Even by the standards of international breaks, this one is tedious. Mindnumbingly so. I suppose that is in a way a good thing. Without getting into the realms of tempting fate – if you believe in that kind of thing and as a football supporter, you probably do – the injuries suffered thus far are not season-wrecking for the club. I’ll deflect those thoughts for the moment by pondering whether or not Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ensured some footballing record by scoring for England, his father having done so previously. I can’t think of any father / sons to have scored before. Former Arsenal star George Eastham Junior gained his first England cap whilst at Arsenal and I believe he and his father were the first pairing to represent their country. It would be unusual if Arsenal claimed (or partially at least) the record for the first goals as well.
Back to the injuries. Theo has what you might consider to be a painful injury and reports this morning are making bruised lung sound as unappealing as the music of the band which goes by the same name. The photos of the collision don’t make the hurt diminish at all but his absence can be catered for. A year ago, who would have dreamt of saying such a thing? It underlines the fragility of a footballers career; one minute cock of the walk, next bench-warmer and all because he won’t sign a new contract.
He had better hurry up and do so because replacements are being lined up at a rapid rate of knots. Last week’s Wilfred Zaha is this week’s Adrian Lopez, Atletico Madrid’s squad is being eviscerated by the English media with Radamel Falcao reportedly subject of a £45m bid and rising. Lopez it seems, is pulling the same stunt as Walcott. Sorry, I’ll re-write that. Lopez it seems, is in the same position as Walcott – the substitutes bench – having been unable to agree terms of a new deal with his current employers. Whether Arsenal have any genuine interest is doubtful but there is certainly a lot of chatter – hope? – that the club will be busy in January’s transfer window with the gossip favouring a Spanish striker with whom we were heavily linked in the summer.
Of course the only business being openly suggested in the press are outgoings and none of them are unusual. Marouane Chamakh is current poster boy for the departure lounge although rumours are surfacing of Sebastian Squillaci being loaned to a French club – wow! A Frenchman going to a French club – whilst Fulham’s interest in Andrey Arshavin is piqued once more with a £1m fee appealing to their manager who rather naively believes that the £22m he generated in the summer, is all his to spend. And I am unconvinced that the thought of playing in the same side as Dimitar Berbatov is influencing Arshavin’s thinking at all, other than the fact that he might think twice about joining a club which has a good player occupying his favoured position.
Johan Djourou’s future was subject to a four line thought in this morning’s Sun. No substance to it all, just that he’s not happy being fourth choice centre back at Arsenal. No mention either of the enhanced contract signed not so long ago which probably means that he will be loaned out if the manager decides he is going to allow the Swiss international to leave and I am not sure that is the case. Even so, a fair few will probably rejoice in his departure which is bizarre since it means Arsenal lose an experienced player in a position where we have been down to the bare bones every year since goodness knows when.
That’s it for today. ’til Tomorrow.
Aman even in typed words i can hear your smarmyness.
“My aim is to be part of it, to play football and focus on Arsenal. I think that, if I have the chance, I can do well,” — Andrey Arshavin, 29 Sept 2012.
i believe in you
clique.clique.clique
dukey,
your pusillanimity belittles kryptonite.
your pusillanimity belittles kryptonite.
What?
Does that mean he is a twat or a cunt ? Be more specific Aman.
Got to be honest Aman, your comments tonight have popped an image into my head. I’m thinking Yoda’s little brother, Eric, who failed his O Levels and now sits around in his string vest, drinking Special Brew all day….
which ever is weaker PG..
Yogi ,how unlike you
’tis what the interlull’s made of me YW.
(to think we were being quite civil…)
6.19 has just got some indignation thrown my way. Patronising about Spain is not the best way to get into Mrs YWs good books…
how do i change my avatar again Yogi?
Log into Gravatar and change it there.
my apologies to the Mrs., YW
economic recession is nothing to joke with..or carelessly exploit
but sunny sides come with.
corr: (to think dukey & I were being quite civil…)
to those that care
Keep being civil, just leave the Spaniards out of it.
based on that vdo, is he really not good enough to be playing at all in PL?
Yogi, I bet Eric’s a better night out though.
you tube vids….even george made himself look good on there!!
I say hang onto Arshavin–Carling Cup, FA cup, odd league substitute appearance, final CL group games once we’ve qualified… It is a poor diet, but games to keep him sharp. If anything happens to Cazorla–injury or suspension–I’d be happy to have a player of his intelligence and quality kept sharp for such a situation. He’d play the forward creative role and with Arteta and Diaby/Coquelin behind there is plenty of defensive strength to let Arshavin just try to press high up.
In January. We may need a striker depending on how we fare (injuries) and if Chamakh goes (not to mention Park and Bendy)
Also if Walcott leaves then possibly a wide man (RW)/playmaker in view that we have plenty of wingers developing (Gnabry, Ryo) and the fact that Arsharvin and Rosicky may leave too (the later for reasons of age)
In the summer, likely have to keep an eye on Sagna. If he goes, I expect Wenger will revive an iinterest in the versatile Yanga Mbiwa who can play across the back 4 and cover CBack. This of course subject to his form this season.
Squillaci will hopefull be gone and I expect Djourou may want a move to get more regular games with the national team in mind. Likely replacement will be Miquel who has impressed thus far.
Therefore I envisage a possible squad (paired for closest similarity in roles):
Strikers : FW – Giroud/(Leandro?), LW – Podolski/Gervinho, RW – Chambo/(Gnabry?)
Playmakers/Wingers : Santi/Rosicky, Arsharvin (Konoplyanka?)
Midfielders : Arteta/Coquelin, Diaby/(Frimpong? or Eisfeld?), Jack/Ramsey
Defenders : Cback – Per/Koscielny/TV/(Miquel?), LB – Gibbs/Santos, RB – Sagna(Yanga Mbiwa)/Jenks
Keepers – Szsc/?/?
Agree with Aman.
Arsharvin has been showing some hunger and fitness lately.
Plus whilst Santi’s vision is excellent, par on, I think Andrei may be better. Just doesn’t retain the ball as well.
He may yet play a pivotal role for us. His technicality will work in concert with Santi. One option is to put Andrei on with say 15 minutes to go when we are chasing a game and the opposition has decdied to lock shop. In this case, Santi could drift wide to get more joy and Andrei will give us the extra set of creativity to lay seige/open up a route to goal.
I have never heard this anthem in the recent past during the games at Highbury and Emirates but interestingly Delhi Gooners in India sang this in one of their live screenings a couple of months ago. I think it was the 1972 squad who did it
not sure but i think that be on an old ARSENAL lp ive got with roll out the red carpet etc on it
on aa i dont think anybody doubts his talent and on his day hes special but when things aren’t going well even the best players in the world have to do the simple things well and he simply doesnt for either ARSENAL or russia those who love him are unfortunatly blind to this
last…….maybe
Famous ppl who live Arsenal
http://thinkworks.in/speakers/marcus-du-sautoy/
arse_or_brain
What makes you think we don’t see his weaknesses?
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=9720
Today’s Guest post. Or gusset post as it was originally typed.
It seems that Arshavin only wants to stay at Arsenal because he wants to keep his family and himself in London . I`m not sure what his wage is but it wouldnt make sense for the club to pay that just for league cup appearances . I believe Walcott will leave too . And I hope that either Giroud will start scoring every match or Arsene will buy in January . Have a great week everyone