Why All This Cloak And Dagger Over Cazorla?

It's that day of the week that comes after Sunday; the day of the week I'm more likely to get out of bed with a groan on my lips and an ache in my head from over-indulgence in sensual pleasures and this Monday is no different. Despite the combination of headache, vertigo and lethargy that was caused by last night's affair with Johnny Walker Black, I grabbed my computer to troll the usual suspects for news of the official confirmation of Santi Cazorla.



Of course, one looking for "official" confirmation from the club will start at the official website of the club, but what do you know? Nada! Not a thing on the site gives a slight suggestion or even a vague pointer of the most eagerly awaited announcement from the club since the last summer transfer deadline day when fans around the world sat up watching the transfer window clock wind down as we waited for confirmation of Arteta and whoever else was joining us. And even then the tension was less palpable as we didn't have the luxury of weeks of speculation and then five days of knowing the deal had been closed but just needed the club to come out and say it.

Unofficial sources like Fifa  announced Cazorla's move to Arsenal here and quickly excised the paragraph containing that detail after a few hours for some reason. Apparently the club thinks this one bit of news deserves some melodramatic intrigue and has placed need-to-know restrictions on the news. Ooh! Maybe it's James Bond we've signed on instead of Santi Carzola.

Almunia (he should know, shouldn't he?) thought to break the news to fans out of the kindness of his heart knowing we desperately crave to know and for this we thank him and continue to wish him well in all his future endeavours as long as it's far away from us.

We wait and watch...

Mancini has come out to say that he doesn't think Van Persie will be joining City but of course he's been known to speak through his arse in the past so that will be taken with a pinch of salt. If there's any truth to that, it means United are in pole position to sign him on with Juventus indicating that he's out of their reach even though they've given him till Tuesday 7th August to make up his mind on their offer or they will pull out of the deal. Ferguson has indicated his unwillingness to pay in excess of ₤15m for a man his age, coupled with his injury history. Leaves one wandering how this will pan out in the end with other reports suggesting he is exploring the possibility of his doing a u-turn and extending his contract with us.

Talking about RVP, today is his birthday. Should we sing the happy birthday song for him? I mean, just us Arsenal fans. If we can find a choir of two, we'll go ahead. Count me out of it though.He'll  need to bang in 20 goals in fifteen games before I can sing "he scores when he wants" for him again. He has to earn that forgiveness.

There's still talk of incoming transfers as the club is rumoured to have submitted a bid of ₤7m for Celtic's Kenyan international, Victor Wanyama. Wanyama is a defensive midfielder  who can also provide cover in the center back positions. Don't know much about him but he is a fans' favourite at Celtic and is described as    a "no-nonsense midfielder".

We've done quite a bit of business on the incoming part but not much on the outgoing. Other than Vela who the club is yet to officially confirm his departure, no other senior teamer has been sold and God knows there are some that need to be on there way. We are a club known for keeping a keen eye on the book balances so we should expect some meaningful movement on that front as we look for new homes for the likes of Squillacci, Bendtner, Chamakh and maybe even Arshavin.

The team departs for a training camp in Germany this week that will culminate in a game against FC Koln next Sunday and a week after that the season begins at home to Sunderland. Really can't wait for that. I'm getting tired of the talk part of football and I'm looking forward to some of that adrenaline fix that only watching Arsenal play stimulates.

Light a candle for Henry Chinonso Ihelewere who died yesterday playing football

On a sad note, 21 year old Nigerian, Henry Chinonso Ihelewere aka Awilo, who plays professional football for CS Delta Tulcea died of a cardiac arrest yesterday during his club's pre-season friendly against FC Balotesti. He collapsed fifteen minutes after coming on as a second half substitute with no other play near him. He was rushed to the hospital but never regained consciousness. Another football tragedy. Please say a prayer for Ihelewere

Have a good week everyone.