This is an update for the skipper about the current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for you, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you to know what’s really going on at the moment.

As announced earlier this year you had a meeting with the Boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not your priority at all. Unfortunately for you our expectation was that your contract would have been discussed. We didn’t buy you, sustain you through six and a half injury-prone years, and pay you decent money to be a strategy consultant. We made a significant investment in you to score goals, and boy, in the last eighteen months did you score goals. Thanks for that much at least.

You personally had a great season and say your goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Funny that. Quite a few of your former team mates have come out with that old chestnut, conveniently forgetting that you yourselves were a significant cause of that lack of silverware. A team you captained, and that included trophy-hunters Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, couldn’t even beat Birmingham in a Cup Final. Where would you lay the blame for that, pal?

Out of huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans you don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to you that in many aspects you disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward. That is your prerogative chum, but there’s precious little respect there for the manager and supporters who backed you one hundred percent through the frustrating times. Now you are in a position to take advantage of your first unbroken season you throw that support back in our faces.

You’ve thought long and hard about it, but have decided not to extend your contract. You say “You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.” Is that so? Then I shall have to ask you to respect my opinion that you have seen one last chance to grab the megabucks being dangled under your nose by our friends in the north. Rather than come out with all of this strategy nonsense why not be open and honest. “Guys, Arsenal don’t look after over thirties so good, and I am off so I can secure my family’s future” would have been understood far more than the absurd claim that your terms were not your priority at all. If I was offered triple my salary from a new employer I’d be off, and I wouldn’t be two-faced about the reason why.

You say you love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. You have grown up and became a man during your time with Arsenal FC. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported you over the years and you have always given your all on and off the pitch. You are very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last 8 years. You say “I will update you if and when there are more developments.” It seems to me there have been quite a few developments of late that you have not updated us on, old son.

Well, here is my update. You are still contracted to Arsenal Football Club for another twelve months. Fergie can tap you up all he likes, but unless he shows how much he thinks of you by stumping up the hopefully excessive fee we are requesting then you will stay put. If we decide to keep you until August 31st so you don’t help out a major rival for the opening weeks of the season you will just have to respect that also. Should your suitors not agree to compensate us fully for losing your services then I hope you will knuckle down for a season and earn your free move next summer by continuing to give your all for the manager and fans who have stood behind you for so long.

But don’t expect our respect in return.