New life

So, I went to Newmarket for a friend's wedding at the weekend. I say friend as if this particular "friend" is no more than a close drinking buddy. However, this particular friend, amongst all the surrogate brothers I have collected over the years, well, having spent most of my primary school- and then much of my secondary school- years within the four walls of his family's house in Isleworth he feels more brotherly to me than most. So, Chris "Flapper" Harrington, Arsenal fan and newly married man, I salute you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best in your new life with Rachael.

And with talk of "new life", I can neatly segue away from that personal note and into the news that you've all come here to read. Except that there isn't really much news to talk about. Nothing concrete anyway.

I say that as if some shady character in a trenchcoat and trilby hat, probably smoking a Rothman's Superking in a dimly lit car park, hadn't fed the BBC's Dan Roan the following quote regarding a Barcelona bid for Cesc,

"The offer was made formally in writing to our chief executive, and we said no straight away."

"If it's (another bid) enough I expect we'll have to sell."

Yes, Arsenal's very own deep throat has let the cat out of the bag and in doing so confirmed what many have believed for a while, what some people have chosen not to and what Fabregas appeared to confirm in saying that he wouldn't ask for a transfer when in Madrid recently: he wants out. Seriously, it's no surprise to me, but then I expected him to leave last summer. I think what kept him here last year was a combination of his respect for Arsène Wenger, love for the club and Arsenal's stubborness in refusing to deal with Barca. I think it's fair to say that perhaps his respect for Arsène may have been eroded (if only a little) by events over the last year. I don't think there can be any doubt that Arsenal are a lot more willing to play ball this summer, provided the price is right.

There is another aspect to this saga that I don't believe many have mentioned and it is the fact that whilst many may expect Cesc to be sitting on the Barca bench next season, regretting the fact that he was once a key player become just another cog in the wheel, perhaps it will suit him to have some of the pressure take off. Perhaps he will prefer not being run into the ground the way Arsène Wenger has done over the last seven years. It might also suit us to turn away from the more possession based approach the Fabregas era has brought about- if we can return to a more dynamic, pace based style of football.

Anyway, that's just my take on it. I could be totally wrong, but then I happen to think The S*n story suggesting Cesc will strike to force his move through his more wrong than I will ever be here.

Away from the latest sorry saga to involve a star player, we are actually trying to bring some players in- not that you would believe it if you read some of the comments on Twitter and even some blogs. Bolton's Gary Cahill has just overtaken Lille's Gervinho as the man the media are expecting to be the first player to be holding the red and white shirt outside London Colney- hopefully it will be in better weather than we are now experiencing! Reports last week suggested that Ricardo Alvarez, Gervinho and Southampton teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would all be unveilled as Gunners next week. To be honest, I don't care who is unveiled when- just as long as the appropriate steps are taken to remedy the faults so apparent over the last four seasons. I do wonder about the wisdom of recruiting yet another young winger, but if it points to a willingess to adapt the team to a particular challenge- then that can only be encouraged.

I finally decided to go to the Emirates Cup, the Saturday anyway, last night, it'll be interesting to see who's in the red and white when the 30th July rolls around.

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