Arsene assures that there will be no Arsenal exodus

We'll kicking things off today, Arsene assures us that only one player will be allowed to leave this season and that player will be Mathieu Flamini.

This comes in the light of speculation that we might lose quite a few players in the summer, of them possibly Hleb, Ade, Gilberto and Mad Jens.

Let's hope he keeps his word, and adds this summer to a team that looks like reaching its true potential next season.

Continuing about Flam he said, "We have only one player who is free, that is Mathieu Flamini. He can go where he wants but he can as well stay.”

Arsene also mentioned in his Friday press conference that Flamini's "will he stay, will he go" issue will be put to bed early next week, as he has extended the deadline for the midfielder till the coming Monday.

That should be enough to consume the Flamster over the weekend, or not, if he's made up his mind already. Don't forget that Flamini should take his place in midfield again tomorrow, back from injury, in what could be the last time he plays in front of the home fans.

I have a gut feeling that he will stay though, but we should all know really soon.

And about Hleb, Arsene added, “Alex Hleb has two years’ contract. He is not for sale.”

Arsene is also furious about the Inter-Hleb-ice cream thingy. Arsene says that recently some more details of the meeting have emerged which have got him incensed.

Le Prof said that he will take this up with FIFA but did not divulge anymore details. You have to be really pissed off with what Hleb did. It really gets my goat. That is unacceptable behaviour from the Belarussian.

Arsene says the strength of a team can only be measured over time. He added, “I feel you have to take a distance from immediate results. What is important is to make the right decision, have the right philosophy and the decision you make today is the one you still make if you want to be successful in 10 years."

“You must take distance from the immediate game that was won or lost. That can sometimes be down to the decision of the referee and not your skill."

“The only way to show some quality is over the longer distance. We can all win one game and over six months be strong. The manager can show his strengths if he makes stability for eight, 10, 15, 20 years, (like) Ferguson at Manchester United."

“The quality of a club and strength of it is more judged on a longer distance. It is a marathon to lead a club and I believe this particular club has always shown different strengths to other clubs.

"For the rest, I am not involved in the politics.”

Hmm... let's hope all the hard work in previous season comes to a head and we walk away with a treble or something.

But fair play to the Professor, we know where he's coming from. We are patient, and we will continue to be patient.

Arsene also talks about the wage structure we have in place at Ashburton Grove, saying that we have it or go bust. I think that more than anything the players at Arsenal will have to stay here with a paycut, and it could be a quite a considerable paycut.

There are so many things on offer at Arsenal Football Club, but money is not one of them. Players know this and no amount of holding the club up for ransom is going to change anything.

I'm sure all of us would like to pay our players more, this also ensures that we keep them at the club for longer, but unfortunate as it is we can't do that at this point of time.

That said, it's not like the players are starving or something. I'm glad we are sticking firmly by the wage structure, which is here to keep us from going down the tube.

We are maybe in the market for Portsmouth's Kranjcar, as his father Zlatko confirms, more on that here.

Our last home fixture of the season sees Everton come by. They have a UEFA cup place to play for, so it really should be something. It's a 13.30 kick off London time, and that makes it an 18.00 kick off in India.

It's on in Asia on ESPN, so now you know. But before that, can West Ham do us the hugest favour ever, when they destroy the Manky Shite find out today that's on in a little while from now, while Chelski take on a beleaguered Newcastle also today. Two matches any Arsenal fan will be keenly following.

In a follow up story to the Edelman departing story, Arsene says that he is surprised by his leaving. Some one here is terribly irritated that Edelman was shown the door only at this late stage, but that's just his opinion, read all about it here.

And that has to do it for today. Here's hoping that Chelski and Manky Shite can commit suicide or something!