Julio Baptista has finally confirmed what everyone expected in that he is back to Madrid, partly I suspect because Reyes is apparently not staying at Real but mainly because he could not justify a €20m fee, such is the rumoured value that has been placed on his head, For whatever reason, it just did not happen for the lad; only the really picky could fault his effort but he never really threatened to hit the expectation levels of supporters – is that our fault or his? – because aside from the six goals in the games against Liverpool and Tottenham, you have to say that four in thirty three matches is really not good enough. It would have been interesting to see what a second season would have produced but unfortunately for him, the club is at a stage where we cannot afford to carry passengers, especially those that represent a huge investment. Had he joined two summers ago, would things have been different? Perhaps, for a season at Madrid undoubtedly did little good for his confidence but it has not happened for him at
Arsenal so all that remains is to say ‘Adios and thanks for your efforts“.

At this point, you are expecting me to comment on Le Boss’s trip to Madrid, aren’t you. Well, I’m not. Does he ask me when I disappear off on business trips with my Boss? No. Respect it; he went with Keith Edelman and if they come back having solved a couple of problems without creating new ones then that is good enough for me. Even if they did not solve any existing problems, I hope they had a good time because it’s a great city for a night out.

Emmanuel Adebayor has been forgiven by the Togolese FA, who have lifted their suspension on him from Interational Football. Whilst I am sure that the player is relieved, from a purely selfish point of view, my initial reaction was ‘b*llocks’ as there is one more person to add to the list of absentees next February time when the African Cup Of Nations takes place, assuming of course that Togo qualify, which they seem on course to do.

The one thing that has really got me thinking is Tony Adams desire to manage the Club at some point in the future. Now he has done nothing to suggest that he is Arsene’s Heir Apparent in terms of the managerial side of things; with all due respect to Wycombe, they are not the ideal club from which to leap into the Arsenal role, even if you have been to Portsmouth and Breda in between. However, consider this. Last season we were not quite woeful in defence but not far from it by Arsenal standards. In 2005-06, Martin Keown brought some defensive expertise to the coaching side, so why not use Adams now for that role, ‘dangling the carrot’ – oh come on, you knew there would be a cheap shot in here somewhere – of understudying Wenger from the management perspective also? There does not have to be a firm commitment, i.e. you will be the next Arsenal manager for this to work – but surely Adams would recognise the benefits of learning from Le Boss? And by no stretch of the imagination should anyone assume that I want or believe that he should be the next Arsenal manager; he needs a good several seasons of success somewhere else to prove he has what it takes but it is a beneficial start for both parties, is it not?

For those who doubt it, look at Portsmouth last season; there was a marked improvement in their defence on the previous season. In large parts, that was due to the personnel on the pitch but off of it, the instruction has to be there and credited, as well. We misfired last time around; it takes a big man to recognise this and a big man to fill it.

Last for today, a tad of site news. There will be a short break in posting, this being the last until Monday morning since the lunatic that passes for my Brother In Law has decided to get married on Saturday up in some Arsenal end of nowhere ‘Oop North’. Bon Chance to the Bride and Groom to be and may you all have a good weekend but especially them. And hey people, let’s be careful out there. Keep some sanity when reading the drivel that the media will serve us up.

’til Monday