Arsenal Transfer Rumours And General Chat

LOL

Just saw this now on SSN:

Arsenal have taken Ghana World Cup star Shilla Illiasu on trial.

The 23-year-old featured in all four of The Black Stars' games at the finals in Germany - starting the last three of them.

The central defender shone in Germany and his performances caught the attention of Arsene Wenger and his scouts.

Illiasu's club Kumasi Asante Kotoko have confirmed that Illiasu is on his way to London to link-up with The Gunners.

Arsenal have excellent contacts in Africa and now they have agreed a deal with Kotoko - which sees Illiasu arriving for a trial spell.

The highly-rated stopper will get the chance over the next few days to try and convince Wenger that he is worthy of a move to The Premiership.

Reports from Africa suggest Kotoko would allow Illiasu to leave for around $1 million (£500,000).

Who was it that posted earlier saying Wenger would buy some African sprinter that nobody had ever heard of?

Re: Reyes, arseblogger summed it up pretty much perfectly today:

What can you say? Obviously he’s unhappy in England and has been for some time. Is it worth keeping a player who so badly wants to be somewhere else and at this stage no hastily published denials on arsenal.con are going to paper over the very obvious cracks.

The main problem is how close it is to the start of the season and that his versatility is important in our squad right now because we’re quite threadbare. However, he’s got a contract until 2010 so it will have to be a healthy offer for us to sell.

If the manager used the money from his sale to replace him with quality I wouldn’t have any problem with him going. Like I’ve said previously I really like José but he’s just never going to settle in England and we have to face that fact. What worries me is the possibility that we’ll sell him and replace him with a 16 year old Ugandan who played in the French 3rd division.

He played quite well tonight I thought but it doesn't look like he's ever going to be used as a striker on a regular basis and the wing he doesn't cut it if there is to a serious title challenge any time soon. On the wing you still get superb dead-balls, high work rate, some nice touches and the odd great long range pass, but you also get far too many backward passes and losses of possession. If that is to be his lot, then I'd rather he was sold. I like the guy and would like to see him realise his potential.

And yet, this has just cropped up on Arsenal.com:

Jose Antonio Reyes has once again denied that he is looking to move to Real Madrid.

Over the weekend, the Arsenal striker had to refute reports that he was after a transfer to the Bernabeu club. The story resurfaced in the media this morning.

“I did not say these words,” said Reyes in response. “I’ll tell you once again, I am happy at Arsenal and I am looking forward to the coming campaign. We have a new stadium this season and we are pushing for honours in all competitions. I do not want to leave Arsenal."

He looked a bit frustrated tonight but very happy when Gilberto scored from his free-kick delivery.

The friendly itself against AZ Alkmaar finished 3-0. Goals from Gilberto, Adebayor and Van Persie (penalty).

Almunia (Poom 72), Eboue, Toure, Djourou (Cygan 72), Fabregas, Flamini (Hoyte 46), Gilberto (Song 72), Hleb, Reyes (Aliadiere 72), Robin Van Persie (Traore 85), Adebayor (Randall 85).

Decent performance from pretty much everyone who played. I was surprised by Aliadiere, he came on for Reyes and played most of the game on the left flank, and did very well. Some great running with and without the ball, very direct and very effective. If he can continue in that vein he may not be finished at Arsenal just yet.

Hoyte looked good when he came on too. I'm starting to think that between himself, Clichy, Flamini and Traore, Cole won't be that badly missed. Obviously none of them are at his level, but for the money involved, it's an easy downgrade to swallow.

Also, I've been hearing rumours that Alex Song has actually turned into a footballer over the summer, and it looks like they may not be wrong. He looked pretty good in pre-season last year too, mind. Maybe it's the nerves.

Oh, and Fran Merida was in the squad for the reserves' trip to Borehamwood tonight. Very pleased!

The kids (and they really were kids - I think the average age of the midfield was under 16), beat Boreham Wood 4-0 tonight. 2 goals for Lupoli who was MOM and goals for debutants Fran Merida and Nacer Barazite (signed from NEC recently).

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Ryan Garry played (at CB) too which is nice.