Arsene tells Seaman: Lose the locks

Letting in

Short of being moved to Spurs on a free transfer, it is hard to think of an order that would do more to undermine the Arsenal keeper's sense of being.

But that, apparently, is what Arsene Wenger wants. "I've told him to cut off his ponytail," said Wenger at this week's French Embassy Bastille Day Party. "It makes him less aerodynamic."

Seaman has in the past affected a light-hearted approach to the question of his hair. But he knows as well as anyone that man and ponytail are inseparable. "I only wear the ponytail for playing," he said a couple of years ago. 'It's just to keep the hair out of my eyes.

"And yes, I have had a lot of stick. The first day I turned up at training with it, the players all ran out with bands and tape round their heads. I have had abuse from the crowd but it is staying - for now."

Perhaps this will be the final insult which makes him decide to end his long and distinguished international career. After all, Seaman may have helped Arsenal twice win the double, he may have amassed 73 England caps, but it is well known in footballing circles that one of the accolades that gave him most pride was the magazine award of "Best Dressed Sportsman".

Not everyone regards his image as an unqualified success. One Helsinki tabloid said his ponytail-and-tache combo made him look like "a porno salesman from London's Soho".

Perhaps aware of the hurt he has caused, Wenger spent the day preparing his squad for a friendly, and was tactfully not available to comment.

For his part, Seaman was today believed to be on holiday. Possibly telling his ponytail that the love affair is over.