No one can have missed the recent stories flying around within the football world, about money ‘bungs' between managers and agents, players being ‘tapped up' leaving behind their childhood ‘dream clubs' for a slight salary increase.

Its 3.49am on September 1st and it hardly seems worth it now. I have been sitting up refreshing these pages for what seems like days, eagerly awaiting news.

Friday 1st. September. I reach for my Arsenal calendar. Flipping over the page, I find myself face to face with a determined Kolo Toure, busy marshalling the defensive line.

I should feel excited, and I do because we've got a brand new dogs-bollocks of a stadium. I love my new seat, the season is about to kick off and Thierry Henry is a Gooner, the best player in the world bar none will be playing for my team again.

I really don't want to write this piece and I've certainly been putting it off for far too long.

In response to the recent snide and ignorant comments of Gordon Taylor and Alan Pardew I'd like to point out a few home truths regarding English youngsters.