A glass half-full

Hello there,
It's been quite some time, since I last reported, but there is a simple explanation: nothing was happening. Today's Emirates cup and the press-conferences, both pre- and post-match shed some light onto proceedings.
However, I'd like to start with the game itself. I didn't see it (had no opportunity, unfortunately), but I saw the highlights and, more importantly, the team line-ups. The game finished with the spoils shared, Arsenal pulled off a brilliant comeback, with Giroud scoring a screamer along the way. Two goals down with nineteen minutes to go and we scrape a point (three, according to the format). Not exactly what we'd like to see in terms of a result, but in could have been worse. It takes some nerve to get back into the game under such circumstances. Bottom line, at this stage, it's all about whipping into shape, as it's still pre-season.

The focus was all on the conferences, though, and they did go some way to soothe the nerves. The most interesting questions were, of course, transfer-related, but it was also good to hear Monreal will start training on Monday. With his return, our defense won't look that fragile.
Vermaelen is still out, unfortunately, and will be for six more weeks, so I still hope, a centre-back is on our radar.
My hope is better placed this time, I'm inclined to think, cause Wenger was finally pressed into transfer-related questions. These included, firstly, Suarez. The manager confirmed the £40 million pound bid, but said everything else concerns only Arsenal and Liverpool. He doesn't want to make the negotiations any more public, than they already are.
More importantly, the boss talked about other possible deals. While saying the usual "we have a strong core of young players" thing, he reiterated the fact, Arsenal is still on the market and try to make deals happen. Nothing new, right? Not exactly. Arsene then added, things are advancing in secret, so as not to draw unnecessary attention. Finally, confirmation that Suarez is not our only target, that there are others we just don't know of. While there's nothing concrete, moments like that instill belief and make a seemingly dark future a bit brighter.
In other news, the manager also mentioned the fates of Chamakh, Bendther, Gervinho and Sagna.
The most interesting bits concern the Ivorian. While we heard talk of a possible move to Roma for some time, there was no clarification. Now there is. Arsene even went as far as to say that the deal is not far away. If Gervinho really does leave (and it looks more and more likely, that he will), he'll be the first player of some value to say goodbye to the Gunners. More importantly, this will leave us short in numbers and it's a matter we'll have to address.
Chamakh and Bendther, meanwhile, have nothing happening for them. The former even has more chances for a permanent move away, which, when you look at it, isn't that surprising. Bendther has, time and again, scuppered deals, because of his unrealistic claims, so it really makes him the likeliest of the two candidates for an Emirates-filled season. Hope he goes somewhere and does everyone a favour, but TGSTEL never make things that easy.
And, finally, the matter of Sagna`s contact was brought up. The boss said, we'll try to tie the Frenchman to a new contract, but aren't close to doing so at this moment in time. Which is nothing groundbreaking, to be honest. The most likely scenario (made so by the player himself) is him staying for one more year to help Jenkinson mature and then leaving for good. Still, que sera, sera and all that.
More as it happens (tomorrow, if we're lucky)