Some time ago I wrote an article slightly jokingly about the vines that Arsene had planted and
how we were now seeing them produce some wonderful fruits. A few months on and with another
trophyless season under the belt there is a serious question to be asked.
I am sure you all share my thoughts and feelings here.
Merida has gone to Atletico Madrid, Luke Ayling has signed for Yeovil Town, Sol is considering
Celtic, Cesc Fabregas has a big toe out the door, Eboue is wanted by Barcelona and then
yesterday, Carlos Vela said is hoping for a great display at the World Cup in South Africa.
The lower-level season is either over or winding down, and that means the baby birds are
returning to the nest. But did they learn to fly?:
I don't have any hard data on this, but I think Arsenal probably had more players out on loan
(16!) than any other English club this season, which speaks to both (a) the strength of our youth
system and (b) our philosophy of attempting to get young players match experience early in their
careers.
Yesterday we heard the news that Lady Nina has decided to sell her shares in our club, she owns
15.9 of them. Stan the Man owns 29.98 shares and the Big Man from Russia owns 26.29. Even someone
like me, who can't add up for love nor money knows that if either of the two boys buy the shares
they will have to make a takeover bid.
So another one of our future players has been let go on loan, Yeovil Town have signed our young
defender Luke Ayling on a month-long loan deal. Why Yeovil? I haven't a clue, but if he gets to
play every week it has to be good for the lad. He is one of players who expected to make the step
up into the big boys league soon, maybe even next season.
Greece is the location this time for Arsenal's final group game in the Champions League. However
this time it's the young guns turn to take centerstage. Arsene Wenger takes his youngest side ever
to an away European tie in what is the dead rubber for us as we have already confirmed our
participation in the knockout stage of the premier European competition.
Hmmm there just doesn't seem to be enough Arsenal transfer rumours around today. Could it be
possible that Wenger would stick at just adding Chamakh and Koscielny to the squad? I think not,
especially with the uncertainty surrounding Sol Campbell. In fact none of the rumours circulating
today contain any good news for Arsenal.
Thomas Vermaelen has spoken about his injury he picked up against Aston Villa. While we were all
living in fear that he had a sustained a fractured leg, he just picked himself up, dusted himself
down and went about his business as usual!
What he suffered was bad bruising; an injury which normally requires a period of rest but the
hard man has continued to play through the pain.
