Archive for October, 2005
October 18th, 2005
Only to the substitutes bench, mind. But still, it’s a relief. With Gilberto also coming back into the side, our spine seems to be returning.
Interestingly, sources indicate that Philippe Senderos will be left out in favour of Pascal Cygan, giving us a line-up that will probably end up looking a bit like this:
I’d write a long, dull preview of the game, but it’s only a matter of hours away now. I’ll just say that it’s significant a) for the possible return of Thierry, and b) because a win would lift a lot of the gloom cast over us by the defeat to West Brom.
Elsewhere, Arsene has spoken about the possibility/neccessity of making use of the January transfer window. It’s typical Wenger-speak. “We’ll only buy if Pele becomes available for less than a fiver” etc. Worrying, but fair, I suppose.
Let’s smash the Spartans.
October 16th, 2005
The bastard stole two points off us this weekend with a scorching left-footed volley to help West Brom to a 2-1 victory.
It’s a pretty disastrous result. From four away games, we have one draw, and three defeats. Ouch.
It was an injury hit side, without familiar faces such as Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Gilberto, Alex Hleb, Robin van Persie, and Thierry Henry. What’s more, Freddie Ljungberg came off after half an hour with a hamstring problem.
But even so, we’re Arsenal. We haven’t finished outside the top two since God knows when. That away record really isn’t very good at all.
Our goal came early on. Jose Reyes’ corner was volleyed home by Philippe Senderos for his first ever in our colours. It does speak volumes that yet again we could only score from a set piece. Yes, Henry is injured. But even so, our attacking bite seems inexcusably weak.
Defensive errors from Senderos and substitute Eboue allowed Kanu and Carter to spectacularly claw the Baggies back to victory. They were helped by a solid display from ‘keeper Kirkland, but no save demanded of him would fall under the category “extraordinary”.
“We don’t speak about the title at the moment, we’ve other worries”, was Arsene’s ominous summary. Too right. Let’s try and get ourselves sorted out, pick up the pieces, and see where we are in a few games time.
“We looked like the youth team”, was another of his observations. Well, for all intents and purposes, we were. The balance between young and old is not right, partially because some of the more experienced players are not pulling their weight in the way that they should.
We badly need a central midfielder and striker. Both need physical presence, and the ability to score goals.
Get writing to Santa now.
October 13th, 2005
A towering performance from our own Philippe Senderos helped Switzerland get the 0-0 draw they needed to reach the play-offs for the World Cup, subsequently knocking Ireland out.
Whilst it’s a shame the Paddies won’t be there next year, it is amazing to see a player as young as Senderos, who isn’t even a regular at his club, make such an impact at international level.
A full round up of our Internationals’ exploits can be found here. Jose Reyes was in sparkling form again, helping Arsenal target Fernando Torres to notch another 3 International goals.
Reyes really is in top form at the moment. The question remains: can he play with Thierry Henry? We might find out in as little as 9 days, when The Sun speculates that our mercurial frenchman will make his return, along with Sol Campbell.
Whilst young midfielder Cesc Fabregas is nominated for London’s Young Footballer of the Year award, we’re linked with 29 year old Brazilian, Marcos Senna.
Yes, the very same Marcos Senna who was banned for 60 days after failing a drugs test.
Weird: he looks so normal there.
October 7th, 2005
After yesterday’s reports claiming that it would be Rio Ferdinand who partnered John Terry in England’s forthcoming World Cup Qualifier, today it seems that it will indeed be our own Sol Campbell who takes to the fray.
Deservedly so, I would suggest. Rio is perhaps the most overhyped footballer of the last 10 years, and that’s saying something.
Arsene Wenger has spoken out over Thierry Henry’s recent declaration that he would hold off contract talks until the end of the season, saying, â??Our desire is to talk about it earlier but you can only talk about it when both parties are ready. We will do it when he is ready.â?Â
Hmmm. This one is very, very hard to call.
Meanwhile, we have been linked with signing a completely unheard of player. Which is nice.
At least he’s a central midfielder. We could do with one of those.
October 5th, 2005
Much to the horror of England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, Ashley Cole has joined Gary Neville on the sidelines with a stress fracture in his right foot. It is suspected he picked it up during the win over Birmingham, but that didn’t stop him attending Jermaine Pennant’s birthday party later that night.
Anyway, he’ll be out for about a month now. Gael Clichy will fill the void, and it’ll be interesting watching him in the knowledge that next summer, Ash could well jump ship. Probably not to Chelsea.
Jose Reyes has spoken out about how he is settling in English football despite language problems, proposing that, “On the pitch I believe there is only one language and that is football. The language is the ball and what you do with it. There is no need to speak the language fluently for people to understand you.”
(Presumably said through a translator).
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