A comfortable victory for Arsenal, and one that could (and arguably should) have been by a greater margin. In fact, had we still been in the title race, we probably could’ve made up the +20 goal difference deficit against Manchester United in this game alone.
As it was, any kind of win was welcome – we hadn’t picked up a victory at the Emirates since beating Blackburn in February. Reading almost conceded defeat before kick-off, making six changes and resting key players ahead of their critical relegation battle. Arsenal, meanwhile, brought in Theo Walcott for Emmanuel Eboue, whilst Alex Song continued at centre-back alongside William Gallas.
Walcott had another good game, and his attacking instincts meant that our 4-4-2 became a fluid 4-3-3 at times, with Hleb tucking in alongside Gilberto and Fabregas, and Walcott joining up and rotating with Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. The vulnerable Reading defence couldn’t handle it, and Adebayor and Song had both spurned good headed chances before the Togolese striker netted his 27th goal of the season. Kolo Toure, playing at right-back, made a strong attacking run and clipped a lovely ball into the big man, who took it down and slid the ball past Hahnemann.
Within minutes it was two, and Brazilian midfielder Gilberto had his first of a troubled season – a deflected strike from range.
After his goal, the entire team ran over to embrace the veteran, and the fans rose as one to celebrate the efforts of a player who has served us remarkably well during his spell at the club. I’d love him to stay for next season – he adds depth in a pivotal area of the field. But let’s not forget: this is a man who is still a mainstay of the Brazil International side. Can he afford to sit around on the bench whilst his rivals play regular Champions League football? Somehow, I suspect not. I’ll miss him when he departs.
It looked for all the world like we’d prised the flood-gates well and truly open, but sadly it never quite happened. In the second half, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork, whilst the outstanding Cesc Fabregas had a shot cleared off the line. As I intimated at the start of this piece, if we’d needed the goals we would probably have got them, but in the strangely subdued, friendly-esque atmosphere we never really felt the need to rub salt into Reading’s grievous wounds.
The one black spot was the fact that Aleksandr Hleb is likely to receive a three match ban for slapping Reading full-back Murty in the face. That means we might not see Hleb again this season. Which means our line-ups for our remaining three games could be Eboue-tastic once more.
There were plenty of positives yesterday. Theo Walcott is beginning to look like he could be a genuine threat next season, whilst Alex Song is developing into a handy squad player. Cesc Fabregas (who is staying) was in imperious form, whilst Van Persie is showing signs of hitting the heights we all know he is capable of (just in time for the end of the season. And the European Championships, where he will presumably break both legs in some kind of horrific tiddlywinks accident).
Hopefully between now and the end of the season, we can rack up a few more wins like this one.
The position of captain has been one of the most hotly-debated topics at Arsenal this season. Â Back in August, everybody expected Gilberto to win the armband, with Kolo Toure as his deputy. Â Probably even Cesc Fabregas was seen as a more likely successor to Thierry Henry than the eventual winner: William Gallas snuck up on the outside to claim the honour of becoming only the fourth captain of Arsene’s twelve year reign.
In the early part of the season, it looked a masterstroke. Â Gallas was taking responsibility and seemed to have regained the focus displayed during his title-winning days at Chelsea.
However, as the pressure mounted, Gallas crumbled. Â His sulk at Birmingham has become a season defining moment – commentator Johnathan Pearce noted he looked like he’d lost every trophy going in one game, and arguably that’s just what happened.
Whilst he’s undoubtedly an excellent defender on his day, Gallas is plainly not a natural leader.  It’s therefore unsurprising (and arguably promising) that Arsene is considering changing the captaincy at the end of the season.  Asked if Gallas would retain the armband, he said:
“I cannot answer that question at the moment. I want to analyse the season after it has finished. At the moment he will be my captain until the end of the season.
I believe he has learned a lot this year and I can only say that his commitment and desire to do well was exceptional. For the rest, I wouldn’t like to go into any individual assessment at the moment.
I made that decision and I have to stand up for that decision, I have to protect the team and the individuals as well at the moment.”
Coming from Arsene, a man not prone to speculation, the open-ended nature of those comments takes on an added significance. How Gallas would feel about being replaced, or who Arsene would even bestow the honour upon are massive questions. With the obvious choice arguably being Kolo Toure, and the admission from most fans that our central defensive partnership simply does not function, is it possible that Gallas could be on his bike this Summer? I certainly can’t see him keeping quiet about being stripped of the captaincy, should that ever take place.
Today we face Reading, and for squad morale it’s pretty crucial we put in a performance and get what is starting to feel like the rarest of commodities: a win. Jens Lehmann could play his last game for the club as Manuel Almunia is out with a wrist injury. Arsene is as yet undecided as to whether Philippe Senderos is ready to return after his harrowing experience at Anfield.
