Arsenal don't have a game until July 18, 2008. It's a friendly match against League Two Barnet. Some people may say it's nothing to get excited about.

With the Champions League final and EURO 2008 upon us there is room for agreement.

But the Barnet fixture is important. It's a chance for Gooners to have a first hand look at new signings, trialists and up and coming youngsters.

In July, 2000, Arsenal beat Barnet 1-0 thanks to a goal by the then much hyped teenage sensation Jermaine Pennant, in a game where Lauren made his Arsenal debut.

In July 2003, when Barnet were a Conference side, Arsenal fielded two trialists: Ya Ya Toure (brother of Kolo) and Gael Clichy. In the second half of that match, Ya Ya played as a striker and missed Arsenal's best chance, heading wide when the goal was as his mercy. Ya Ya wasn't offered a contract and instead signed for the Ukrainian team Metalurh Donetesk, while Clichy was asked to join the Arsenal squad at their pre-season training camp in Austria. The game finished 0-0.

In July 2005, Arsenal gave a trial to ex-Barcelona, Monaco and Marseille center-back Philippe Christanval. Things didn't work out and Christanval eventually signed for Fulham. Arsenal won the match 4-1 with new signing Alexander Helb scoring the opening goal.

In July 2006, Arsenal again drew 0-0 with Barnet. Jeremie Aliadiere missed Arsenal's best chance after being played in by Alex Song. Aliadiere would have one more season at Arsenal before being sold to Middlesboro, while Song looks as though he will be challenging Kolo for the center-back position.

This year the Barnet fixture looks to be interesting, with youngsters like Vela, Gibbs, Lansbury, Merida, Wiltshire set to feature. There will also be the new signings. Below is a list of those that have been linked with Arsenal so far:

Ben Arfa (Lyon)
Roque Santa Cruz (Cuntburn Rovers)
Samir Nasri (Marseille)
Mahamadou Dabo (St Etienne)
Jean Makoun (Lille)
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)
Raul Albiol (Valencia)
Alberto Aquilani (Roma)
Mario Gomez (Stuttgart)
Blaise Matuidi (St Etienne)

It's a shame that none of these players will wear an Arsenal shirt.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009
Shame that AC Milan and Ajax never made it to next seasons Champions League qualifiers. We now have FC Twente and Fiorentina taking their place.

Flamini will be playing UEFA Cup football next season. He said he joined AC Milan for footballing reasons. Enjoy playing against your fellow Frenchman Diarra of Portsmouth.

Conts