For the last few years, I have dreaded the international break for two reasons:
– the injuries Arsenal players picked up in these games
– the week long break in the league play, which used to halt any good momentum that Arsenal had in the league.
Well this time, the regular weekend games will continue as the friendlies are slotted on Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 6) evenings. Hopefully all the Arsenal players can be free of injuries and come back fit.
The good thing is Arsenal will have an extra day’s rest as their game against Blackburn is on Monday, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd all play on sunday. I am sure Ferguson will complain about this as well.
So here are the games to keep an eye on for monitoring the Arsenal players.
Tuesday, Feb 5:
France vs Congo
Clichy, Sagna and Diaby are expected to start in this one. As per Eurosport, there is a player on Congo in which Arsenal have an interest:”Tresor Mputu, the 22-year-old striker in whom Arsenal have reportedly shown an interest”
Wed, Feb 6:
Spain (Cesc) vs France (Gallas, Flamini)
If Sagna does not play on Tuesday, he might feature in this instead. The French dressing room should be very interesting as the Arsenal players meet up with Henry. Anelka will also be there but expect him to sit quietly on one side. Although he might chat with his new Chelsea team-mates Malouda and Makelele. The talented Lyon players Benzema and Ben Arfa will also be there along with Ribery (Bayern Munich). Samir Nasri should also play some part and I am sure Diarra can talk about the greatness of Pompey.
As laughter emits out of the French dressing room, the Spanish dressing room should be fairly quiet due to their coach’s twisted sense of humour. But you can expect nothing but professional behaviour from Cesc.
England vs Switzerland (Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos)
Malta vs Belarus (Alexander Hleb)
Slovenia vs Denmark (Nicklas Bendtner)
Austria vs Germany (Jens Lehmann)
Czech Republic vs Poland (Lukasz Fabianski)
Ireland vs Brazil
Gilberto has been called up. But Pato and Kaka are ‘injured’ although it is believed Pato should be fit to play Arsenal in a few weeks time.
Croatia v Netherlands
Eduardo should be up to his goal-scoring best for this one.
Italy vs Portugal.
No Arsenal players but the injury to Gennaro Gattuso means he is expected to miss both legs against Arsenal in the Champions League.
African Cup of Nations
Ivory Coast take on Egypt and Ghana take on Cameroon on Thursday’s semi-finals.
I have read reports that Kolo Toure might make a quick recovery but if he is fit, then he will surely be made to play for this team even though Ivory Coast have been doing very well without him (3-0 win over Mali and 5-0 over Guinea). Eboue played the full 90 minutes in that 5-0 quarter-final win.
Alex Song set up Cameroon’s opening goal in their 3-2 win over Tunisia in the quarter-finals.
57 Responses to “Friendly Wednesday”
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February 6th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Thanks Sachin for the post. Articles which are neither game previews nor match reports have become kind of rare lately.
Flamini played for France and injured himself. It is reportedly something minor but let’s wait and see. Clichy and Sagna also played and are unhurt. Diaby did not play because he is already suffering from an injury. Is Rosicky back?
Fingers crossed that everyone remains fit.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:30 am
No problems Nipuna. I wanted to put something up because there are so many Arsenal players involved that it is worth talking about.
I hope the Flamini injury is not that bad. Rosicky is injured which is why he was not picked. I think Djourou is still injured so he would not have been picked by the Swiss.
I just realized something. With the exception of Ade, the rest of the starting 10 from the Man City game are called up to internationals today. And with Almunia injured, both are other goal-keepers are away too. Essentially, the entire team is away, including the three away to the African Cup.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I understand that for many young men to play for their country is the highest level of this sport. That the internationals have more meaning because when your there and your mom and dad are cheering you on with your nation behind you it gives you a feeling that none other can replace. I myself even get caught up in it when the World Cup takes place.
That said, I’m a selfish fan and club footy means more to me than “cup” football. Cups are a one off kind of thing and the best teams don’t necessarily win a cup.
