Hello again loyal readers – all three of you. Thanks for dropping by. If you’re expecting a well-written, informative and generally entertaining entry, full of interesting snippets of speculation, witty word-play, puns and put-downs, all neatly wrapped within the captivating context of Arsenal’s news, you’ve come to the wrong place.

What I do have for you is a pretty drab offering, for which I make no apology. I’m about to bring you the latest on the Petr Cech palaver, some warm words from one of our own legendary ‘keepers of yesteryear on his potential purchase, plus a couple of other bits and pieces. So strap in.

No sooner had I pressed ‘publish’ on yesterday’s post than the internet went into full meltdown mode, as news broke that Arsenal had completed Cech’s signing. All the reports were being sourced from the Daily Mail and as it turned out, they were the only ones confirming the deal, with everyone else scratching their heads and sticking with the ‘close but not quite’ line.

With neither club confirming the deal, the Mail clearly jumped the gun on this one and looking at their back page headline this morning, they’ve continued to run with it.

Not long after last night’s Mail article came tweeted denials from Cech’s management company Sports PR, who stated no signing was yet complete, and this morning one of their representatives told The Sport Review:

We aren’t making any comment on speculation. As we said yesterday, when there is any transfer news regarding Petr Cech, he will confirm it.

Sky Sports News HQ have a further minor update today, reporting that their sources expect the deal to be confirmed within the next 48 hours. The wait goes on.

But that hasn’t stopped former Arsenal ‘keeper and ‘keepers coach Bob Wilson from talking about Cech, explaining that he thinks the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer and that his signing would take the Gunners a step closer to winning the title.

Bob told BBC Radio 5 Live:

I think it’s an amazing signing. People will look at the two who are there, Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina, and the the point really, is that if you can improve your team in any way you’d be fools not to do it.

He’s 33 now, he still has five or six seasons of greatness in him and he’s going to give Arsenal that assurance at the back that they really need.When a side wins the league, it starts with the man at the back and usually when a side wins the league the goalkeeper usually has an amazing season. I’m not saying he’s the best keeper in the world as of this moment but for him it’s a marvellous move.

I was goalkeeping coach at Arsenal for 28 years. I had Pat Jennings and David Seaman as two amazing goalkeepers I was able to coach, I would have loved to have got my hands on Petr Cech.

It’s another step towards the title. Arsenal are very close to having a squad that almost matches Chelsea, almost matches Manchester City. I think everybody knows Arsenal are minimum two, maybe three, good signings (away).

Encouraging sentiments indeed, although I’m not so sure our squad isn’t already as strong as Man City and Chelsea as things stand. In hindsight, what denied us the title last season was not realising Francis Coquelin’s potential as the answer to our defensive midfield need until mid-season and a lack of central defensive cover, since remedied by the purchase of Gabriel Paulista in January.

Anyway, Bob also took time out to speak to SSNHQ, outlining Cech’s value to the defence as a unit, explaining that he wouldn’t have considered a swap deal involving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott, his admiration for Chelsea for doing a deal with a rival and that Wojciech Szczesny should be pleased by the prospect of working with and learning from a goalkeeping great of the modern era:

He said:

It’s an amazing possibility for Arsenal and I wish this was an absolute definite. You have to look at the impact a ‘keeper like Cech has on those guys in front of him. He has been there since 2004 and he is a Chelsea legend because of the authority he has and the presence he gives.

I am delighted there is no talk about there being a deal involving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott. I would hate that to happen and would rather say ‘no thanks, Petr Cech’s great but I am sticking with these young players I have got.

I admire Chelsea and if this deal goes through, and I assume it must because of Roman Abramovich, although I don’t see (Jose) Mourinho really backing this up or wanting this to happen.

David Seaman won nine major trophies and Ray Clemence at Liverpool and Spurs won nine major trophies, Peter Schmeichel likewise. I think Petr Cech’s total at this moment is something like 13, which is quite extraordinary.

David Ospina did really well at the end of the season but he is at an age where he will want to play, like Petr Cech. With Wojciech Szczesny at 24 years of age, I would hope he would look on this as a real possibility of learning more from one of the great goalkeepers of the game.

