Interlull Round-up: Sagna, Nasri, Wilshere, and moaning Mannone
5 comments October 11th, 2010
We’re at the halfway point of one of the dreariest interlull’s in history. Someone, please, wake me up when it’s over.
So far, only Bacary Sagna’s name has been plucked from the tombola of fate to be marked down as ‘injured’, though I expect others will soon join him. Sagna will be absent for the next three weeks, meaning a regular run in the side for Emmanuel Eboue. Some will be pleased: the Frenchman’s form has come in for criticism of late. However, despite a poor display against West Brom and allowing Ashley Cole to sneak in behind him all too easily against Chelsea, Sagna remains one of our better defenders. Eboue hasn’t played regularly in the position for some time, and he will need to furrow his brow and call upon what little powers of concentration he has against the likes of Shakhtar and Man City.
One man who did escape unscathed whilst representing France is Samir Nasri. Nasri played in his preferred central role, and would like to do so more often for Arsenal:
“That’s where I play best, that’s how I was formed. In every age group at youth level, I often played through the middle.
“I’ve been playing out wide for two years with Arsenal but feel more at ease in the centre of the pitch.”
At the risk of sounding pessimistic, I’m sure Nasri will get plenty of opportunities to play there in the future – particularly after next summer, when Barcelona are due to return for Cesc Fabregas.
Another contender for that position would be Jack Wilshere, who after playing for the England U-21s at the back end of last week, has joined up with the senior squad for tomorrow’s game against Montenegro. A competitive appearance for the national team would cap a great start to the season for Jack, who has been voted our Player of the Month for September.
You can check up on all our other internationals here. Vito Mannone kept a clean sheet for the Italy U-21s, which will provide a boost to his dwindling first-team prospects at Arsenal. You can understand his frustration: being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal is like turning up in Lilliput and failing to make the basketball team.
We continue to be linked with January moves for shot-stoppers. The Sunday Mirror says we’re plotting a raid for Asmir Begovic, whilst Mark Schwarzer is still hopeful of a move from Fulham. I don’t think either seems particularly likely. Begovic’s reputation seems to be built largely on the fact that no-one has really seen him play, whilst paying a fee for a 38-year old Schwarzer, available for nothing in June, does not seem a very ‘Arsene’ thing to do.
Instead, Almunia and Fabianski will be left to fit it out. A titanic struggle. An unstoppable force and an immovable object. A clash of honour, dignity, and respect. One, frankly, a bit like this:
Till next time.
