Archive for July, 2005
July 14th, 2005
A year ago, when this site was born, Patrick Vieira was on the brink of leaving Arsenal.
But he stayed.
Today, it looks like, after three or more summers of turbulation, he could finally go.
There´s so much to say, and seeing as I´m paying for this by the minute in Spain, so little time to say it. I suppose it´s worth reiterating what I said about his departure all those months ago.
Patrick Vieira will not leave Arsenal unless it´s what Arsene wants. He will not go for a free lower than what Arsene would consider acceptable. Remember that.
I think, should he go, in years to come he will regain the hero status he held a few years ago. His flirtation with Real have lost him a few of the plaudits and accolades he could once have taken for granted.
But Patrick is not really the issue here. The issue is Arsenal football club, and more specifically our first team.
I genuinely believe that, with Thierry Henry as our captain, this side will continue to develop, and more importantly,
improve.
See you when I´m back in Inglaterra.
Ps. Baptista (who, thinking about it, might have been a Vieira replacement) is expected to join Barcelona in time for the 2006-07 season. Just a whisper I keep hearing out here.
July 9th, 2005
This, pretty much, should do exactly what it says on the tin.
Player of the Season
For me, it has to be Thierry Henry. In what would almost certainly have been by far his most prolific year for Arsenal had it not been cut short by injury, he was at times simply astonishing. Highlights included his backheeled goal against Charlton, a couple of absolute belters against Crystal Palace, and the announcement that he will appear on the cover of Pro Evolution 5. The ultimate accolade.
Young Player of the Season
This is a close-run thing. Normally consistent performers like Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini would be front-runners, and Robin van Persie a dead-on certainty. However, this season has seen the rise of two even younger players who have, respectively, had a genuinely massive impact upon our game. Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos have both performed with such distinction that it would not be out of the question for them to share the award. However, the fact that Fabregas did it game after game, all season long, at the tender age of 17, puts him just that little bit above the rest. What a player he could turn out to be.
Worst Player of the Season
A category that seems a little unfair, until I tell you that Manuel Almunia is the winner. Undisputed, really.
Game of the Season
Arsenal 5 – 3 Middlesbrough. What a match. Goals galore, a magnificent comeback, and a classic line from Martin Tyler. “Stand up for the Champions” indeed.
Worst Game of the Season
Performance wise, you’d probably have to say the FA Cup Final(!), but the low after losing the unbeaten record at Old Trafford was far far worse. It’s clear looking back that it really affected us. The subsequent fixtures provided the poor results that would ultimately cost us the title.
Highlight of the Season
For me, it was stealing the FA Cup. We didn’t really deserve it, but I couldn’t care less.
Disappointment of the Season
Again, I don’t want to appear harsh, but for me it was Jose Reyes. And only because he set such high standards at the start of the season. I think many of us expected him to be the pivotal figure to add a new dimension to our team. But with his mid-season dip, he was at times more hindrance than help. Looking back, I find it remarkable he’s still with us. Let’s hope he signs a new deal, and recaptures that scintilating form.
————
All in all, last year was a rather good’un. It was always going to be hard to move forward after the astounding Invincible season. But we’ve maintained our strangle-hold on a top two place, and added another trophy to the cabinet. Chelsea are a financial monster who are going to be hard to match, but if anyone can do it, it’s our boys. Personally, I’m incredibly excited about what we could achieve next season.
I’m off to Spain for two weeks for my summer hols, so I doubt there’ll be many updates over that period.
I’ll try and smuggle Baptista back in my suitcase.
All the best.
July 8th, 2005
Big Tone has jumped to Holland to team up with ex-Chelsea tart, Ruud Gullit. He’ll be coaching the U-21’s in the youth system that produced Robin van Persie.
He’s been quiet, hasn’t he.
Meanwhile, the Patrick Vieira to Juventus story refuses to go away, with talk of a player-exchange deal in the offing. I have no idea what will happen here, but I’d have to say that if we sell, it will be on our terms, and because Arsene believes it’s the best thing to do.
The same is true of if we buy. Which we might, as Spanish paper AS are reporting a new bid for Julio Baptista, which meets Sevilla’s asking price, and could ultimately total 21 million euros. Funny that happening, just as whispers were spreading about a possible illegal approach…
The player himself seems keen, saying, “Arsenal’s interest has advanced the most and they have been informed of my situation at Sevilla. The Premiership is a good league and I’m lucky that the top clubs are interested in me.”
Looking good…
July 7th, 2005
If we don’t hear something about a second bid for Baptista today or tomorrow, I’d safely say he won’t sign.
The thing is, every player has his price. Baptista is worth about £10m. And Arsene and Dein are both so shrewd that there is no chance we’ll go beyond that.
If Sevilla demand £12-15m, the deal won’t happen.
I wish there was more to tell you, but as far as I’m aware, there isn’t.
Have a good day.
July 6th, 2005
Armand Traore, that is.
Not Djimi “Own goal” Traore, possibly the worst player ever to win the Champions League. Bar Harry Kewell.
A deal for the 16 year old Monaco full-back could be confirmed this week, and if you’re anything like me, you’re also hoping we reach agreement on a fee for Brazilian hotshot Julio Baptista.
I am rarely as excited about a potential signing as I am about Baptista.
Why? Because he would give us a combination of physical presence and lethal finishing that we haven’t had since the days of Ian Wright.
And that’s exciting, damn you.
Ps. A fascinating story from Myles Palmer. I know he comes out with a load of crap, but I’m led to believe there’s a lot of truth in this one. Wenger and Dein were indeed over at Atletico Mineiro, and they were accompanied by Atletico old boy Gilberto Silva. A Brazilian academy wouldn’t be half-bad, especially if we can get Edu’s mates to start printing a few EU passports.
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