Little to disagree with in Wilson’s words there, apart from the fact I wouldn’t admire Chelsea in any way, for anything, ever.

Onto Calum Chambers then, who is currently away with the England Under 21 team at the Euros. The former Southampton man spoke – at some point before he left I’m assuming – to Arsenal Player about his first season at the club, how he has exceeded his own expectations and his thoughts on Arsene Wenger. You can read the quotes and if you’re a subscriber, see the video of his interview on the official site here.

Finally for today, Arsenal have announced two fixtures for an Arsenal XI side to be comprised of a mixture of players from the club’s Under 18 and Under 21 teams.

See you on Wednesday.

Good afternoon to you. It’s overcast and gloomy in my part of London today and the weather perfectly reflects the mood in the Chelsea camp at the moment, as the Blues contemplate a world in which Petr Cech is an Arsenal player.

Reports by Sky Sports sources were last night claiming a move was close, with personal terms having been agreed ‘in principle’ but with the two clubs still negotiating a transfer fee and talks set to continue this week. But what they then said I found very interesting indeed:

The transfer fee is unknown but it will be a cash only deal, with Chelsea’s request to receive a home-grown player as part of the proposed transfer no longer being considered.

Which suggests a swap was considered at some stage. Whether such a deal was ever seriously countenanced by Arsenal or was simply wishful thinking and a desperation to save face on Jose Mourinho’s part, is anyone’s guess.

When the shoe was on the other foot nine years ago, and Ashley Cole was courted by Chelsea, Arsenal of course, managed to negotiate William Gallas’ arrival in part exchange. It softened the blow from our point of view and the Portuguese is clearly trying to do likewise this time.

The difference being no Arsenal player wants out. In a press conference close to the end of last season, Arsene Wenger stated as much, adding that the vast majority of our squad would remain intact. I’m guessing that includes messrs Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain – the two players reportedly requested by Chelsea in any deal for Cech.

I think it’s safe to assume Wenger is quite enjoying Mourinho’s predicament. He obviously doesn’t want Cech to go, less so to a rival. In fact, given his history with the boss, the last club he would place Petr at, is Arsenal. Yet as he freely admits, it’s completely out of his hands and a supposedly sentimental gesture by Chelsea’s owner. That however ignores the fact that if a player in today’s game truly wants out, he’ll find a way. And at 33, Cech is understandably in no mind to sit on the bench. But making it sound like they’re ‘letting’ him leave is better PR.

So to sum up: Cech wants to be a Gunner, Arsenal want to sign Cech, Mourinho wants to keep Cech, nobody cares what Mourinho wants, Wenger’s loving it and Mourinho’s a massive c*nt.

Speaking of which, Chelsea captain John Terry took to the airwaves today, in a blatant, last-ditch, no-doubt Mourinho-instructed charm offensive, to state Cech’s worth, praise his professionalism and lament his impending departure.

An audibly tearful Terry told TalkSport:

If they do get him, he will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 or 15 points a season. Petr was an unbelievable professional last year. When you get left out of the team it can be hard to accept but when he came in he was exceptional.

He deserves a lot of credit for that. We understand he wants to play first-team football but nobody wants to see him leave the club. He’s going to be sorely missed and will improve any side he goes to.

Some might also interpret those words as a memo to Chelsea’s owner from Mourinho –  an early exercise in excuse-making, should Arsenal outperform his side next term.

The fall-guy from an Arsenal perspective in this transfer, looks increasingly like being David Ospina. Following earlier reports of strong interest from Turkey in his services, the ‘keeper, who is currently competing in the Copa America for Columbia, told the press talks with suitors Fernerbahce are in progress via his agent, although he is currently fully focused on his national team.

It will be a shame to see him go so soon but in truth, despite barely putting a glove out of place in his time at the club, many – myself included – remain far from convinced he is the man to finally solve our long-standing goalkeeping conundrum.

In other news, Thierry Henry has followed up his recent praise of AleXis Sanchez by bigging up Mesut Ozil and calling for consistency in the league.

He told Arsenal Player:

Mesut is a very good player, we all know about his quality, we all know about what he has done in the game. He is a world champion, you have to respect that and his vision on the pitch is tremendous.

