Henry and van Persie surely out of Sunday
10 comments September 15th, 2006
Arsene Wenger fears Thierry Henry has only a “ten or fifteen percent” chance of playing at Old Trafford, with Robin van Persie “very doubtful”. It’s a big blow, and our striking options are potentially down to a selection from Emmanuel Adebayor, Julio Baptista, and Theo Walcott.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Henry on the bench. However short he might be, Wenger knows how influential he can be, and having him come on for 20 minutes might lift the team. If either Henry or van Persie fails to be fit, we’ll probably go with one up-front. Whilst an attacking approach would probably cause Man Utd the most problems, given our record there in recent times Wenger will probably favour a cautious game-plan. On the positive side, Kolo Toure will be fit.
Elsewhere, Arsene has explained why he didn’t pay £18.6m for Michael Carrick. Something which, frankly, requires no explanation.
I didn’t have an update this morning as I was out signing a lease on a flat. Incredibly stressful, incredibly boring. Whilst I was away, a story broke in The Sun claiming that Arsenal were the subject of a £350m takeover bid. We were warned that the consortium “could include a Russian billionaire”. It’s the detail that makes it so convincing.
Well, since then, Arsenal and Arsene have rubbished the story. Wenger’s words echo my own sentiments on the matter:
“I find it more reassuring that my owners are English and they are, first of all, fans of Arsenal Football Club. I will go one day and the players will go one day but the owners will be the same. They are the people who really transmit the values.â€
Come back on Saturday for a full preview of Sunday’s enormous gigantastical game.