Just now it seems to me that there is an overload of friendlies and other such events that it’s stealing from my love of club football. I wish they’d claw back on some these friendly games. If you ask me too many are picking up injuries because of them and in the end it’s us supporters of clubs that pay for it. We’re paying for the sports TV bundles, the stadium tickets, the kits, don’t kid yourself we are paying for it. I wish they’d use my money more wisely!
February 6th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I agree SEH. And why does it seem that we are the only team that picks up injuries over international breaks. I know other teams do, but the RvP injury is killing me. I hope he jumps in with both feet when he gets back and starts scoring goals again. We could use him in the final bit of the season.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
As per Eurosport, only 2 min in:
An assured start by England, with Bentley and Jenas exchanging quick short passes, before Senderos steams in with a tackle and has to limp off!
Not an injury, but Senderos will be quite busy today. A good test for him.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
We’re not the only ones who have friendly injury problems: Fernando Torres had to leave after 23 minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Now that’s a HUGE loss for Liverpool if he’s gone for any length of time.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:25 am
I watched the highlights of England’s game.
Senderos was captain for the Swiss and he also had a typical Senderos moment in the game.
Looks like Bentley had a good game.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Off Topic: Wonder what Wenger is planning for Traore. The kid has been found out defensively in all the games he has played this season. I thought he might go on loan after the Carling Cup exit. He won’t get any more first team games and anyone is preferable to him in case Clichy is not around.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7232390.stm
I understand EPL is very much a money machine now, but this (one extra game for each club per season, so they could move the match overseas and generate extra income, as well as marketing EPL)….. is it a joke?
accordingly the top 5 sides would be seeded so they don’t have to face enough other. Still, there is still a difference between playing a sixth place team, say like Everton, than playing Derby.
we used to say the league table does lie, and it’s truth - cos u play each team twice a season, it can’t be more fair than that.
yet with this extra international fixture, say if Chelsea draw against Derby and Arsenal draw against Everton. or the other way around. either way, would it still be a FAIR competition?
and i doubt how effecitve it really will be to help marketing the EPL. There are only a few big name clubs in EPL. What if, say, West Ham draw against Sunderland? And it’s a going to play in a city near you… Would anyone really bother going to watch it?
February 7th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Yeah I could not believe that as well Andez. You make a good point about who draws who in this instance. Someone big team like ManU or Chelsea could get 3 very easy points. If the league wants to do this, why not try with the Charity Shield first? That is the season opener and you are guaranteed a big team for that, or even two.
As soon as I read this, I was reminded of the recent annoucement that the NFL will play some games in Canada (Buffalo Bills will be in Toronto) because they have a huge fan base in Toronto and are hoping to cash in on this. But in their case, they will play one of their regular home games away in Toronto as opposed to adding on another game.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Yeah Sachin NBA did that as well. but they got 80+ games per season. and we all know with NBA, it’s playoff that counts.
With football it’s ridaculous. As far as i m concerned, a circus would travel around the world, a football league doesn’t. unless it wants to become a circus.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’m sure the idea came after watching the success of the Miami Dolphin/New York Giant’s game. That game made tons of money.
BTW, was it me or was Gilberto absolutely horrible last night? Dunga has a degree of respect for Gilberto, probably because of his professionalism and perhaps they even share the same philosophical views as they played the same position. But Gilberto looks so old right now and is not playing good football. I hope we don’t blow any games because of him. Every game we’ve played poorly this season, including the two we’ve lost, he’s played the entire game.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I’m sorry, the three games we’ve lost.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
If this were a preseason game played the week prior to the start of the EPL fixtures, this might be OK. It would allow teams to fine-tune their roster and give fans outside England a chance to see top-level talent.
The way it is proposed is ridiculous, though. It is completely unreasonable to expect teams to travel several time zones away all for the sake of one game that could wreck a season. Arsenal already faces this unnecessary burden several times a year with international breaks. This would be a step backward, not forward.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
While it would look a farce, i honestly wont mind watching an Arsenal - Wigan in Buffalo! Or most likely at the Giants stadium in NY!!!
