Men Can’t Help Acting On Impulse

There was an advert many moons ago for a woman’s perfume – Impulse – which basically when worn made the lady in question irresistable to the opposite sex. Cesc must be wearing something similar because to coin a Robert Palmer song, he is simply irresistable to the major Spanish clubs. Fear not about Real Madrid. Despite the obvious linking by the British media, they have admitted that their splurge is over until they raise funds. Huntelaar’s €20m move to Stuttgart gets them through some of the shortfall which sort of squares that circle.

Over at the Camp Nou, Laporta is feeling the pinch. Envious eyes cast in the Madrid direction mean that he has to do something and whilst David Villa is his main aim, Cesc is his pet project. The Red Tops here are desperate for Cesc to leave, not because they hate him, simply that they gorged themselves on Ronaldo’s move and now need another fix, as well as having umpteen more stories about Arsenal in crisis to run. For Barcelona, this is more about being seen to be doing something. Inactivity is the enemy in the summer and when your closest rivals are spending money like it is going out of fashion, that enemy becomes more dangerous.

With Presidential elections next summer, Laporta can ill-afford Real stealing a domestic march. Pep Guardiola has the right idea, apparently concerned about how long he will last having won the treble last season. In England, that would mean a job for life. In Spain, it keeps you employed until Christmas. Sandro Rosell has used the media to suggest he will bring Fabregas which for Laporta is a highly risky business. If he tries and fails, it gives Rosell a boost before next summer. If he tries and succeeds, how does Guardiola employ all of the midfield men? Easy actually, since Samuel Eto’o won’t be at the Camp Nou, they can revert to 4-4-2.

We’re The Sweeney Son And We Haven’t Had Our Dinner

Incoming at The Emirates is Sebastien Bassong who has apparently had enough of Tyneside, the new Channel 4 soap opera. He awoke to see headlines that he was a wanted man, relieved to discover that it was Arsene who wanted him and not Regan and Carter. Reports earlier this week suggested he would stay if Shearer became manager. That had moved on yesterday to him definitely wanting out, with a fee of £12m suggested. With the current penchant for swap deals, maybe a Philippe Senderos will halve that cost.

I Can Move, Move, Move Any Mountain

A brighter season ahead cannot start quickly enough for Tomas Rosicky. Apparently, he was fit enough to play last season towards the end of April but the club did not want to risk it. Understandably he was frustrated by it all but perhaps that extra delay has meant the injury – whatever it was – has been able to heal more fully than having to withstand the stress and strains playing competitive football brings?

I am missing the competition. Playing alongside Cesc Fábregas and Theo Walcott makes you feel comfortable and I think that I will quickly forget that I have been out for a while. Now that I have recovered, I am a new option for the manager. We have a strong team capable of moving mountains in all competitions

Undoubtedly, the pressure is on the attacking midfielders to deliver. I cannot recall Arsenal having such strength in depth in these positions before. Certainly, if they are all fit, absences such as the four month’s Cesc was missing last season will be more than adequately covered. Arshavin, Rosicky, Walcott and Nasri are all vying to keep the Spaniard and one of Song / Diaby / Denilson company on a regular basis.

The crucial part will be keeping them all fit. If that happens, the positive thoughts of van Persie, echoed by Rosicky, can be turned into a reality and bring home the silverware that players of these talent should be winning.

Play nicely and enjoy your day. ’til Tomorrow.