[God]

Reports are coming in from France that Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has made his first signing of the off-season.

Laval midfielder Francis Coquelin is said to have joined the Gunners on a free transfer.

The highly-rated 17-year-old passed his medical last week.

[God]

Winger Alexander Hleb has said that the Premiership is the best competition in the world and that he would find it hard to leave it.

The player's agent is reportedly offering Hleb's services to clubs on the continent.

And Hleb has admitted that whilst his first year in England was not the best (citing loneliness), he has grown to love the fast-paced competition for what it is.

The Belarus international said: "I have learned in England that there is still so much to improve.

"I have always dreamed of playing in a great club. Now I have learned that it is not so easy and a lot of work.

"The first year was a killer. I felt very lonely.

"It was clear that the Premier League would be a challenge - but with this pace, I have not expected this.

"The Bundesliga is still a good league, but a season in England feels like two in Germany.

"I will tell you an example: When I was here at the beginning, everything went chop chop, so fast. The pace was madness, even in training.

"I look for the ball in front of me, then where I can play it - when I looked down again the ball was gone.

"The English league is the best league in the world."


Maybe he's not leaving.

[Mikk]

Originally Posted by God

Winger Alexander Hleb has said that the Premiership is the best competition in the world and that he would find it hard to leave it.

The player's agent is reportedly offering Hleb's services to clubs on the continent.

And Hleb has admitted that whilst his first year in England was not the best (citing loneliness), he has grown to love the fast-paced competition for what it is.

The Belarus international said: "I have learned in England that there is still so much to improve.

"I have always dreamed of playing in a great club. Now I have learned that it is not so easy and a lot of work.

"The first year was a killer. I felt very lonely.

"It was clear that the Premier League would be a challenge - but with this pace, I have not expected this.

"The Bundesliga is still a good league, but a season in England feels like two in Germany.

"I will tell you an example: When I was here at the beginning, everything went chop chop, so fast. The pace was madness, even in training.

"I look for the ball in front of me, then where I can play it - when I looked down again the ball was gone.

"The English league is the best league in the world."


Maybe he's not leaving.

Hmmmm

From BBC site:

Arsenal's Alexander Hleb is set to join Barcelona after having talks with the Spanish club before Belarus' friendly in Germany on Tuesday. (El Mundo Deportivo, 1309)

[God]

I'll go with the player over a newspaper rumor.

[Mikk]

Originally Posted by God

I'll go with the player over a newspaper rumor.

But that says nothing about him staying, its just saying he'd find it hard to leave.

Nowhere in that report does it say he's 100% staying at Arsenal and i do believe the news coming out of spain of him moving onto Barca.

[Tyler Durden]

To be honest I wouldn't accept "El Mundo Deportivo" as a reliable source.

I go to Barcelona quite frequently (I have family out there) and it's a Catalan language sports paper that is pretty notorious for being about as reliable as the Daily Sport!

[Mikk]

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

To be honest I wouldn't accept "El Mundo Deportivo" as a reliable source.

I go to Barcelona quite frequently (I have family out there) and it's a Catalan language sports paper that is pretty notorious for being about as reliable as the Daily Sport!

Well ok i will probably not rely on that paper then but i'm guessing for the bbc to post it they must of had someone look into it before posting it and i do tend to believe the bbc site as that is normally fairly reliable.

[Tyler Durden]

Originally Posted by Mikk

Well ok i will probably not rely on that paper then but i'm guessing for the bbc to post it they must of had someone look into it before posting it and i do tend to believe the bbc site as that is normally fairly reliable.

It's not being "reported" by the BBC. The gossip column just takes reports from around the world and plasters them on there. They quote any ol' bit of tat and, to be honest, I think it's only meant to be a bit of fun to look at!

[Mikk]

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

It's not being "reported" by the BBC. The gossip column just takes reports from around the world and plasters them on there. They quote any ol' bit of tat and, to be honest, I think it's only meant to be a bit of fun to look at!

Stop spoiling my fun of winding up God!

[Tyler Durden]

Originally Posted by Mikk

Stop spoiling my fun of winding up God!

Oh why didn't you say.

"El Mundo Deportivo" is also reporting that TNA is doing wonderful business and is booked fantastically.

See.

They're not reliable at all