November 18th, 2004 09:11am
gilbertosilver
…is probably the most important thing to remember after Graham Stack was yesterday charged with rape.
It’s practically impossible to comment upon this case until he appears in court on November 23rd, but it’s worth saying that it’s important the club conduct themselves properly throughout.
Last night, Spain beat England 1-0, with Jose Reyes continuing his feud with Gary Neville. Jose started the game well, but faded as it went on. Joaquin looked superb, and destroyed Ashley for pace at one point. I’d like to think that if he ever became available, we’d be sniffing around.
Xavi was absolutely outstanding. If Cesc, as Paddy predicts, goes on to become as good as his fellow Barcelona youth-product, then we’ll have done well.
I’m going to Cumberland Lodge. Whatever that means.
Back on Friday.
November 16th, 2004 09:45am
gilbertosilver
Beveren defender Manu Eboué will sign a four-and-a-half year contract in January.
He has already been looking at appartments in London, and met Dein and Wenger to finalise the deal yesterday. Primarily a right-back, his recent marriage to a Belgian girl has enabled him to obtain the work permit neccessarry to sign here.
The fee, as ever, remains undisclosed.
Personally, I’m delighted. I saw Eboué play three times during our pre-season, and was immensely impressed on each occasion.
On this very website, following the River Plate friendly, I wrote:
“Manu Eboue is someone who particularly impressed me at Barnet, and who did so again last night. His driving runs with pace, power, and flair are not entirely dissimiliar to those of our supposed transfer target, Hatem Trabelsi. However, it makes little difference, as Eboue is far from eligible for a work permit. Still, I’d expect him back on another trial here next year.”
With Trabelsi now having sorted out his contractual dispute with Ajax, it seems Arsene still felt the need to strengthen at right-back.
With Eboué now arriving, it does raise questions over the future of young Justin Hoyte. Our new Ivorian, however, has also played at centre-back and right-midfield.
The move seems a brilliant one on all fronts. Cheap, it strengthens both our defence, and our ties with Beveren’s highly productive youth system. Eboué’s signing is made all the more delicious by the fact that Chelsea showed an interest in his services.
Current incumbent of the right-back role, Lauren, has responded by declaring his interest in securing a new contract – his current one expires at the end of the season.
Welcome, Manu. We wish you all the best in your time with Arsenal.
November 15th, 2004 10:56am
gilbertosilver
What a game.
It’s difficult to describe quite how bizzarre this match was, though if I had to try, I’d probably say “very”.
Two thirds of the way through a fairly even first half, Patrick Vieira missed his header, and Naybet crept in behind Toure to make it 1-0 to Tottenham. No worry, though – right on half-time, a cross from Lauren was plucked out of the sky by the right boot of Thierry Henry, who swiftly poked it underneath the advancing Paul Robinson. 1-1.
At the start of the second half, we began to look like The Invincibles of two weeks ago. Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by Pamarot, and referee Steven Bennett gave the penalty, which Lauren swiftly tucked away for 1-2.
Who says the refs are against us, eh?
Shortly afterwards, Patrick Vieira robbed their midfield of the ball and strode through to lift the ball over the keeper and make it 1-3. Game over, it seemed.
Not so.
Kolo Toure stepped aside to allow Jermain Defoe a nice clear run on goal, and he responded by firing the ball into the far top corner. An excellent finish, and all of a sudden, it was 2-3.
However, Cesc Fabregas had ideas about restoring Arsenal’s two-goal advantage, and his beautiful reverse pass slipped Freddie in to make it 2-4.
Almost immediately, Ledley King rose majestically to head the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Jens Lehmann. 3-4.
Despite this, substitute Robert Pires showed a cool head and lightning-quick feet to go up the other end and make it 3-5.
The fun was far from over, with Freddi Kanoute knocking the ball past Lehmann for 4-5.
Confused?
You oughtta be.
It was a very mental game. The defending was pretty appaulling from both sides, but even so, I don’t know who Jose Mourinho thinks he is with comments like this.
In midly unrelated transfer news, Shaun Wright-Phillips is playing hard to get, whilst Manu Petit is back at the club, albeit just to keep fit.
I hate Mondays.
November 13th, 2004 10:18am
gilbertosilver
Arsenal play Tottenham today in a massive game.
We’re going through a sticky patch and need a big result, whilst they have a new manager and plenty to prove.
The squarest face in football.
The only real question mark in the side is over which one of Reyes, Pires and Bergkamp is left out. I’d imagine it’ll be Pires, with Reyes on the left and Den back up-front. Cesc Fabregas should continue in the middle, though Matthieu Flamini is breathing down his neck.
This is quite an important game. Southampton didn’t matter, and Palace was negligible (Disclaimer: I don’t really know what that means).
This result will be quite significant.
Let’s hope the boys give it their best.
November 11th, 2004 09:13am
gilbertosilver
Some things in life are just meant to be.
I doubt a Manchester United vs. Arsenal League Cup Quarter final is one of those, but still, it’s a nice coincidence.
Their team last night (Howard, Phil Neville, Brown, O’Shea, Fortune, Kleberson (Spector 79), Fletcher, Djemba-Djemba, Richardson (Eagles 79), Bellion (Rossi 86), Saha. Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Ngalula) included more senior players than ours did against Everton, but I’d still expect our kids to give them a good game. It’ll feel a bit like we can’t lose. We can only gallantly fail. I, for one, can’t wait.
Something I didn’t mention yesterday is that Tony Adams has quit as Wycombe manager.
A close friend has revealed that it’s in order to “finish his degree” after Adams initially gave the new in-vogue response of “personal reasons“.
I would suggest that it might be because he was rubbish.
Some folk hope that he’ll return to us as some sort of defensive guru, but if Adams swallows his pride and becomes subservient to Wenger, I’ll eat any hat of your choice.
It’s Thursday. I like Thursdays.
You should too.
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