A "criminally" slow news day

Our preseason tour of Austria got into full swing last night as we beat SV Mattersburg 2-1 with goals from Jeremie Aliadiere and Justin Hoyte. Apparently Armand Tarore put in a very good performance and with Cashley on his way and Clichy out til September/October he might end up pushing the Flim Flam man for the left back spot. That said Hoyte spent much of his loan period at Sunderland last season at left back, and has to be in with a shout too.

Rumours are circulating that we're now asking for £30m for Mr Tweedy (even I think that's a little silly) and that we'll use £10m of that to snatch Benayoun off the Hammers. I have to say I was very impressed with him last season, but just why we're constantly being linked with attacking players when we're in desperate need of a centre half and experienced defensive mid is quite beyond me. Apparently Niall Quinn's trying to get Fabrice Muamba on loan for the season. He's a promising kid and a year in the Championship would probably do him the world of good.

It seems that part-time footballer, part-time young offender Jermaine Pennant is off to the red half of Scouseland in a deal reported at around £6m. Bit frustrating when we let him go for around £3.5m only a little while ago but I think that most Gooners agree that despite his obvious talent he is a troublemaker and refuses to follow the wishes of his coach, and Wenger gave him plenty of opportunities to clean up his act. Enjoy, Rafa.

In Italy all four of the clubs who have been penalised following their involvement in the corruption episode have had their punishments effectively cut in half. Both Lazio and the Violas from Fiorentina have been reinstated to Serie A, but have had more points deducted, AC Milan have simply had less points deducted, and the Old Lady of Turin, Juventus, have had their points deduction reduced, but still face next season in Serie B. I honestly don't know what the point of making an initial punishment is anymore, seeing as it always, always, ALWAYS changes on appeal. In this case the clubs' only defence was that they thought the punishment was harsh.

OF COURSE IT WAS HARSH YOU CORRUPT BASTARDS! You were fixing matches and compromising the integrity of officials! It gets me in a proper mood when things like this happen. Italy had a chance to really clean house and show that they were serious about pushing out corruption, but they've settled for a half measure.

A cop out as always.