Arsene tells Charlton, “This is your Song”
115 comments January 31st, 2007
He may be quite simple, but at least he is gone.
Yes, I know it’s old news, but it’s still hard.
Seriously though, I wish Alex the best of luck. He’s had plenty of critics, but he performed very well up at Anfield where he grabbed his first Arsenal goal. I’m sure he’ll be watching his young team-mates tonight as they face Tottenham in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. With the score standing at 2-2, we have the slight upper hand with away goals. Spurs know they need to score, and that should make for an open game.
The bad news is that Julio Baptista, the joint top-scorer in the competition, is out:
“Julio Baptista will be absent for this game. It is a big regret for me because he has led the team recently with a huge spirit. His mental strength was obvious in the game at Tottenham because he scored an own goal then he put two in the net at the other end. That is always the best answer you can give.”
He’s likely to return for the game at home to Wigan next week. Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to partner Jeremie Aliadiere in attack. The good news is that Baptista’s fellow Brazilian, Gilberto, is back from suspension and will captain the side. Beyond that it’ll be a similar set-up to the one used at White Hart Lane, with a strong bench backing up a youthful side.
Arsene has been speaking about Theo Walcott’s dip in form, and seems unconcerned:
“He is on the verge of getting over it. When you start no one expects anything from you. Once you are established people expect something special every time you touch the ball. It is part of the maturing process to get over that, learn to deal with it and stick to what made your game strong.”
It’s fair enough: probably for the best thing for Theo is that in spite of some poor form he will start his third consecutive start tonight, so there’s plenty of opportunity for advancement.
For many years, fans have neglected the Carling Cup as an inferior competition. This year, these Arsenal youngsters have given life to a tournament previously treated primarily with indifference. The likes of Aliadiere, Baptista, and Denilson deserve the opportunity to grace the final, and for that reason I really hope we beat Spurs tonight.
Imagine how much it would annoy them too.
If you’re going tonight, sing up for those young lads: for a few of them (Diaby/Denilson etc.), it’ll be there first game at the Emirates. They need your support.
