The question came up as to which Arsenal player is next to make a similar leap forward in terms of development and one player jumped out at me
Not much in the way of news doing the rounds at the time of writing. Much of it seems to be a continuation of the weekend’s news.
What is new is the news that Arsenal are set to appeal the match ban for Tomas Vermaelen, we should get some news from the FA this afternoon at some point.
I am not quite sure what to make of an appeal in this situation. Obviously he should not have been dismissed, it wasn’t even a foul but given the fact that it is only a one match ban, a potential one match extended ban could be disastrous.
I suppose if we had William Gallas fit and playing then it wouldn’t be as much of a concern but with Gallas and Djourou sidelined and Senderos sitting on the Everton bench then it means that we are very much stretched defensively.
Sol Campbell, being a ‘big unit’ and all that cannot play every game and it seems that Silvestre is way down the pecking order so perhaps the boss is looking at one game at a time and the most important task is concentrating on beating Birmingham instead of looking further down the line.
Alex Song can drop back into central defence and he can do the job well but even with Denilson looking like he is regaining his form of last season I still feel that the team would miss the presence of Alex in the midfield. Especially away from home.
Alex Song makes the game look so easy, he gives us that protection that is not there when he is not playing. I fully expect Song to continue his route to be the best in his position in at least the Premier League.
It is times like this that a player like Johan Djourou is clearly missed. I think many have forgotten how good this guy is, and will become. I was talking to a good Gooner pal of mine over the weekend about the players who have stepped up this season and have improved. The question came up as to which Arsenal player is next to make a similar leap forward in terms of development and one player jumped out at me. The big Swiss international has everything in his locker and like those before him, he just needs to escape the attentions of injury and get playing time.
I would go as far as to say that should William Gallas decide to try his hand in another league then Wenger should be looking for back up as apposed to a new partner for Vermaelen because in my eyes we already have one at the club. I remember last season being surprised about how good he was in the air, better than I thought he was. Being a converted defensive midfielder, he is naturally calm in possession and at such a young age he has the potential to be as good as Rio Ferdinand in his prime.
I would certainly feel comfortable with Djourou alongside Vermaelen and Song in midfield alongside either Denilson or Diaby with our captain doing his thing against Birmingham City.
But it is not to be, apparently he is back in training and like Robin Van Persie he needs to develop his match fitness and make sure that he doesn’t break down again before he is back in contention to play at the highest level again.
Speaking of Sir Robin, Wenger has had his say on his star forward.
Wenger said:
“I think he will be back (with the club) this week. We sent our fitness coach out to Holland where Robin has been having his rehabilitation. Physically he looks very sharp, but we aim at least to wait a month.”
As much as we are all excited about Robin’s return. I think we should be optimistic yet a tad on the cautious side. We cannot expect too much from him at this point. Remember a certain Gael Clichy when he came back from injury. I was reading that he should be shipped out of the club without any consideration giving to his injury and lack of football.
I do not expect Van Persie to hit the ground running, it will take him time to build up to the heights he was at before some idiot flew into his ankle. *sigh*
If we can get a Robin fit from the bench in April and May then we should count ourselves lucky. We really need the likes of Theo and Eduardo to step up though because I do not think that Bendtner can carry it all on his shoulders even though he has worked wonders since returning from injury.
Right, for once I am leaving a blog earlier than my usual time, that is probably because I have nothing left to say.
Back again tomorrow.
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