Stand by Sol
27 comments February 3rd, 2006
Today’s news mainly followed the fall-out from Sol’s Wednesday walk-out.
He has been given 5 days off, and Arsene seems unwilling to be drawn on the situation.
“I cannot really tell you a lot more than you know already,” the manager told journalists at his usual pre-match press conference. “I have not seen him since Wednesday night and I have no news.”
I suspect that Arsene does know exactly what’s going on, but is just protecting Sol’s privacy. Reports have suggested that he himself asked to be substituted against West Ham, claiming he was mentally unable to continue.
Since then, there have all sorts of rumours about possible explanations. Personally, I am completely unwilling to comment on them. My only remark is to agree with Arsene when he says “The only thing was can do as a Club is support people when they need our help”.
Sol may be in poor form, but he was at the centre of our amazing team spirit during our unbeaten run. It was him in the cente of the huddle shouting “Together”. Don’t forget that.
If we start turning on our own this club will spiral into decline. Let’s remember the great players who played some of the best football we’ve ever seen over the past few years, and support them. Sol was a key figure in those sides, and deserves our respect.
His fellow players are clearly concerned for his welfare, and you can understand why. Not only is he a key member of our squad, but he leaves Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos as the only available defenders (a situation made yet worse by Lauren being out for the rest of the season). Mathieu Flamini and Seb Larsson will continue at full-back against Birmingham, whilst Robin van Persie and Freddie Ljungberg have been rather bizarrely rested.
Their omission, however, does make way for Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott to be named in the squad for the first time. I think it’s far more likely we’ll see the Togolese striker than the teenage winger.
A win would really help raise spirits in these difficult times. Come on boys: It might even cheer Sol up.
