Villa Preview, News on Illiasu, Gallas

Arsenal play Villa today in the first competitive game at our magnificent new stadium. Aston Villa are the lucky team to be taking part in this historic day.

However I can't think they have the bottle to spoil the party. O'Neill is a good manager but will probably need some signings before the transfer window and a bit of time to make progress.

Not too sure as to the line up, left midfield is where the doubt lies.. It will either be Ljungberg or Van Persie (depending on how fit Ljungberg actually is) anyway, it should look something like this;

Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Flamini, Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Van Persie / Ljungberg, Adebayor, Henry.

Prediction 3-1 Arsenal FGS: Henry 9/2

In other news, the 'Siberian Shysters' have signed £10m + 'Squad' man Khalid Boulahrouz. Another good sensible bit of business there then. The interesting ths is that this guy can play right back and centre back, a versatile defender, very much like a certain William Gallas who has stated his desire to leave again this week.

Could Gallas be on the way out? Know any potential buyers?!

interestinglyy though AW is still running the rule over Illiasu the Ghanain centre back and left sided defender and ha s apparently offered terms. Nothing is official yet though. Some bolstering of the defence would be welcome though.

hen I think we will be in good shape providing we sell Cole and Reyes sorts himself out and wants to play for us. That's not too much to ask for is it??!!!

Boni's Blog is BACK! Could Cole be off to Madrid?

Almost as abruptly as it left your screens Boni's Blog makes a triumphant return! Or something along those lines..

So.. A lot of rumours flying about today.. Reyes off to Madrid, Cole to Chelsea, Ribery to Lyon or Arsenal.. I don't really like to talk about rumours but I for one say we must not be bullied into selling Cole to Chelsea..

The facts are simple.. English players transferred to English clubs have a premium.. If Carrick is worth £18.6m and Curtis Davies is valued at £10m then you would have to think if Arsenal were to sell to an English club Cole is worth £20m.. Minimum..

Real Madrid need a left back.. Cole has a get out clause of £16m to anyone other than Chelsea.. Predrag Mijatovic met Double D Deino yesterday.. I honestly don't think we will offload Reyes.. However.. Is it beyond the realms of possibility we might have tried to offer them Cole for £16m? Interesting thought..

More importantly.. The media seems to think Arsenal are in disarray if Reyes leaves and so does Cole.. I disagree.. I always say you need 2 top players for every position to compete for the Championship..

GK - Jens, Almunia, Mannone, Poom (You can't really say we are desperate for a reserve keeper..)

RB - Eboue and Lauren (Better than any other team in the league)

LB - Clichy, Traore, Hoyte, Flamini (Clichy is up to the job and Flamini filled in well last season, Hoyte played all season at leaft back for Sunderland)

CB - Toure, Senderos and Djourou (3 good young players) Plus AW has said he is looking for one more with experience.. Plus Illiasu is on trial.. Gallas would be a massive addition but it is highly unlikely..

RM - Hleb, Ljungberg, Walcott

LM - Rosicky, Reyes, Ljungberg and Van Persie if needed

CM - Fabregas, Gilberto, Flamini, Diaby, Lauren if needed, Song (who by all accounts is improving fast despite some indifferent displays last season)

SC - Henry, Adebayor, Van Persie, Alliadiere, plus Walcott

Plus we have a lots of even younger players, such as Bendtner, Gilbert, Lupoli, Van Der Berg, Merida, Garry, Muamba, Connolly, Stokes etc etc etc..

Is our squad in that bad a shape? I would have to say we could do with maybe 1 or 2 more (max) but on the whole no..

Arsenal can cope with the departure of big players.. We have done it before and will do it again.. The grass is very rarely greener when they leave the Arsenal.. Anelka, Overmars, Petit, Vieira.. All big players and never reached the heights they expected at a 'bigger' club..

I wonder if Cole and Reyes have considered that?