Arsenalist

Yesterday it was made clear that Arsene Wenger is in contract talks with Arsenal for an extension of his current deal which expires at the end of the coming season. All this rubbish which has surfaced since Henry and Dein left saying that AW was going to follow them out the door has been nothing but pure speculation on the parts of anybody but Wenger himself.

Dein leaves and everyone prints Wenger is sure to follow. Henry leaves so he suggests Wenger might. Capello gets fired and the Wenger to Spain trash starts. Ljunberg leaves and he suggests the Arsenal ‘era’ is done. Of all the articles and press that Arsenal have gotten this off-season, not one source can be sighted as having Arsene quoted as saying that he might be considering leaving Arsenal. The best anybody can come up with as him saying that he’s not talking contract right now.

So when I heard that Arsene was in contracts talk the last thing I felt was relief because I, along with every Gooner, knows he’s here until he retires or dies. The board wants him and he wants Arsenal, the rest really doesn’t matter. AW isn’t someone who will attach himself to a player, he’s attached himself to Arsenal, not to Henry, Ljunberg, Vieira, Bergkamp or anyone else. Players play for a few years, managers manage for decades and unless there are philosophical differences between Arsenal and Wenger about how to manage the game, he’ll be here forever.

Robin van Persie echoes this sentiment and realizes the current squad needs Arsene Wenger and can’t function without him because since it’s designed entirely by him:

“It’s important Arsene is here for the long-term and signs a new contract. If he is going to leave, and I don’t think he will, we’ll see what happens then.”

Wenger’s hailing RVP as “a complete team player” that’s been years in the making. But before I get too excited about all this haling and backing of personnel it’s important to realize we’re in pre-season where even though games count for something they don’t really count. Continuing with this theme of affection Cesc Fabregas is the latest to fall in love with Eduardo but has the senses to not compare the Crozillian to Henry.

The Community Shield happened over the weekend, Gunnerblog’s got an Arsenal perspective on the game and says we’re in pretty good shape when compared to our rivals. Apparently Gallas is ecstatic that people are writing Arsenal off. He also admits eating babies. There’s also a pretty nice read in the Telegraph which picks Arsenal to win a trophy but points to our lack of size (Rosicky, Hleb, Fabregas) as a worrying factory, especially when compared with some past players (Campbell, Vieira, Edu, Kanu). Thought I’d mention that Sol Campbell might be on his way to England duty, who would’ve thunk that a year ago?

If you’re like me and living a trillion miles away from Europe you want Setanta Sports News to happen, GolTV’s not cutting it for me.

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