5th Round Preview: Aliadiere’s Big Chance
98 comments February 17th, 2007
With Julio Baptista rested and Emmanuel Adebayor having played 120 minutes midweek, Jeremie Aliadiere seems set to start alongside Thierry Henry against Blackburn today.
His contribution against Bolton was impressive, although he was coming into a game against tiring legs and minds. However, he has performed extremely well in the Carling Cup, and if he can do well alongside Henry then it will be a big boost to his chances of making it here.
We will miss Adebayor, especially his new-found goalscoring habit. James Lawton has taken a break from spouting rubbish to point out just what it is that the Togolese forward brings:
“He is not as quick or as powerful, not yet anyway, as Chelsea’s Didier Drogba but he has a quality that has never been demonstrated by Henry, even at his most sublime and fecund. Instinctively, he knows how to lead the line. He gives Arsenal an attacking shape up front they have lacked for several years and, with the progress of Cesc Fabregas and Denilson promising so much in the creative department, he looks the best bet for regular exploitation of a stream of chances.”
The best news about tomorrow is that William Gallas is back on the squad. He’ll probably only be on the bench, but after three months out of the side it’s great to hear. Injuries have interrupted his time at Arsenal and he doesn’t quite feel like our player yet. Hopefully another run in the side will prove his blood runs red (and white).
Arsene has confirmed that he has turned down France in the past. And not even the Queen will coax him into International management, unless stupid rules like this one come in.
I really like the FA Cup. I really dislike Blackburn. We need to win today.
Other business:
I don’t know if any of you caught the arsecast, but there was a great interview with Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood, after which blogger pointed out I hadn’t made any effort to become Arsenal chairman. Well, check out the end of this entry for some contrary evidence. I expect to be Chairman next week (Mr. Chairman to you, Paddy), and back on the arsecast in no time.
Secondly, I’ve been in France for the past few days, so haven’t been able to police the comments. They’ve got themselves into a right mess. Zero tolerance from now on. You have been warned.
