“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.”

“When we find the right players.
“Of course, we do not make money to put it in the banks. We want to, and are looking at, a few possibilities at the moment and we want to, as well, assess the pre-season and what is needed.
Questioned over the possibility of an imminent signing, the Frenchman continued:
“No not at the moment. We work at the moment very hard to prepare for the new season and we are looking as well at some possibilities to strengthen the squad. We’ll only do it for players who are worth spending the money.”

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“I thought that I would spend more time on the pitch (against Barnet) and then the two matches that followed I had to watch from the stands”

“I was also ready for Wednesday’s match in Hanover, but the coach decided that I, as well as Gaël Clichy will get a chance to play at the weekend in the Emirates Cup tournament” he said.

He also indicated that the reason for his absence may have been connected with the heavy training schedule in Austria which may have affected him more than others due to his 18 month absence.

“There is a difference when one has an eighteen-month break from football, even if he is healthy. We had intensive training, a few games then more exercises. I hurt all over. For four days I could not really run. We were so tired that we did not have the mood for any fun”

But I am fit, which is the most important thing now.”

Great news

Sky Sports reporting:

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has suffered a minor injury setback after returning from 18 months on the sidelines.

After playing half the recent pre-season game against Barnet, Rosicky was substituted as a precaution by boss Arsene Wenger.

The club have confirmed that he sustained a “minor problem” in the friendly on 18th July, with the 28-year-old subsequently left out of the Gunners’ last three pre-season matches.

“It will be very hard, really very, very hard.

“Now Kolo Toure is also leaving, so I don’t know.

“But of course Arsenal is a club which is always looking for the top spots. I think our main goal will be to be in the top four next season.”

Hughe said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City. It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal,” he declared.

“Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years, and I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room.

“We will see what’s happening in the next 24 hours, nothing is decided yet. We have seven centre-backs and I am in the position where I have to play some in midfield but of course Kolo is a very good player and we will see what will happen in the next 24 hours.”