For old times' sake

I've been following Arsenal's Silly Seasons for a few years now. Even if this blog only went up a year and a half ago (or so), I used to compile rumours for Arseweb back in the 90s.

The lists have gone now, but I can still remember most of the players that the rumours were about. And looking at the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) web pages, I can now see some of the same names being available for free...

These days, John Carew is looking to join West Ham after playing for Aston Villa and Stoke and being linked with West Brom and Birmingham. But back in 2003, my compatriot was hot property, recently scoring the winning goal when Valencia knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League. Carew was wanted by Arsenal's sizable French contingent, the Observer reported. All due respect to Carew, a nice guy in football, but he's no longer in demand.

Jason Euell was a target for Arsenal when a promising teenager at Wimbledon. 13 years later, he's looking for a free transfer from Blackpool.

Of course, Sol Campbell is already back at Arsenal, but only to keep fit. A comeback like in 2010 is out of the question. Robert Pires has been released by Aston Villa. But there are other former heroes out there.

Matthew Upson went from Arsenal to Birmingham, West Ham and England recognition. He has been linked with a return to Arsène Wenger's fold as late as 25 June this year. He was also mentioned during last summer's Silly Season. But noone believes today that he'll add to his 35 appearances for Arsenal.

Mark Howard never played for the Arsenal first team, but was a stalwart for the Reserves. He tried to forge himself a career in Scotland, but at 24 he's now been released from Aberdeen.

Richard Hughes was another youngster released by Arsenal before his senior debut, and he has plied his trade with Bournemouth and Portsmouth since then. Originally signed from Atalanta after growing up in Italy, he has five Scotland caps but missed out on Portsmouth's 2008 FA Cup win. Now the winger is on a free.

Omer Riza scored 12 goals in 36 games for Histon last season, but couldn't stop them being relegated from the Blue Square Premier. In the 12 years since the striker left Arsenal's Reserves, he's played in Turkey and England. But now he's up for grabs, as is Paul Rodgers. The 21-year-old centre back went from Arsenal to Northampton, where he played almost 70 games before being released in the summer.

And remember Lee Harper? The goalkeeper with one apperance for Arsène's Arsenal is no longer player/manager for Kettering Town...