Panic over Gooners, our season can continue. Our fixtures no longer have to be cancelled because Johan Djourou only suffered from a scratched knee, or was it a bruise? His knee should be ready to take some more bruising from Karl Henry on the weekend.
Obviously Djourou isn’t the only player holding our team together but the statistics prove that his presence has been important this season and he must take so much credit for that. He has had to wait for his chance has had to deal with injuries but he has grabbed his chance with both hands.
Personally I would save him and not risk him against Wolves. Even though the Squillaci and Koscielny partnership hasn’t immediately proved to be a success, we should have more than enough to beat Wolves if we play to our full capability both offensive and defensively.
We have some tough games coming up and none gets much tougher than Barcelona on Wednesday. I don’t expect Djourou to be troubled much against Barca so a nice easy game to bring him back into would be useful. *ahem*
Well here we are, back watching international friendlies. It is absolutely amazing that it has been squeezed into such an important part of the season but hey, when FIFA want to get paid then they will get paid regardless of how it affects the rest of the teams fighting for trophies or fighting to stay up.
I am so pleased that Van Persie is not playing for Holland, I am sure many Gooners have the exact same feeling when he disappears with the Dutch squad. We almost expect him not to return in one piece. Hopefully Wenger has him in a straight jacket, locked up in a padded cell. At least he has Cesc for company so while they are rolling around trying to stand up they can at least discuss tactics.
Speaking of Cesc, did you read a Barcelona director saying that the Cesc interest was dead as they could not afford him, well I would certainly welcome those types of comments. When looking at the fee Liverpool received for Fernando Torres you would have to laugh yourself silly if they came back with another derisory bid for our captain.
Anyway I really should not be talking about this right now as his immediate future is very much at Arsenal and we have some big trophies to aim for. Judging by his current location while Spain are playing a friendly kind of tells you where his head is right now and that can only be good for us. I also question the timing of these type of comments. Is it a coincidence that we are due to play them in a matter of days? Cesc is strong mentally so whatever they say will probably disappear into the Emirates air.
Nicklas Bendtner on the other hand is kicking his heals on the sidelines, to be fair, at the time of writing this I haven’t confirmed that his words haven’t been twisted but I will take it as accurate until I hear any different.
He explains that he loves the club and wants to be a success but he does not want to sit on the bench any longer. If he hasn’t established himself as a first team starter then he could look elsewhere.
I have said it before and I will say it again. I fully understand both sides of the story. He is still young, he needs to be patient and fight for his chance. Clichy was behind Cole, yet worked his way into a first choice left back. Alex Song a young kid down the pecking order is now a fundamental part of our midfield. The most recent example of patience paying off is that of Johan Djourou who has been replaced time and time again by the likes of Kolo Toure even when he has performed in the red and white.
Looking at the situation from Nicklas Bendtner’s view point, he is playing out of position on the right, he wants to play as a central striker but everyone in the world perhaps apart from Bendtner would say that he has a long way to go before he can contribute what his Dutch colleague can. He is the main man for his country, he is a very important player to Denmark and he needs weekly football at this age to improve.
Samir Nasri joined us at 21 and has been a permanent fixture in the Arsenal team which has allowed him to reach the levels he is at today. If he was on the bench behind Rosicky for example then he would never ever be the magician we are watching.. or were watching before his hamstring snapped.
I have had the feeling that Nicklas Bendtner will look to leave Arsenal because I do not see him replacing Van Persie as our number one forward. Currently you would say that he is number two in the pecking order but is that only because Chamakh is out of form?
Would Bendtner get in the team ahead of Chamakh in the first part of the season? I don’t think so.
I like Bendtner, and I think he is a talent who has qualities that we do not have in our squad. If he had a season in the ‘A team’ then he would grow into a fantastic all round goal scorer but if he wants to leave the club to get that guarantee then I certainly will not be upset with him. He has been at the club from 16 years old, he has been loyal and has given his all so as long as it is with the boss’ blessing then I would virtually shake his hand and wish him good luck for the future.
I am sure Arsene has his list of striking targets to replace him in the squad unless someone like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas made huge strides and would take his place.
Finally, I forgot to mention the Miyaichi debut in yesterday’s blog. Impressive stuff from the young lad. Given the fact that he was playing in Europe for the first time, playing in a much higher level than he is used to and the fact that he actually started the game kind of bodes well for his future. Ok, he wasn’t playing against Barcelona but he is still a teenager.
I am a sucker for pace and skill so I certainly will be keeping my eye open for his performances. He is a good looking chap as well so I am sure he will be a big thing in Japan if he continues to progress. With the reported interest in Eden Hazard from Arsene and the signing of Wellington now on loan at Levante and who is struggling to get pitch time. You have to wonder where all these wide players are going to fit in, but as always I am somewhat jumping the gun and thinking too far ahead for no good reason.
Right, here is to a healthy return to the squad after these Internationals from our players and for some knocks to our rival players. I am also hoping that Wilshere and Walcott can have a good game tonight.
Back tomorrow.
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