Let the fecker go. He's been a great player, 'one of ours', but if he's going to contest this fine and legality of this week's outcome, it's time for all gooners to bid a fond farewell.

Tonight it's Ireland v Israel in the World Cup qualifiers. Come on Israel!

Oi....me head. A few beers were downed last night as the pool cues were taken out of their mothballs. Sponsored by corridor-land but vetted by O and myself to ensure that only the creme-de-la-creme were invited, we ended up as 6 hard-drinking, cue massaging pool sharks at a basement place in Lincoln street (complete with waitress from London!). Honour was left intact as I managed to keep tabs with R, who looks like he's played before. England v Israel ended at 3-3, so a rematch is in store. Note to myself: Never get in a car with O when she's had a couple of beers. Taxis sure don't hit 150 kmph when it's raining...

Meanwhile, over at Highbury Arsene is convinced Ashley wants to stay. Who cares? Maybe he's doing it for 'the record', just so that any eventual transfer will seem against his wishes. Me, I have no problem with the argument that everybody occasionally looks at other jobs (I've lost track at the number of interviews I've had on the sly while being employed at Corridor Inc.,), it's just that as a die-hard fan, once a player expresses a desire to move on and better himself, his place in my affections is gone. It will take some pretty good brown-nosing to get back into my good books...

The Ashley Cole tapping up affair continues, and even makes the Israeli sports pages, what with superagent Zahavi refusing to give details.

I have a feeling it was all coincidental, that Ashley and his agent were going for a bevvy, when they came across Zahavi, Kenyon and Mourinho, who were also having a bevvy, by chance in the same bar. After strenuously rejecting invitations to join Kenyon and Co, Ashley suddenly wilted when he heard about a free holiday to Tel Aviv...

Saturday's FA Cup Quarter Final went according to plan, a nice little victory over those buggars from up North, Bolton. Lately, they seem to have become our bogey team and generally cause us big problems. Not this time, and even Freddie could afford to hit the miss of the season, really not sure how he managed that! I still say that missing flame of red hair is sapping his strength...

I have to say, those Gary Speed long throw-ins were a little stressful, especially with the number of free headers that 4 foot 6 inches Giannakopoulos was able to rain in on Lehmann. All in all, an OK performance, but room for improvement.

The match was on the local sports channel, commentated by the ever knowledgeable Avi Meller - that guy sure is ugly but he knows his stuff. He'll spot some old geezer in the crowd and reel off a series of facts about him and his dog. Quite amazing.

Any bets on getting Manure in the semis? I have to say that Manure look more 'up for it' than the Arsenal, but on the day Arsenal can outfight any side, especially those put out by Fergie. Right, G, you know that means the game and beers at a neutral venue...

I see the Ashley Cole affair is still rolling on, what with today's testimonies being given by Cole and Mourinho. Now that we know Ashley did meet up with Chelski, surely it undermines his ability to do the job at Arsenal, whatever the reasons? I don't care if he feels he was insulted about the lack of money offered, if he really wants to play for the team that he supported and grew up with, surely he'd think about his actions a little more deeply. Personally, I say fuck it, let's get rid and get Clichy to replace him. Nice little 20 mill + profit.