Prior to the game, I’ll be playing in the annual Arseblog five-a-side tournament. My team won last year, so here’s hoping we pick up a similar result this time round.
Thierry Henry’s move to Barcelona, thus far, has been a disaster. Playing out-of-position on the left flank, he has looked a shadow of his former self. That’s not to say the situation won’t change – I’d be absolutely delighted to see him burst back into life with a few goals against Manchester United next week. But thus far, I think even Henry would have to admit he’s been a £16.1m flop.
That wouldn’t be such a worry for Henry if he could claim that’s been part of an ongoing adaptation to his new club. But with the revelation that his final year at Arsenal cost the club at least £10m, one has to say that it’s now two years in a row that the Frenchman has failed to make the vast amount of money spent on him seem worth it.
Perhaps he will return to his former glories. Or perhaps he’ll change his playing style to suit his wearying body. I remember when Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs turned 30 they went through a few seasons of poor form before adapting to their reduced physical potential. An intelligent player will find a way to deal with losing that yard of pace. I always felt Henry would be able to do that too – perhaps he just needs time. I, for one, certainly hope so: whilst his struggles in Cataluña vindicate Arsene’s decision to sell, I would still get a thrill from seeing Henry doing what he does best, be that at Barcelona or anywhere else.
So, I’m back from Glasgow, and a trip to the Old Firm derby. What an incredibly atmosphere that game produces. The tension is so high that fights between supporters of the same side break out regularly. It would be easy to say, “I wish we could have that kind of atmosphere at Arsenal”, but when one considers all the negative aspects of that rivalry, I think I’ll stick with what we’ve got thanks. What a goal by Shunsuka Nakamura though, and what a save this is.
It’s Reading at home tomorrow, and the early team news is that Almunia requires a fitness test, Justin Hoyte is out, but Denilson (remember him?) is available after a hamstring problem.
Arsene Wenger spoke yesterday about not being scared to pay big money, as long as he’s absolutely convinced that it’s “worth it”. When one considers that Arsene’s three biggest buys (Theo Walcott aside) have been Theo Walcott, Francis Jeffers, and Jose Antonio Reyes, one can understand his caution. However, with Robin van Persie perennially injured, the fans crave a striker to lighten the load that Emmanuel Adebayor has carried all season long, often citing the impact made by Fernando Torres at Liverpool as evidence to support their claim.
Well, Torres may be out of reach now, but the next Spanish International striker to come onto the market will be David Villa – and he’s desperate to join Arsenal:
“Their brilliant one and two-touch football and the whole style of rapid counter-attack which dominates the top level of the Premier League now is the one which suits my game best of all. I think I’m made to succeed in England but of course it’s one thing saying it and quite another getting there and then doing it.
The Valencia president always told me he wouldn’t sell me until summer 2008. If an offer comes in I’m hungry to test myself in England.”
If Villa was a woman on a street corner, he’d be arrested for soliciting right about now.
His club Valencia have had a turbulent season, and are resigned to losing their iconic striker. However, much like Athletico Madrid with Torres, they would be uneasy with the idea of letting him go to a domestic rival. Bearing that in mind, a move to England for Villa would presumably suit all parties.
Alright, we don’t neccessarily ‘need’ Villa. But the world didn’t ‘need’ sliced bread.
What he would bring to our frontline is pace, composure, outrageous skill, and some of the best free-kick taking in Europe:
It still seems a little far-fetched. Arsene will be wary of putting such an established player in front of the emerging Bendtner and Walcott, aswell as not wanting to block Eduardo’s path back from injury. But when you look at the attacking options our rivals can boast, then the desire to supplement those players with some of Villa’s quality becomes entirely reasonable. Wait, hope, and see, I suppose.
One striker who definitely will be here is Emmanuel Adebayor, and he’s rallied the troops by demanding victory in our remaing games this season:
“We have to talk about ourselves, how we are going to progress, what we have to do to achieve things. That is the most important now.
You have to show whether you are a man or not. In the difficult moments, that is when you have to come out and show character, personality and play your football. It is difficult but I know my mum will be somewhere watching the TV, so I have to play for her, all my family and all the people who love Arsenal. We have to win all those games now, to play for our honour and for our fans.”
You hear that lads? Do it for Ade’s mum.
I’m going to the Old Firm game tonight. Should be able to blog again later on Thursday, assuming I haven’t offended somebody and been killed.
Within minutes it was two, and Brazilian midfielder Gilberto had his first of a troubled season – a deflected strike from range.
“I cannot answer that question at the moment. I want to analyse the season after it has finished. At the moment he will be my captain until the end of the season.
Well, Torres may be out of reach now, but the next Spanish International striker to come onto the market will be David Villa – and 
