Cesc Fabregas’s agent Joseba Diaz has backed down from his previous Real Madrid courting stance and has denied that his player will be leaving Arsenal for the bright lights of La Liga this summer or anytime soon.

He told BBC Radio Five Live:

“We have one very good offer from Madrid but Cesc and Arsenal prefer he plays in London. Cesc is very grateful to Mr (Arsene) Wenger, Mr (David) Dein and the supporters of Arsenal and he just prefers playing at Arsenal next season and I think a lot of seasons in London.”

The loss of Fabregas would have been a hard blow for Arsenal to take after his meteoric rise to Arsenal first team regular and Spanish World Cup squad member this season. Having had to fill the boots of Patrick Vieira at Highbury was a hard enough task but with La Liga so full of quality Spanish players at the moment, Fabregas really had to shine in England to catch the eyes of Spain coach Luis Aragones and he did it in style.

With the signing of Tomas Rosicky and the continued rumours of Javier Saviola joining Arsenal in time for the new season, there seems to be a move towards an even more swashbuckling, adventurous Arsenal midfield style and with Fabregas in the thick of things to settle the others down and control the passing, they will be a lot more balanced in that area.

While Joseba Diaz says that Fabregas will be in London “for a lot of seasons”, I’m sure Arsenal fans will be happy just to take his continued presence one year at a time, starting with 2006/2007 and the move to Ashburton Grove.

Reports coming out of Turkey are saying that Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has told reporters that he is very close to agreeing a move to Istanbul to play for Fenerbahce next season.

The England centre back, currently on World Cup duty with the national side encamped at Baden Baden in Germany, has had a torrid season in the Premiership with rumours of mental breakdowns and loss of form being exacerbated by his increasingly strange behaviour on the pitch. His half-time substitution and disappearance from Highbury during the game against West Ham where he was badly caught out twice in a few minutes has been the main talking point of the season for a player more accustomed to plaudits for his on field conduct and if the reports are true it maye be understandable if he has decided to leave England for foreign climes.

“The probability of me joining Fenerbahce is very high,” Campbell told the Vatan newspaper. “Not because they’ve offered me a lot of money, but because they have challenged me. Everything will be clearer after the World Cup.”

“It is obvious that they are considering me seriously,” Campbell said. “They made me a good and full offer. We are progressing step-by-step. I will give my decision after the World Cup.

“But, the probability of me joining Fenerbahce is bigger than that of refusing the offer.”

It’s looking increasingly likely that his goal in the European Cup final defeat to Barcelona could well have marked the end of a controversial Arsenal career.

From Tom Williams of Southampton on Football365’s letters page, definitely sounds like something very fishy going on over Theo Walcott, the conspiract theorists don’t circle around one man like David Dein this much without something going on now do they?

Does anyone know why this week’s England game was a ‘B’ international? Because there is a rumour going round the south coast that it’s because Arsenal would have had to pay us an additional 2 million quid for Theo if it had been a full international…

It’s a fact that we get a lot of money per international that Theo plays. I think you can find the structure of the deal online somewhere. At the end of the day, they’ll still have to pay us the money at some point, as he is clearly going to play plenty of internationals (the majority of England and indeed Arsenal fans won’t have seen him play, so just take my word for it…), but the reason they haven’t picked him for their first team is that they want to be sure about him before they have to pay us any more money.

In fact, I bet you he goes out on loan somewhere next season in a further attempt to put off paying for him. That human paraquat Redknapp has been sniffing round apparently. That would be almost too much to bear…

I’d like to know when it was decided that the friendly would be a ‘B’ international. If it was decided since it emerged that Theo would be in the squad, there is clearly something very dodgy going on.

I like most Saints fans was very upset when Theo went, and this has rekindled my rage. The FA need to do something to stop the likes of Arsenal raping smaller clubs, because that’s what it amounts to- what is effectively the non-consensual buying of our players. With Spurs and Liverpool apparently sniffing round our brilliant young defender Gareth Bale it is increasingly concerning.

What’s the point in having a kick-arse academy if your best youngsters are going to end up at other clubs before they’ve played a full season for you? It’s not our responsibility to provide players for the ‘big five’. Clearly though, nothing is going to change while snakes like David Dein are involved. Allegedly he also vetoed the possibility of Wenger being offered the England job. What a surprise.