Arsenal America will then have a marquee event!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I’d head back home to Buffalo to see that! But I agree it would have to be a pre-season game. Middle of the season would not work will all of the other cups and tourneys going on.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
it can work. all that needs to happen is to start the league even earlier….or end even later….both not ideal.
remember, all the “abroad” matches will be on just one weekend. so i guess they could say all premier league teams can enter only from the 4th round of the FA cup rather than the 3rd.
i very much understand why english based folks would hate this whole idea though.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Our idea of what will work seems to run counter to what the league officials have in mind. On Sky today (saw it on Fox Soccer), a league spokesman said the idea was to have it in January when the weather would be hospitable elsewhere. I’m not agreeing with what he said, mind you, I am only passing it along.
The week before the real league matches start makes so much more sense to me, but then, it isn’t my business. They are going to do this as games that count and they are going to do it to avoid conflict with cup and CL/UEFA ties as much as possible.
What really floored me about the report was hearing that the 20 EPL teams unanimously approved the idea.
You can probably forget about Arsenal coming here first. If they travel, the Middle East would be a likely initial market. We’re probably lower down on the list of prime venues.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
ofcourse ALL 20 epl clubs will support it….its the equivalent of you and i supporting a pay increase for ourselves.
yeah, the mideast looks most likely but am thinking they will have to distribute all 10 games around the prime areas. and where each team goes will be rotated each year.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
It’s getting insane isn’t it? An extra game here and extra game there and soon it’s several extra games. I’ll tell you what it’s about it’s about unadulterated greed.
As for nicer weather in January, I guess that cuts out most of the northern hemisphere. Cities making bids on who gets the games means that most European cities won’t bid they already have teams, imagine Milan making a bid - NOT, so Europe’s out. Because of distance and time most of South America will create logistic nightmares besides the richer southern countries (i.e. Brazil)already have dynamic leagues of their own.
So #18 is right this is geared to the Arab States and the EPL is a drunken whore trying to get one last trick - then again I’m just another Emirate Hooker, maybe I’ll just go and get stoned but this time without the rocks.
As for Buffalo nothing is going there, then again the Bills are coming to Toronto.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Looks like Kolo and Eboue are coming home. Egypt are up 3-1 and Kolo got lost on a cross for Egypt’s second and got turned like a shcoolboy for their third.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
They say white men can’t jump. Well Yaya Toure just went for a cross and got a whole 1 1/2 inches off the ground.
The Egyptian Zidan is a badass. I saw him play in the first game and he was awesome.
On Ivory Coast’s goal, they’ve got this kid named Keita who’s built like Ray Lewis and he managed to put his entire ass completely through the ball. Kolo just tried to do the same thing but the keeper put it over the bar.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Damn, I forgot they have a third place game on Saturday. Hopefully nobody get’s hurt.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
#22 joshuad
I’d pay $ to see that: someone put their “entire ass completely through the ball.”
Where do they start?
;P
February 7th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Yeah joshua, I was going to mention Kolo’s two defensive errors as well. For Egypt’s second goal, initially he was the one marking Zaki and then just before the ball came in, he stopped and Zaki was able to freely head home a nice placed header. The third goal, the entire Ivory Coast defense was all over the place but from what I remember it was only one Egyptian player, Zaki making the run so Kolo should have gone with him. Anyway, easier to say while watching from home. But atleast Kolo atleast got some match fitness. Eboue looked pedestrian for most of the game. Hopefully, they take it easy on sat.
That third place game will be pretty anti-climatic as the hosts take on Ivory Coast. Not sure if both teams will really care much.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
i hope kolo and eboue can be excused from the 3rd place game. its pretty pointless really.
kolo gets lost on crosses 90% of the time even for arsenal, so no surprise there.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
plus, the PL will now have 7 subs on the bench from next season!
good news i think, it means more of our reserves can at least sit and watch from the bench.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I’d like to hear Wenger’s views on the 39th game. On one hand, you can’t ask for mid-week international friendlies to be scrapped while on the other hand, you agree to an extra league game. It’s hypocrisy.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
7 subs on the bench. That is great news. Is it confirmed?
