A double loss, but not to worry

Hi everyone,
Some bits and pieces to chew on to today.
Starting with the Emirates Cup. The final games were played today and Arsenal went 2-1 down to Galatasaray. It's a bit of a shame to lose after being 1-0 up, especially with Drogba grabbing a brace in the most untimely fashion. Still, let's not forget it's pre-season and the games are all about fitness. For this reason, I couldn't care less.
More importantly, though, we saw Cazorla, Sanogo and Szscesny all start the game, which is really nice. The more fit and able players we have, the merrier.
And speaking of able players, Gervinho`s move to Roma has been confirmed by the manager. The deal is worth around £8 million. However, the fact that Gervinho is not another useless player we've been itching to get off the books makes this deal much less obvious. He has his drawbacks, no doubt about it, yet he actually contributed something to the team. If I'm not mistaken, this year he has 7 goals and 5 assists to his name. Nothing groundbreaking, of course, but much better than Chamakh and Bendther, for instance. I say it's a pity his shortcomings prevented him from being more successful at the Emirates, but nothing can be done now. Hope he fares better in Roma.
This transfer, however, definitely leavse us short on options. We only have the Ox, Walcott and Podolski on the flanks, with the latter two craving for a striker position. Moreover, Miyachi has sustained a rib injury, while the newcomer Sanogo can only seemingly play centre-forward. All of it leads to a precarious position, in which we find ourselves now. While we were chasing top-quality strikers, our flanks and defense suffered two heavy blows. I say, screw Suarez, find somebody cheaper and with less baggage and buy a couple of players, we so acutely need, for other positions.
In other news, Chamakh may be on his way to Crystal Palace, according to the manager. If this move really does happen (and seeing the boss talk so openly about it, strongly hints, that it will), then we'll only have Bendther and Park to dispose of. I have to say, I'm impressed with the way we handled departures this summer. Only two players to move with four weeks remaining is quite a feat, taking into account, how many there were, when the window opened. If only we can also buy some...but I'm getting pessimistic again.
I'll leave it at that. Back tomorrow

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.

One man doesn't make a team

Hi everyone,
Quite a bit going on today.
Starting with Suarez saga. It seems, no day can pass without a new twist to the story. The Guardian suggests, we're ready to offer £50 million for the Uruguayan. Astonishing really, especially if it's true. But I'll get back to it in a moment. The article goes on to say, that the player has held talks with Rodgers and they didn't go well, cause if they did, Liverpool would be boasting Suarez`s loyalty. I have to say, there is some logic to this argument.

Goose bumps

Hi everyone,
Not much happening today, but there was a piece in the Daily Mirror I just couldn't ignore.
Arsene Wenger was interviewed by the newspaper and his comments made me very uneasy. There were several things that caught my eye.

Aut Suarez, aut nihil

Hello there,
Sorry I wasn't able to report yesterday, but I had a busy day. Unfortunately, there are more to come in the, eh, coming two weeks or so, so forgive me, if this is not the only time. I'll do my best.
So, Arsenal has played Urawa Red Diamonds today and won by the skins of their teeth. For now, however, games are about fitness and match sharpness, rather than results, which isn't neccesarily a bad thing. The nerve-racking won't be in deficit, come mid-August, so it's nice not to worry about the outcomes of games, for a change.
The game itself (which, I confess, I didn't see) was good, judging on the highlights. The Ox has hit the woodwork twice, Walcott was unlucky here and there, but, overally, it left a nice impression. There was even a cup to go with the win.