First off, Wenger on his contract.

"I have signed a few cheques recently but, no, I have not signed my new contract. I understand that it may be unsettling to some people but there is no doubt about my future here for the next three or four years. It is not a problem."

Which echoes the words of Peter Hill Wood at the Arsenal AGM on Friday. Good to hear it (again) from Le Boss though. "Three or four years" puts us into the era of the new stadium (fingers crossed), and it makes sense that this would be one of the reasons Wenger would want to stay, seeing as he's had a hand in it's design and conception. So it's not inconceivable that he's waiting for the stadium plans to be approved before putting pen to paper. That should hopefully happen before the end of the year although it's not a foregone conclusion. At the GAM, Arsenal admitted that they don't really have a plan B.

Wenger also comments on the Champions League format, advocating a return to one with just a single group stage followed by knockout.

Secondly, it looks like Arsenal are considering withdrawing their French players from the Australia-France friendly in the middle of November (a nightmare month for Arsenal recently). I imagine our many Australian readers will have mixed feelings about this, and I can sympathise. While there's no denying it's a bloody long way to go mid-season for a friendly (as was Chile), France will presumably point out that the match is in the middle of a 2 week break for the World Cup play-offs. On the other hand, if things don't go well against Greece our England players could be involved in 2 tough competitive matches during those 2 eeks.

Still, the really good news is that because of the play-offs Arsenal don't have so many matches in bloody November this year!

There's more on this in the Telegraph, who reveal that Dein has written to other clubs asking for solidarity in this stance. And they quote him,

"Under FIFA rules we have to release players for seven friendlies per year. But enough is enough. If FIFA say 'no' we'll flex our muscles, sit down as a group and see what action we could take. Ask the players how they felt when they got back from Chile. Ask them if they want to go to Australia for a friendly."

If FIFA don't agree, sanctions would include fines for the players as well as being banned from domestic matches.

Matt Andersson writes from Oz to let us know that Henry, Vieira, and Pires have all already been appearing in TV ads for the friendly, saying how much they're looking forward to the chance to avenge their confederations cup loss. He also points out that the match being on the 11th November could be seen as an Armistice day commemoration, which could enhance resistance from both France and Australia to messing about with the fixture. All of which points to some seriously pissed off Australians should France travel without their stars.