Well well, aren't we lucky we've got a giant clumsy Togan destroyer up front! If he's going to do that off the bench more often then I definitely move that we whack Carlos Vela up front with RVP (who had a decent game yesterday) and unleash the £80,000 a week man on around 70 minutes if we're in need of options. DR would argue that he changed the game through no fault of his own but that's what he does. Defenders hate him, linesmen love him for keeping them in business but whatever way you see this guy, he does deliver and often when it's needed desperately. He forced the own goal then latched on to Bendtner's surprisingly good through ball and finished with a plomb.
That brings me to Bendtner.....Nicklas Bendtner. I'm not going to bother, it winds me up too much thinking about it. Why is Vela not getting a chance ahead of him? Beyond belief if you ask me.
As for the general performance, I think it was good not great but great performances only come about if your oppostion lets you play great football. West Ham certainately did not. The 4-3-3 they were supposedly playing turned into more of a 4-5-1 at times and they looked to play on the counter attack. Other than when Bellamy got through in the first half, they never really troubled us with this set up and we had the patience and ability to punish them late on. I think it was a good resiliince test ahead of what proves to be an interesting derby against the division's lowest team. I don't think they'll be pushovers like we we're hoping. With HR at the helm (who seems to have realised they need to play a DM, unlike Ramos) they'll have a bit more fire. But nothing like the INFERNO we're going to hit them with. Come on you Gunners!!!
Have a pleasant day! TP.
Today's news pretty much carries that lull that we get weekly between the last game and the next. Everything has been reviewed, analysed, criticised, praised and dismissed from our previous performance and it's too early to be talking about the weekend's game. On the plus side it gives us a chance to talk about what the team are talking about.
Ade is talking about his partnership with RVP and how he thinks they are blossoming together and I'm glad he's happy for once. However, he does go as far as saying they are developing a telepathic understanding. Classic Adebayor. Just when you think he's coming out with a nice, positive statement about the team, he blows it by going over the top. Personally, I think they do have a good understanding and the Porto game is testament to that. Ade has the space and the work rate and RVP has the ability and intelligence to tear team about. However, it only works to its full effect when they are both on form. If one of them isn't on their game then moves tend to break down or we rely on Cesc, Theo and the other midfield maestros. And rightly so, may I add. Goals from midfield are essential for a team pushing for honours.
Talking of midfielders, Stuart Pearce has asked Fabio Capello if he can have Theo Walcott back in the under 21s squad and the Italian has duely laughed in his face. It was worth a try from the psycho's point of view but after the Croatia performance, it's unlikely Theo will be returning to youth football. Wenger has also weighed in, claiming that this step back could be harmful to his development.
Wenger has also scared the shit out of Arsenal fans across the globe by suggesting he may retire when his contract runs out in 2011. Apparently, if it was up to his wife, he'd have quit years ago but his passion for Arsenal and love for the game has kept him rolling back the years. I know DR will hastily disagree with this but I hope he rolls back a few more as A Dub is the greatest thing that ever happened to the premiership and Arsenal football club.
As for team news, Song could be back for the Sunderland game which is great news. For some reason we seem to play better against the smaller teams with Song partnering Fab and better in the games against bigger teams with Denilson playing the same role. I would have thought it'd be the other way around but either way, this is good news for the squad.
Thanks for reading, TP.
Big game tonight. To be honest, I've avoided thinking about football since Saturday's debacle but I guess it's time to refocus and this goes for Arsenal FC as a club, not just my fragile self.
To start positively, the omens are good. Porto haven't won on english soil in their last 10 attempts (with us beating them 2-0 along the way) so they obviously can't handle domination and pressure unlike a certain team from Humberside that we know only too well. Also, the last time we were embarassed in the premier league we bounced back brilliantly and hit the top of the league. Let's hope for a repeat of that kind of spirit.
As for current facts, we've been massively boosted by the return of Samir Nasri but I've since learned that he won't be starting. It's more likely that RVP will start on the left which I'm not too sure about. But, hey, at least it's not Eboue! Also, Silvestre is back, yes!..? Apparently he could step in for one of the centre backs as a result of the recent set piece goals we've let in. I don't agree with this at all. I'd much rather Djourou came in (if someone has to) as he's improving by the game and has the height that Gallas doesn't.
On the subject of players, Porto have lost their 3 best from last season - Bosingwa, Queresma and Postiga which can only mean good things for us. Furthermore, their midfield maestro Lucho Gonzalez will be on the bench becaure of a knee problem. However, they do still have a strong team and the good looking fella above who you're probably wondering is. He's Givanildo Vieira de Souza and is nicknamed 'the hulk' as he used to play in green in his Japanese league days and is built like a brick shithouse. I've heard on the grapevine that he's somewhat of a wildcard and pops up with a lot of headers which is especially bad news for out set piece challenged team. The good news is that he's a measly 5 foot 10 but we know all about complacency so forget that fact!
All in all, I think we'll win IF Fabregas finds his form. He's looked shaky in the last few games but all it will take is one magic moment to get him flowing again. I think we'll win tonight but don't get your hopes up!
Oh, and big up Mathieu Flamini who isn't getting starts in Milan. You better enjoy that extra money tosser coz you're not doing much else over there!
Update: Nasri starts...