Do Not Sell My Personal Information
I guess the big news this afternoon is the Nicklas Bendtner, who we were all expecting to see back reasonably soon, has now been ruled out of contention for the first team until the New Year. I’d link to what Arsène had to say about it, but the only thing that was clear was the fact that he (Nick) would be missing for a while yet. So, we will be continuing with the diddymen forward line for a while yet it seems.
On this subject, I’ve noticed people talking about Arsenal and saying that our size is no excuse for our recent travails, using Barcelona as an example of little players thriving in the big leagues. These people are forgetting that; a) Barcelona don’t play in England and b) that Iniesta, Xavi and Messi have the likes of Touré, Puyol and even Thierry Henry backing them up. They are hardly Lilliputians.
Oh dear, I seem to have diverted off the road I wanted to drive this narrative down. Let me make a quick U-turn.
Right, so the Lilliputian forward line will be going to Anfield on Sunday and one of them will do so with a freshly minted new contract in the pocket of his tracksuit. Yes, Carlos Vela is very happy to have signed a new contract, whilst Arsène Wenger is delighted and looking forward to muchos goles from the Mexican. Me? I’m mostly surprised that, after Carlos’ last few games, he actually managed to hit the dotted line with his pen. And that he had the strength to lift said pen. And, given his youth, that it was a pen and not a crayon. I’m kidding, alright? I’ve made it quite clear that I rate this guy and I’m not about to turn my back on him when the going gets tough, not least of all because I’d probably knock him over in doing so.
Okay, okay, I’ll stop now. In all seriousness, Vela is one guy who has flattered to deceive a little in his first team appearances, but aside from the fact that he is only 20, he has had very limited exposure to the first team, it’s not unreasonable to expect improvement. I guess the main question, in the absence of Nick and Robin, is how quickly that improvement can be made.
I’m sure he’ll feature at some stage on Sunday. Not least of all because he is one of the few attacking options we have left standing. Although the manager hopes to welcome back Abou and Edu, Emmanuel Eboue has joined Tomas Rosicky on the revolving treatment table. If that wasn’t enough, then Traore, Gallas, Cesc and Arshavin all have knocks, but all are expected to be okay (said Arsène Wenger as he offered up a silent prayer, crossed his fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes).
Isn’t just typical that as the list of walking wounded gets ever longer, Liverpool can welcome back Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres? I’ve been saying for a long time that Liverpool are crap, yes even last season when they finished second with their highest points total since Bill Shankly was in residence- at least that’s what I’ve heard, but the law of sod dictates that a Fernando Torres masterclass will enable Liverpool to , in the words of Rafa Benitez, start their season from “this point”. Maybe someone should tell him that the season began 4 months ago, but whatever.
One man who will be looking to delay Liverpool’s belated start to the season is Theo Walcott. He says he will play his heart out if he gets the chance and, on a purely horses for courses basis, you’d have to fancy him at Anfield on Sunday. Two years in a row, he has made blistering impacts that, but for our porous defence, should have proved decisive. Let’s see if he can grab his own personal hat trick.
Baron von Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal to 26.07%, I have no idea what this means, so I’ll leave it there. Just passing on the info.
Finally, having just been talking about Sol Campbell with Randall and, amongst other things, why Manchester United should not sign him, Arsène has said he loves Sol Campbell and would consider moving for him if a centre back was to leave. Sol or Silvestre? Now there’s a a dilemma to end on…
