Spurs preview: Don’t get mad Ade – Get even
1 comment October 29th, 2008
We owe Spurs. Big time. For this.
No-one has a greater debt to pay than Emmanuel Adebayor, who was part of a disgraceful on-pitch row with Nicklas Bendtner. However, the Togolese striker is determined to put things right this time around:
“That day, they played quite good football. Maybe we were not ready, they took their chances. If it was 2-1, you could have said they had luck but they won 5-1 so there’s no luck there. They deserved to win.
For them it was a big event but now we have a chance to take our revenge. We hope the result is the reverse and we can put it in the Arsenal shop on Friday.”
After two goals in his past two games and rested legs from Sunday’s spot on the bench, Adebayor will provide a huge threat to a Tottenham backline that could be bereft of Ledley King. With seven goals in seven games against our vicious rivals, he seems the man most likely to put Tottenham to the sword.
But there are other candidates. English sensation Theo Walcott would love nothing more than another derby goal, whilst Samir Nasri may further his credentials as ‘The New Pires’ by inheriting Bobby’s habit of putting one past Spurs.
Nasri and Walcott should be on the wings, with Denilson available an alternative to Alex Song to partner Cesc Fabregas. You’d expect Van Persie and Adebayor to play upfront, though Abou Diaby could run the Dutchman close for a starting place.
The real question marks are over the defence. Toure and Sagna are both available, and whilst I’d expect the latter to replace Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo may struggle to oust Mikael Silvestre. It’ll a big call from the manager and only the way the game pans out will tell if he’s got it right.
Whoever plays, it’s important we get at Spurs and expose their fragile confidence. After their terrible start to the season, they come to the Emirates as serious underdogs, and that lifting of pressure might aid them. However, if we play as well as we can, I don’t think there’s any way that they can live with us.
Ex-Arsenal News
Two former Gunners hit the headlines yesterday with their new jobs.
Freddie Ljungberg has signed for MLS club Seattle Sounders, who currently possess a hefty squad of just four players. Whilst Ljungberg insists he wanted to go whilst still in his prime, there must have been a serious derth of offers from top European sides, and after his disastrous spell at West Ham that’s no surprise. Nevertheless, Freddie remains an Arsenal legend, and we wish him the best in the footballing theme park that is the MLS.
Tony Adams, meanwhile, is the new Portsmouth manager, and has warned Arsene Wenger that he is “coming to get [him]”. I wish Adams all the best of luck, and am sure he will be a good appointment. He has been very vocal about his desire to manage Arsenal one day, and maybe he is now starting out along that path. As a club we seem quite quick to jump on the backs of our heroes after their playing days have ended – comments from the likes of Adams, Ian Wright and Ljungberg have resulted in them being lambasted by fans who once cheered their every step. In a game now populated by mercenary players, we ought to celebrate everything that “Mr. Arsenal” did for the club as a player, and wish him success as a manager.
Finally today, Happy 21st Birthday to my Chelsea-supporting brother. I wish him well, but hope his team forget to give him a present up at Hull.
Come On You Reds!