What makes it worse is that if Theo makes an impact at international level, Wenger will claim all the credit, when he deserves none. It is unbelievable that when he was selected in the squad, the likes of Redknapp and Wenger were immediately basking in the reflected glory, yet almost no mention was made of our academy staff Georges Prost, Malcolm Elias and Huw Jennings (’Who?’ you might ask…).

We’re not whiter than white. We’ve essentially done the same thing, poaching players from Notts County, Oxford and others. Theo himself was briefly on Swindon Town’s books. It’s not really Arsenal I have a problem with- I admire Wenger’s crusade to win the title back using the rough diamonds he has ‘unearthed’. It’s the rule, whereby players can be transferred for a fraction of their true worth if they are under 17, that I am objecting to, and the obvious conflict of interest of having David Dein and his ilk effectively running the game.

No smoke without fire?

French midfielder Robert Pires has finally ended speculation about his future by announcing that he has signed a two year deal with Spanish side Villareal. After six years at Arsenal, Pires has found that the club were unwilling to increase their 12 month contract offer and will move on now to the club Arsenal put out of the European Cup at the semi final stage this season.

Pires said today:

“After six wonderful years at Arsenal, full of fantastic moments, I have decided to accept a new challenge at Villarreal for the next two years of my career. I am very grateful to Arsene Wenger, the players and all the fans for their amazing support over the years.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had already prepared himself for the classy midfielder’s departure by snapping up Czech Republic star Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund this week but admits that it will be a huge wrench to see Pires leaves:

Wenger said: “Robert has had six tremendous years with us and made a huge contribution to the team’s success during his time here.

“He is not only a great footballer but a good man, so of course, we are sad to see him go. It is difficult to pick out one or two highlights - but he was superb in our double winning season during the 2001/02 campaign and contributed so hugely to our unbeaten season with 19 goals.

“I would like to thank Robert for the dedication, determination and passion he has shown and wish him well in his career.”

Czech Republic star Tomas Rosicky has completed a medical at Arsenal and the clubs are now in negotiations to finalise a deal to take the playmaker to North London before the World Cup.

Rosicky has been at Borussia Dortmund for five seasons since they signed him from Sparta Prague for a Bundesliga record fee of ?18m in 2001 and had been widely tipped to join Atletico Madrid during the summer. Atletico now seem to be short of cash until they sell their own star player Fernando Torres and Arsene Wenger has nipped in ahead of the Spaniards to add to his squad as the Londoners try to build on last season’s European Cup final appearance.

Classy and skilful on the ball, Rosicky has long been touted as one of Europe’s finest ball playing midfielders but his development at club level has stagnated at Dortmund over the past couple of years and a change of scenery will help to revitalise the 25 year old’s career.

The signing of Rosicky could force Arsene Wenger to change his tried and trusted centre midfield tactic of playing two strong ball winning players (Vieira and Petit, Gilberto Silva and Fabregas) as he makes room for a traditional playmaker in the centre in the shape of Tomas Rosicky. With Robert Pires still looking like going through the Arsenal exit door there will be a creative void in the Arsenal midfield and Rosicky will be expected to pick up the slack.

Unconfirmed reports have mentioned a fee in the region of ?4m rising to ?7m depending on honours and titles which would make sense with Borussia Dortmund still in some serious financial trouble and eager to cash in on their most prized possessions.

There will be a full blow by blow account of the European Cup final coming soon on State of the Game, until I write it we’ll have to make do with the first of the Lehmann funnies to hit the web.

(Great work by skinandi from From The Lane messageboard)

Despite the distinct possibility of Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires signing off on their Arsenal careers after tomorrow night’s Champion’s League final, Arsene Wenger believes that a golden era is about to commence at the club and has indicated that he could be persuaded to extend his stay at the club beyond the two years he has left on his current contract.

Wenger told The Sun:

“And do I see myself finishing my coaching career in charge of Arsenal? Yes.

“I must admit that I’ve no ambition to be the coach of an international team.

“In fact it’s the opposite. At a club like this you have the cream of the world’s football talent to spot, sign and develop - and what could be more challenging than that?”

“Yet if you are a national team coach you’ve only got what the country’s generation of players provides for you. If you’ve got a bad bunch then what can a coach do about it?

