Arsenal 1 – 0 Real Madrid: Adebayor begins the long road back
23 comments August 5th, 2008
Yes, it was only a pre-season friendly. But beating Real Madrid never gets old.
Arsene picked his strongest available XI, which means that Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott started on the flanks, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie joining forced upfront. It was to be a day in which Adebayor was the pivotal figure, facing his detractors and netting the decisive penalty – this video of the goal is worth watching if only for the point where the foreign commentator appearas to reference the “Dudek-dance”.
Adebayor kissed the badge after his goal – a move which seemed to incense some fans. Frankly, I think it was clear from his hard-working appearance that he is determined to win back the respect of the fans, and kissing the badge was simply a symbolic way of reiterating where he sees his playing future, for now at least. His eagerness to take the penalty is indicative of the fact that he recognises the way back into the fans’ affection: goals. Long may it continue.
Jack Wilshere came on for another impressive cameo, which was swiftly followed by the news that he’ll be considered part of the first-team squad next season, and will wear the number 19. It’s been a rapid rise but Wilshere has handled the pressure every step of the way. Watching him play now is like watching Cesc Fabregas or Wayne Rooney in their mid-teens – he takes responsibility without thinking, clattering into challenges with players whose reputations and physique dwarf his own. If Wilshere continues to impress in the Amsterdam Tournament, he has every chance of being on the bench for the opening Premier League fixture against West Brom.
Updates might be slightly intermittent over the next couple of weeks but I’ll do myself. In anything big happens, I’ll dash to the nearest internet cafe and let you know…
