Archive for December 13th, 2008

“We think, more than ever, that we can come back in the Premier League”

Add comment December 13th, 2008

So says Arsene, justifying his decision to field a weakened team at Porto by arguing we still have a chance of mounting a Premier League title challenge.  I’m not sure I share Arsene’s faith, but I would suggest that avoiding defeat today is vital.  Another defeat to a mid-table side could potentially shatter the restored belief that Fabregas’ captaincy and two consecutive league wins have brought.

Five of the players who missed the defeat in Portgual ought to return at the Riverside, but Kolo Toure and Samir Nasri join long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo on the sidelines.  There is, however, good news on the Croatian, who could be back to his best in just six weeks.

The return of Eduardo will make it increasingly vital for Nicklas Bendtner to take the opportunities that come his way with more gusto than he has in the past couple of months.  Arsene says that Bendtner works incredibly hard in training, which seems at odds with his lazy-looking first-team appearances.  The absence of Eduardo and Arsene’s failure to reinforce the squad have afforded the likes of Bendtner, Denilson and Song a unique opportunity.  It’s almost like they’ve been out on loan somewhere – given first-team opportunities that under normal circumstances they simply wouldn’t be afforded.  In my opinion, they haven’t really grasped that chance, and whatever Arsene says I’m sure he’ll be looking to bring in new blood in January.

Whenever Manuel Almunia speaks to the press he always comes across very well.  Dignified throughout various tirades by Jens Lehmann, astutely critical in the wake of the Porto game, and now little short of inspiring ahead of the resumption of all thinks Premier League:

“We have a big, big responsibility.  This is Arsenal.

The Club has thousands of fans and we have to realise that to wear an Arsenal shirt is a big value and you have to be worthy of [it]. We have to remember that we are lucky people.

We are so upset [at the moment]. We are not happy with this season. We’ve had some brilliant moments, against Chelsea and Manchester United, but it’s not enough. We are far from the top of the League. Last season we lost three games and we’ve already had too many defeats.

But I have confidence in us and the way we play [also I feel] we are mature enough to take the responsibility.”

I hope he’s right, and I hope the team take the neccessary responsibility today to see of Middlesbrough.  They’re almost as inconsistent as us, which makes any predictions utterly pointless.  That said, ending the day pointless would make resting players in Porto pointless, and make my existence feel a bit pointless to boot.

Come on Arsenal.


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