have in our bag of tricks given that, you know, we want to compete for titles and hardware all season long.

Wayne Rooney, Man U: Look, the guy is talented and if played as a striker, which he is MORE than capable of (IMHO and oh, I don’t know the 27 goals he hung up not so long ago). Does it cause me to salivate? No. He is a United guy. But hell, I wouldn’t mind taking someone so identifiable with a certain club and letting him run ragged against them. Hell, I don’t think I am the only guy that wouldn’t mind watching him notch a brace or hat trick against Moyes and Man U. I don’t exactly want to splash a whole bunch of cash on him but at the right price I would be happy to put him on the pitch and see how those plugs hold up.

Marouane Fellaini, Everton: In my opinion, this would be a very interesting move for Arsenal (and harkens back to the players of old in our history). I like the idea of an enforcer in the squad for footballing. Arsenal have none right now and the fancy haired feline would definitely add some pack to our punch (not to mention some additional hair product revenue that we already get via Mikel). That being said, I don’t exactly remember too many games, sans those against Everton, where enforcement was a problem (although Jack was pushed around WAY too much this year without consequence). Scoring goals though? Hmm… If this really is to happen then I think we are going to see a bit of a tactical shift (could it be Arsene?!) that aligns well with our possession game. All in all, I think he would add a great presence in the midfield and if signed for long term I see him being in Arteta’s spot all day long (maybe together and Mikel gets to move forward more?).

Cesc Fabergas, Barcelona: Aww, that would kind of be awesome. Maybe. I’m not exactly a fan of second round trips unless the first was really good. Well, Cesc was pretty damn good the first time around. I salivate over the idea of Cazorla and Fabs dominating the middle. It could be awesome or it could absolutely suck. Given the way the Spain team tends to play (their pretty good with all those really good midfielders right?) I think it could work out really well (especially since Wenger likes to put Santi on the “wing”). I feel like this becomes one of those who do you start if all this actually happens though right? Meh, such a sweet problem to have if it actually happened. Given my propensity to the Spanish style of play I would welcome the man back with open arms; could any Arsenal fan actually say otherwise (maybe that should be a future post…).

In the end, I really hope that we land both Fellaini and Higuain (a guy can have dreams right?). I think those two players would really address the depth issues we had this year (meaning they would start and we would have depth below them) but also add to this foreign idea that we are ready to challenge for more than our fourth place hardware.

Well, until we actually sign someone it isn’t worth doing much analysis and what not so I’m going to have to save the talented (ha!) writing on acquisitions for when it actually happens.

Come on Arsene, give me something to write about dammit!!!

A lot has been made of the possibility of a plethora of transfers possibilities and yet mum is the word (aside from the signing of a single young french injury prone striker… no, not talking about Diaby here). Ah screw it, let’s have some fun with this post.

1. Hola David Villa!

After failing to sign the striker earlier this year, Wenger picks up the moveable piece from Barca after an all night binger with Monreal and Santi. Villa, once realizing that Arsenal had continued to sink faith into French signings, comments, “Well, us Spaniards know how to play this game pretty well too.” Giroud, offended as most Frenchies can be, quickly changes his tune when he watches You Tube videos of Villa’s monstrous strikes from in and around the box, “I get to play with him!?!” he giddily admits.

2. Santi unites with Fabregas!

After seeing that the grass is not always greener on the other side, Cesc is welcomed back into the open arms of the Emirates after vacationing in Camp Nou. The homecoming is everything it could be with parades, banners and re-printing of posters, jerseys and advertisements (Arsenal actually saved a few quid there by re-hashing the old stuff). Upon his return, the wide eyed MF admits, “I thought I was going to get to actually PLAY footie over there. All things aside, I did have really nice seats for most games.”

3. Benteke bolts for CL!

Whilst playing a bit of the he said, she said game, Benteke forces Aston Villa’s hand into a move toward the shiny lights of the N5. When asked why Arsenal, the surprise striker of 12/13 relents, “Hey, if Gervinho can hold a spot there then I figure I had at least a fighting chance. And no, I don’t need the constant back rubbing and Tony Robbins tapes.”

4. Rooney flees Man U to say F U

After having his pick of the litter (ha! just kidding), Wenger informs the plucky (no, really hair does grow back on its own) man that he is more than welcome at the club. As if he needed to add insult to offense, Wayne forgoes any wages just to stick it to his former, former Manager (does he really not like Moyes?). After the tube ride to the stadium, Rooney admits, “Hey, at least I can keep my red stuff and all.” Meanwhile in London, Arsenal’s dear faithful lose half their fan base as it is determined they shat themselves to death (half from Rooney coming to London, the other half from seeing Wenger hug him).

This is the harder part of the season to write about. Rumors keep flying, not much paper is being exchanged and there just isn’t much to go on that doesn’t in some way incorporate shite rumors whose only purpose is to churn out papers (or web hits). As an aside, I am kind of happy that the circus has come back to Blue Balls. I just don’t think Jose’s second term is going to go so well. The pressure is greater and that man’s ego seems to keep growing and growing. I really am hoping we get the pleasure of watching him walk early into the tunnel while his team gets pummeled. Seriously, who does that? Oh, wait. “The Special One”…