Date: September 2007

Arsenal – Portsmouth

Sep 1, 2007 by

Its been a hectic week and I’m tired. The Dein news only makes it worse.  Anyway what will happen …will happen.  So lets look forward and hope that Andez, Danny and the rest are right.   Right now, there’s football to look forward to…and its Pompey this time.

I’ve read in more than 1 place on the Net. “Birmingham are our youth team and Pompey our retirement home”. Not far off the mark. However Campbell, Lauren, Kanu — solid players who are very reliable. Plus if you add Distin n Hreidarrson to the mix thats a very solid backline which is excellent in the air. John Utaka has apparently had a great start and Kolo n Sendy will need to watch him very carefully. Benjani for all his work rate isn’t the greatest striker in the world though. Set pieces are crucial though and Sendy will be tested.

Hleb is apparently out–big blow as is Eboue so that means Theo will get a start or Denilson will play out of position. The rest of the team is fairly straightforward though if you look at our injuries.

RVP Adebayor
Mozart Bert Cesc Theo
Clichy Sendy Kolo Hoyte
Almunia

If Denilson starts in front of Theo though I’ll be a bit surprised because it’ll mean Theo isn’t developing as fast as AW hoped. Lots of time though. Hope we’ll get a good win as a cushion for the Spuds game in a fortnight.  Hopefully it’ll ease the pain of Usmanov and company coming home.

Groan :(

Arsenal 2 Pompey 1

Arsenal sign Diarra from Chelsea

Sep 1, 2007 by

ed note: For the second year in a row, Arsenal sign a Chelsea player in the dying moments of the transfer window.  I guess that’s what I get for leaving work early and grabbing a few beers! – mikek

From BBC Sport

Arsenal completed a late move to sign midfielder Lassana Diarra from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.

The Gunners say the 22-year-old Frenchman, who can play at right-back, has signed a long-term deal.

The former Le Harve player said: “I have great respect for the manager Arsene Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays.

“Of course I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies.”

Diarra, who has played for France in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, will wear the number eight shirt.

Wenger added: “Lassana is a multi-functional player, making him a great addition to our squad. Not only is he hard working, he has a creative edge and is comfortable playing in the middle of the pitch or at right-back.”