First Day Thoughts + Fulham Preview
655 comments August 12th, 2007
I was going to write a Season Preview, but I’ve decided not to. Not yet. On September 1st, we’ll know if we’re in the Champions League or not. More importantly, any transfer business that we might conduct will be finalised by then. So I’m holding off on firing my big, prediction-shaped cannon until that date.
Yesterday, I managed to watch three live games: Sunderland vs. Tottenham, West Ham vs. Manchester City, and Aston Villa vs. Liverpool. I had a few very interesting thoughts, but I’ve forgotten all of those. Here are some other observations:
- When will Spurs realise that you can have as many quality forwards as you like, but if your only half-decent midfielder is the oft-injured Aaron Lennon, it doesn’t make much difference?
- Speaking of quality forwards, Obafemi Martins and Nicolas Anelka showed what we could be missing out on with a couple of cracking goals. The first touch for Anelka’s is particularly good. I wonder if Arsene might be tempted as September approaches…
- Freddie Ljungberg captained West Ham on his debut, and looked immobile and uninspired. But then, he was playing for West Ham. I imagine those sorts of things are contagious.
- Elano, the Brazil winger who made his debut for City, looks like the kind of player we need. A great assist for Bianchi’s goal, aswell as versatility, pace, and skill.
- Liverpool have strength and depth to make us envious.
The jist of these assorted thoughts is, “Oh look, shiny new players at other clubs, I want I want I want”.
But there will be some shiny new players of our own making their debuts today. Bacary Sagna (who ArsenalTV viewers will have witnessed, speaks very good English) is certain to start at right-back, whilst a fitness test will determine whether or not Eduardo da Silva takes part. Sagna will join Toure, Captain Gallas and Clichy in a back four, with Jens Lehmann in goal. I’d imagine Mathieu Flamini will play Gilberto’s role alongside Cesc, with Eboue and possibly Hleb on the flanks. If Eduardo fails to make it, the Belarussian will play just off Robin van Persie.
We could and should beat Fulham tomorrow. In fact, we should probably stuff them. Manchester United beat them 5-1 in their opening game of last year’s title-winning season. If we can come close to that kind of morale-boosting victory, it might give us the momentum we need as we enter 2007/08.
I’m ridiculously excited. A prediction? 3-0 and Eduardo to score.
Come on you Gooners.
