Transfer update Friday: Super Sonago confirmed and Williams reportedly agrees 3 year deal

Nice way to start the weekend as the signing of teenage French sensation Yaya Sonago was confirmed. He is joining us in June on a free with 250k going to Auxerre as compensation. His record of 10 goals in 13 games is fantastic, especially seeing as this was on the back of a bad injury that kept him out of the line up all season. His last gift to the Auxerre faithful proved to be a wonderful half volley from a drilled cross, back across the keeper and into the Nimes net. Recently called up for the French Under 21 National side, it looks to be a great bit of business. Here's a look at the young lad. 

In other news the Evening Standard reports the imminent signing of Ashley Williams.

Evening Standard today:

"Arsenal have agreed terms to sign Ashley Williams this summer. Arsene Wenger is hopeful of tying up a three-year deal to bring him to the Emirates Stadium for a fee of £8-10million in the next fortnight"

This will no doubt upset the Anfield supporters who thought the ink had dried on a 4 year deal only for an eleventh hour bid to be accepted from us. Reports from within Anfield state that the Liverpool board backed out of the deal as the players age was mooted as an over riding reason. It seems strange that this would be so, as Williams stats this year prove his superiority over the current Liverpool central defenders. While history proves AW did the right thing pulling out of the Sahin deal, I think the Anfield Faithful will look at this as one that got away. With speculation over the Verminator's status ongoing, I don't see this as proof of this being anything but direct upgrade to the departing Squid. While Oli reportedly is sad to see his friend released, I fear he might be the only one and Williams signing significantly upgrades our defensive unit.

This leaves us with most of our kitty intact and the keeper, midfield and striker positions awaiting AW's ministrations. I won't bother with the rumors, just a chuckle at the 250k a week for 5 years deal mooted for Shrek.

"DONKEY!"

Ding Dong, Thugball is dead.

It's been a few days since we dramatically clinched our place in the sun. In fact I had the use of both eyes when I caught the breaking news that Stoke had given Pullis the boot, thereby curing any lasting hangover and putting a remarkable spring in my step. Thugball is dead, or perhaps coming to America where those in the know suspect Pullis to crawl out from under a rock to transform a football team into playing passable rugby.

There's not many people who get under my skin, and less football managers. In fact I can count two, Redknapp and Pullis. At least Harry is just about personality (OK I'll come clean, also the fact Spurs are the ONLY team he hasn't got relegated while in charge, I mean WTF) Pullis's crimes against football go far deeper. His malodious personality aside, the way he shaped a football team to become thugs make nothing to hold their play against if one believes in the beautiful game. Now Chavski have proven you can win while playing terrible unattractive football, but they also show you don't have to kick, elbow, punch and step on insteps to win. The Naughty Forty don't do as much damage as their club players do on the pitch.

I've not wanted anyone to be relegated as much in forever, and honestly thought Stoke were proud of their football, manager and they way they played. Having run into some Stoke NF troglodytes on a train further reinforced this view. "We're going to break more legs than you" in the style of our "we're going to score more goals than you" is just one such nice ditty we were serenaded by.

The Stoke chairman's words; that he realized the style of play and the implications to the image of the club and the damage this has done to the club was stated. That moving forward they would have to move away from this and step one was bringing in a new manager to spearhead this change. Make no mistake, this impacts them right in the wallet. They needed to change, but honestly at this point the damage has been done. It will be a brave man to take over at Stoke and introduce tiki taka. Please God don't let it be Stevie Bold as a few daily rags suggest. Whoever it is, I fervently hope they at least try play football and that the cost of playing Stoke next term doesn't amount to weeks of sidelined players and the potential career ending broken leg (again).

Transfer news is sparse, same old stories running across 4.7 Bazzilion blogs and newspapers and I'm reading them all. I had been made aware that the perception of blogs have crossed from a personal shout out to mainstream journalism. Unfortunately few post sources or when given, have them linked to fantasy factories from Italy and Spain by and large. Still, gives me something to do while I eat the cornflakes.
 
