So after what seems like a close season tradition, finally a player that we desperately wanted out of the club leaves for good money. For years it was either Anelka, Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Cole, Henry, Reyes, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Van Persie etc.

All through the summer we dreaded the constant newspaper speculation, hoping that every time we switched onto Sky Sports News a yellow 'Breaking News' ticker box wasn't announcing one of our key players signing elsewhere. Sure, we hated some and wished others well but surely the result of getting £25m for a lazy, disloyal, uninterested player who has no desire or heart to be a true winner must be the best close season result we've secured since either Sol Campbell joining us or DB10 donning the red and white.

Much is written elsewhere about how it's diabolical that Arsenal haven't won anything since 2005 blah blah blah and the majority of true Gooners all realise that although winning trophies is amazing no-one has the divine right to win anything. The days of the title being contested between just two teams are long gone.

What is apparent though is that no true championship winning sides are constructed with mercenaries (Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor) who are just after cash but those players who strive to win trophies in football. It would be interesting to line up the amount of medals that the players who have signed for Man City or Chelsea previously had before signing for their prospective clubs.

I believe Arsenal have more chance of winning trophies with players who have desire, heart and strong characters as well as the sublime skills that we like to have in abundance. Mix this in with a bit of experience and that truly is what gives you a chance of winning trophies. The top 4 may start to become more of a top 5 in years to come but unlike the media I'm not too sure why everyone believes it's clear cut that Arsenal drop out of the 4 to make way for City.

Liverpool do not have tons of cash to splash and do they really have more than 3 top top players (Gerrard, Torres & Alonso - don't get me started on Carragher or Mascherano) and they have only won two trophies under Rafa - both on penalties. If Mr "My Mum's a Tesco Thief" Terry hadn't funnily slipped, Chelsea too could have been in the same situation as Liverpool, such are the margins in football.

However, back to Ade. What annoys me the most is that since the break up of the Invincibles it took the Arsenal crowd a while to really establish bonds with the new crop of players. Anyone who was at the Cottage 18 months ago and spent 45 minutes chanting his name consistently with the new Ade song will surely have long since fallen out of such love with him after his courtship of Barcelona and AC Milan last year. The fact that we sang his name and worshipped him so much during 2007/8, and undeservedly more so than better more loyal players like Cesc, RVP, Kolo is something that sticks in my throat.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than welcoming back past players. I've had a lump in my throat in recent years when players like Pires, Vieira, Sol, Merson and Wrighty have returned and as a crowd we worship them once again. I as a fan in general would always rather sing support for Arsenal than anti songs against our opposition. That said can any fan restrain singing against Cashley?

As years have passed the hatred towards Anelka has probably faded but I would like to throw one more ex-Arsenal player some abuse next time they return, so Manu Adebayor come prepared as you are not going to get my applause when you return. I shall remember your lazy attitude and horrfiic performances against Utd in last season's CL semis more than your goals against Villarreal, Spurs and Newcastle. More likely you'll catch me singing this...

Ade's a whore
Ade's a whore
You can give him loads more money
Doesn't mean he'll score any more

He'll be offside
He'll be offside
when it gets to the big games
you can expect him to hide