Russell Kempson
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As drizzle fell from the overcast skies over London Colney yesterday; California sunshine it was not. Still, David Beckham, the former England captain, trained as diligently as usual and, anyway, it was only a short trip back to his home in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Beckham, the Los Angeles Galaxy midfield player, went through his paces at the Arsenal training ground as he tries to keep fit during the Major League Soccer close-season. “We are helping him to work on his fitness and trying to keep it as quiet as possible,” Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said. “We don’t want to make something complicated out of something that is very simple. He doesn’t live far away and always loved Arsenal - that’s why we help him.”
Beckham’s most recent appearance for the Galaxy was in an exhibition match against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on December 1. He is not scheduled to play for them again until the friendly against Gamba Osaka, of Japan, in Hawaii late next month. Beckham does, though, need to keep fit to impress Fabio Capello, the new England manager. If Capello selects him for the friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6, it will be his 100th cap.
If Beckham is not in Wenger’s first-team plans, Jens Lehmann, the Germany goalkeeper, may not feature in them much longer. He will play in Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie against Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow - Manuel Almunia is being rested – but could be nearing his last appearance for the club.
Lehmann’s prospective move to Borussia Dortmund, his former club, stalled yesterday. His wage demands are believed to have been too high, but a deal could be resurrected next week.
Wenger denied reports that he had rejected a bid of £4 million from Tottenham Hotspur for Lassana Diarra. “No, I had nobody from Spurs on the phone,” Wenger said. “I want to keep him.”
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As a lifelong Arsenal fan born in Holloway,from a family packed with Arsenal supporters,I think its great that Arsene Wenger lets him train with Arsenal and simply says "but get the kit on"!I always liked David Beckham (he's from London)
and he's played his heart out for England time and time again.
Only when he played at Arsenal's arch-enemy Man Utd did I need to think twice about him (but I still respected him then).
He's a great player and a well-sound guy so if he lives nearby
and wants to train down the road at Arsenal,why not?I think it's great.
Chris Batchelor, Budapest, Hungary
It would be nice to see Fabio Capello in coming friendly matches get on with experimenting a little, thinking afresh and rebuilding England. Whatever his PR people and pet media would have us think, Beckham is not owed any 100th cap, not when you see the footballing greats who did reach or surpass that number of caps. It's not some 100th cap that's called for, so much as some serious consideration of how he won 24 caps more than his ailing game was worth.
As a newcomer to the scene here, Capello should not be fooled into thinking he has to select Beckham because to do otherwise would offend football-savvy England fans. The England set-up desperately needs fresh blood, whereas Beckham is yet another attention-seeking haircut, but old hat.
Pete, NW London,
He is using his business smarts to get fit an score goals. He is a sport man but also a very smart businessman.
Even though I am not an Arsenal fan but an Man Utd, one I still think either way he is getting better to score better for the England and his currently local LA team.
I see nothing wrong in that.
silas, Foster city, USA California
Beckham may not be paying a high price to train, as he is also training for the england national team.
Also Beckham has a lot of experience and advice to share with the youngsters, which would benefit Arsenal greatly.
Carry, Port South, South Zealand =P
I hope Beckham is paying a fair price to use the facilities. After all said and done he is only training for his own benefit, or so he hopes, for his 100th cap!
R. P. Dixon., London,
I don not love Beckham
Mahnoud, cairo, Egypt
Agreed David Beckham aside the glamour is firstly and foremost a good football player.But I think that in as much as their may be a neutral respect between Arsene and David Beckham,considerating Beckham's contract with L.A.Galaxy Wenger would never want to get involved in the complications,financial and otherwise of trying to sign him on as an Arsenal player....maybe just maybe Arsenal should have moved in on him when it become evident that he may leave Real Madrid towards the end of last season...but now its all alittle too late.
Ita Attah, Lagos, Nigeria
Eboue is out at the African nations for a month in January, why not give ourselves the option of Beckham for a few games to cover the wide right, even just on the bench? With Adebayor and Bendtner as target men, if Plan A fails who better to help with Plan B? I think he's a great role model and would give us that extra bit of glamour to go with the great football we are playing this season - let's sign the boy!
Peter Squire, Chislehurst, UK
There is only one David Beckham - English Football Player Extraordinaire. I don't care about his millionaire lifestyle only his football career in the National team. He deserved the 100th Cap without a shred of a doubt. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal FC deserved the highest praise for being a friend to one of England's finest. And Sir Alex Ferguson deserved nothing but contempt for doing nothing at all in this facet of David's career. But then he is a Scotsman. Says it all.
S K Lin, HongKong,
Becks is super rich and leads a super lifestyle. But has his feet firmly on the ground. He is someone who always works hard and never has an excuse. He puts the effort in and that, and that alone is why he has had the success he has. People who complain about him are just people who don't like the equation of hard work = success.
Matt Power, London, UK
Let's sign David Beckham on loan. Great for the young guns to have him around.
Tarek , London,