retired_dfj003

The next day I was in the board room talking to Peter Hill Wood, I had requested a meeting with him to discuss the finances of the club.

“Currently we aren’t in a great position” stated Hill Wood, “We are extremely financially healthy, but there is only small amount of money left to invest. Around £5 million is available to you but you should spend it wisely”

“I understand” I said, “I am not trying to weed even more cash out of you, but I have a deal arranged that I was hoping to complete in the next couple of months, and I was just wanting to know how it would effect the finances of the club, and if it would be wise to follow it up”

“Ah, you are talking about Asamoah?”

“I am yes, I feel he would be a good player to have beyond this season, and he has already proved himself capable at this level”

“We have been rather impressed by him” Hill Wood conceded

“ I am trying to build a new exciting team of young players, and some of these players are ready to contribute now, Gyan is one of those and I feel that if he wants to stay then we should buy him”

“I understand, but you have already spent rather a lot in recent months”

“Indeed I have, and I do not plan to spend so much in future I assure you, but I wanted to change the squad to fit to what kind of team I am building”

“Well I assure you that we are still behind you 100%” said Hill Wood, “and it is still a priority to invest in staff”

“Thank you” I said, relieved

“Well there is money available to you, though only a few million”

“Good, that’s very pleasing. I was just wanting to know where we stood, because I feel that we really should buy the lad. It‘s low risk, because I can get him for so little. I‘m sure you‘d agree the fee agreed is a bargain”

“It does seem a reasonable price but we must make sure not to go overboard, and we should also look to bring in money, selling players, slashing wages and winning matches will help that”

“Of course, it remains my priority to win and I am confident we will do that, and I have considered looking at salaries of players” I assured him

“Well, I do not see any long term damage being done to our finances by this deal, there is a little over five million there for you and it won’t effect the club’s health so long as you keep winning and keep down wages, so you may follow the deal up if you wish”

“Thank you” it was good news that they were backing my move, and my concerns about the clubs finances were eased, I had spent a lot already and feared that any more would be damaging.

retired_dfj003

Ahead of our Premiership clash against Portsmouth at the Emirates, Harry Redknapp pinpointed Alexandr Hleb as the main threat. He claimed that Hleb would have to be contained if Pompey were to take anything from the game.

I was slightly surprised at his choice of player, though Hleb has been in good form recently, he is not our key player and was ineffectual for much of last season, perhaps he is trying to put pressure on him. Whatever the reasons I would rather enjoy if Portsmouth failed and Hleb played a blinder.

retired_dfj003

Team against Portsmouth :

Lehmann

Eboue
Toure
Gallas
Emanuelson

Hleb
Gilberto
Fabregas
Guardado

Asamoah
Henry

Subs :

Adebayor
Baptista
Rosicky
Van Persie
Moutinho


Sherman Cardenas is dropped from the squad to be replaced on the bench by Julio Baptista. With Moutinho and Rosicky available I feel the teenager would be unlikely to get a game. Micah Richards is rested and replaced by Gallas who has not played since his sending off in the Champions League. Emanuelson returns for Traore after being cup tied for the Champions League.

English Premiership 30/9/2006
Emirates Stadium, Arsenal

Arsenal V Portsmouth

Guess who scored after just 58 seconds?

Yes, it just had to be Aliaksandr Hleb. Seconds in we broke forward, earning a free kick after Lee Young Pyo, Portsmouth’s latest recruit, upended Andres Guardado. Emanuelson centred a cross from the set piece which Hleb headed home. For the second game in a row he had scored early on, and the team seemed to be making a habit of coming out of the starting blocks at speed. Whatever Harry Redknapp was trying to do when praising Hleb, unsettle him? Warn his team about him? It didn’t work. From the bench Joao Moutinho was unable to prevent a snort of laughter as Hleb wheeled away. The young Portuguese midfielder glanced across at Harry Redknapp with a huge grin on his face, the Pompey boss was not looking pleased.

Hleb was involved again as we launched an attack just before half time, having dominated the entire half I was hopefully we could get another goal, and we did, some intricate triangle passing between Gilberto Guardado and the Belarusian led to a chance for Thierry Henry. Just inside the box he picked up the ball and curled home to cap off an excellent.

Seven minutes into the second half Henry, who was tiring and who I had considered taking off at half time was forced off after a collision with Dejan Stefanovic left him unable injured. Van Persie came on but failed to make an impact, and slowly Portsmouth started to claw their way back into the game. It looked too little too late however when Gary O’Neill finally pulled a goal back nine minutes from time, and indeed it was as we held on for the win that moved us up to fourth with a game in hand over all the top three. It emerged after the game that Robin Van Persie had been carrying an injury throughout much of the second half and that perhaps contributed to his lacklustre performance.

Arsenal 2
Hleb 1
Henry 44

Portsmouth 1
O’Neill 81

Man of The Match : Alexandr Hleb (Arsenal)

retired_hartinimaswar

great Read! :thup:

retired_tommywrighttha3rd

UNBELIEVABLE! Great read. Ive been uming and aring for a few days now trying to think of a new league to start for myself so i decided to have a read of some peoples stories. Quality, definately kept me occuppied for a few hours and fed my footy manager habit.

good signings with guardado and cardenas both great prospects i haven't seen that winger you got from bordeux im going to have a look at him now. You done well to get asamoah and moutinho as well!

I look forward to reading more!!! :thup:

retired_6speeds

this is amazing! much better then mine

jimi neutron

PLEASE keep doing this story, it is the best one i have read!!

retired_dfj003

Thanks guys, I have loads of updates on the way which I will post soon, I've been on holiday for the last two weeks which is why there havn't been many new installments and I go back to school soon so playing time will be limited, but there are plenty of updates to come

retired_dfj003

October

Gyan Asamoah has won third place in the Premiership goal of the month competition with his ‘audacious lob’ against Liverpool. Other than that there weren’t any awards for Arsenal. An international break will take place after our game against Bolton.

Baptista, Gilberto, Ricardo, Henry, Gallas, Rosicky, Fabregas and Hleb are all away representing their country while Richards, Walcott, Szcesny and Denilson will be joining up with the youth ranks of their respective nations.

The latest board confidence update shows that the board are pleased with my performance as manager and satisfied with the financial situation. It also indicates that the fans are pleased with my performance, and the progress of the club, they are no longer sceptical of my appointment, although I still have some way to go before winning them over.

The club actually made a profit of £2.46 million last month, which shows the healthy wage budget and bonuses currently in place. Although I am looking to start negotiations with a few players shortly.

Some bad new came back regarding Van Persie’s knock, the Dutchman will be out for two weeks with a damaged heel, while Thierry Henry appears to have suffered nothing more than a slight bruise and is now fully fit again.

retired_dfj003

Theo Walcott, who has recently been called up to the England U21’s has resumed full training and I am hoping that he will get a game while away with England and return fully fit and ready for football.

Vassiriki Diaby is now in light training after recovering from his broken ankle and is available for the game against Bolton, as is Walcott, but I do not want to rush him and he will not be back in full training for another month.