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• The 1998/9 season was a case of 'what might have been. 'It's not
being wise after the event to say that Arsenal lost the title -and any chance of the
Champions League - last summer, when they made no major signings. Nelson Vivas and David
Grondin hardly set the fans alight. Neither did Fabian Caballero or Kaba Diawara. Fredrik
Ljungberg looks a useful squad player rather than a regular star. The 6' 5" Kanu, of
the size 15 boots, was a different matter. Arsenal need more recruits of his quality, to
take over from Manchester United.
• Arsene Wenger's first choice line-up was at least as strong as United's. Where the
Old Trafford club had the edge was in the depth of their squad. Arsenal's suspensions -
particularly for Manu Petit and Patrick Vieira weakened them too.
• Said Wenger: 'My priority is to keep the players I have, but I know we need to
strengthen the squad. With the demands of the Champions League next season, I must build
two teams. 'Arsenal have already been linked with the Real Mallorca top scorer Dani, and
the Dynamo Kiev full back Oleg Luzhny. Apparently Luzhny would be more happy to commit
himself if another Ukrainian came with him. The great Andrei Shevchenko looks bound for
Italy. But rumours from Kiev suggest the Gunners are still interested in his striking
partner, Sergei Rebrov.
• How much will the Highbury board put up for new players? George Graharn often
complained that he was expected to produce trophywinning teams on the cheap - though given
George's aversion to superstars, who's to say he'd have signed any? Yet Wenger fears that
United's riches could leave other clubs behind. 'We're not in the same financial league as
United - which other Premier clubs?' he said: 'They were able to spend £24million at the
start of the season. I can't do that now. Yes, I have money to spend, but I need to be
wise. I have to strengthen without spending too much.'
• Kanu's end-of-season form made him a huge favourite. His goal at Tottenham was
arguably Arsenal's best of the campaign. After all his heart-valve problems, he expects to
be at his fittest for a long while, when the 1999/2000 season starts. 'He can make a huge
impact,' said Wenger. Kanu is even looking forward to the gruelling ritual of the
preseason training. 'Coming to Arsenal was one of the best moves of my career', he said:
'And by the time next season starts, I will be completely fit for the first time in
years.'
• You can hardly open a paper these days without reading how Nicolas Anelka has
failed to settle in London. Or which club his brothers are negotiating for him to join
next season. But why should Anelka feel any more at home in Barcelona or Madrid, or Turin
or Milan - where daily sports papers' interest and demands dwarf those of the English
media? If Nicolas is homesick, maybe the best move would be back to France, to Paris
St-Germain or Marseille. But it would be a strange way to repay the massive faith Wenger
has shown in him.
• Stephen Hughes may also be on the move this summer. Hughes's situation illustrates
the long term problems that foreign stars can cause for the England team. Hughes is one of
the few talented, left-footed, young English players around. But with Petit, Vieira and
Mare Overmars in front of him, how many games will he play? It may be that Hughes has to
join another Premiership club to develop his potential.
• Dennis Bergkamp's refusal to fly ruled him out of Arsenal's tour of Malaysia and
Holland's trip to South America. But that could benefit Arsenal for next season. Bergkamp
went to last year's World Cup Finals with a hamstring injury. Though he played - and
scored a memorable goal against Argentina - he felt the effects when he returned to
Highbury. It took three or four months for Bergkamp to recover his best form. Now he says:
'Getting a proper rest is very important to me. I hope I will be able to start fresh again
for the new season, and that could make a lot of difference.'
N16 crossword
Snap by Gap
There are ten Stoke Newington streets or roads within the grid. All have
N16 postcodes. There will be a prize of a meal for two up to the value of £30 at Parks
Bar and Brasserie on Church Street. Entries must be received by 2nd July 1999.
1 Season ground for N16 road (11)
6 He is an ordinary fellow (3)
8 Built Roman road in N16 (5)
9 Heartless argument with drink around-what a picture
(9)
10 Going back, he took in study of prophet (5)
12 Ships timber for N16 street (9)
15 Sells pathway for N16 road (8)
17 Pushes ship around South coast resort (6)
18 Chaotic result in Ireland (6)
20 Slender thread for those on a diet (8)
22 Flowing mane is groomed at a charge (9)
24 Bill-a dishonourable chap- returns to the capital
(5)
26 Thunder when main flute is played (9)
27 Flyers returned to Guernsey, for example, and got
stuffed (5)
28 Dozens of religions included this branch of
Buddhism (3)
29 Ring of broken stones with nothing on top in
N16 road (11)
DOWN
1 Second home in N16 road (11)
2 Repetitive music Reagan may perform (5)
3 With 24 down, award a point (5)
4 Fixed charge made by estate agent for finding
accommodation? (4, 3)
5 People in charge released without point, somehow
(7)
6 Josephine briefly accepts measure to make dessert
(5)
7 River flows both ways (3)
11 Container Baker may fly kite inside (4, 3)
13 Trees on meadow in N16 road (7)
14 Hectic speed limit in hopeless state (11)
16 Affirmation not on return (3)
19 Marks awarded to sailors (7)
21 Weapon for two beginners on N 16 street (7)
23 Reportedly a key road in N16 (5)
24 Journalist returns to the enemy in N16 road (5)
25 Weight that may be dangled, we hear (5)
26 Took cap off Ezekiel? Unlikely! (3)
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