He is an amazing player. When he is on song like he was in the FA Cup final, he is difficult to stop. When you have the likes of Giroud in the box, Alexis Sanchez running at people and Theo too, Mesut can see a pass and control the game in the same way that Santi does.

I keep on mentioning players, all that we are waiting on is the consistency in the league. I saw some of the players talking about that consistency, and I know they have the quality to do it.

Finally for today, ESPN sources report perma-loaned Brazilian youngster Wellington Silva is in talks with the club over a new deal, with just a year remaining on his current contract. They suggest the boss will evaluate his place in the first-team squad during pre-season and then consider loaning him to an English club to aid his adaptation to the domestic game.

I have to admit, Wellington is a player I have been excited about for many years and one I have followed since we were first linked with his signature. The only footage of him in action back then was a YouTube video of his performance for Fluminense in a youth competition held at Old Trafford. It was his scintillating showing (skip to 3:20) at that tournament which caught the eye of Arsenal scouts and led to his move to London.

With work-permit issues (now finally resolved) having prevented him from playing in England for years, Wellington finally has the chance to stake his claim for a slot in the first-team squad . I’m stopping myself from singing his praises too loudly but from what I’ve seen, I like him a lot. It goes without saying that he has it all to prove and as a pacy, skilful winger, he faces more competition than perhaps any other position in the squad. But I think he could really flourish in the English game, a little like Philippe Coutinho has done at Liverpool.

And I think I’ll leave it there. See you tomorrow.

Evening all. Starting an Arsenal blog in mid June was probably a bit daft in hindsight. Because nothing tends to happen in June. Fans find themselves suspended in a state of pre/post season limbo. The players are holidaying, the boss is playing beach volleyball and the transfer window hasn’t even officially swung open yet.

Nevertheless, I’ll plod on and start with today’s ‘headline’ Arsenal chat.

According to some, Jack Wilshere is ‘torn’ over whether to stay at Emirates stadium or move to the Etihad, whereas in-the-Arsenal-know Steve Stammers’ piece suggests a new contract is in the offing for the midfielder.

I think a new contract to tie him down and ward off suitors would be a great idea, even if his role in the current Arsenal first team is far from defined, let alone guaranteed.

Wilshere is clearly very highly valued by the Arsenal management and it’s easy to see why. He’s exceptionally, technically gifted, English, and at 23 has his best years ahead of him.

Of course there have been a couple of highly-publicized off-field indiscretions and he undoubtedly has a poor injury record to date, but Wilshere has shown he is capable of becoming a marauding midfield mainstay for both club and country. He has the personality and the talent.

His determination and willingness to engage in the more physical aspects of the game for example, are as much a tonic for the fans as they are for his team-mates, in the cauldron of top level competition.

That combination of cast-iron character and genuine footballing ability in a player is far too rare and particularly in the Premier League, is a vital component in a successful side.

If he can add regular goals to his surging runs, passing and vision, Arsenal and England would have a truly special player at their disposal.

That’s what I think anyway.

Moving on and there’s very little to move on to. Carl Jenkinson played the full match as England Under 21s beat Sweden 1-0 in the Euros earlier this evening and Calum Chambers was again an unused substitute.

Back tomorrow.

Afternoon all. Not a great deal going on today so this post will be briefer than Dan Smith’s Premier League career.

That most reliable and respected of publications The Sun, report Arsenal are bidding/have bid £28.5 million for Sporting Lisbon’s defensive midfielder William Carvalho.

Arsenal links to the player are nothing new. His name crops up every now and again, usually in and around the time he’s due to feature on British television for club or country. Ahem.

And so it has this time as his performance – which I didn’t catch – for the Portugal Under 21 team against their English counterparts in the Euros on Thursday night, had swathes of spectators drooling like Frank Lampard in a bakery.

That said, however tenuous the report, with Geoffrey Kondogbia being heavily linked with a move to Milan, that’s one fewer reported rival for the privilege to partner/compete with Francis Coquelin as Arsenal’s midfield ‘Detective’.

