A Quotes Day

Arsene Wenger has been talking of the frustration caused by the groin injury which ruled out William Gallas from November until last month.

“He was out for three months at a very important period of the season,” said Wenger. “For me he is very big player for us. Firstly because he is a winner and he is ready to die on the football pitch to win.

“Secondly because he is good reader of the game, good tactically and can bring a lot to this team.

“He was very unsettled by his injury and he was desperate to play and come back. It was a big, big blow to him.”

We have seen enough of ‘Billy’, both before and since his injury, to know we have acquired an extremely talented player. I hope he is now able to use the rest of the season to settle himself into the side in readiness for next season.

Preparations for next term are complicated by the speculation surrounding Jens Lehmann’s future. Jens is not exactly rushing to resolve the situation.

"I have to make a decision at some point but there is no fixed date," the 37-year-old Lehmann said ahead of Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.

"I don't want to say anything about it. I'm linked with a new club every week...while everybody knows I am also happy at Arsenal."

I can't help but feel there is a bit of a stand-off going on. Jens doesn't want a one year deal, and is waiting to see if another 'keeper is about to arrive. Wenger won't give him a two year deal, but may not want to spend any of his limited transfer budget on a replacement. Much may depend on who becomes available, and at what price, in the summer.

Arsenal.com carried a piece quoting reserve team captain Matthew Connolly. We tend to forget that with so many of the youngsters in regular first team action, the reserves have suffered, and not just in terms of results.

"Obviously when the more experienced players are available it's good. Ours were at the beginning of the season and I remember Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole all playing for us. You learn from players like that.”

The lack of strength at reserve team level has been compounded by the various loan deals that have taken a number of our more promising players to Football League clubs.

So that’s it for today. Hopefully the Thursday press conferences will give us something more to comment on tomorrow.