Date: November 2007

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Nov 30, 2007 by

The Form book:

Arsenal are unbeaten in the league and suffered their first loss of the season against Seville this past Tuesday. Villa have won 4 straight league games and are unbeaten for 5 games.

Optimist View:

Villa are surely due for a loss. So Arsenal should win this.

Pessimist View:

Villa are on a roll so why should that stop now? Moreover, Arsenal might find it hard to recover from that first loss.

The Fence View:

It is going to be a hard fought tie, 1-1.

Unfortunately, I can’t break out of a subjective frame of mind to objectively preview the game. While I am stuck cycling through the three views, I am sure others can bring a measured look to tomorrow’s game.

In the meantime, to get myself in the optimist frame of mind, I can dream of that Pires goal from a few years ago. What a lob, that too over Peter Schmichel!!

Hail the Mohawk!

Nov 30, 2007 by

When Wenger announced that William Gallas would be the new captain for the Gunners this season, it raised more than a few eyebrows. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s whatever decision Wenger makes, he makes for a reason.

With Gilberto’s involvement with the Brazil national team, first during Copa America, then it’s league-format South American World Cup Qualifying, it meant that the anchorman would not be as involved with the squad as the manager would want him to be.

Personality-wise, William Gallas does look to be a more vocal figure in this young Arsenal side than the mild-mannered Brazilian.

Four months into the season, Gallas has looked very much like a REAL leader to Arsenal – the first since Tony Adams. The thing I love most is the Denilson incident during the Wigan match. Unlike Henry or Gilberto of last season, Gallas had no mood to be a peacemaker. He rushed straight from the defense and got in the face of the offender (Marcus Bent), to stand up for his teammate. That’s what you want from your leader. To show that he cares. To show that he won’t allow anyone to mess around with one of our own.

Most significantly, that extra responsibility of being a captain has kept Gallas himself within the boundaries. No more cry-baby act. He’s finally turned himself into the player we expected to see when he first arrived.