February 8th, 2008 at 12:01 am
How did Song fare for Cameroon? The most unlikely of players will be playing in the Final.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:44 am
yeah, nipuna, its confirmed. it will start next season.
yeah, about song, and he is a starter in CM as well, lol.
am looking forward to him being the first back up on the bench ahead of gilberto.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:52 am
The owners would definitely love the idea playing aboard. I wonder what the managers’ reaction would be? We will soon find out. You u do kinda expect how Wenger, Fergie the likes’ reaction will be!
The managers, particular among the top club managers, have been complaining of this fixture congestion for years. And there had been talks of cutting down the Premiership clubs to 18 teams in order to ease up the congestion. Now, instead, they got one more fixture trying to jam into that fixture list.
Football somehow has turned into a money tree, everyone wants to sqeeze more out of it. Every national association sure hell won’t cut down the meaningless friendlies. FIFA has once tried to expand their World Club Cup Championship, and Sepp Blatter’s legendary World Cup every 2 years suggestion.
yet regardless of how golden this money tree is, there’s only one tree, and everyone wants a piece of it.
should this EPL clubs playing aboard get the green light, those suggested to put a quota on foreign players can very much forget about it. And comes to think of some ppl actually suggested the winter break?!
I guess to those higher authority in the football world, they must be wishing there were 1000 days in a calender rather than 365.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Song had a very impressive game against Ghana. I’ve talked bad about Song but that was before I realized just how young he is. That boy is still only 19 and will probably start against Egypt in the AFCON final. Our future looks bright, boys. I wonder if Quincy wishes he were still at Arsenal.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/02/08/my_secret_addiction_to_message.html
Funny piece about football forum “message parlours.” Especially the bit about a site’s fight among the alpha males.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Excellent piece of link! I have to say we are ALL gulity of one thing or two the stuffs being written there. I said “We” as I do not exlude myself neither.
One thing about AA here is there are few “invaders” from other clubs having a go on Arsenal over here. So I always wonder, despite all the differences among regular here, how would we react against our common rivals? Would we really as “united” as the author claimed?
Anyway, here is my favourite quot:
“Sometimes we know each other’s most personal, intimate thoughts - “I never rated Peter Crouch(or fill in any particular name here)” - without even being aware of the poster’s name, unless there really is someone out there called Cheesyhoop.”
February 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
THE 39th GAME OR LIFE IN PRISON
Now a note from/on our sponsors,
“Meanwhile, a Swiss national is serving a four-year jail term after three poppy seeds from a bread roll he ate at Heathrow airport were found on his clothes. “
Tourists warned of UAE drug laws;
BBC News UK 08-02-08 ( http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7234786.stm )
Anyone wishing to attend the 39th game in let’s say The United Emirates should be aware that you can do hard time for eating a poppy seed roll or stepping on someone else’s marijuana cigarette butt outside of the airport of your departure i.e. Heathrow. “British tourist Keith Brown was sentenced to four years in prison after Dubai customs officers found a 0.003g trace of cannabis stuck to his shoe.”
Tourists warned of UAE drug laws; BBC News UK 08-02-08 ( http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7234786.stm )
This story shows that these laws are just about as insane as the whole idea of the 39th game and this is probably where one of those games will be played.
