Flamini to Juve, Hleb slapped with ban and Fab to start…

Yes folks we’re bringing you this exclusive ground breaking story that midfield maestro Mathieu Flamini has gone and put pen to paper and signed up for I-ti giants Juventus. OK this isn’t a title to pull in even more hits on the Allgoonerdup site or upset Gooners and we might have jumped the gun but given the silence coming from Mathieu Flamini, the noise coming from Juventus and the statements raised by The Arsenal chairman and Eton old duffer ‘Sir ‘Peter Hill-Wood saying “We have made what we think is a pretty generous offer and we are waiting to hear whether he will accept or not,” So to me I think it’s a done deal. I could be putting two and two together and getting a peanut butter sandwich but I think we have seen the last of The Flamster. It doesn’t make good reading or isn’t a great indication when someone at the club and the chairman at that doesn’t know what a player is thinking. I would love to be proved wrong or in the words of former afro sporting Kevin Keegan – “I would love it, just love it” but I don’t think I will be. That’s your cue Flamini by the way. 

So it seems after four seasons trying to get the midfield berth he so craved and not only making it his own but being a key figure in The Arsenal squad Flamini is set to ride into the sunset with The Old Lady. Given the calculations he still has about eight days to remain at The Arsenal, however the silence coming from the Frenchman is speaking volumes.

Hleb charged: Three words you wouldn’t normally associate with each other Hleb and violent conduct. But now you can as the ice cream loving Alex Hleb has been hit (excuse the pun) with a violent conduct order by The F.A. Hleb was ‘alleged’ to have hit Reading player Graeme Murty and sees his season end early with a three game ban. The media seem to be instigating a move away from Ashburton Grove for Hleb by naming any big European giant interested in him which is what we probably come to expect with any ’star’ Arsenal player nowadays. All I would say on the incident is that he shouldn’t be banned for the ’slap’ but the manner of the slap – he slapped like a netball playing girl. Joe Calzaghe should give Hleb lessons, if you’re going to smack someone – smack them, don’t tickle them. Not that I am condoning violence ont he football pitch of course readers. So given the mass exodus predicted by the media of Arsenal players this summer, we all might of seen the last of the Belorussian non-shooting midfield man in an Arsenal shirt…

Fab to play: So that’s just great we’ll start next season in another ‘transitional phase’ as The Arsenal will be without two key men (in the word case scenario) in midfield, that’s just bloody great that it! Anyhoo some sorely missed good news is that we do have a player staying and that’s Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski who will play the remaining games this season

Speculate to accumulate

What a nice feeling it was to witness a comfortable win again. I honestly can’t remember the last time I really felt this way. After 20 minutes or so, Reading were never really in it, were they? I’m glad Adebayor found his scoring boots again – better late than never – and happy for Gilberto to notch a nice goal, even if it was guided in by Reading. And always encouraging was the return to sharpness by Van Persie, and the continued brilliance of Theo. Granted, we always tear Reading apart, and there was absolutely zero pressure, so it was probably an enjoyable and stress-free match for the squad – except for Hleb, apparently.

Of course we’re all speculating, crossing our fingers and what have you about who’s coming and who’s going for next season. I know of a certain actor’s guild-member and right-sided player that many of us, including me, would like to see the back of, while opinion seems consistent that Hoyte, Lehmann, Gilberto, Senderos and, to some, Bendtner, will be leaving for greener pastures. I’d like to keep Senderos, and if his attitude improves, Bendtner. Count me too as a Lehmann sentimentalist. Great talent with pro wrestling histrionics, a funny afro and an eminently quotable German sense of humor. I’m sold! Always have been, though his form mysteriously always seems to rise and fall according to the international fixture list.

Benzema, Eto’o, Villa… all big names we’re somehow or other linked with, though I strongly doubt we’ll ever see any of them in an Arsenal shirt. Wenger has rubbished all the rumors, but of course that’s what we’ve come to expect from the crafty boss. Plus, holding onto his current players is his main priority right now, and discussing the signing of big names obviously doesn’t make that any easier. I firmly believe (1) he’ll find a way to sign the players he wants, and (2) we’ll not have expected any of the ones we end up with, which are easy predictions for any Arsenal fan to make, honestly. Most reckon we need defensive cover, a winger and another striker for the glassblown Van Persie and uncertain return of Eduardo. Ask others and they want to send our Spanish keeper back to his hotel day job in Devon. I’m not going to pretend to be armchair manager and embarrass myself with recommendations for Le Boss. In fact I have no idea what else to do besides console myself with the fact that he (usually) knows what he’s

doing. Expect the Mexican candle, Carlos Vela, to join us next year, along with (supposedly) Yoan Gouffran, although with unestablished players, nothing’s for certain.

Whatever. Enjoy the rest of the season – we have plenty of time to speculate and reflect in the summer. Let’s appreciate the show while it lasts for a few more matches.

To sign up or not to sign up, that is the question

We can only be talking about one subject here – Mathieu Flamini. Le gaffer has given the Flamster until the end of April to sign up. However the player has reiterated on a number of occasions that he wants to stay with The Arsenal – so why is he still stalling? Obviously the only person who could answer that question is Flamini himself, oh and his ‘advisors’. No one knows for sure the numbers being banded around by Arsenal to keep hold of their combative midfield man. What we do know is that whatever the number is, the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Inter who have been sniffing around the gaelic with grit could more than double it. But question is will Flamini really move for the sake of money? Ambition and winning things are what counts, however in this day and age – it isn’t that simple. Just take one look at all those mercenaries over at CSKA Chelsea. But why is it taking Flamini so long to decide? Is there more to it? The defensive spot is his own, he isn’t fighting anyone for that spot and doesn’t have to do a Lassana Diarra and do one just because he can’t get his own way.

One player who most people believe will be out the exit door at the Emirates is Gilberto. Now Gilberto for me has been talking the team and players up, for some time. I know he is the elder statesman at the club but for someone who is heading out the door I applaud him. Even this week he has been saying wonder boy Theo Walcott needs to bide his time in the team , as his time will definitely come. But Flamini all we’re getting is silence. By my count he still has another week and a half on the sidelines, plenty enough time to put his marker on Arsenal letter headed paper. But will he? I reckon if he doesn’t sign this next week I don’t think he will and that will leave Arsène Wenger having to buy another quality defensive midfield player. Either that or promote one of our youngsters which means we’ll be back to square one and in another ‘transitional phase’ as there isn’t a ready made replacement for Flamini. Wenger seems very certain Flamini will sign and I do hope he does because if Flamini does go, there’s going to be plenty of egg on his face as well as plenty of questions on why Wenger let a ready made replacement in Lassana Diarra leave the club after only playing for all of four months. We can get into the ins and outs of Abou Diaby, Alex Song or even Denilson plying their trade in the defensive midfield spot however apart from Alex Song who has played there internationally we’ll have another half season/season of a player get used to playing that role. That is of course if Gilberto does leave.

What do you think to the Flamini situation? Do you think the contract rebel will turn mercenary or do you reckon he’ll stick with The Arsenal.

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