Gunnerblog

Arsenal 0 – 1 West Ham: Initial Thoughts

311 comments April 7th, 2007

I would say that I’m “surprised” or even “amazed” that Arsenal lost today, considering the type of game it was. I would – except I’m not remotely surprised – I’ve seen this too many times before this season.

I’m sure Arsene will talk afterwards about the players’ “spirit” or how “we created so many chances”.

Like I give one solitary fuck.

West Ham Preview; Arsene on transfers/Tevez

240 comments April 7th, 2007

Yesterday was Arsene’s weekly Friday press conference, and seeing as he’d been silent all week, there was plenty to say. He moved quickly to deny any link with Daniel Alves, to reaffirm that Thierry Henry will be staying in the club, and to refute claims that we’ve signed giant teenager Yago Fernandez, even stating, “We do not know the boy”. Either Arsene is a very good liar, or Yago is going to be pretty disappointed.

In amidst all the denials, Arsene did confirm that Mathieu Flamini might well leave, perhaps even adding in a sly dig about his refusal to fill in at full-back. He also added that the futures of Jose Reyes, Julio Baptista, and Jens Lehmann will be decided in the next month. I don’t expect any of those players, nor Flamini, to be here at the start of next season.

Predictably, Arsene was asked about Stan Kroenke’s investment in Arsenal, and the subsequent takeover rumours. Whilst he was quick to point out it’s only a 10% investment at this stage, rumours suggest that Kroenke’s stake could increase pretty sharpish. It’s clear that there has been a softening of attitudes. Although Arsene talks about preserving the club’s values, it seems we’ve come along way since these quotes:

“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.”

My favourite quote of the day was Arsene on Carlos Tevez. He said:

“I have always liked him. I like strikers who do not run backwards when they have the ball. He is mobile and he goes forwards. He commits people and is very positive. He tries to make things happen.”

Hm. Tevelicious.

We’ll get a good look at him today, as we take on West Ham. Arsene is going to stick with our rubbish back four, after yesterday conceding that Gilberto doesn’t enjoy playing centre-back (despite Arsene liking him there).

Ahead of that there will be changes in midfield, and there’s a strong possibility that Tomas Rosicky and Freddie Ljungberg could both come in. There’s a massive weight on the shoulders of Emmanuel Adebayor to provide the goals we’ve been lacking in recent weeks.

First home game in exactly a month. If we weren’t so terrible at the moment, I’d be pretty excited.