After sifting through all this the last few days the only consensus I can allude to is that Arsenal want AW to buy big this year as much as the fans do. This seems likely. We have just dumped a ton of youth players and I suspect the dead wood to follow. This gives us money for the wages of these 2 or 3 superstars we are about to sign. Right? Well we shall see but first up is our interest in this young lad, Yaya Sanogo.
 
He told SkySports.
“Arsenal could be a great club for me, I scored nine goals this season with Auxerre and they think I can improve my level in England. I am pleased to be following in the footsteps of Abou Diaby who came through from Auxerre. There are many teams interested in me, but Arsenal is my choice.”

Lets cross all our fingers and toes his injury record improve as it's frighteningly like Diaby's and most report that the deal is about done. With lots of reported interest for Podolski, Vermaelen and Sagna one hopes the purported Higuain, Jovetic and Piszczek deals materialize and that if we do sell, we replace with better. If Vermaelen to Barca gets us back Cesc, I'd snap their grimy paws off. I expect though we still have a few surprises in store. A few mutterings of game changers I shall have to see to believe, but given the draconian way we have started to tackle the wage bill you never know. I never saw Bergkamp coming either... and on that note I'm off to the land of nod till bleary eyed I shall rise to greet the new day and hopefully some concrete news on our signings new and wonderful.

Koscielny!!!!

Hard to say what made me happier today, the Alan Sugar tweet here that sent the tiny tots into ecstasy or the brilliant strike from Kos. Cruel I know, but I wouldn't have sent Hitler a birthday card either.

We were nervy and playing well within ourselves, the barcodes had plenty of the ball but no real team work. Ben Arfa and Cabaye deciding to balloon attempt after attempt into the upper stand much to our relief and our own quality of final ball being somewhat lacking made it tough to watch. The only highlight for me was one of levity. Cheik Tiote went up with Poldi for a header, taking his eye off the ball and getting smashed in the face and going down as if shot from the grassy knoll. Luckily Poldi was nowhere near him. From a certain angle that might have seemed malicious, but the only contact was from the ball itself. Thankfully though, no real harm was done and the lad got up and continued with no lasting harm done except to his pride.

We were linked with both Chiek and Yanga-Mbiwa extensively and on this showing I'm glad we let those ships pass in the night. Mbiwa especially looked lost and seemed both unable to pass or control a simple ball to feet. Ramsey ran around and was everywhere, but his passing today was awful. All in all a half to forget, only sweeter for the tiny tots scoreline and the touching Barcode standing ovation to the departing keeper Steve Harper. He had revealed he was close to tears when fans chanted his name in his farewell game.

“Everyone started clapping... and I was wobbling,” he said.

“But then Podolski smashed me in the family allowance and that snapped me out of it.”

Classic.

Second half we had more purpose, The Ox seemed to move into Arteta's slot well enough and for once we started to make the ball work for us. The game was still scrappy and I'm probably not the only one thinking that our first goal would come from a set piece. So it proved, Theo corner to Poldi who nodded it on. The Boss acted first, pirouetting and smashing the ball into the net before Harper could react. I shouted goal so loud the chap with the chainsaw half way up the trees in the back garden nearly tumbled out of it. Which also goes to prove the intelligent choice is always to strap yourself in, be it the car or a 50 foot tree.

We didn't really press any further until Oli came on, and his presence was two foldedly effective. First he held up the ball and allowed us some time to actually move around and create some space, secondly he muscled his way into a few good situations and very nearly capped his display with a cheeky chip over Harper. Theo must be wondering how he managed to turn the chance of the season to the worst miss of the season and one could understand his palpable frustration at that point. Time and again the through ball went wide, behind him or missing him in space alone altogether. As I said before, Ramsey was the worst culprit here and his industry didn't quite make up for the errant passing. Thankfully it wasn't punished.

