Archive for October, 2006
October 13th, 2006
If they’re so friendly, then why do all our players come back crippled? (Edit: someone in the comments just intelligently pointed out that many of the matches weren’t in fact friendlies. I can only assume that a combination of my wrath and a lack of sleep have clouded my understanding). Emmauel Eboué, Freddie Ljungberg and Julio Baptista have all picked up injuries that could keep them out for up to a few weeks. Baptista didn’t even go on International duty. He’s just foreign. It seems the curse can catch up with you even when you’re not selected: there’s no hope.
In spite of Ljungberg’s injury, The Queen will still be seen at Highbury. Reassuring.
Elsewhere, Theo Walcott’s finally been getting a bit of good press after his summer slating. The criticism he recieved for a) being selected for the England squad and b) not playing, two things over which he had no control, was quite ridiculous. What with Baptista and Ljungberg both unavailable, I think we might see something of Theo against Watford on Saturday.
Finally, a couple of bits of transfer news. Young Scottish striker Steve Naismith was on trial here in the summer, and the Klimarnock management think he’s “definitely somebody they’ll keep tabs on”, whilst The Times have concluded that a deadline-day approach for Nigel Reo-Coker was from Arsenal. Maybe so, but Manchester United would surely also be a candidate for the midfielder’s services. If this is true, it’s a good sign: young, British and spirited, Reo-Coker is an Arsenal player waiting to happen.
Sorry the lack of posting yesterday. My computer has had a “fatal error”. That can’t be good.
October 11th, 2006
Theo Walcott came off the bench to score two brilliant goals, simultaneously guaranteeing England’s U-21s their place in the European Championships next summer.
Walcott’s introduction as a 74th-minute substitute proved to be the turning point in what was an otherwise fraught tie. Firstly, with four minutes to play, a long ball from Leighton Baines and clever run from Ashley Young allowed Walcott the space to burst through, collect, and finish with applomb.
The second was even better. Recieving the ball on the half-way line, he flicked it beyond his marker, and turned on the turbo-boosters. In Arsenal’s training sessions, Walcott can burst 40m in under 5 seconds: the fastest at the club. Here, the unwitting Germany defenders were way too high up the pitch, allowing him to accelerate beyond and in-behind. Having done so, there was another Henry-esque finish to match. Watch the goals at Leftback.info, which promises to be considerably more interesting than the stream of identical football blogs you can find on the web.
Walcott is doing all that’s asked of him, with four U-21 goals in as many games (I think). The thing he must turn his attention to now is breaking into the Arsenal first-team. The fact we’re looking at Franck Ribery shows there is a space to be occupied on the flanks: Walcott must take his chance like Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos have done before him.
It’s nice to have something vaguely Arsenal-related to talk about. I hope we don’t have more tomorrow: if I have to report any injuries from tonight’s Internationals, I shall be extremely hacked off.
October 10th, 2006
Over the past few years, Freddie Ljungberg‘s decline has been hastened by injuries and poor form. Now, it seems, Arsenal are preparing to dam the problem up once and for all with the signing of Franck Ribery.
Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo has confirmed that preliminary discussions about a deal have taken place, and we all know that eventually, one way or another, Arsene gets his man.
That was the case with Brazilian teenager Denilson, who is now gearing up for a Carling Cup appearance. Our central midfield is currently flooded with talent, so it might be a while before he gets to strut his stuff on a regular basis.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for Saturday, and the ensuing return of club football.
I also can’t wait for the arseblog podcasts. Will Gunnerblog be involved? Let the rumour mill run…
October 9th, 2006
Arsene Wenger was in Scotland on Saturday, as France crashed 1-0 to Scotland. Impressing between the sticks for Scotland was young goalkeeper Craig Gordon:
“Clearly, the Scotland keeper is very good. It is not the first time I have heard about him but that is the first time I have come to watch him in person. How old is he? Still only 23? Then I think he definitely has the potential to play at a higher level. Gordon has presence and good handling and looks a very good goalkeeper to me.”
There have been lots of rumours linking Arsenal with the shot-stopper, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually made a move for him: I know winning the Scottish Player of the Year isn’t such a big deal, but doing so as a goalkeeper is remarkably impressive. At 23, he is the perfect age to spend the 2007/08 season as Lehmann’s understudy before taking over the number 1 spot. One to watch.
Elsewhere, Arsene has been philosophising. Nice stuff, but a real sign of the fact that there is absolutely nothing to talk about.
October 8th, 2006
…I was lying. I can’t explain it, because there is no explanation. I’ve scoured French newspapers, Marseille forums, everything: there is no evidence for SkySports’ claim. They’re not even sure enough about it to put it on SkySportsNews. Weird. So for now, I wouldn’t expect us to sign Ribery. Nor, indeed, Goran Pandev.
Yesterday was International day, and you’ll all nod disapprovingly and knowingly when I tell you that one of our players, Freddie Ljungberg, was taken off injured. Still, at least France decided to leave out William Gallas against little old Scotland… Robin van Persie, elsewhere, scored for Holland with his head. Someone’s teaching our strikers something, it seems.
Regarding the Chelsea affair, Gallas has said:
“I want people to know the truth and the only way to do that is to go on TV.”
A source indicates that due to Gallas’ desire, he may be unavailable for most of January. Arsene, meanwhile, still has plenty to say on the issue, reminding the people of France that:
“What was really annoying was they contacted Ashley Cole two or three days before a match with Manchester United which was a crucial game for us. I’ll talk about what happened later for there were things said in that meeting that were impossible for Arsenal to accept.”
Honestly. It’s probably best to put this behind us now. Unless, of course, Arsene and Billy are preparing for the release of their joint autobiography. In which case it’s fine.
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