No pressure, Andrey…
1 comment February 21st, 2009
I think we’re all used to Arsene Wenger being somewhat conservative about his new signings, insisting that they will require six months to adapt and urging fans to show patience. Patience, after all, seems to be the defining feature of the latest incarnation of Wenger’s management philosophy – so much so that he’s calling 25-year old Emmanuel Eboue “a young player”.
It is a little surprising, therefore, to see him comparing Andrey Arshavin (if only in terms of height) to none other than Diego Maradona and Pele. But then, we oughn’t be surprised about the level of hype surrounding this player. In my time as an Arsenal fan, I’ve never witnessed (or been part of, I suppose I ought to say) such hysteria around a transfer. As the Russian finally prepares for his maiden voyage out onto the Emirates turf today, I find myself trying to recall the last debut that was so hotly anticipated. I suppose it was that of Theo Walcott, but he was so young at that time that the expectations were nothing compared to what Arshavin will face.
Arsene, however, seems confident that he will handle the pressure:
“He has personality and a strong character. The handicap he has at the moment is that he is not completely fit physically, but all the rest should be quite quick. I have not yet decided if he will start, I will decide that tomorrow morning. But he is in the squad for tomorrow and we will see. You have to give everybody who comes in time to adapt, to adjust. However, I know his vision, his passing ability, his quick brain and they are very important things in the modern game.”
My gut feeling is that he will start, and I think that comes from the fact that of late, Arsene has been a little more cavalier in his selections: Arshavin and Eduardo were on the bench against Spurs, and then Eduardo played from the start against Cardiff. If the Russian does play, it’ll be wide in midfield, with Samir Nasri on the flank. If he doesn’t, I pray that it’s Carlos Vela who gets the nod ahead of the aforementioned Eboue. It would be a travesty for the Ivorian to walk back into the side after the comparison between his capitulation at Spurs and Vela’s vibrancy against Cardiff.
Upfront Nicklas Bendtner will partner Robin van Persie, whilst Johan Djourou ought to be available again to challenge Kolo Toure and William Gallas. I’d pick Djourou to counter the aerial power of Kenwyne Jones – probably alongside the in-form Gallas.
Sunderland aren’t doing too badly, but (as I seem to have said a million times this season), this is the sort of game we simply must be winning if we’re to peg back the top four.
Good luck, Andrey. You deserve time to adapt. Unfortunately, time is something we are very short of.
Come on you Reds.
