Events in Amsterdam have gone under the radar in the UK, but the fate of Dennis Bergkamp has acquired sudden relevance. His coaching career could well be shaped by the outcome of an incendiary court case, in which Ajax legend Johan Cruyff is attempting to block the appointment of Louis van Gaal as a club director.

If Cruyff fails, and Van Gaal, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, is installed in a position of influence, it is likely to trigger the departure of Ajax manager Frank de Boer and his key staff.

That opens the way for Bergkamp, who was promoted to De Boer’s assistant after impressing with the youth team, to fulfil one of his most cherished ambitions, a return to Arsenal. Initially, this is likely to be as a forwards coach, but Wenger is known to have been impressed by the intelligence of his approach to his secondary career, and the clarity of his principles.

This wouldn’t be one of those borderline appointments, produced by the old boys’ network. No one can deny the emotional attractions of reuniting with a marquee player, who excelled for 11 seasons in the Premier League, but Bergkamp has become a star of the Dutch Football Federation’s coaching system since he passed his pro licence.

A move back to familiar territory would have historical symmetry. His arrival as a player, for a measly £7.5m from Inter Milan in 1995, signalled a sea change in attitude, and the end of the relevance of the “boring, boring Arsenal” chants.

His return as a coach, and eventual installation as manager, would protect Wenger’s legacy and signal progression into a new era. It makes a whole lot of sense.

Andre Santos has gone under the knife, out for 3 months.

Only positive is that this happened close to the January transfer window. Hopefully AW will have a deal organized as soon as the window opens.

Gibbs is back end of the month, Vermaelen is originally a left back and Miguel can play there as well. Jenkinson is also gonna be back soo so I think that we'll be right. This weeks game against City is huge for us. Same lineup that started vs Everton is my guess.

You know as well as I do that AW won't be buying a LB in January :lol:

I'm just hoping we send Gibbs off to the knackery, I'm sick of seeing him on the injured list. We need TV playing as a centre-back, not filling in as a full back. Even if we sign someone on loan it will be better than re-shuffling our defence.

Damn you Gibbs and your body made of glass.

I'm just hoping we send Gibbs off to the knackery

Touch wood, we do not get any injuries to our strikers but if an opportunity turns up in that department then we will buy.

Some reports around that we could be back in for Jan Vertonghen. Quality defender, would love if we sifned him. I know Gooner would love it as well :lol:

:lol: Only when we didn't have a back-up DM, now we've got Coquelin and Frimpong so meh :p

I'm not overly dissapointed with it tbh. Glad we didn't get Zenit or CSKA they were the two main ones I wanted to avoid. If we can get a decent result at the San Siro I'm confident we can get through.

apparently we have no chance against AC

Robinho,Pato,Ibrahimovic vs Djorou,Squillaci? Eeeeeeeeeek

We'd have to have about 6 of our centre backs injured for that to happen :lol: Wenger seems to be pushing him further and further away from the first team.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is making "exceptional" progress from his ankle injury, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The England international is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club this term after suffering an ankle injury in a pre-season match against New York Red Bulls in July.

However, Wenger has now confirmed that the 19-year-old could make his comeback in February following a promising scan.

The Frenchman told reporters: "Jack had a very important scan, it was exceptionally good and the news is positive. He could be back in mid-February."

Wilshere added on Twitter: "I can confirm what the boss said that I had an exceptionally good scan on tuesday and I can now step up my rehab and start jogging!"

Fantastic news.

Edited by jlm8695: 17/12/2011 01:24:43 PM

Surprised it will take two months to get back if he can start jogging now