The media are contrary buggers at the best of times. You think a match has gone one way, the headline writer another and the third way is found by a journalist. It is the same with injuries. William Gallas is due to return to full training today according to Arsenal.com yet The Daily Mail says that is an ‘injury setback’. Bizarre. It is good news about Gallas in that it eases the pressure on the centre of defence should either Toure or Senderos not be available in the coming weeks. Personally, I would prefer Gallas to return against Bolton, the thought of him coming into the side at Anfield brings a shudder following on from last season. Jens Lehmann, it seems, has just started full training which makes the goalkeeping decision for Arsene more imminent than it seemed yesterday. Whilst Almunia will definitely start against Sunderland, looking beyond that is harder. The Spaniard merits his inclusion but whether Arsene sees him as now being his Number One is harder to gauge, Le Boss having made no statements to that extent. That is tough on the player because it would do his confidence the world of good to have such faith publicly pronounced. Theoretically, it should be boosted anyway with playing but it would do no harm for him to have the public affirmation of his abilities from his manager. Of course, that might be a tension creator with the German but may be a better motivational tool for the Squad as a whole.

It is otherwise a slow news day for the playing side of things hence the number of column inches devoted to the Board’s best new friend, Stan Kroenke, and his meeting with them. It seems it all went swimmingly and they think that he wants to join their game rather than the one being organised by the ruffians from the other side of the tracks. I suspect he may prefer to deal with them but in the same way as the Irish duo at United were tempted to sell their holdings, a sizeable offer from Usmanov for his shares may not be rejected and indeed would be a signal for any upcoming bid for the Club as a whole. In that instance, the Board are in a somewhat unenviable position. As we argue over the soul of the Club in various forums – or is it fori? Never to sure with this Latin stuff – ours are emotions that run hot and cold. The Board may be emotionally attached to the Club but as soon as the door is knocked with an offer, their emotions go out of the window and the cold, hard business heads have to be assumed. The stance they adopt may be from the heart initially but the head will have to take over at some point because of the legal duties placed upon their offices. It could be argued that their emotions ought to be involved due to the nature of the business but the minute Arsenal became a ‘plc’, that avenue of thought became a cul-de-sac.

According to the Chairman though, that day may be some way off as Kroenke was amenable to their ‘lockdown’ agreement without actually signing up to it. To what extent that amiable nature extends remains to be seen.

Carlos Vela holds bright hopes for the future, both his own and those who have seen him play. Speaking to Setanta, he said

My objective is to be a world icon like Cesc Fabregas, to learn thanks to Arsene Wenger, and to impose myself at Emirates Stadium…I don’t know if I am going to stay for more than one season.

Sort of proving that he is not looking to leave though,

I am learning English and I think that I can speak it right now

It would be good to see some of the lad in an Arsenal shirt having seen clips of him playing for his country, he looks worth the wait. But there is a long way to go before he achieves his aim but good luck to him.

Anyway, a bit of publicity for a site to while away some time when that boring thing called “Work” rudely interrupts; Simpsonize Me allows you to upload a photo of yourself and become your own character. Here’s the Arsenal squad.

’til Tomorrow.

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