Forgive us if we enter the realms of speculation (imagine that on a football site!)... but Arseweb can't help but notice how much of the club's recent communication has centred around the new stadium, and Monday's planning decision.

This was really brought home when Arsene Wenger appeared at the London Colney press conference, confirming that he'd signed the contract... in front of a backdrop proclaiming 'Let Arsenal Support Islington'. We bet Nike and Sega were chuffed.

Or look at the Arsenal.com interview - a rare thing indeed! - with the normally reclusive Danny Fiszman. First question, on the day the on-the-field future of the club is secured: 'One piece of good news today already, hopefully another piece of good news on Monday?' Wenger's name appears once; the word 'stadium', nine times.

There really hasn't been a decent explanation as to why Arsene took so long to sign his contract. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, you'd expect such matters to be confidential. (Whether that would stop the press is another matter.)

But what a coincidence that Arsenal make their biggest sporting announcement of the year (assuming we aren't making any imminent £20m signings) so close to what is arguably a make-or-break moment in the club's history. Loads of positive publicity, smiling faces, quotes about 'building for the future'... and no pesky transfer fee to worry about.

Or is Arseweb just getting cynical in its old age?

Simon adds...
Apparently not... the piece by the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter draws very similar conclusions.