Hello everyone.
The celebrations and all other things linked to them continue among both the players and the fans and I'm completely fine with that. Moreover, as soon as I'm able to get my hands on one of those yellow ribbons, I'll pin it on my shirt immediately. I already have a glorious badge to pin it with.
Among all these festivities, the press hasn't forgotten to keep pressing Arsene on a matter of his contact and his transfer plans for the summer.
On the first one, our manager has (in the immediate aftermath of the final) confirmed he'll stay on and that the announcement will happen soon, cause he's going to the World Cup on June 10th. The Guardian reports it'll be a tree-year long deal, worth £24 million. That means Arsene will get £8 million a year, thus becoming fourth highest-paid manager in the world (unless I'm much mistaken), behind Guardiola, Mourinho and Lippi.
More importantly, however, is that Arsene will have been the manager for over 20 years when this new deal expires and that's a historical achievement. I'm glad the boss will be able to both oversee a new chapter in the history of the Club he's put so much work into, and walk away on his terms when the times comes. That is, after he's sure he's done everything humanly possible to bring Arsenal to greatness. Whatever Arsene's shortcomings are, you'll never be able to find fault with his desire and work rate. He really has done an awful lot for the good of the Club, from bringing in new philosophy to building a new stadium.
On the second subject (transfers, remember?) Arsene said, that first the futures of Fabianski and Sagna need sorting out, before any other players are brought in. This is what Fab said after the Hull game:
"Probably that was my final game for Arsenal football club and I am really proud of that final game. I'm really proud that probably my career [at the club] ends up with a trophy. We will see. In the next few weeks, I will know more.
"It's difficult [to leave], for sure. But I think my decision is made purely on playing regularly each week. That's the main case for me. This club has been fantastic with me. I really love this club. It's just purely a sporting decision."
And, as sad as it sounds, I can understand the elder Pole. Though this final won't go down in history as the best game Fabiabski played for us (that Almunia-like charge out of the box nearly made me wet my pants), Lukasz had been brilliant for the last two seasons. He's one of the reasons we got to the final, he played a big part in winning it, but he's just not first-choice. I have seen an opinion, that we would not have found ourselves 2-0 down had Szczesny started between the sticks. Wojciech was very much in control of the situation when we played Hull in the league, and that was the result of his fearless claiming of crosses. He was commanding in his own box, elbowing away anyone who stood in his path (our defenders included) and that was why, despite all puffing and huffing from Hull we never really seemed in danger.
Fabianski was less confident when coming out, something that allowed Hull to score their second and nearly tuck away a third goal. And I've already mentioned that terrifying charge late in the game.
Elsewhere, Sagna seems to be in two minds about leaving Arsenal in the summer:
"I don't know...I've been talking with the club for a long time and we'll try to find a solution."
Sounds like there's an outside chance and, in my heart of hearts, I harbour a hope, that the piece of silverware we've just won will help us keep the Frenchman. Realistically, though, he's very likely to leave. There are reports linking him with various clubs, so it may be high time to start looking for a replacement.
Apart from these two, there are also lingering doubts over Vermaelen, Arteta and Podolski, but, as none were mentioned, I suspect they won't be leaving. Or at least that a contingency plan has already been put into motion, so the ones that will go, will be replaced right away. On other possible transfers, Arsene said:
"We have to bring in two or three players to strengthen the squad, that's for sure. Unfortunately, everywhere we go, there are many teams on the market at the moment."Well, that's how it usually is. Top teams compete for top players and there is only so many of these, even less for sale. If we've brought Ozil in, I'm sure we can cope with such rigours of the market, so I'll go no further here.
Especially because the first sentence is more interesting. If you asked me to pick three most problematic positions (assuming we keep the likes of Sagna and Fabianski), I'd say we need a striker (of a different playstyle to Giroud), a centre-back (having just three is risky) and probably a DM to replace an ageing Arteta. Maybe we can also throw a winger in, for good measure.
In these positions, we've been heavily linked with Loic Remy (who costs around £8 million), Aurier and Richards (from £8 to £12 million) and James Milner (something in the region of £12 million). Let's say their clubs want a bit more and we are looking at roughly £40 million, while we have £100 million available. £60+ million for Fabregas and a centre-back, eh?
However, all of the players mentioned above seem like good enough options for me. They have a lot of experience playing in the Premier League (bar Aurier) and seem like decent and capable chaps. Remy, for instance, was one of the few Newcastle players, who had a good season.
You have to keep in mind, though, that: a) this is all speculation, nothing has been agreed yet and b) Arsene can have his own (and completely different view) on these guys. There's a good chance he won't want to sign them, even if we they are available. And that's fine with me. Arsene knows a lot more than I do, he understands way better, which players can really strengthen the squad and what is good value for money.
So let's see, what he does. Oh, by the way, you can read the full interview here. Give it a go, it's much more interesting, than it appears to be.
Also, check back later this week. If nothing of note happens, I'll be back in a few days for a review of our season as a whole and what part our players, erm, played in it. If something interesting does happen, check back anyway, cause I'll report it.
Until later
