Are you Ready, Brek?
43 comments November 4th, 2011
Greetings, one and all. After my Iberian escape, I have returned the British Isles and indeed the blogosphere.
I should probably begin by talking about the 0-0 draw with Marseille. Usually my blogs are laced with the sort of relentless positivity that occasionally veers over the line in to genuinely annoying, but in this instance I do have a bone to pick with Arsene Wenger. Before the matches against Chelsea and Marseille, he spoke of how Arsenal were facing “two cup finals”. Now, the last time I checked, you don’t rest your captain and top scorer in a cup final.
It’s not certain that had RVP started, we’d have beaten Marseille, but given his extraordinary form it certainly would have improved our chances. Van Persie is now set to start tomorrow’s game against West Brom – a game which, with respect to the Baggies, seems a more suitable opportunity for him to get some rest.
Maybe I’m speaking out of turn and the Dutchman is nursing an injury none of us know about. I do understand the caution surrounding our most prized asset, but a win against Marseille would have enabled us to secure qualification and leave Van Persie out of our two remaining games altogether. Strange logic from Arsene, and a gamble which (by his own admission) somewhat backfired.
Now, for something a bit more fun: Andre Santos. I have to say, I find the criticism of his defending a little bit joyless. He’s not a masterful marker or a text-book tackler, but we knew that when we signed him. Forgive the stereotyping, but he’s a proper Brazilian full-back, with all the carnival fun and chaos that entails. There’s a brilliant piece about his idiosyncratic style here, and I suggest you give it a read.
A club the size of Arsenal ought to able to afford one slightly mad attacking full-back. Arsene may feel Kieran Gibbs offers more solidity, and when fit I expect the Englishman will remain first-choice, but having the option of starting a full-back who is prepared to get to the byline and who can actually cross and shoot is quite a thrill. If United can play Antonio Valencia at right-back, we can certainly find room for Santos on the left.
Finally today, a little note on the source of today’s headline: a man called Brek Shea, a man with a name so preposterous it could only have been conjured in the United States of America. The 21 year old left-footer is the bright young thing of FC Dallas and indeed the entire MLS, and will spend a month training with Arsenal this winter. Although not an official trial, Shea has been earmarked as a potential Premier League star, and will be keen to make an impression on his hosts. Reports about him are positive, and he can certainly strike a ball – see video here.
Right, I’d better hop it. Let’s hope there’s not too much boing in the Baggies tomorrow. It’s Arsenal who are supposed to be bouncing back.
