[Bastin]

He's not good enough. This game might have been just a flash in the pan, as he hasn't shown much ability in training, apparently. It does boil down to one question:

Who do we drop to allow for Inamoto?

Gio? That would be too cruel after his 8 month lay-off.
Vieira? He's the best in the world - and he isn't leaving.
Pires? He was probably the best player in the Premiership last year.
Ljungberg? He gets goals when our strikers are failing.

Then we have Parlour ahead of him in the pecking order, Lauren can play effectively in midfield, and there's also Pennant competing for 7th place. Maybe in two years, or so, but he won't be content just to stay on the bench for that period of time, so he'll have to leave unless he's offered first-team football out of the blue.

 

[Bastin]

He's not leaving. Arsène has more sense than to put in a clause like that into the contract - especially since Inamoto has scored again today!

 

[Bastin]

Do you guys watch Japan matches at all? This guy is amazing, he should definitely start sometimes and if he gets sold, that'll be a HUGE mistake.

Of course I watch Japan matches! He was awesome against Belgium, scored two world-class goals (OK, 1 disallowed for no reason), and won the MOM award comfortably. Against Russia, he also won the MOM award IMO, and scored the winner. I think he is an excellent player - but we have many excellent midfielders.

 

[Bastin]

I doubt that he has actually been released from his contract. One piece of news from Ananova or ITV, and suddenly, it's confirmed. There are no quotes from those that matter, the references to dates are vague, and there seems to be no reason for releasing him. Personally, I think it's nonsense. Wenger can't even sign the paperwork to release him, since he's in Japan right now!