Archive for January, 2007
January 16th, 2007
Nabbing William Gallas from Chelsea was arguably the coup of the summer. One need only witness some of their hapless defensive displays in his absence to see just how much influence he had in their Championship winning sides.
A goal in his second game at the Emirates, as well as his long-term friendship with Thierry Henry, meant that he slipped straight into the squad with little fuss. When he nodded home the third goal against Liverpool in November, he seemed to cement his arrival. His partnership with Kolo Toure was blossoming, and he was a major star in a vibrant new Arsenal side.
And then he disappeared. Gallas hasn’t played for around two months now. In his absence, Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos have excelled, and Gallas has become the forgotten man of this squad. There has even been talk he’s been on holiday in Guadelope. Maybe I’m alone in this, but I find it hard to remember him playing in the red and white shirt.
But this is William Gallas we are talking about: one of the best defenders in the world (the best, according to Thierry Henry). And the good news is, he’s almost back. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where he’ll come into the side, but there’s no chance he’ll return simply to sit on the bench. There’s been much talk about the return of the likes of Lauren and Diaby, but Gallas’ absence has not provoked much reaction. Well, I’m sure as soon as he’s out on the pitch, it’ll be like he was never away.
Apparently, Lauren has turned down West Ham. Good on him, if so: he deserves a return to sunny Spain, at least. Perhaps he’ll even decide to stay and see out his contract with us. We can only hope.
And finally, well done to Alex Hleb, who knows how to kick a man when he’s down.
January 15th, 2007
If you’re wondering why there was no update yesterday, it’s because my 8000-word dissertation has to be handed it today. Last night was a long night. Anyway, Arsenal beat Blackburn on Saturday evening, which is always something that warrants a good few inches of blog:
The good
The result, for one. To go to the north-west and win three times inside a week shows that this side are maturing, fast. The likes of Pires and Reyes suffered badly away from home, and it’s important these youngsters mature away from that. Philippe Senderos was again excellent at the heart of the defence, whilst Kolo Toure alongside him notched the vital opening goal with a fantastic header.
Then onto Thierry and Cesc, arguably the best players of their kind in Europe. Fabregas was outstanding: when we went down to ten men, he, Rosicky and Hleb took on the responsibility of facing up to the remaining Blackburn midfielders, and did so with aplomb. Fabregas choreographed some stunning moves, with the three of them completely outplaying the bemused Savage (particularly amusing in the light of Gilberto’s sending off, which I’ll explain later).
It was Cesc who played a one-two with Henry to cap a fantastic second goal. Picking the ball up inside his own penalty area, Henry played a couple of swift passes and burst over the half-way line, the ball glued to his feet. Despite it being the last ten minutes of the game, Cesc had the energy to get ahead of the ball, recieve it, and touch off a perfectly waited through ball which Henry duly blasted into the corner from 20 yards: absolutely brilliant. Another dancing celebration with substitute Adebayor followed, with the whole team joining in this time.
The bad
After being sent off for a small but stupid kick out at Savage, Gilberto will now be suspended for three games. We won’t be appealing the decision, for fear it will become four: a reflection of just how strange the rules are. Savage committed the initial foul: although Gilberto had the ball, he made no attempt to play it. When Gilberto flicked out at him afterwards, he made very little contact, and Savage massively overreacted. The fact that this offence recieves the same punishment as headbutting someone seems to be slightly odd. We’ll miss Gilberto, particularly against Manchester United next week.
The ugly
Savage. Most of the Blackburn team. Whatever they say, they haven’t changed their ways: they still try and intimidate teams with overtly agressive displays. The problem for them was that we were much better at football than they were. With or without Gilberto. We taught them a lesson, and I hope we can take this form into future fixtures in the vicinity.
January 13th, 2007
Usually, an Arsene Wenger press conference consists of saying that we have a “great spirit”, that he believes in “the potential of this team”, and that a bunch of people are injured. Yesterday, we got all that, but we also got a huge amount of transfer news.
Firstly, despite recieving offers for the Swede, Freddie Ljungberg will stay. Arsene says:
“He will stay. He has two more years to go. Freddie is part of our squad and he knows that. I have clarified it with him and said, ‘Listen, you stay and that’s it’. I have spoken to him personally.
He was a bit uncertain about his future. I needed to have a clear chat with him, to see how he feels, does he accept competition for places and he’s ready for that. He has been frustrated through injuries. He has a part to play in the future of Arsenal.
He makes runs from midfield, behind the defenders and the other players are more who come to the ball. It’s an interesting asset to have in your team.”
If Ljungberg is prepared to accept that he is no longer an automatic first choice, then he can prove to be a decent squad player. The last point Arsene makes is a valid one: he does provide something different to the likes of Hleb and Rosicky, and could always pop up in the box with a vital goal.
Another man who might be staying is Jeremie Aliadiere. You can understand his dilemma: with Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, and Baptista also available, it’s going to be tough for him to force his way into the side on a regular basis, but it seems he’s going to give it a go.
Lauren, however, is unlikely to be around come February, and will certainly be gone by the Summer. Much as I want him to stay, you can’t underestimate the impact an injury like his can have on his capacity to perform at this level. Arsene, meanwhile, is more keen to highlight the progression of the young players in his absence:
“The problem is that since Lauren got injured I have Justin Hoyte who got promoted, I have Emmanuel Eboue who got promoted and I have Johan Djourou who can play in there too. It’s always the same. You make room for young players and then it is difficult to leave them out again. I feel we have too many players in that position now. Lauren is free to talk to anyone because it is the end of his contract but frankly I don’t know if he has spoken to West Ham. He doesn’t have to inform me if he wants to speak to anyone.”
