Anyway, before I get much further in my news roundup/speculation, I would advise every Arsenal fan who likes Arsène Wenger as much as I do to read this now, if you haven’t already. It encapsulates a bit on how I feel about Le Boss. In a bit of an overly romantic sort of way, but I like that sometimes.

The big specious transfer story that’s making the tabloid rounds is, of course, the news that David Villa would prefer to move to Arsenal over Chelsea. Of course I’d want us to sign David Villa. Who doesn’t want their club to sign David Villa? Will we sign David Villa? Stranger things have happened, but it doesn’t quite fit with the normal way we go about things, does it?

What does look a bit more like the way we do things is the continuing drama around Hatem Ben Arfa. Newest news is that he’s delaying on his contract decision. He’s young, he’s French, and best of all for the opinion of most Arsenal bloggers, he’s a genuine winger. The kind that stay on the wing. Clearly, we’re looking there. He’d be a bit pricey, his current fighting/benchwarming at Lyon aside, but Wenger says he’s not afraid to pay. Granted, his record with smaller purchases is better than his record with bigger purchases, but Ben Arfa would be a good addition.

We also might be interested in a “Turkish wonderkid”. Currently on loan at Feyenoord, he was the youngest player ever in the Bundesliga when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund at 16. I vaguely remember hearing the name, which is pretty good for an Arsenal transfer target.

We’re also interested in another keeper, if the Sun is to be believed, and it usually isn’t.

Also, Juventus is again interested in Mathieu Flamini, or maybe it’s Bayern Munich. Which all makes me think about this profile and get rather uneasy about him. And everyone loves Alex Hleb. So take that.

Also, Everton stopped the Arsenal Ladies’ run of wins. With the goalless draw, that means the 51-game winning streak is at an end. But, y’know, they didn’t do anything crazy like lose or anything.

And to finish, since everyone needs a bit of levity right now, a pair of very entertaining videos of our boys answering questions…

Kolo is very, very sure about his song.

And knowing is half the battle.

“It was a big test today but we have shown tremendous quality.
…
Overall it was a great football game, a bit of an edgy start and we were a bit nervous and punished quickly.
…
But from then on it was all us and it was a question of not conceding a second and coming back. We had enough chances to win the game.”

Can’t argue with the Professor today. No matter whether Arsenal win the League or not, Wenger has done one helluva coaching job. Among his best I’d say.

For his troubles, Noble received only a yellow card on what looked to many observers like a straight red offense. You may not be surprised to learn that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. But interestingly, he doesn’t blame the referee.

Instead, Wenger wants to expand the FA’s ability to increase punishments retroactively, particularly in situations where the referee was not in a position to see the alleged offense.

Sez the Professor:

“I have seen it again and it was a straight red for Noble, without a doubt. I can understand the referee could not see it, because you could only see it well from one angle on television. That angle is really bad for Noble. I do not blame the referee because he could not see what happened. He saw it was a foul but it certainly did not notice how bad the foul was at the time. There is a case to charge some players after that because sometimes the referee cannot see.”

I suggest going one step further, and encourage the FA to adopt its own pre-crime unit, to card players prior to matches. This will save time and reduce the incidence of bad injuries. Also, by keeping Tom Cruise busy, it may give Katie Holmes a chance to escape.

Sez the Professor:

“English football is losing his soul. Fans are the keeper of our football. But the first signs of danger are there to see. Stadiums are starting to empty, TV channels and radio stations are overcrowded with football. There is a kind of overdose looming.

Suddenly the English model has gone from owner-supporters to owner-businessman. The danger wasn’t there yesterday but it’s there today. Of course you can have business integrated into the sport while still respecting the values of football. However perhaps it is time for people to worry.”

So, not only have we learned that English football is a “he”, but also that Wenger thinks that a media oversaturation of football is actually starting to keep fans away from the stadia. Sort of a “nobody goes there anymore it’s too crowded” situation.

Of course, this may really be (1) a slight dig at Chelsea, which had 37 people show up for their Champions League draw with Rosenborg, and (2) a subtle warning shot to our man Alisher Usmanov and plutocratic oligarchs of his ilk.

Although the Russian billionaire is now holding up to 23% of Arsenal shares, the Arsenal board have not been shy about voicing their distaste for a possible takeover bid.

So what do you think? Is there too much football coverage these days? Can there ever be such a thing?

Wenger has said that he feels a responsibility to the current squad, as he has built a very young team with which he feels an allegiance. I think the gaffer really believes in the young unit that’s just now getting its sea legs.

Hopefully the length of this contract can inspire players like Cesc to stay in London as long as possible.

Yes, the same French defender who last week grumbled about the team’s transfer market inactivity.

Freshly-departed captain Thierry Henry hasn’t weighed in on who should wear the armband. However, he’s already started missing Tottenham, which is as you know one of the Kübler-Ross stages of grieving.

So–what do you think of Gallas as captain?

UPDATE: More here from the gaffer. Looks like it will be Gilberto, and when he’s not available, either Kolo or Gallas.

Also, as noted below in the comments, the international flair of the commenters themselves does, in fact, rock. Sweet!

“If you analyse the season I would say yes it has been my worst. We are 22 points behind the leader so I cannot say I did everything perfectly. I have to stand up and say I am responsible for the fact that we didn’t fight for the championship.”

Of course, he’s not entirely to blame for the club’s play, or for the injuries, etc., etc. And when you’ve already won three Premership titles and four FA Cups in eleven years, you can feel free to take the public blame as it comes.

On the other hand, the team did qualify for the Champions League for 2007-2008, which is comforting, and frankly, the worst the Arsenal should be expected to do these days given the incredible imbalance of the Premiership.

So what say you–a failed season?

Sez the Frenchman:

“The problem is that because we have had a disappointing season, everybody wants you to buy. I have to really think if that is needed or not because there is an element in our team that they will progress because they are young. Also, what do I need to add, if I do need to add something? I will do what I feel is right for the team and for the Club but the situation is not always to buy. Manchester United let Ruud van Nistelrooy go, they bought only Michael Carrick and now they play for the Premiership.”

True enough. But I hope that this is Wenger’s way of supporting his current squad, i.e., by not moaning about the need for a mass infusion of new players. But there are definite needs for this team next year. A threatening winger wouldn’t be a bad start. And I’m not sold on the defensive alignment either.

And anyway, there’s no need for A-Dub to use ManYoo as a blueprint; Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson don’t have identical philosophies, after all. Earlier this season, when asked why he never had a drink with SAF after a match, Wenger responded: “I prefer wine to whiskey.”

Oh snap!