The website took their quotes from the Dutch newspaper de
Telegraaf. Eriksen told them: "I think it's worth spending another year at
Ajax because what really interests me now is to play and grow as a player. I do
not need to risk anything and take a wrong step in my career. We'll see what
can happen in the summer of 2013."
I'm quite glad to hear this as the 20-year-old Denmark
international was not that impressive in his country's opening game in Euro
2012. Although Denmark won, I don't think Eriksen was instrumental in victory.
But at the age of 20, he should improve, so by next year he will be a hot property
than he is now.
Meanwhile, one player who could be joining Arsenal this summer
is Olivier Giroud of Montpellier. His club manager Rene Girard told the French
radio station RMC: "Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play
in England. If Arsene [Wenger] agrees with the president, he [Giroud] will sign
them."
Another player we could sign, although it is a bit of a long
shot is Karim Benzema. Apparently the Real Madrid ace is being offered to
Manchester City, that's according to the Manchester Evening News.
Benzema is under contract until 2015, but his representative
Jonathan Hope is quoted as saying: "I have put Benzema forward after a
talk with a very reliable and highly-placed source at Manchester City as a
possible summer signing.
"We are working closely to secure the exclusive mandate
to obtain the paperwork firstly after serious interest from the champions.
"We spoke with Manchester United two years ago and it
went nowhere, which I can see is perhaps is a regret on their part.
"The player has stated himself he will not go to
Manchester United, however, he has not ruled out a switch to join the
champions. I will have a clearer picture soon after the Euros when I have time
to sit with his representatives.
"But, personally, I can see the business being done and
to be fair it will rock English football. I must stress this is at the
discussion stage.
All seems in good order but this is football and things
change fast."
The player himself has recently said this: "I would
never say never about coming to England and, to be honest, I have no real
preference in terms of teams. But that is a long way in the future, not
something I would even consider at the moment."
It all sounds very much like agent talk at this stage, but
it is interesting that Manchester City see Benzema as an alternative to Robin
van Persie, whom they fear they may miss out on. I wonder if Arsenal could
conclude a swap deal with Real Madrid. That would make a lot of sense, but it
is pure speculation. However don't be surprised if you read in the newspaper
tomorrow.
Also in the realm of speculation is the report in the Daily
Mail that Arsenal will not sell Arshavin on the cheap. Recently I read we were
prepared to sell the Russian for £3 million, but now it appears we want £8
million. That's a lot of money for a 31-year-old. Of course I think he's worth
it, but I'm not sure Zenit St Petersburg will pay it.
On that very subject, the fictional website Meerkat Manor Meerkovo.com
interviewed our Russian maestro:
Congratulations on beating the Czech Republic 4-1. The
opposition started the game well don't you think? Did it surprise you how they
started?
Yes. Playing for poor-pup-side like Arsenal I do not see
many cheques, so I feel very surprised to see so many cheques in one night. They
make it confusing because goalkeeper is also Cech. He is a double Czech, but we
are good at chess so we get him checkmate! Ha ha!
At the beginning of the first half the manager Dick Advocaat
said something to you. What did he say?
Dick asked me to mark Czech right back. Not easy for
creative player. So I laughed "ha ha, did you make joke?" I heard of
clever Dick that he is funny Dick.
In the second half, the Czechs scored. Did that make the
Russian team nervous?
No, I told the team not to be nervous because Rosicky is
playing. If he is their playmaker then the Czechs won't play much. We let them
score to make a match of it. It was getting too embarrassing for Mr Wenger. How
can he leave me on the bench for Rosicky? I did not want to rub Arsenal
manager's face in it, so I told teammates let Czechs score one goal.
You have always been on good terms with Rosicky?
Yes because he knows his place. His place in the Arsenal
sickbay is not under threat from me. I take him flowers every day and bottle of
Lucozade. It is my little joke. The Lucozade is specially made by Lukasz Fabianski.
He drinks the real Lucozade then he fills it up again if you know what I mean! Rosicky
sometimes says this Lucozade takes funny, but I just say: "I am Gooner, get
it down you son". Rosicky is Czech, but cannot check so it's checkmate
again! Ha ha!
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