“Yes, because you are thinking, ‘Why has he (a player) done that?’ and you know you cannot explain it.

“At times I saw it, and I said I didn’t to protect the player, because I could not find any rational explanation to defend him.

“This is a job where you have to have an optimistic view of human nature.

“I would love it to last forever,” the manager told Arsenal.com. “To know that in every pre-season we would have this kind of tournament.

“I look around and don’t see any other tournament of the same calibre.”

Arsene spoke and said:

“It was a shock because Bobby was a man of exceptional stature and someone I loved because he had an optimistic view of mankind and a positive vision for football,” said Wenger.

“We will miss him badly because people miss people of his stature and vision.

“It’s a very sad day for English football but football overall.”

Apparently Aston Villa and Sunderland have offered £7m for Senderos and Fiorentina have offered £8m for Eboue, so let’s see what happens…

“I am Arsenal through and through. I’d never advise anyone to sign for Tottenham.

“I can’t have Arsenal fans thinking I am helping Tottenham in any way.

“The truth is I was talking to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and he told me he was trying to sign Patrick from Inter Milan.

“I was very surprised because Patrick is like me. He loves Arsenal.

“I just said that Patrick would be a brilliant signing. But I also made it clear I would be shocked if it happened.”

“It is going to be a difficult task for Arsenal this time and it is vital that everyone keeps the faith,” Henry told The Sun on Tuesday.

“The reason I say that is because the boss still has great faith in his players and if there is one man who Arsenal can trust to do the right thing, it’s Arsene Wenger.

“He is the man who has put Arsenal on to the European map. Nobody else could have achieved what he has done there.

“The fans should remember that and give him more credit. Some people gave him a hard time last season and he didn’t deserve that.

“I know how those supporters feel. Like them, I am Arsenal through and through and we all suffer when the team doesn’t win anything.

“Everyone wants immediate success and after four seasons without a trophy, Arsenal supporters have become impatient.

“All I can say to them right now is to have faith in Arsene and know that the first trophy in five years will be more enjoyable than ever.”

“If he wants the backlash then carry on,” Wright told TalkSPORT. “Does he need to do it? No he does not.

“He should just skirt round the issue and avoid the question, but for some reason Ashley has come out and said this and he really doesn’t need to.

“He left the club under controversial circumstances, and Ashley Cole remains a sensitive subject for Arsenal fans, so why does he do it?”

“Wenger told me: ‘You can leave’. I said: ‘Why do you want me to leave now? Why do you want to sell me?’ At the end of the day I find out the club need money and I’m the target.”

Interesting stuff!

“It’s not going to be easy without Adebayor, obviously, and what happened with Nasri was unlucky, but I still believe they can win the League,” the 31-year-old is quoted as saying in The Daily Mail.

“That is always my feeling about my old club. It won’t be easy because there are teams who are doing it every time, but you never know.

“I remember when I left everyone was saying it wouldn’t be the same, but they ended up having a great season and nearly won the League.

“It can happen this year. I know eve rybody is saying this and that but in my heart I will always talk like that.

“I have friends at City and I hope they do really well – and that they finish above Arsenal. I think it’s going to be hard for City but they could do it. They may click straight away and it’s magic. I hope they do.”

Any chance of Chelsea getting relegated? Or anyway that Cashley would miss the World Cup?