Since shirt numbers were introduced to world football, there have been those that have been reserved for extra special players.

The number 10 is the shirt of choice for the playmaker - Maradona and Pele the most famous. In recent years Paolo Maldini's excellence at left-back for both AC Milan and Italy has added the number 3 to the roll call of iconic shirt numbers.

However, one that stands out as perhaps the most famous is the number 7.

Say "number 7" to any Manchester United fan and they will reply "Eric Cantona". Ask the same question to any Arsenal fan and they will reply "Liam Brady".

In sport the term "legend" is thrown around far too often.

Every other season a new "legend" appears only to disappear off the radar the following year. Surely to become a recognised "legend" an athlete should be at the top of their respective game for several years.

When I think of football, several players fit this category. However some stand out all the more because they have dedicated their time to one club and continue to play at the highest level year in and year out.

I think of Ryan Giggs at Manchester United who was their best player last night against Derby County in the FA Cup. Another is Raul of Real Madrid, who has recently become the club's all-time top goalscorer.

Football is a funny old game isn't it?

This weekend in the English Premier League referees were once again under the spotlight, most noticeable Mike Riley who ruled over the clash between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Riley was widely condemned for sending off Chelsea's Frank Lampard for what seemed a run-of-the-mill tackle on Liverpool's Xavi Alonso. While the sending off was a bad call, everyone makes mistakes and Lampard was exceptional in how he handled the situation, walking off the pitch without causing a fuss.

As expected, Chelsea challenged the red card and it was rightly rescinded. Lampard is now free to play in Chelsea's next game.

While all this is very fair, it is what has happened over the last two days that is most baffling.

16:54 GMT and my heart beat normally again while my breathing went back to a safe level. It was official-Andrei Arshavin had finally signed for Arsenal.

Arsenal fans thought we knew all about protracted transfers in the summer window when the will-he-won't-he Nasri saga was concluded in our favour. In the end, Samir Nasri's deal turned out to be a drop in the ocean compared to Arshavin's.

Arsene Wenger has been a fan of Arshavin for some time but baulked at the asking price following last summer's European Championships. Despite interest from other clubs, the Russian captain stayed at Zenit St.Petersburg.

However, it quickly became obvious that Arshavin was unhappy in Russia and wanted to ply his trade in one of Europe's bigger leagues.

As the winter transfer window progressed it became quite clear that Arsenal were the only team that had put in an official bid for the Russian. Despite the best efforts of Zenit and the very annoying agent Denis Latcher, Manchester City showed no interest in the midfielder.

Remember when you were small and your parents would say "If you haven't got something nice to say, then don't say anything"?

Well, judging by his comments over the last few weeks, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood certainly missed out on this lesson.

Speaking directly to the tabloid The Daily Mirror, Hill-Wood said:

"There is no denying that it would be a real financial drain on the club if we didn't qualify for the Champions League next season.

Even if we were in the UEFA Cup and enjoyed a long run in Europe, that would not come close to making up the shortfall. But although missing out on the Champions League for one year would be a big disappointment, it would not mean financial armageddon for Arsenal.

Let's be honest, do Manchester United fans enjoy talking about who will replace Alex Ferguson?

Just as with Ferguson, someday Arsene Wenger will leave the club he has served so well.

I have my own feeling when Wenger may leave and what he may do next, but this is mere speculation on my behalf. It's not based on solid fact and would need certain wheels to be put in motion to ever come about.

I for one fully expect him to fulfil his contract that does not expire until 2011.

Not alone that, were he ever to break his Arsenal contract to manage Real Madrid he may as well spit in the faces of every Arsenal fan. Should he do what Perez seems to think he can get him to do, Wenger would remain in Arsenal's history but remove himself from our hearts.

Money, Money, Money - such an integral part of football these days.

But who has the most of it? Are those who do have it spending it on their respective clubs?

Here is the top ten.

1 Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Man City) £15bn

2 Lakshmi Mittal and family (QPR) £12.5bn