Archive for April, 2005
April 18th, 2005
Really? How “Fully”? Not enough to prevent you meeting up with our biggest local rivals to discuss a transfer.
Tricky business, this whole thing. Main problem being that it’s almost impossible to predict what might happen until the FA Panel reach some sort of verdict.
With the Chelsea match looming on Wednesday, Gael Clichy’s injury means that AC3 is certain to start. It’ll be all eyes on Ashley at the Bridge.
Thierry Henry, however, is almost certainly out. A big blow, but Robin van Persie’s barn-storming cameo in Cardiff gives us hope.
Pip Senderos has also been speaking on the competition for places at the heart of our defence. Asked whether or not he will make way for Sol Campbell against Chelsea, he responded “That is the boss’ decision, I have to make it hard”. A superb attitude from a very intelligent young man.
April 16th, 2005
Just stopping in to report on Arsenal’s 3 – 0 victory over Blackburn in the Cup Semi-Final.
Blackburn adopted a very “physical” approach, but players like Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira, and substitute Van Persie stood up to their efforts and performed magnificently.
It was a tight affair, with little between the sides until Robert Pires stabbed in the first (his 14th of another prolific season) just before the break after some good work from Kolo Toure.
Robin van Persie replaced Dennis Bergkamp with 10 minutes to go, and managed two magnificent individual efforts: a neat turn and confident finish before a curling volley into the far corner. Wonderful goals that reflect van Persie’s huge potential.
Overall, it’s a great day for the club. Tomorrow, Manchester United face Newcastle for the right to return to Cardiff to contest the FA Cup Final against us on the 21st May.
I can’t wait.
April 12th, 2005
And why not? Our most promising centre-back since… well, since Kolo Toure, has been making headlines in the Evening Standard, who suggest he’ll start the Cup Semi against Blackburn on Saturday.
It’s been a meteoric rise. Since making his first team debut as a substitute against Charlton on January 1st, he has forced himself into our starting XI, putting together a string of stirling performances along the way.
The man himself, however, seems genuinely humble: “It wasn’t down to me that we did well in those games,” said Senderos. “That was down to the team. We showed we can defend and we can attack”.
Even so, I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t kept in the side for the remainder of the season, with Wenger dropping a hint he may find himself in alongside the returning Campbell: “Sol can play alongside Senderos but it is good that Senderos is in there and the centre-backs now have a competition”.
Wise words. In Terry, Carvalho, Huth, and Gallas, Chelsea have four excellent centre-halves. With Campbell, Senderos, and Toure, we would be some way along the road to matching that. Who knows – if Pascal Cygan can maintain his excellent form, perhaps Arsene may not even feel the need to strengthen that department.
One man who seems certain of Senderos’ potential is Robert Pires. “He will be a giant, a great player for now and for the future”, remarked Bobby after the 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.
Big words for a big man, and one who will inevitably play a huge part in Arsenal’s future.
April 11th, 2005
It’s another ground out result, this time 1-0 over Middlesbrough. Phillipe Senderos’ return coincided, somewhat unsurprisingly, with another clean sheet, and enabled us to move 3 points clear of a Norwich-toppled Man U.
The goal was Robert Pires’ 13th of another impressive season. Whilst he hasn’t always been at his best in open play, that tally speaks for himself, and he certainly does deserve a new contract.
Thoughts now start to turn towards the FA Cup Semi with Blackburn on Saturday. Must win, really. Sol Campbell might return, but one player who’ll definitely miss out will be Gael Clichy, whose season may well be over due to a broken metatarsal.
That injury kept Senderos out for about 6 months, so let’s hope Gael’s recovery is a little less problematic. Nobody wants to see Pascal Cygan at left-back.
Nobody.
April 8th, 2005
Basically, I’m on my holidays. Hence the huge ridiculous gaps between updates. Which probably means anyone who was ever visiting this site has now forgotten that it even exists. Hurrah.
Understandably, quite a lot of stuff has gone on since my last visit. Probably the thing which took us most by surprise was the banning of Jens Lehmann for 2 European matches. His crime: a “deliberate pestering act”, that involved using a water bottle as a makeshift SuperSoaker. Disgraceful. What do you have to say for yourself Jens?
Hm. Well, I think that’s one sorry German.
Both Jose Reyes and Arsene Wenger have said some of the most positive things about the Spaniard’s future that we’ve heard in weeks. I still feel he might move in the summer if the offer from Madrid hit the £15m mark.
Another young forward who might make a move is Jeremie Aliadiere, who is flirting outrageously with Paris Saint Germain. Floozy.
Gilberto, on the other hand, looks set to be here for the long haul, with Dein & co preparing to offer him an extension to a contract that runs out in June 2006.
Tomorrow it’s Boro away, and it’s actually our 500th Premiership game. Team news sees Sol Campbell just short and Freddie Ljungberg ruled out, with Philippe Senderos, Dennis Bergkamp, and Patrick Vieira returning.
C’mon Arsenal.
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