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'Comical'

Anelka belittles Arsenal bid to keep him

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Posted: Wednesday July 28, 1999 11:46 AM

Anelka: "I think they'll be waiting for me for a long time." AP

PARIS (AP) -- French striker Nicolas Anelka has branded Arsenal's attempt to force him back to London for pre-season training as "comical."

French daily Le Parisien said Wednesday it had spoken with Anelka while he was shopping on the Champs-Elysees in Paris with friends, shortly after Arsenal issued a statement Tuesday saying he had been taken off the transfer list.

"It's comical," Le Parisien quoted Anelka, 20, as saying. "I think they'll be waiting for me for a long time."

Anelka, sought by Italian club Lazio, has sent medical certificates to Arsenal saying he is depressed and unable to train. His agents say he is ready to go on strike if his move to Italy fails to materialize.

He told Le Parisien he is not following the ins and outs of his transfer saga, adding: "I'm fine. I'm calm."

"Tonight I'm going to play a match with some friends on a field near my house. Actually, this break from soccer will be good for me. I've recharged my batteries for this season which looks like being a long one."

Reports in England had said Arsenal and Lazio agreed to a 22-million pound (US$34.8 million) fee for Anelka, but the deal was left in the hands of the French international.

He did not accept the offer, which included a drop in wages compared to an earlier offer, missing a deadline set by Arsenal. The London club then withdrew its offer to sell him.

Anelka told Le Parisien he was confident his transfer would be completed "by the end of the week."

 

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