With the tiny tots scoring (and what a goal it was too) the last ten minutes went end to end. The barcodes had only to equalize and the tots would leapfrog us into the CL. It seemed word got to the lads and we started to look a little vulnerable. That was until Oli took the the game by the scruff of the neck, winning, holding and muscling his way into the last few moments and helping us make history. Sixteen seasons, not Bayern, Barcelona or real Madrid can boast this.

I think the barcodes were a little annoyed with our lads celebrations, if only because they wanted to take that stage themselves and show their appreciation for the departing Harper. Still, our celebrations were justified. Firstly thanking the fans that out sang the Geordies all day, and have followed the team through thick and thin and secondly to celebrate the 10 game turn over of the tiny tots. 8 wins and 2 draws is phenomenal. We only had a seven point differential to overtake this season, and the tiny tots plastic wheels coming off the wagon helped, but take nothing away from the lads. The last 10 games point tally was the ultimate difference.

Thoughts and words can now turn to transfers, structure and the other sources of infighting that will have to fill our days until we reform after the break and put our collective boots on in anger once again.

I'm off to hoist a rather large drink in toast, for those wishing to join me, Sláinte!

St. John's waaaaaaaaaaaambulance service on high alert as tiny tots prepare to leap off the Shelf's rooftop.

Judgement day is upon us if you believe the Guardian. I suspect the actual proceedings to be less cataclysmic for us, the Arsenal faithful and the angst, despair and  shattered dreams to be once again the province of the tiny tots.

Launching themselves from the rooftop of their beloved White Heart Lane to reenact their team's nose dive back to reality, mediocrity and the cold hard truth that they are again, failures will be streamed live via ESPN to thunderous applause and a perfect 10 score for each face plant into the turf. Perhaps...  or that could just be the dodgy curry I had last night talking. Nostradamus I aint but what a lovely dream. Now I expect us to win, the dream part was a world without a Tottenham fan in it.. but i digress.

After a tale of two distinct halves, apparently interspersed by a few broken tea cups and a hairdryer, we found ourselves to be worthy 4-1 victors over Wigan. Apparently we spent most of the first half reacting to Wigan and their game plan, nullifying it (According to the Arteta of War, page 6 paragraph 3) Such was our success at this plan we forgot we actually had one of our own. Step up AW. Placing a firm Gaelic sandle into Arteta's midriff he was heard to shout "this is Arsenal." Thus we went out and the rest is history brave Spartans.

I don't think you can over state how important the early save ches made second half. All the more remarkable as old spaghetti wrists held strong, and the shot cannoned off his left paw and safely away. Theo played a blinder. for once in a good way. Poldi was unlucky not to get his hat trick, and while I winced when Ramsey took the shot you can't say more than GOAL!!!!! I think anyone would have been proud of that goal and not since Johnny "I hit the bar again" Jensen has the Arsenal had a player take so many shots and not score. So I was happy either way, probably more than Poldi but less than a Ramsey. Oh and Santi, the BFG and Kos, all played like they wanted to win. It rained and imports sometimes disappear in it, but the lads all sailed through that one with aplomb.

I felt for the Wigan supporters. Replay after replay showing the poor fan holding his beanie clad head in his hands, crying unconsolably in the realization that they were going down. Fair choked me up. I mean that by the way, I know I can dance for sarcasm but that really did hit me and tempered my elation at the scoreline. I expect to see Messrs Martinez and co back shortly. Why couldn't it have been Stoke!

So to the last day we have but to win. Should we need a play off with the Chavs I suggest it be at White Heart Lane. Just the matter of beating the barcodes (sounds naughty that) and we can once again relax into the comfortable knowledge that we are ready for the transfer merry go round being in both money and the championship League.

Come on you Gunners!

Don Villas-Boas says Szczesny "has no respect" as horse head left in his bed.