If and when Ralph goes, I’ll be very sorry to see the back of him.
Today it’s Blackburn away. The signs aren’t good: an evening kick-off up in the north-west has never really suited us. But we’re in good form and have every chance of winning. Justin Hoyte will start at right-back, while I’d expect Robin van Persie to hold off competition from Jeremie Aliadiere, Julio Baptista, and Emmanuel Adebayor to start.
I really hate Blackburn, so I’d love to win.
January 12th, 2007
I know this is primarily an Arsenal website, but just occasionally there is news at other clubs worthy of covering.
Amidst all the furore over David Beckham’s transfer to LA Galaxy, the man who came the other way was barely mentioned. Yes, whilst America got David Beckham, we (well, Fulham) are going to get a taste of Vanilla Ice.
But so as to avoid the spotlight, he’ll be going under the name Clint Dempsey (you know, like Obie “Real name no gimmicks” Trice). Hit it, “Clint” (if indeed that is your real name):
He’s got rhymz, I have to say. Dempsey has been quick to express his delight at arriving in England, saying:
“Its official yall heard right ya boy got the green light to go ahead. Its been a long time waiting but this move is a dream come true. Im looking forward to putting on the black and white jersey for Fulham. I appreciate all the support along the way and it goes to show grindin pays off. Im a represent to the fullest be easy and God Bless…”
Fulham will be hoping he can play represent as well as former Gunner Luis Boa Morta, who has gone off to West Ham. Please feel free to send in your Dempsey Premiership Lyrics, using the Contact page. The best will be posted on here.
As if that wasn’t enough amusing news about other clubs, Mourinho might be having a bit of a tiff with Arnesen. If that club pick Arnesen over Mourinho, they really are losing the plot.
As you can probably tell, there isn’t a huge amount of Arsenal news, and what news there is ain’t great: William Gallas will be out for another “two or three weeks”. Not good news, and it will mean him missing the game with Man U next week. It feels like a long time since we had Gallas in the side.
Emmanuel Adebayor is back, but the other Emmanuel, Eboue, has picked up a mystery injury. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s being punished for his Anfield antics.
All the papers will be full of Beckham rubbish for a while now, so don’t expect anything interesting.
January 11th, 2007
The first one, it seems, is a fait accomplit. Despite having fought for an entire year to get back to fitness, it seems unlikely that Lauren will ever play for Arsenal again. If that’s the case, one can only assume that Wenger doesn’t believe his knee is up to the rigours of regular Premiership football. Even so, it’ll be a sad day if he goes. Lauren is an “exceptional human being”, and one of the toughest yet most popular characters in a squad lacking in experience. With neither Emmanuel Eboue or Justin Hoyte entirely convincing at right-back, his loss would be not only a sad one, but potentially damaging.
The old Lauren would be the best full-back at the club. Which means that if he is being sold we can only assume it is because this isn’t the old Lauren, if you catch my drift. His contract is up in the summer, and Arsene obviously feels he might aswell go now when we might command a fee with him and he can continue his rehabilitation with first-team football.
You do have to ask though, why not loan him out? If he performs well at West Ham and shows that he has a future in the Premiership, then extend his contract. If not, let him go. It seems the sensible option, but financial reasons might interfere. Expect news on this one sometime soon.
Meanwhile, Arsene has spoken out about the recent speculation over Freddie Ljungberg, saying:
“Although I can’t predict the future, Freddie’s experience and winner’s attitude means he still has a lot to offer us.”
Ah. So, you think he has a future, you’re just not sure he has a future. Convincing. For those of you who don’t speak bullshit, what Arsene actually means is:
“He’ll be gone by next season.
Thanks, though.”
For anyone who doubts Wenger’s ruthlessness, I’d refer you to these quotes on Lauren just a few weeks ago. You never thought when they came out that within less than a month he’d be on the brink of leaving.
Freddie’s time is certainly very nearly up. Both Hleb and Rosicky are better options, and soon Theo Walcott will be too. With plans afoot to bring in a wide-man this summer, the game is almost up for our favourite balding scrapper. However, were the three I’ve mentioned to be indisposed, we’d be looking at playing the likes of Cesc, Baptista, and Flamini on the wings: hardly ideal. For that reason alone, I expect Freddie to be kept around as back-up, and a decent option from the bench.
Still, should Freddie and Lauren be gone by the start of next season, and should Jens Lehmann opt for a swansong in the motherland, the only players left from the “Invincibles” side would be Toure, Gilberto, and Henry – quite a remarkable turnaround. The revolving doors at Arsenal have spun at quite a rate, and on occasions it’s been the youngsters who’ve been caught. In the door. Or something.
In seriousness, it has been a fascinating if difficult couple of years watching Arsene build this side. He’s kept younger parts of the spine of the Invincibles, and added to it a blend of youngsters picked up from all over the world. With a recent run of form that’s seen us score 21 goals in just 6 games (that’s 3.5 goals per game), we might (might) be seeing that work come to fruition. Saying that, we’ll probably lose to Blackburn on Saturday.
One player who might be staying is Julio Baptista. He’s certainly taken a step in the right direction with his four-goal haul at Anfield. He says:
“Arsenal is the correct place for me to be right now and I’m very happy to be with them because ‘The Beast’ is back! Arsène Wenger has put so much confidence in me that I’ve been telling friends for weeks now that Arsenal is the club which will make me ‘The Beast’ again.”
Although you should probably never trust someone who refers to themselves in the third-person, he does seem a likeable fellow: I hope it works out for him.
Finally, you may notice the birth of a new feature here on Gunnerblog: On this Day… On this day promises to tell you something banale that happened “On this day” some years ago. A bit like a diary with little sayings in. But just more Arsenally.
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