“Every time I sign a young kid the parents ask me whether I’m going to stay or not and I always point out I’ll definitely see out my contract.

“Now I feel I’m beginning all over again at Arsenal, that a special new era is commencing.”

Whether a victory in tomorrow night’s battle against Barcelona would be enough to persuade his star striker to stay is another matter and even Wenger doesn’t know exactly what Thierry Henry has on his mind when it comes to deciding where he will play his football next season.

Keep an eye out for Henry swapping shirts at the end of the game though, it could be an early premonition of next season at the Nou Camp on the Stade de France pitch.

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie is in trouble with the authorities again after Manchester City defender David Sommeil reported him to match referee Graham Poll on the grounds of racist abuse.

Van Persie had started this season under the cloud of a rape allegation in his native Holland and had been arrested and investigated by the Dutch police over the allegations. These latest racist allegations came to light during the Arsenal - Manchester City game this week and prompted referee Poll to speak to representatives of both clubs at half time during the match.

The FA has now written to David Sommeil asking for his version of events as they try to get to the bottom of the incident and if Van Persie is found guilty he could face personal punishment as well as fines or points deductions for his club.

“We went to see Graham Poll at half-time and he informed us there had been an allegation of racial abuse,” confirmed City boss Stuart Pearce. “None of my players mentioned it to me at half-time or after the game but if someone does come and speak to me about it, it will be taken very seriously.”

Pearce added that it was the first time he has had to deal with a situation such as this but whether the matter is pursued or not depends on Sommeil’s willingness to take it further.

Arsenal fans who are still smarting following Tuesday night’s Carling Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Wigan Athletic have some potentially positive news to help cheer them up as, according to Arsenal chairman Peter Hill Wood, they have made French star Thierry Henry “an absolutely fantastic offer”.

With a bumper five deal on the table including terms which Hill Wood described as “an offer which is probably as good an offer as anybody in this country - maybe other than Chelsea - would make”, the pressure will be back on Henry to make his intentions known and finally put to rest the rumours of his summer departure to Spanish giants Barcelona.

Whether Thierry Henry feels that Arsenal still have something to offer him in terms of success is another question as they risk finishing outside the top four and Champion’s League qualification this season.

Hill Wood also made it clear that he understands that the Gunners have some strengthening to do with too many players approaching the twilight of their careers at the same time.

As quoted by the Daily Star, “What we’ve got is two or three players who are probably a year from not being good enough in the Champions League. And to replace them immediately is incredibly difficult.

“Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell….whether they have lost a yard of pace I don’t know, but Arsene does know.

“You could certainly spend ?30million and not replace them. And Arsene is very good at not doing that. He’d rather buy young talent. He thinks the boys he’s just brought in are going to be pretty good.”

With the financial burden of Ashburton Grove starting to rise before them and the very real chance that they won’t qualify for the Champion’s League through the Premiership next season, it would be a brave Thierry Henry who put pen to paper on a new five year deal now before considering his options in the summer after the World Cup.

Photo From ITV Football

In a complete reversal of their previous foreign-based transfer policy, Arsenal have announced the signing of 16 year old Southampton whizkid Theo Walcott for an initial fee of ?5m. The Gunners beat off supposed competition from Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool for the signature of the young player who has set the Championship alight this season, exciting fans with his pace and skill and encouraging the Arsenal board to pay out a fee that could in time rise to over ?12.5m.

While Walcott’s rise to prominence has been meteroic, it’s hard to understand the rationale behind Arsenal’s sudden and quick interest and expenditure. Every season another young talent is unearthed and labelled the great young hope of English football only for many to burn out long before their 20th birthday and fade into obscurity.

While Wayne Rooney had a season or two of solid Premiership experience and an impressive World Cup European Championships behind him before Manchester United were tempted to take the plunge on buying him, it seems like Arsenal, under the constant pressure of West London rivals Chelsea and the resurgent force of North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, have taken a rather larger gamble on the future progression of a teenage player with less than a season of Championship football under his belt.

Arsene Wenger should be aware that for every Wayne Rooney there is a Danny Cadamarteri lurking and only the passage of time will tell whether his big money gamble on Theo Walcott will pay off. For the cash strapped Gunners, it may be a testing time as Wenger’s high risk policy of Win or Bust ushers them into their new home at Ashburton Grove.