If you ask me, I’ll just save up my money and see a game at the Emirates Stadium in London rather than through the bars of a cell in Dubai for eating a breakfast roll.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
sorry the above link seems to be broken so here it is again:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7234786.stm
February 8th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Song has had a pretty darn good tournament all around for Cameroon. He came on as a 2nd half sub against Egypt, when they were already down 2 or 3 goals, and immediately had a calming impact on the game. Before his arrival, they would rush up the field 1v1 or stray errant long passes… everything was direct and straight up the field, but very easy to defend. Egypt dominated possession and the ball. Then he came on and starting playing like an Arsenal player, distributing balls to feet, switching play from a defensive midfield position. Cameroon definitely settled down in the 2nd half. The only problem I noticed is that other players didnt look to him that often, so his influence wasnt as large as it could have been. Anyways, he’s been in the starting line up ever since. Its interesting to see if he will replace Andre Bikey at CB or if he will continue to line up in midfield. He doesnt play with the same energetic running around like Flamini, but I like his range and accuracy of passing. I hope he develops into a fine ball playing center half for Arsenal.
Speaking of Arsenal players on international duty, I assume there are those that watched USA v Mexico? Carlos Vela started for Mexico on the left hand side and looked good. I know the US was weak along their right, but Vela was quick, good on the ball, went wide, cut inside and delivered some very penetrating balls across the box. He’s not blisteringly fast (like Walcott), but is very tricky on the ball and can run at defenders at speed. He was at the heart of most of Mexico’s penetration. He’s looked pretty good in the 1 or 2 other games I’ve seen, and really gave Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) some serious problems 1v1. I am PRAYING he gives us another viable alternative on the left next season. Any one else watch this game?
February 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
vela will definitely be backup for the hleb/rosicky next season…so no worries.
i think song is a really promising player. he is technically very good and his passing is superb, his tackling is robust. the only thing he doesnt do is run around a lot like diarra and flamini. i think he will play very, very well with fabregas.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
to put why the clubs accepted unanimously the proposal…..have a look at Man U who flew to the middle east to play 3 games for 1 million dollars.
now, EACH PL club is being offered 5million pounds (not dollars) for just one game. the host city will handle accomodation, etc. all the clubs need to do is travel there lol.
so if Man U can go in the middle of the season because a million dollars was too much to turn down for 3 games…..
5 million pounds is a lot of money for even Man U for just one game. imagine how the likes of derby will feel about such money lol.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Song has really developed into a fine player…there’s been a total change in his play after his stint at the center of defence in the Blackburn game in the Carling Cup.
Ironically i think it was his performance in that CC game that got him the call to the Cameroon squad. If Wenger had not played him in that game…probably he would have still been with the Arsenal squad. BUt i’m glad he’s got some real god experience in the AFCON. With Senderos filling in rather nicely.we have not had too much of a problem so far…but it will be nice to have some strength in depth with the players back and maybe RVP and Rosicky back from injury….going in to the last leg of the season with a full squad to choose from could make a major difference in the run up.
Was watching the Ghana-Cameroon match yesterday…and did any of you guys look at Essien’s tackling?….the worst one by far was him bringing down Song with a really bad kick to the ankle…thankfully Song recovered…that foul could have put him out for some time. The final between Egypt and Cameroon will be a good match..looking forward to it.
@Macmac…really nice link
….everything is a bit exaggerated…but every point has a hint of truth in it as well
February 8th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Fred, I think we should be a little suspicious about the figures in the press. I highly doubt ManUre would fly to the middle east for 1 million dollars. Cmon, Tiger Woods shows up to the Dubai Golf Tournament and gets paid $1MM guaranteed just to show up. It wouldnt be economic for ManUre to go there for that, and given that games at OT prob bring in 3MM pounds per week (emirates > 3MM per week), I’m sure it would have taken quite a bit more to induce Fergie to travel.
But back to your point…. obviously this would be a big money maker for the EPL, not only in terms of the actual event revenue, but for TV rights for the event and for the future. Obviously, a 5mm payday for Derby would be absolutely enormous, but teams like ManUre would end up making more than that because of merchandise sales and such.
