Midweek Arse update

Bit of a midweek clean up of stories doing the rounds today, and where better to start than the dispute which has led to nobody being able to buy tickets to either leg of the Arsenal v Spuds League Cup Semi Finals.

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Mr Edelman and Mr Levy were each throwing their toys out of their respective prams over ticket allocation and pricing for the second leg of said match at the Emirates. According to league rules Tottenham are entitled to 15% of our total capacity, roughly 9,000. Edelman is arguing that, due to safety restrictions and extra crowd segregation methods necessary when the dirty Spuds visit the Emirates, that this is not possible, and has offered 5,000. In addition to this, Arsenal want to cut the ticket prices for this match, as we have done for League Cup matches for some time now. Spurs, who are entitled to 45% of the gate, want to charge full price.

Now personally I think that what Edelman's proposing in terms of ticket allocation is laughable and more than a little embarrassing. There may well be additional security measures that need to be imposed to keep the Lilywhites in their box, but do these measures really necessitate a 4,000 drop in possible allocation? I don't think so and I think that Edelman's just trying to get one over his Tottenham counterpart, which isn't necessary, and in fact hands Tottenham more respect than they deserve.

As for the pricing, the Spuds can go take a flying leap. We'll charge whatever the hell we like, thank you very much. I suppose the idea of getting 45% of our usual gate, which must dwarf their own, appeals to them very much, but they can't possibly believe that they should get a say in how we run our club. So get knotted Levy.

Speaking of Spurs, Cardiff City's on loan Arsenal fullback (and YamA favourite) Kerrea Gilbert will be heading to the Lane tonight for the FA Cup 3rd round replay that Cardiff earned at Ninian Park two weeks back. He expects to get a bit of stick, but is looking forward to another tussle with the old enemy. I've said it before, but it deserves repeating: I think Kerrea Gilbert should be first choice right back at Arsenal by the end of next season, especially if, as expected, Lauren leaves.

As talk turns to Ralph, there's a story going round that he's interested in a move to Lyon after quite sensibly rejecting a relegation battle with the Hammers. It'd certainly be a choice move for him, and offer him Champions League football too.

Seb Larsson seems to be about to make his move to Birmingham City a permanent deal, with reports in the press suggesting that £500,000 will be enough to make him a Blue. Personally I'm surprised at the price as I think he's a very useful and versatile player, who's probably just lacking a little in terms of being an Arsenal player. Still, good luck to the lad for the future.

Talk is beginning to turn to who should start up front against Man Yoo on Sunday, following professional "merker" Rio "am I Avid Merrion in one of his rubber masks" Ferdinand stating that the Mancs fear Adebayor above all others, as he feels Ade Cool gave them the most problems in the game at Old Trafford. If we take it as read that he's not talking about Henry because he didn't play in that game, it does make for an interesting discussion of who gets the nod out of RvP and Adebayor. I would play Robin, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that, if he's fully fit, we might see the Togonator starting alongside Thierry. We shall see.