Rumor Mill

As a Gooner, I have to say that the momentum is headed in the wrong direction for my favorite club. With the only Arsenal rumors being talented players (Henry, Cesc, etc.) wanting out and no high profile prospects being mentioned as potential acquisitions. At the same time, the teams that showed promise last year - Spurs, Reading, and Villa in particular - are doing their best to close the gap between themselves and the fourth place Gunners.

Reading has taken a step back with the loss of Steve Sidwell but a player like Jason Koumas might be just the guy to minimize the impact of that loss.

Spurs still have to worry over the potential loss of Berbatov and Chimbonda but in the meantime, they're firming up their weaknesses (the left side) and giving the two above gentlemen reason to expect that a Champions League spot isn't out of the question.

Finally, Villa have the most interesting rumors associated with them. In addition to Koumas, the potential acquisition of Wesley Sneijder of Ajax (a long shot, I know) would add the touch of class that they thought they were getting when they brought Petrov down from Celtic. If that move allows them to keep Gareth Barry out wide and they can secure either Phil Bardsley or another solid right back, they should be in pretty good shape. One can only hope they don't add Craig Bellamy to what appears to be a potentially good mix.

It will be interesting to see how the summer continues to develop but if the powers-that-be at the Emirates Stadium don't get their acts together, the disappointment of finishing fourth and trophyless this season will feel great in comparison to what is coming next.

I have to say I'm a little worried that those who tend the rumor mills have gone quiet on Ribery-to-Arsenal. They're clearly scraping for news, the fact that they aren't willing to flog this one endlessly gives me a little pause - hopefully, the reporters with connections to France have just started their vacations early.