Pre-season: Emirates Cup 2013 weekend

This Saturday sees the return of the Emirates Cup (Aug 3 and 4) and I feel I've made a good decision in picking up a couple of tickets for the opening day. This tournament will be the sixth Emirates Cup, making a return after last year's break.

The cheapest tickets at £25.00 were all gone but I managed to pick a couple at £29.00 instead. Still a bargain mind, being able to watch two games in Galatasary v Porto and Arsenal v Napoli for that price. It is a great way to see some much missed live football, in preparation for the new season.

Arsenal have already won the tournament three times in its short history and, as I hate to say it, I might be seeing them play in this tournament (albeit a friendly one) where they end up lifting a trophy come Sunday afternoon!

I look forward to seeing a mix of the reserves and first team in action after their busy pre-season tour of Asia, of which I saw some promising and rusty football on show but that's pre-season I guess.

Arsenal beat Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in a hard-fought win, concluding their pre-season tour of Asia

I'll say I'm a little frustrated at the lack of movement in the transfer window, as any deals to be done should preferably be completed nearer the start of the transfer window opening. As the new season draws closer, there are fewer chances for any new signings to gel with the squad, but there may be one opportunity for a certain new boy to shine this weekend. Young French striker Yay Sanogo is the only new Wenger recruit and I'd hope he will give him a chance to meet the Arsenal crowd on Saturday.

I'm also excited for the new away strip. Playing in yellow reminds me of the days of Brady and co, and more recently the 2003-04 season, and we all know what happened there. I don't do superstition and all that but it looks nice at least!

Anyhow...whatever happens, I feel the prices on offer for two games of Arsenal's very own pre-season tournament is a great offer for those fans who want to see a show before the real thing begins, especially if seeing Arsenal live comes few and far between every season.

Of course, the tournament probably won't reflect Arsenal's forthcoming season, and though it's only pre-season, I hope they end up top of the table.

17 days and counting!...

The away kit launch,
 www.arsenal.com

Suarez may be edging closer to becoming a Gooner

First and foremost are my apologies for lack of posting over the last few weeks. While I have been away basking in the glorious sunshine Spain had to offer, I was constantly reading the sports pages of the English newspapers seeing what may be of interest to write about once I got home. I also entertained myself keeping count of all the Arsenal shirts with Cazorla's name printed on the back!

Interestingly, I am very surprised at the latest stages of the Suarez-Arsenal transfer talk. I can't say I imagined Arsene Wenger to be making such a serious move for the Uruguayan and perhaps he is looking to sign him over Real Madrid's Higuain.

I am confused however as Suarez has said he wishes to move away from England due to the media's attention around him and treatment, so why does he now want talks with Arsenal? Arsenal's £40,000,001 bid made me chuckle but hey, I like Arsene's style at triggering the clause in Suarez's contract.

However, a bid of £50m may be able to persuade Liverpool to part with the striker.

I remain down the middle on whether I would like to see the striker at Arsenal. As I have written before, the striker has been lethal and proved himself in the Premier League but his attitude and behaviour has proved to be unprofessional and disgusting, but then maybe Arsene will have a more controlling and positive influence on him all round.

I read today that Brendan Rodgers feels Suarez owes something to Liverpool, who have backed him during difficult times at the club, but then again Van Persie left for United when maybe he owed us Arsenal fans who backed him during his injury-ridden career in North London.

However when a player wants out it is only fair to let them go and so if Suarez wants to leave then it would only be bad for Liverpool and Rodgers to wish to keep him at Anfield.

To see Arsene bring him in and screw Liverpool over, would show a different and stronger approach by Arsenal in the transfer market and signal intent of their aggressiveness that we may need to show more of, both on and off the pitch.  

Suarez on the bench among his Liverpool team-mates in a pre-season friendly v Melbourne Victory 

Suarez a definite no go?

I always take reading the football stories printed in The Sun with a pinch of salt, but still nearly coughed up my drink reading the reports of Suarez's link with Arsenal.

In my amazement at such a story I referred to my trusty source in the BBC who reported on a rejected Arsenal bid by Liverpool for the striker. I was amazed.

Is this a player, or character, Arsene should be going for? This had me wondering and I feel torn in two minds as to if an actual deal goes ahead, would I be happy with it? 

Suarez has talent on the pitch and Liverpool could have struggled without him last year; much like Arsenal may have done with Van Persie in his final season.

The Uruguayan scored 23 Premier League goals last season (Soccerstats.com) and Arsenal could do with a talisman up-front with Giroud (11), Walcott (14) and Podolski (11) sharing the load in another up and down season for the Gunners. Imagine the attacking fire power Arsene would then have.

However, the link with Real Madrid's Higuain remains but another non-established player joining the squad who may fail to fit in with the English game yet again, could delay Arsenal trying to progress further than aiming for fourth spot. Suarez is already a proven goalscorer in the league and knows the English game and so this could work in Arsenal's favour.

But reports suggest Arsene is merely taunting Madrid to further their own pursuit of Suarez, who would then act as a replacement for Higuain who would as a result, join Arsenal. Clever Arsene!

But for all of Suarez's abilities he is, as a character, not someone you would want in you team. Take the biting of Ivanovic last season for example. I do not know what went through the 26-year-old's head to do that. But he is also known for his cheating and I hold a definite grudge against the man for his handball against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup finals. These are just a couple of examples against the player who is generally disliked by a lot of non Liverpool fans.

Yet I can't doubt his footballing skills and I remain unsure as to whether I would want him to represent my club. Still, if he joined and bagged 30 goals next season, I guess I still wouldn't have to like him?

May the summer transfer stories continue!

Luis Suarez

Yaya Sanogo first in for Arsenal this summer

With the transfer window now re-open Arsenal have made their first signing but, surprise surprise, Arsene Wenger has felt the need to bolster his youth squad over world-class talent for the first team.

French striker Yaya Sanogo signed for the club on Monday from Auxerre and though I don't doubt his potential, I feel other areas within the squad need looking at with more priority.

The signing of the 20-year-old forward reflects the belief Wenger has in young players but this hasn't helped Arsenal win a trophy in the last eight seasons.

Recent media hype has linked the club with Wayne Rooney and Higuain, both of whom are well established players although there's nothing to suggest Higuain would settle in the Premier League and I'm not so sure about Rooney's attitude at times.

Still, Arsenal may not need another striker this season if Giroud, Podolski and Walcott find constant form alongside the attacking prowess of Santi Cazorla. 

The defence still remains the biggest area for improvement and with the transfer window now open, Wenger must sign an established defender quickly, with the right-back position and central defence key areas.

Still, I take nothing away from Arsenal's new signing, albeit another youngster, who has a chance to prove himself in North London. During his four year spell in the Auxerre ranks he scored 11 goals in 24 appearances and all Arsenal fans hope he can make a big contribution to the club during his Arsenal career.

Elsewhere Vito Mannone has left the club to join Sunderland, after eight seasons with Arsenal. He had his good moments...while others made for a laugh.

Mannone howler v Olympiakos

45 days until the new season!

Yaya Sanogo celebrating a goal for France U-21s