Dein convinced Arsene to sign his new contract. Yep, that was him.
255 comments September 2nd, 2007
I know it sounds unlikely. I know Arsene’s contract negotiations have been going on for months. I know that numerous meetings have taken place at which the manager has negotiated directly with the board, and I know that he has expressed a desire to commit himself to the club’s current structure. But really: it’s just because Dein told him too.
I know this may surprise you. But get this: Berlin Wall? Dein knocked that down. Invention of the telephone? Yeah, ole Deino dropped Meucci a few hints on that one. Water/wine etc? Well, that’s just say a suspiciously orange-looking man was seen sneaking around behind the bar and later high-fiving Jesus.
The latest feeble PR scam by Dein is a joke, and one which I expect the club to fully refute when Arsene signs his contract next week. Dein has described himself as “disappointed” by the club’s hostile response, but what does he expect when he actively tries to undermine the achievements of the current board by claiming them as his own?
Articles like this hardly help. I think I can give you a pretty cast-iron guarantee that Red & Shite had absolutely nothing to do with the signing of Lassana Diarra (who just last season Jose Mourinho described as a “first choice” player).
Apparently there is an article in today’s News of the World in which Danny Fiszman reiterates that Dein is not welcome on the Arsenal board. It seems that we are at war, and whilst the current board may be the financial underdogs, they are the custodians of the club. They have affection for what they have built. I hear that Newcastle, Manchester United, and Spurs are all potentially up for sale – these are clubs that were not purchased long ago at all. If we go down this route, we are accepting the possibility of years and years of turmoil.
I wish I could talk about the football more. There is interesting stuff out there today. For example, this little chart put together by the Telegraph underlines the hugh gulf in finishing finesse between Rosicky/Hleb and Ljungberg/Pires. Pointedly, the former have many more “key passes”, but as far as I can tell a “key pass” is a pass that leads to a shot (ie. not an assist). Question: Who in our squad, apart from Van Persie, would you say is “really good at shooting”? Who would you trust to take a free-kick? It’s something that might need to be adressed.
With Sagna still injured and Diarra having signed so recently, Justin Hoyte will continue in defence with Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, and Gael Clichy. Behind them, Manuel Almunia, who almost left the club this Summer, will have another chance to impress in the mysterious absence of Jens Lehmann.
Emmanuel Eboue is out and Alex Hleb is doubtful with illness, so Theo Walcott could continue on the right-hand side. Tomas Rosicky will play from the left, with Cesc and Gilberto in the middle. Upfront I expect Van Persie to be partnered with Adebayor.
The Togolese striker will be useful defending set pieces against a side that features Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, John Utaka and more. Let’s just hope he doesn’t stare longingly at Kanu as the crosses fly in.
Another three points and we’ve kept the pace with Liverpool. We have to stay amongst the leaders for as long as possible this season: with each victory, the team grows.
Come on Arsenal.
