Bits and Pieces: Arsenal Update

Greetings and such gooners! How goes thy day?

Mine been good so far! Been a bit muddled up with work and all the crappiness that work brings, and I still bear the scars.

I sense myself going off on a bit of a rant, so will kill it right there!

Like I could kill a whole lot of Scum supporters...okay, I'm not smarting anymore, really!

Part of the reason I'm all "nothing can get me today happy" is because I'm going to catch Iron Maiden in a week, I've got me new Arsenal shirt on, and memories of the game on Tuesday have been duly deposited in the recycle bin.

So lets see whats served up today by Arsene Wenger and Co. There's some team news going into our FA Cup game against Newcastle tomorrow. After the shocker of a display at the back in our previous outing, we will be shored up by the presence of Phil Senderos and Clichy. I know we at best all have mixed feelings about Big Phil, I really wish he could recapture the form he had with us that saw us all the way to the Champions league final, we all want that Senderos back. If he does reclaim even half of that form he could turn into more than useful backup to either Kolo or Gallas. Djourou and RVP though are still out.

Speaking about rotating the squad, Arsene said:

""I will rotate yes...Some players will go out and some players who were rested will come in.

"From Tuesday night I don't think we'll lose anybody apart from Denilson, who will be out for three or four weeks. He has a hamstring.

"Gael Clichy should be available again after a groin problem and, of course, the players who were on the bench should be available too.
"

""Senderos is available again but not Djourou and Van Persie.""

Repentant Adebayor has escaped the wrath of the FA after his much-publicised altercation with Bendtner. Now that's out of the way, we can concentrate on some footy!

Arsene is also reportedly close to signing 15-year-old Gillingham youngster Luke Freeman, whose transfer fee is touted to be at around 200,000 pounds. Well, we cannot mistake Le Prof's eye for talent, and it can only be a good thing with more players coming in, methinks.

It could be something like young footballer heaven! And that is echoed by our young Frenchman Armand Traore. Armand, we have to say, is still a WIP, and someway off challenging Gael Clichy for the left-back position.

And while we are on the subject of young talent development, this story in the Telegraph informs us about Arsenal debunking the theory of Theo Walcott going out on loan.

The Flamster has finally spoken about his deal at Arsenal, saying:

"

"I’m talking with the club. You know, I am very happy here and have some close friends. I really hope that I’ll be staying here and I’m very optimistic about it.

"Arsenal is my priority and I hope that everything gets sorted out because I love this club, the atsmosphere is amazing—the new stadium, the supporters, everything. We’re creating a new story here and I want to be part of that story."

"

We've been fed on scraps so far on the Flamini issue and while you would have to say that his words are comforting, I would still like to see the deal done and dusted.

Also I take this chance to salute arseblog on being nominated for the 2008 Bloggies in the Best European Weblog category. He is a leading light in terms of Arsenal blogs, and personally inspirational. Please do spare a few seconds and vote for him, you can do it by clicking right here.

So, do any of you feel the need to take an active part in the way Arsenal Football Club is run and even take ownership of the club? I will point you in this direction here. It's the Arsenal Supporters Trust or the AST. It has been around since 2003 and is just something I thought will publicise to those who are not in the know. It will cost you two quid a month to become a member and has a host of benefits. I'm seriously considering taking membership! So do give it a go.

I don't know about you lot, but I've thought about actually owning Arsenal shares. That's just a pipe-dream for the most of us, but the AST gives you the chance to do this—granted, in a small way.

There's a whole lot more, including the benefits of signing up, so please check out the link above—if you haven't already, that is.

And any of you having any bad Shite Hart Lane memories should have a clicky below, remember this?

The Newcastle game is a 8.30 kickoff India time and 3pm UK time. It's on Star Sports in the Asia region—that's of course if they do decide to show it, the Manure-supporting shite that they are...

And I'm outy. Have a good weekend, you lot!