Arsenal News - Pre-Season Training, SkySport Drama and Adidas

The off season is always a tough time, especially as an Arsenal fan.

But pre-season training has begun, and photos have appeared on the Arsenal website. I really enjoy the fact that the Arsenal website keep us up to date with what is happening at pre-season training. There were a few notable absences in the photos, with Aaron Ramsey on the Great Britain team for the Olympics. And of course there was no sign of van Persie.

Speaking of van Persie, Sky Sports published a story today, suggesting van Persie could still stay at Arsenal and renew his contract.  The article was taken down a couple of hours later, perhaps because of the impossibility.  Wayne Rooney made a similar move several years back to get more money. I don't think that money is van Persie's motivation, and I don't think it would work. Plus, many United fans still haven't forgiven Rooney for that stunt.

There are also rumors that Adidas will be making the Arsenal kits, as early as 2014. The current shirt we have is for this season and next season, so the next shirt we see could be an Adidas one. As a New Zealander I am happy about this, because it means the shirts will be easier to buy (we have Adidas shops, but not Nike shops). Also, Nike are known to have sweatshops and slave labor to produce their products, which I do not support. We will wait and see if the Adidas deal goes ahead.

I also read a very interesting article on spending, and how much Arsenal would have to realistically spend to compete with the spending clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City.  Check it out if you are interested.

Until next time...keep calm and be a gooner :)
- Emma

Well yesterday's post was ironic...

I just have to note the irony in posting my post...convinced that van Persie would stay less than 12 hours before he announced he will not be signing a new contract. Situations like these you have to see the irony and the humor, or it's all too much.

I'm pretty gutted. The announcement came completely out of the blue and I was not prepared for it at all.

Also, RvP created a PR nightmare for the Arsenal Communications department. They were sideswiped which was both unprofessional and disrespectful by van Persie and his lawyers and agent.

My disappointment in Robin van Persie will depend where he goes. If he goes to Manchester United, City, Chelsea, or any other English club I will find it very difficult to like him.

If he goes to Spain or Italy I will respect him as a footballer, but still be disappointed.

I think the worst thing about his decision was the fact that Arsenal have made him what he is. Wenger had hope in him when others had given up on him altogether.  Arsenal stuck by him when he struggled with form and injuries.

I think the worst part was RvP questioning the "direction" of the club. I thought we were moving forward. Arsenal have a strong philosophy.  And we made some big signings already. If Giroud and Podolski are not big, important signings, then who are?

Altogether, I'm not angry at van Persie. Just immensely disappointed.

RvP - Transfer rumours

Obviously I'm a big Robin van Persie fan. Well...I'm a gooner.

This season I have been trying to steer clear of the transfer rumors for once, because last season they almost killed me.

But now that the EUROs have finished, what have I to do football wise apart from dwell on the potential comings and goings of Arsenal players.

Robin van Persie is important for Arsenal to retain. We need him for the experience, leadership and goals. He will help the younger players grow and he is a great leader for the team.


I don't think that Robin van Persie will transfer to another English club. He has too much loyalty to Arsenal and he isn't in it for the money.


Spain is an option, but I can't really see a need for him at Barcelona alongside Messi. RvP is best as the lead striker, the same way that Torres plays his best football. Torres doesn't suit playing alternative striker to Drogba at Chelsea, and van Persie wouldn't suit playing alongside Messi.

Real Madrid have a similar problem with the strikeforce of Cristiano Ronaldo up front, and in the words of Robin van Persie's father, they are a team of amazingly talented, individual superstars. If van Persie was Beckham, he would leave.

Another reason I believe van Persie will stay is his young family. They are settled in London and moving would be disruptive for them.


I have a feeling Walcott is more likely to leave than van Persie.

Of course I am still worried and nervous that van Persie will leave, but I was much more on edge last season with Cesc and Nasri.


Also congrats Espanol for the amazing EURO 2012 win. Beautiful, attacking flowing football, 4 wonderful goals, well deserved.