It seems that the transfer of Bakari Sagna will be formalised over the next day or so, perhaps even by the time you read this. At the same time, reports are emerging that the Club is preparing to part company with Justin Hoyte, willing to listen to offers at around the £2m mark. Whilst I can see the logic in parting with one or maybe more of the four right backs that would be at Arsenal – Sagna, Hoyte, Gilbert and Eboue – the choice of Hoyte to leave seems a strange one. Of the two Englishmen, Hoyte is the more experienced so if these reports are true, it suggests that Gilbert is perceived as the better long term bet. The departure of Hoyte would also appear to cast doubt that Eboue is being earmarked as a potential right midfielder, competition for Walcott and Hleb. However, these reports have one dark cloud over them in that the player has signed a new long term contract earlier this year which seems on the face of it, to be at odds with the decision to dispense with his services. It would be somewhat disappointing if Hoyte did leave because I felt he had shown the potential to be a steady right back. It also seems to me that Eboue will need to show more concentration to justify his selection in that position, the lapses he was prone to last season will have to become a thing of the past.

Freddie Ljungberg has a couple of suitors and depending on which report you choose to believe, he will be plying his trade in Serie A or the Premiership. The Independent report that Fiorentina are putting together a deal with two sponsors to afford his reputed £70k per week salary whilst The Sun Says So It Must Be True believes that he is off to join Sven Goran Eriksson’s revolution at Manchester City, who it seems are willing to top the offer made to Arsenal by £500k, a fee of £6m being reported. His agent meanwhile is convinced that Arsenal want him to stay but that Freddie is frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities. No doubt there will be people who believe his departure is a sign of Wenger losing ‘it’ because another experienced player would be biting the dust. I guess the question that Freddie has to answer himself is whether he wants to play regularly and if so, can he make the wide midfield spot at Arsenal his own. Given that he tends to play for Sweden in a wide left role, I suppose he could fulfil that function for Arsenal but I will be surprised if he is at the Club next season. Sad as it is to see another stalwart of the successful years depart, I would rather he did so with fond memories in our heads than for him to leave with people wistfully remembering the good times as opposed to looking at his inclusion in the team as a sign of the dire straits injuries have left us in.

Despite claims to the contrary, it seems that Obefami Martins has not been in London for a medical but is in fact still in Nigeria. He is said to be waiting to speak with Sam Allardyce over his future and preparing to play in a friendly for Newcastle next week, although he would like to be in Cape Town the following night for a Nelson Mandela Tribute match so that appears to be in doubt. Reports suggest that Arsene has yet to decide whether or not to trigger the much fabled escape clause – media speak for ‘that big green meanie Arsene won’t tell us what he is planning to do so we’ll cover our Arsenal’s by laying the foundations for a story that he has rejected the player‘ – so we’ll just have to wait and see. It is a questionable signing in that he is not the wide left player that we seem to need to give balance. Given Arsene’s penchant for getting players used to the Premiership and its rigours by playing people on the wings, it would not surprise me however if Martins arrived and da Silva ended up provided service from the left, before moving into the centre in much the same manner that he introduced RvP into the first team. That is of course, if he has any intention of signing the Nigerian.

Finally, Tomas Rosicky has proven himself to be a ‘Glass is half full‘ kind of guy, being positive about the squad and it’s current state,

Of course, I know that Thierry Henry has left the club and that Eduardo has come in. Nevertheless, most of the players have remained and it is good news ahead of the new season. In the last season, our young team has been trying to reach the same tune. In the new season, we can move a step higher and profit from the previous one.

What a refreshing change. A senior pro (and his is in terms of the Arsenal squad) who seemingly is looking forward to the new season. Or is it someone who just has a better eye for PR than others…

’til Tomorrow.