The economics of the EPL have already changed due to the globalization of the support. One of the fathers on my kid’s team recently had a meeting with Hicks (of Liverpool) not related to football. They started talking about Liverpool… Hicks said Liverpool was managed as a football club and not as a business. One thing he noted was that their team website generated 2MM hits per day through fans all over the world. He said they felt they could monetize this traffic (ads, subscriptions, etc) and this asset alone could be worth $200mm… i think that’s about what they paid for the whole club! I think this little story suggests that these clubs are increasingly being owned by businessmen who could care less about fairness in competitions but are very creative in thinking about how to build their franchises’ valuations.
I’m saving up for a big trip to the Emirates, but who knows, it may never happen with the amount I’m making and the way exchange rates are going… so if Arsenal come to San Francisco… front row seats, baby!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I was against the Dolphins vs Giants game in Wembley —I don’t think that in-season league games should be played anywhere else but at one of the participants stadiums — too, I’m against next year’s planned San Diego vs New Orleans game for the same reason. It’s just abount the money. I watched part of the Dolphins-Giants game - it was silly.
Thus, I really think this “circus comes to town” idea of in-season league matches for the Prem is ridiculous. As an American, part of the joy of watching Premiership football is about watching it within it’s own atmosphere. Frankly, watching Newcastle vs somebody else (including Arsenal) in Chicago or Boston or wherever is utterly stupid from that standpoint, apart from the fact that it might make alot of people alot of money.
If the circus wants to come to town for a preseason match (I attended a Chelsea match this summer in the States), then fine, because it is what it is - an exhibition of something played at a level we here are not used to.
But, this idea put forth by the Premier League for me is ridiculous.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Anyone see the Ivory Coast thumping? Specifically, how Toure and Eboue did?
Obviously, Toure isn’t going to be in the team for Monday. But it’d be nice if he was able to make the ManUre game.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
yeah, the exact monetary values might not be accurate, though i saw it in the guardian, and i tend to trust them i have also seen that same amount bandied everywhere and am sure if it was more Man U will want to correct that - u know to gain prestige and all.
one should not compare the likes of tiger woods though, it is a totally different context. its the equivalent of comparing the quarter of a billion beckham will earn in the next few years to another footballer. both are different.
anyway i am sure even removing the obvious interest in expanding their global appeal, the direct “participation” money on offer from potential hosts will be lucrative enough even for the likes of Man U. the likes of derby (who wont even participate by the way LOL) will pass out at those sums.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Hey macmac,
Kolo did ok. I mentioned Kolo’s two defensive errors in comment #25:
“For Egypt’s second goal, initially he was the one marking Zaki and then just before the ball came in, he stopped and Zaki was able to freely head home a nice placed header. The third goal, the entire Ivory Coast defense was all over the place but from what I remember it was only one Egyptian player, Zaki making the run so Kolo should have gone with him.”
The second Egyptian goal was from a corner and Kolo should not have been marking Zaki anyhow. The third goal, as Ivory Coast were pushing up, they were caught out. Essentially, Egypt outmuscled and outplayed Ivory Coast, which isn’t an easy task. Eboue was mostly absent throughout the game. In the second half, as Ivory Coast were trailing he came forward but his role was mostly subdued. But it was good to see Kolo last the full game and not get injured.
Now hopefully, both Kolo and Eboue are rested for tomorrow’s 3rd place game but chances are they will play the entire 90 min.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Today’s injury tally on Arsenal.com is not particularly encouraging.
Flamini — “We might have lost Flamini with a hamstring,” said Wenger.
Senderos– “Senderos came off injured in midweek with a medial knee ligament and is a major doubt,” said the manager. “He has played with it before and we’ll see on Monday. I don’t rule him out completely and he is positive about it.”
Almunia–He has now recovered but manager Arsene Wenger revealed that the Spaniard was suffering from sicknes. “He is a doubt,” said the boss.
RVP, Rosicky, Gilberto, and Djourou are longer term issues.
I’m not crazy about using tired versions of Kolo, Eboue, and Song, either. Piecing together the line-up for Blackburn will be tricky, no doubt.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
If Flamster can’t go, and Gilberto is slower than normal (!) because of a sore back, Song playing a final on Sunday, who the hell is playing DM for us on Monday?