The room is dark. The solitary table lamp illuminates little beyond Don AWB's hooded eyes as he splinters walnuts. Controlled violence and a clear message to us as we wait his words. For a moment I think he is clearing his throat but it dawns on me he is trying to pronounce Szczesny...

"He has no respect, his hatred is not understandable from a punk who is not even an Arsenal fan."

I make an effort to correct the Don's last statement but am cut short as another walnut splinters. I find myself nodding in ascent instead.

"He's young, passing through to another club... In the end if he means these words from the heart..." Another walnut gives way to the Don's ministrations, the shell cascading to the desktop to be wiped away suddenly by the back of the Don's hand. "He doesn't for sure." He motions to the door and we file out, happy to see the sky.

Well, it could. perhaps should have happened like that. Mountains and molehills, storms and teacups. I think it's plainly a very slow day today news wise and but for this comedy gold from Messrs Szczesny and Villas-Boas it would be just another day of transfer speculation / fabrication and the long wait till the morrow where (hopefully) we get to see Chelsea stuff the Spuds. Sour cream, chives and a sprinkling of bacon bits to order.

It's getting tight. I've made several stabs at predicting results, getting ours spot on but unbelievably, Chelsea and Spurs keep winning too. It's annoying. Very annoying. Six points to play for and it doesn't help that even getting these might mean missing out on fourth. Mathematically a lot can still happen. We could come 2nd. We could come 5th. I'd settle for the middle ground and another season in the Champion's League.

So ahead of tomorrow I'm calling every Chelsea fan I know to do the unthinkable and wish them luck. I have the Bale voodoo doll sorted and a lovely selection of shiny pins. I think I have it all under control... just have to find a place to put this horse head.

Night all.

A touch of George about today

Today we waited in the tunnel knowing that the 86th minute shell launched by les dindons de coqs had landed smack bang on our hopes of another unprecedented year in the Champions League. Dusting off the feathers we ran out to remedy this against the best Super Hoops team ever assembled. Well, if you take cost into evidence anyhow. It was a tale of two championships, QPR already relegated could now go about their business of giving a shop window to their expensive talent in a bid to save themselves from the beggar's banquet that awaits them. So it was set for us to fail, a Spuds win and to be put to the sword by a team with literally nothing to lose and everything to gain by putting in their performances of the season.

It took all of 20 seconds. Step up Arteta, a nice little ball through the middle to Theo's feet. He paused and then slotted it under the advancing Green. Mayhem! For once I relaxed. We were going to win. Crazy I know, we would after all have another 94 minutes to play, but there was something about this team that I am beginning to settle on. The recent results, the subsequent media interviews our lads have given. The belief, the commitment. I flashed back to when "One nil to the Arsenal" was our terrace song. When Georgie Graham made it clear that if we scored against you it was time to surrender, because we would never concede... and so it proved. Though the R's did mount a credible second half tilt at us, it proved to be fruitless. I do admit to holding my breath when Chesney saved a Remy curler diving to his left and getting enough fingers on it to push it wide but apart from that, my resolve and conviction never wavered.

My pick for man of the match goes to Townsend, who gave Monreal a torrid time and a booking to show for it. Such was the magnitude of his performance it made Nacho look rather ordinary. In a world of "Daddy or Chips?" it was probably time for someone to stake a claim for daddies everywhere. The highlight of this torment being Nacho resorting to clutching at Townsend like a lover to a departing soldier as the boat took him beyond reach, steaming to foreign shores. Bit like where QPR will be going shortly. Ahem.

Anyway, we missed the potential Bale banana skin and the cut and thrust of the best mercenary team ever assembled since the like of Chelsea and those blue Mancs. We now have a 10 day break, which sees the Chavs and Spuds in action and points to be won, lost and a possibility seeing us going into the last game of the season numerically disadvantaged yet knowing that a win could be enough. Given our recent performances and a valid call for been there, done that, I expect it to go down to the wire with the season ending, much like my finger nails, down to the quick but victorious.

Almost time for us to look at what next season holds. Almost.