Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Panathinaikos reject Gallas

By Aries

Gallas’s contract with Arsenal ends on 30th June and you would think that there will be a host of clubs queuing up for his signature. Yet three clubs that have recently reported showing an interest are now back tracking.

The real reason is the high salary demands by Gallas who is holding out for a two year contract with 80.000 a week.

Paris Saint-Germain and Roma have cooled off and now Panathinaikos officially announced only yesterday that they are not interested, denying ever making an offer in the first place. Their interest was widely reported in the French press who had Gallas seriously considering it.

Gallas is keeping quiet and has recently refused to appear before the media at the World Cup. If he does not lower his wage demands then he may have no one to speak to.

Galas to join Greek club Panathinaikos

By 1970’s Gooner

Gallas was offered only a year’s extension on his contract with Arsenal and was also set a deadline by Arsene Wenger to make his decision known by the end of May.

That deadline has come and gone and Gallas, who is usually quite outspoken, has kept totally quiet. So quiet that he has recently refused to appear before the media alongside Hugo Lloris at France's base in Knysna, Western Cape. Only the goalkeeper turned up.

"William has decided not to speak to the media for the duration of the World Cup finals," a team spokesman said, without elaborating.

One possible reason was that he was bypassed for the France captaincy by coach Demenech for Patrice Evra.

Another reason could well be however that he may not have wished to face questions about his mooted move to Greek club Panathinaikos, where his mate, ex Liverpool player, Jibril Cisse is plying his trade.

Radio Monte Carlo in France has reported, in the same manner it first broke the news last year about Cisse joining Panathinaikos, that Gallas has received yesterday night (Monday) an offer of a two year contract with 5m euros per year.

Cisse is likely to fill him in on Greek football and way of life. He has actually benefited from his move to Greece finishing top goal scorer and getting called up in the France national team for the World Cup.

Gallas’s contract with Arsenal ends on 30th June and the player is likely to keep his mouth shut till then.

What this means is that in one go four central defenders may be leaving Arsenal en masse. Gallas and Silvestre’s contracts are not likely to be renewed, Campell is thinking about joining Celtic and Senderos has today signed for Fulham.

This leaves us at the moment with Vermaelen and Djourou. No wonder Wenger has been talking about strengthening the defence.

He has to get on with it pretty soon though….

Video van Persie scores again. Top scorer in the World Cup?

By 1970's Gooner

Robin van Persie has been on a hot streak ever since he so belatedly made his come back for Arsenal in the Premier League. He has been scoring freely for Holland in their friendlies prior to the World Cup.

His latest is against Hungary which you can see on the video above. He received the ball from Kuyt on the edge of the area and put in a delightful curler round the goalkeeper. This was Holland’s equaliser after which they went on to win 6-1.

Can he end up top goal scorer in the World Cup?

The answer is yes provided he keeps free of injury. I would put a bet on him to do what injury prevented him from doing for Arsenal this last season: score those amazing goals and help his team to glory…

Vela sinks Italy (Video)

By 1970's Gooner

Carlos Vela has began to convert the chances his Mexico team mates are creating for him.

In Mexico's first friendly almost two weeks ago he missed two clear cut scoring opportunities against England at Wembley and I thought, here we go again...

But now he is back on track. He drifted into space behind the defender and in one movement he slid the ball home to score the first Mexico goal in their victory against Italy last night.

I have the feeling that he will be a revelation in the World Cup which will be good news for us Gooners as he has not really fulfilled his early promise when he first arrived.

At last Wenger has said what we all wanted to hear. But it's not enough.

By 1970’s Gooner

I made a plea to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Football Club right at the beginning of the Fabregas transfer saga.

“Say it loud, say it clear Mr Wenger: “Fabregas is going nowhere” was the title of my post.

I was desperate that a clear and definitive statement should come out of the official Arsenal or Wenger’s lips stating categorically that this transfer was definitely not on.

And thankfully, albeit belatedly, we got it today.

“…yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.

'To be clear, we will not make any kind of counter-proposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word.”

The chances of Arsenal selling Fabregas this season have now diminished.

Yet it can be reversed if Cesc himself turns against the club that nurtured him since he was 16 and against Wenger to whom he owes pretty much everything in his football life. It would also require a massively improved offer from Barcelona of say around the 50m to 60m mark.

The probability of these two factors occurring is pretty low in my opinion. Cesc has said that he will leave the whole matter to Wenger himself and that he fully trusts him. Also Barcelona have already paid out 42 m for Villa. They have limited resources left to go into a heavy bidding war for Cesc.

But I feel that all these goings on are clear indicators that this season will most probably be Cesc’s last in an Arsenal shirt. Unless….

Unless Wenger realizes that now is his last opportunity to really build a competitive team around his most precious footballer.

That now, this summer, is the time to go out and buy those quality players that will make a difference and propel this club back into title winning performances and Premier league domination.

Let’s pay the right price for a quality goalkeeper, for another two central defenders and for another defensive midfielder. Not stingily buy geriatrics or kids and ask them to perform way above their level.

Let’s go for it NOW, because next season WILL be too late. The bird will have flown out of its nest…

I hope Walcottless England get knocked out at the group stages

By Aries

Four years ago we were all shocked when a kid called Theo Walcott was selected in the world Cup squad.

This time round, having had a strong hand in helping England qualify for the World Cup scoring that amazing hat trick in Zagreb, he is left behind by an ill advised Fabio Capello.

This means that Arsenal have no player representing England in the World Cup. This is my first reason for withdrawing my support for this team.

The other reason is almost as important. This squad contains four Spurs players.

Ledley King, who will probably fall injured in the first game he plays,

Aaron Lennon, who is nowhere as good as Theo in front of goal,

Peter Crouch who will prove inadequate once the opponents stick a decent defender against him who can head the ball,

And Jermain Defoe who will most probably warm Capello’s bench.

At least Theo will have a full pre season free from World Cup tiredness, both physical and mental, ready to take on the premiership defences and mount a serious title challenge with Arsenal FC.