February 9th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Signs for the Monday game are not good. Flamini may be out forcing Gilberto to play. Senderos could also be out forcing Gilberto/Hoyte to play as CB. If Gilberto does, we don’t have anybody to play in CM.
Arsenal face the toughest game of the weekend. ManU will win easily over CIty even if Benjani plays. Chelsea may have a tough game on paper, but Benitez will stick to his defensive tactics and I am quite sure CHelsea will out muscle them 1-0.
It would be so unfortunate if Arsenal lose out on the title race due to injuries.
February 9th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Yeah, suddenly we are very thin. Where’s Diarra when you need him? Notice how Domenech favors Diarra over Diaby or Flamini? Flamini and Diaby (Clichy too) lined up for the game versus Congo, while Diarra was a starting CM for the game against spain. All the first team French guys were there… Henry, Viera, Anelka, Sagnol, Abidal, etc…
The Ivory Coast vs Egypt game was very interesting. Ivory Coast, with strong top premiere league talent like Drogba, Kalou, Zakora, Toure and Eboue were far more athletic and physically imposing than Egypt, who I dont think have 1 premiere league player in their ranks. Ivory Coast dominated athletically but they played with little creativity and their midfield (Zakora, specifically) just didnt control the pace of the game. Egypt maintained a very disciplined defensive shape and played on the break… and their posession game was like Arsenal of Africa…. nice interplay, pass and move, good skill on the balll…. I was very impressed. They kicked ass over the much more athletic Ivory Coast players.
Once again, skill on the ball and team play beat out athleticism. That was a very interesting match to watch.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Blackburn have their own problems.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/arsenal/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/08/SOCCER_Arsenal.html&TEAMHD=arsenal&DIV=prem&TEAM=ARSENAL&RH=Arsenal&PREV_SEASON=
February 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thanks Sachin - for the bad news!
I was hoping Toure would be a rock, ready to slot right back into our defence. Now it seems like he needs a rest.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wenger says he is considering maybe playing Kolo on monday despite his 3rd place game which starts in less than an hour.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=506446&cc=5901
Useless internationals and meaningless 3rd place games. There should be some common sense used. Ivory Coast did great without Kolo. Now that they played him on thu, they should have sent him back and given chance to others. But I am very biased and I can only see Arsenal’s point of view. There really should be some middle ground between clubs and international teams.
February 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Kolo and Eboue are on the bench. Yah
And Drogba is playing.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Special thanks to the Ivory Coast coach for resting both Eboue and Toure for the full 90. I wonder if AW made a plea for that. Neither of them has played since Thursday. They may be a little travel weary but should be available. That should be very helpful.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Blackburn is missing Pederson, Samba, Nelson, Reid, Oojier(?), all squad starters, I think, due to injury or suspension, and Derbyshire’s girlfriend is having a kid or two, and that bloke is a scary SOB getting junk goals at the end of matches. I think Flamini plays in the end, but we might see Gilberto, and I saw somewhere that RvP is going to be given a huge break, probably until the next Champions League round, where we will beat the other team from Milan:)
about a month to six weeks.
I know it’s early, but I think it’ll be a comfortable win without Samba, Pedersen, or Nelson. Bentley can’t do it all, and Clichy will be looking to make up for that error and City. I’m picking a goal each from Ade, Dudu, and Hleb, and maybe even Walcott(?) Wow that’s enuff said!
February 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
(1st post; Hi everybody!)
Actually, the story Nipuna linked to above makes me a little less worried. The back four are close to full strength. If Flamini is ok, he and Cesc and Hleb could certainly cope with having Walcott as a fourth. I miss RvP as much as anybody — he’s just such a damn pleasure to watch when he’s really on — but we’ve been plugging along just fine with various combinations of Ade and Bendtner and Eduardo up front.
What, me worry?