Moving on and The Mirror report Man City will now bid £40 million for Jack Wilshere if they fail to persuade Paul Pogba to return to Manchester. That’s £10m more than was reported two days ago, so by this time next week, I fully expect a City bid of £75m being Outlooked over to Highbury House.

Finally, AleXis Sanchez was in Copa America action earlier this morning and began and finished a terrific Chile move to put them two nil up over Bolivia after 37 minutes. It  was a brave, beautifully placed diving header – the kind we see far too rarely these days. The hosts ran out five nil winners and Sanchez was withdrawn at half-time. You can watch all the goals here.

Told you it would be brief, see you on Sunday.

Good evening everyone and as we reach the end of another working week without any new signings, the online Arsenal world is notable for its lack of Gooners fretting manically over why no new players have been signed up yet.

Quite the contrast with summers past and as clear an indication as can be, that fans are not only far more confident with the calibre of the current squad, but also of the club’s desire and ability to attract the top top top, super duper talent required to improve the team.

One such talent may be Chelsea’s four-time Premier League winner Petr Cech and for once, I think it’s safe to assume that two plus two does indeed make four.

All the pieces seem to be falling into place with the news that Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts has followed Lukasz Fabianski to Swansea City, paving the way for Cech to bring his long-term coach Christophe Lollichon with him to north London.

With David Ospina strongly linked with a move to Turkey (see yesterday’s post), our goalkeeping conundrum over whether to stick or twist, upgrade or persevere and polish, would appear to be close to resolution.

Lollichon has worked with Cech at both Rennes and Chelsea and theirs is a proven partnership which will surely only weaken our west London rivals. Particularly if they replace Cech with Robert Green. Excellent stuff.

In other news, Thierry Henry has been speaking to Arsenal Player and waxing lyrical about AleXis © Sanchez, citing the Chilean as the man to provide the X-Factor in any Arsenal title challenge.

He said:

If you’re an Arsenal fan, we were all waiting for that type of matchwinner. Look at what he did in the FA Cup final and what he has been doing since his arrival. He has been more than tremendous.

We want to see that more and more and I know that he has that in his locker. When you have a guy like Alexis Sanchez, it is the X-factor.

It’s hard to disagree with any of that and if anybody would know what makes a match winner, it’s our all-time record goalscorer. Sanchez’s goalscoring feats bettered Henry’s own in his debut season, and if the south American improves at the same rate as the great man himself, we may just have a future world player of the year on our hands. No pressure AleXis!

Onto departures and two players out of contract this summer have joined new clubs, with Ryo Miyaichi heading to Germany to sign for second-tier side FC St. Pauli and Sami Ajayi securing a deal with Cardiff City. Best of luck to them both in their new surroundings.

Finally for today, the England Under 21 side lost 1-0 to Portugal in their opening game at the Euros last night, with Carl Jenkinson playing the full game and picking up a  booking, while Calum Chambers was an unused sub. There’s a match report here.

Oh, and best of luck to our effervescent number seventeen in the Copa America in the early hours of tomorrow, Chile play Bolivia and highlights should be on the Beeb website in the morning if you can’t find a stream or don’t have Premier Sports.

Right, I think I’ll leave it there. Till tomorrow.

Afternoon all and hot on the heels of yesterday’s reports Chelsea are keen on signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, today’s back page of The Mirror informs us Manchester City are intent on making Jack Wilshere the latest in a long line to swap the Emirates for the Etihad.

The difference between those who have chosen to leg it to Lancashire and Wilshere, I suppose, boils down to him not being a money-grabbing, short-sighted fool, intent on ruining his career. How’s the bench Bac? Still there Sami?

So, having bid for Raheem Sterling and with reported interest in Fabian Delph – the Blaise Matuidi of the Premier League – the 2014 champions seem hungry to devour a full English in this summer’s transfer window.

The amusing/bewildering thing about this story is City rate Jack as being worth less than Sterling, despite the Arsenal man’s marketability and recent rise as England’s key player following a two-goal super-show in Slovenia. I can’t imagine Arsene even vaguely entertaining the prospect and the player himself recently reiterated his desire to remain a Gunner ‘as long as the club wants me’.

