@NutmegRadio On more than one occasion, Wenger has jammed the soda machine with chocolate coins.

— Church of Soccer (@churchofsoccer) July 23, 2013

Summer Reading

A special farewell match for former German captain Michael Ballack, who retired last year, was held in Leipzig, Germany and featured an interesting mix of stars. The "Ballack and Friends" team included the likes of Miroslav Klose, Dietmar Hamann and Torsten Frings, while the "World Team" included The Continental himself (Dimitar Berbatov), Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko, Philipp Lahm and Jose Mourinho as manager.

Despite all those big names and the fact that it was Ballack's curtain call, Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker ended up being the star of the night with his impromptu skill show all over Didier Drogba. The 6'6" defender took the ball off Drogba in the box with a delightful spin move that probably made Didier question his very existence.

Koscielny has already opened the exit door by claiming he could walk away if Arsenal fail to show ambition in the transfer market.

And his agent Stephane Courbois has now fuelled fresh talk that Koscielny, who has four years left on his contract, is a target for the European giants.

He said: "There is interest. I know that Laurent is part of a shortlist of three or four players for both clubs."

Arsene Wenger would loathe to lose the 27-year-old centre-back who enjoyed his best season since joining Arsenal in a £8.5m switch from Lorient three years ago. But Koscielny's words echo those of Robin van Persie, who left the Emirates for Manchester United last summer.