Archive for April, 2007
April 20th, 2007
The Times says that senior players in the Arsenal camp are confident that David Dein will make a swift return to the club. Well, I hate to break it to Titi & Co., but I have to say: it seems unlikely. On his Talksport radio show, Ian Wright claimed:
“I know this for a fact that the manager and the players are 100% behind David Dein and I can see real repercussions coming off the back of this.”
But to be honest, the chances of Ian Wright knowing those things “for a fact” are rather slim. I love Wrighty, but you can’t forget that sometimes the quotes he comes out with are more suitable for a fervent self-publicist than a football pundit.
Yes, the players will doubtless be surprised and perturbed that Dein is gone. Certainly, it would make sense for Dein to merge with Kroenke and force his way back onto the board as part of a hostile takeover. But is that really what he wants?
Arsene Wenger said yesterday that Dein’s heart is red-and-white. If that’s the case, does he really want to be seen by the fans as the man trying to destabilise the club? In backing Kroenke, there were two major incentives for him: a) money, and b) power. I’m sure he would argue that there’s a c) the club’s best interests. If he is truly a man with the club’s interests at heart, then he will move on, or at least allow time to heal the wounds of Hill-Wood and the rest of the board, who clearly feel Dein has attempted to undermine them.
Although public comment from the club has been very restrained, there must be a huge amount of anger there. And the fans aren’t idiots. If Dein forces his way back into the club in an effort to create chaos and force a takeover, then the supporters will turn on him even further, whatever the potential benefits to the team.
The bottom line is this: Dein doesn’t want to be booed at a stadium he didn’t even want to build. So he won’t be back.
The Independent think Arsene will appoint the man to replace Dein. However, The Independent once published an article claiming Christian Vieri would sign for Chelsea the following day. It is certainly true that the Chairman met with Arsene yesterday, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they discussed bringing someone in as a negotiating figure. Arsene’s opinion would be very valuable, especially if the club expect him to stay in the long-term.
Whilst it’s all very nice to sit around and speculate about this stuff, I can’t help but feel that Chelsea and Man U blogs are having more fun talking about possible Trebles and Quadruples. I hope this Summer I’m writing about exciting transfers, not boring board-room politics.
And so, the on-pitch stuff. Cesc Fabregas is a doubt for Spurs, but Abou Diaby should be fit. Although fourth spot seems to be in the bag, losing to that lot is completely unthinkable.
Today is press conference day. Arsenal.com have promised more news on the futures of Baptista and Lehmann for the third week in succession. Who wants to bet that Arsene says:
“There is no news. When there is, you will be the first to know.”
No? Nobody?
April 19th, 2007
On the one day I haven’t really got time to update the blog, something massive happens: at 5pm last night, it was confirmed that David Dein had left Arsenal – though I am led to believe it could’ve taken place some time before that.
There’s so much to be said, and so little time to say it. Firstly, I’ll just throw in that I pretty much agree with arseblogger’s take – although I am maybe a little more concerned about losing someone of Dein’s negotiating capabilities just before the Summer Transfer Window.
Secondly, I’d point you towards this interview with Peter Hill-Wood, which is as interesting for what it doesn’t say as for what it does, if you catch my drift, so to speak, etc etc.
Right. And now I must dash. More tomorrow.
April 18th, 2007
Well, Myles Palmer got it right. After Cesc and Rosicky finally grabbed a couple of Premiership goals on Saturday, they repeated the trick last night – Rosicky’s was a replica of his Bolton effort, whilst Cesc’s was a dipping volley of absolute perfection – what a way to score Arsenal’s 50th goal at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s amazing what a bit of confidence can do. Following his goal on Saturday, Rosicky had the same drive and belief to get in the box, and when he did, finished powerfully. Cesc, meanwhile, looked reinvigorated – there’s every chance he could add to his tally before the season is out.
Their goals came either side of a DaMarcus Beasley equaliser – a poor kick from an out-of-sorts Jens Lehmann was punished by a slick through ball from Somebody Johnson and a neat finish from Beasley. It was a real shock – Arsenal had completely dominated the first-half in spite of not creating many chances. When Abou Diaby had come off with blurred vision for Julio Baptista, we’d lost a lot of momentum.
Which doesn’t surprise me at all – it strikes me that, whatever position he plays, we’re a better team when Diaby’s on the field. He again played just off the striker, and showed tough tackling as well as very quick feet indeed.
His replacement, Baptista, added a third late on, sidefooting home after good work from a much-improved Aleksandr Hleb.
One man who couldn’t get a goal was Emmanuel Adebayor, who is now without a goal since February. You have to say he’s been unlucky – firstly with the Carling Cup Final suspension, and latterly with his finishing. He hit the post twice at Liverpool, had a close-range header miraculously saved at West Ham, and yesterday had an effort blocked almost on the goal line. You get the feeling that like Cesc and Rosicky, once one goes in, he’ll reap the rewards.
Well, if there’s one thing we know about Adebayor, it’s that he relishes the big games. White Hart Lane on Saturday wouldn’t be a bad place to start getting the goals again.
April 17th, 2007
Arsene Wenger confirmed in an interview for ArsenalTV this morning that not only did he try to bring Cristiano Ronaldo over from Lisbon as a teenager, but he also was in for Drogba whilst he was languishing in the lower levels of French football. We probably ended up with Kaba Diawara.
In seriousness though, Arsene needs to pull of some talent spotting of that calibre this summer. And I’m sure he knows it.
Ronaldo and Drogba are Arsene’s favourites for the PFA Player of the Year award, and I have to say I agree. I’m still surprised his fellow pros nominated Cesc ahead of Rooney, and particularly 21-goal Frank Lampard and the outstanding Michael Essien. Not only is it affirmation of the respect Fabregas holds, but also the immense dislike of Chelsea within the football community.
Andy Cole has been talking about the need for Niklas Bendtner to work at his game – probably just what he needs to hear after a season of what I can only describe as over-hype. Birmingham probably know they’ll be unable to keep Bendtner permanently, but they still have hope of retaining runalot midfielder Fabrice Muamba. And God knows what’s going on with Kerrea Gilbert.
Man City tonight and a win would bring us within four points of guaranted Champions League Football – and that’s assuming that Bolton or Everton take maximum points between now and the end of the season. Freddie Ljungberg is out, so Abou Diaby could start, though I’ve got a sneaky suspicion we might see Julio Baptista handed one final opportunity.
April 16th, 2007
We all know that Arsenal.con are about as reliable as a Swiss army knife in battle. However, it was fair to assume that they were at least somewhat literate – no longer. Somebody really ought to tell them just what “glut” means. So unless they mean:
“Fabregas delighted after ending his ‘crazy’ excess of goals”
or
“Fabregas delighted after ending his ‘crazy’ large wooden splitting-wedge, usually shop-made of goals”
then they’re wrong. Idiots.
You already know that Gavin Peacock is a goatee-sporting fool of the highest degree, who seems deeply unqualified to comment on the efforts of players a million times more talented than he ever was. If you don’t think that, then I can only assume that you fancy him.
Peacock’s analysis on Saturday’s Match of the Day pointed out that the difference between the performances of Arsenal against Bolton and Manchester United against Watford was the interchanging of positions amidst the United players. Well, for all their faults, the Arsenal midfield did accomplish this on Saturday – Hleb and Rosicky were constanly shifting position, with Ljungberg too dropping back and allowing others to support.
Honestly. The media, eh?
ps. Congratulations to Cesc, whose been nominated in both the PFA Young Player of the Year and PFA Player of the Year, the latter ahead of a certain Wayne Rooney. Nice one.
Next Posts
Previous Posts