And in a TV interview Wilshere had this to say when asked about Manchester City’s reported interest:*

What do I think of City? Well, that question could also be, ‘what do I think of cunt?’

He then added:

Plus, who the fuck wants to play with that chinless-wonder Nasri again? Not me. I’d rather play one-twos with Mesut. And Santi. And ALEXIS SANCHEZ BABY, ALEXIS SANCHEZ WOOOAH

Jack was also fined £40,000 by the FA yesterday and ‘severely warned’ about his future conduct after asking/telling us what we/he thought about our neighbours.

Here’s an idea. Perhaps the FA should ‘severely warn’ Tottenham about their results, their league position and their general, total, inferiority to Arsenal in every way. Then Jack wouldn’t find himself in a position where he needs to remind everyone?

Moving on and I fell asleep about twenty minutes into Brazil v Columbia in the Copa America last night. It was nil-nil at that point and pretty much end to end, which was particularly annoying as I had an early start and couldn’t force myself to stay up.

Neymar was like a one-man whirlwind in that opening period and it was a shame he only had second-raters like Felipe Luis and Willian to combine with. As it turned out David Ospina kept a clean sheet and Neymar was sent off as Columbia secured a one nil win.

And speaking of our current number one, Ospina was linked with a move to Turkey this morning. Selling him after just one season would be more than a tad harsh on a player who performed very well last season but kind of makes sense.

If Petr Cech is confirmed as expected, and Szczesny remains to fight for his place, and with Martinez viewed as a great prospect too, it’s hard to see where Ospina fits in. Perhaps a move would be best for all concerned. I will miss that chant though.

Finally for today, the England Under 21 side begins its European Championship campaign this evening and Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson should be involved, if not both starting.

Former Gunner Benik Afobe, banging them in for fun in League One and the Championship since he left, has been drafted in as a replacement for the injured Saido Berahino, just for added Arsenal interest. Good luck lads.

And that’s that for another day. Laters.

*he didn’t really

Afternoon everyone (or no-one, as is currently the case) and this morning fixtures for the new season were announced after the generator did its thing.

We begin with back-to-back London derbies as Slaven Bilic brings West Ham to Emirates Stadium, before we visit Crystal Palace. You can see the full list here and proceed to ponder the difficulty rating of the start, middle and end and what it means for any title challenge.

I’m just glad there’s no Champions League play-off tie to distract us from what will surely need to be a strong start if we are to challenge. Avoiding any repeat of last year, when too many draws left us way off the pace so early on, is obviously the aim.

Also, preventing any chance for the insufferable Jose Mourinho to again gloat about how his bunch of anti-footballers led the league from first day till blah blah blah would be good. Not that I think they have the faintest glimmer of repeating that fluke, but still.

And speaking of the Portugeezer, he’s reported to have demanded Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in any deal for Petr Cech this summer.

Good luck with that one, Jose.

Elsewhere, not much happening really. Julian Draxler’s agent has played down rumours of a move for his client and suggested the youngster must first concentrate on regaining full fitness.

And the Euro Under 21 tournament gets underway today and there’s little Arsenal interest as far as I can recall without bothering to look it up. I think Serge Gnabry might be involved for Germany who play today and of course, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson are part of the England squad who begin their campaign tomorrow evening against oft-linked William Carvalho’s Portugal.

Can’t think of any other Arsenal players involved but it is a good chance to scout up-and-coming talent from across the continent if you’ve nothing better to do. Like me.

See you soon

Evening Planet Arsenal. TremendArse will, I hope, develop into a daily blog about Arsenal Football Club.

As I write, countless more footballers will no doubt be linked with a move to the club, as silly season continues to stoke and simmer.

Julian Draxler was mentioned again today and this pleases me. I think he’s a great prospect.

I’m assuming his injury problems are simply a common case of ‘youngfootballeritis’ which blights so many up-and-coming players and not something more serious.

I do like the idea of him playing centrally up front but also the fact he can play wide and also deeper in midfield. He reminds me a little of Ross Barkley, only more refined.

I’ll leave you with highlights of his 2014-15 campaign and be back with some more waffle etc soon I hope.

In a bit peeps.