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by CARL ELDRIDGE Before I go on, can I just say I heard a rumour yesterday that we are going to play Brazil at home to mark our 125th anniversary celebrations. It might be baloney but that was what I was told.

So, we face our bitter, bitter enemies SC Neusiedl 1919 tonight in the second of our pre-season friendlies during our stay in Austria. The intense rivalry with SC Neusiedl 1919 goes back a long way and in the past some of the clashes against them have been fiery to say the least. Expect nothing different during this make-or-break encounter where victory is vital. Ok, ok, I admit all that is hogwash of the highest order but I was just trying to increase my anticipation to a game that should see some of our World Cup boys back in the frame. I know AW insists on these games so the players can prepare properly in terms of less travel, clean mountain air and excellent facilities in which to bring themselves up to speed ahead of the Premier League kick-off but, personally and as a fan, I'd like us to consider playing the odd match in the far East or States. It'd beat two weeks in Marbella.

In other news, we are still being linked with Bolton Wanderers centre half Gary Cahill with bookies making us the favourites to snare the 24-year-old. I must say we are in dire need of another central defender, especially if super Sol does a bunk. Others 'targets' still being mentioned are Phil Jagielka from Everton and Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen.

The latest in the hunt for a new keeper sees us linked with Russian stopper Igor Akinfeev (surely with a surname like that he should be on his way to Merseyside?), while Ajax No.1 Maarten Stekelenburg is said to be another player on whom AW is keeping tabs. Other reports suggest Manuel Almunia is heading for Osasuna giving AW the chance to bring in Fulham's Mark Schwarzer...we've heard it all before.

Meanwhile, the Cesc Fabregas-Barca story rumbles on and the latest talking head to have his say is none other than Andres Iniesta. He reckons Cesc will play one more season with the Arsenal before heading back to the Nou Camp. Iniesta said: "Cesc wants to be with us, but he told me how close the Arsenal fans are to his heart. He is a special player and I hope he wins the title at Arsenal this season. For them to win Cesc will have to stay fit and injury-free but he deserves to finish with a title. For all the work he has put in at Arsenal it would be a shame if it was all fruitless. I have seen time after time Lionel Messi win games for Barcelona when the rest of the team have not been on form and Cesc can do that for Arsenal this season."

Thanks for your interest, pal. Now do one.