August 4th, 2004
Remember this boy?
This photo was taken in August 1996 – Arsenal were taking on Sheffield Wednesday, and an unknown french midfielder signed from AC Milan for £3.5m made his debut.
The rest, as they say, is history.
And so, it would seem, is Paddy.
I can’t think of much to say right now. The article sums it up much better than I ever could. Apparently Maniche is coming in as a “replacement”, but we all know that nobody will ever replace Paddy. When Ian Wright left, Vieira took over the mantle of my favourite Arsenal player, and carried it well for the seasons immediately following WWW’s departure. The boy came here as a nobody, and will leave as the greatest centre midfielder in the world, and one of our best ever players. How often in history have Arsenal had a player who was undoubtedly the best in their position in the entire world, bar none? That speaks volumes for just how massive Vieira has been for Arsenal football club.
But now, he’s off. He’s done everything he feels he can do with us. Or wants to do. Whatever it is, he wants to play for Real Madrid. That’s understandable. They are the most glamorous club in the world. If he is a success at Madrid he will be remembered as one of the all-time great footballers. At Arsenal he’d undoubtedly be a legend, but I don’t know if his star would rise quite so high as it can in La Liga.
I’m sad that Vieira is going. I’m happy that this all seems to be nearly over.
I trust in Arsene, and I know that he’ll manage to make this work.
Goodbye Vieira; See you Paddy; L8rz PV4; Tata Skipper; Adieu Le Long; Au revoir La Grande Saucisson;
Hello Tomorrow.
August 3rd, 2004
I’m a student. In the summer, I have to work.
I hate work.
I know I’m going to have to do it for the rest of my life, and that depresses me. I don’t really care about it nearly enough for it to be remotely interesting. Like now, for example. Technically, I should be typing up “competitor analysis”. The closest thing that I’m doing is writing CHELSEA ARE SHIT in really big letters.
A lovely man called Anti, who’s posted on here a couple of times, has asked me to add a little codey bit so that when you click a link, it opens a new window. I’ve promised him I’ll do my best, but it’s equally likely that this will result in the death of the site. So just in case: Goodbye. Forever.
There is some news. The Mirror and The Sun are reporting that Real faxed an £18m-ish bid over yesterday. Though it could be bollocks. And the fact is, nobody really cares anymore.
More as and when.
UPDATE (10:57am) : Sky claim Real have confirmed that they have tabled an £18m bid for Vieira. More later I’m sure.
August 2nd, 2004
Another nil-nil, but a much better game. It was in fact a very good Arsenal performance. For those who didn’t see it, I’ll just rattle through the players and let you know how they did.
Jens Lehmann
Made a great save as early as the 6th minute when he flung himself across the goal to divert Ibrahimovic’s effort. Looked particularly strong and confident. Perhaps the added pressure of Almunia has caused him to up his game – last season he had only an inexperienced Graham Stack and a crippled Stuart Taylor breathing down his neck – the Spaniard’s arrival could spark a surge in form from Mad Jens.
8/10
Justin Hoyte
Lauren is still off in Spain “having a baby”. It is feared any damage sustained here could keep him out for the start of the season. Let’s hope we’re merely over-reacting.
However, Hoyte was Just-in time (I’ll get me coat…) to fill in for Ralph. Unfortunately, he was a bit shit. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.
To be fair, he was alright, he was just a little bit lacking defensively. And offensively. Maybe a bit over-awed by the occasion. I still prefer Eboué, who came on and impressed again.
5
Kolo Toure
Fairly immaculate. If such a thing is possible, he seems even stronger and faster than last season. I hope he will one day be recognised as one of the best centre-backs in the world, because he’s certainly heading that way. Better than Gallas.
8
Pascal Cygan
Fairly solid. His start last night, coupled with Lille’s refusal to pay up for him, makes it likely he’ll face Everton on the opening day.
7
Ashley Cole
The best left-back in the world? Made two trade-mark off-the-line clearances, and is, in my opinion, the best left-sided English player since John Barnes by some distance. Just excellent.
9
Freddie Ljungberg
Looked very bright for the first half an hour, then tired. The battle between he and Pennant will be fascinating.
8
Matthieu Flamini
I was very impressed with our new boy. His passing was extremely tidy, and he looked easily the best tackler in our midfield. Shades of Parlour/Butt in him. Could be an important player for years and years. Doesn’t seem nearly as young as he is.
8
Gilberto
Average. Nothing good, nothing bad. Did his usual screening role fairly effectively.
6
Robert Pires
Looks back to his best. Linked with Cole superbly, and seems super-fit. Was replaced by Robin van Persie, who was booed heavily by the crowd, but reacted well to show some good touches.
8
Dennis Bergkamp
Wasn’t at his mercurial best, but one jinking run in the 56th minute was worth the admission fee alone, and nearly resulted in a blinding goal. Was skipper at his old stomping ground. Deserves a great send-off this season.
7
Jose Reyes
Won the award for Player of the Tournament after two excellent performances. In the 15th minute, he struck the bar from with a left-footed volley. In the 16th, his placed shot bent just round the post; and in the 17th, Gascoigne-like, he just failed to connect with Ljungberg’s cross. Once the goals start going in, they won’t stop. His movement is superb.
8
———–
In other news, this AS article reports, as does the Daily Mail, that Dein and Vieira met yesterday, and the Frenchman confirmed his desire to leave. Manuel Almunia is also quoted as saying that Vieira won’t talk about the speculation at the camp, and Dennis Bergkamp has hinted that he knows Paddy’s intent is to depart.
I’m bored of it, and so are you.
So we’ll just wait ’till tomorrow for yet more Vieira-based mess.
Hurrah.
August 1st, 2004
It’s hidden away in a little corner of an article, but it is there. A direct quote from “an Arsenal squad member”, laced into a couple of paragraphs about Vieira’s supposed decision. I quote:
Wenger … will be encouraged by the news that
Vieira seems to be leaning towards honouring his contract with the Gunners and
remaining in London. While the midfielder is still refusing to make a
public statement on his future and Real Madrird’s bid to sign him, he has
beeen telling team-mates that he intends to stay in London. An Arsenal
squad member revealed to The Mail on Sunday: “I asked Patrick directly what his
intentions were and he told me that he is going to stay at Arsenal because he
wants to carry on playing with the French guys here. He hasn’t come out
and said anything publicly because he told me this story comes out every
year“.
Sounds promising.
In other news, we might sue the FA, because Sol Campbell is buggered. It’ll be interesting to see whether it’s Senderos or Cygan who gets the nod.
We might get a clue tonight, when we play Ajax.
Tata.
