Good afternoony,
Very little in the way of Arsenal news today but some fabulous news came through regarding former Gunner Fabrice Muamba. He seems to be communicating and breathing unassisted which is great news. I reckon it has something to do with that Arsenal fighting spirit that he has deep down within him. At 2-0 down it looked disastrous for him but he has dug in and is currently turning it around. We all want to see Fabrice win this 5-2.
We are all waiting for the game tomorrow which is going to be an important game. Stupid to say that really because every single game in our run in will be massively important. Tottenham take on Stoke City at home which I think they will win and Chelsea go to Manchester City which I am guessing they will lose. Hanging onto Tottenham’s coattails until they slip up will be very important, so if the inferiors win then our boys will have to take the three points back with them.
Like I have said recently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsene was thinking along the same lines privately but missing out on third may be a little bit of a disappointment given the fitness of our squad and the form of others fighting for that target.
It looks as if we should have another member ready to join the squad shortly. Abou Diaby played 60 minutes for the Arsenal reserves at Liverpool this afternoon. I only managed to watch the first half but he looked decent mixed in with a few flashes of brilliance. The way he turns players and then eats up the ground in a short space of time with his powerful running is a joy to behold. He scored the Arsenal equaliser according to updates on Twitter so that is great for him. I would imagine that the game tomorrow will be too soon after his run out but perhaps a few reserve outings at this stage wouldn’t be a bad thing given his horrific injury record of late. That said, Arsene may surprise us and stick Abou on the bench. I remember that excellently floated pass in injury time to that deadly left foot of Robin van Persie to score Arsenal’s equaliser at Goodison a few years ago.
Beating the same tired old drum I know, but what a player Diaby will be if he gets over this injury roundabout.
As is often the case, plenty of talk is about the summer and what players can be brought into the squad to make us stronger but it is only when you look at the squad in its full glory do you understand the depth of quality that we already have at the club. Strikers aside we have competition in every position on the pitch and there are plenty of players who haven’t been given a chance to shine that I would like to see have a run with established players around them.
For example a player that I am very excited about is Francis Coquelin and given the team’s recent collective pressing of the ball, I cannot help but feel that someone like Coquelin would improve this aspect of our game. He is one of the most tenacious and energetic players that I have seen in sometime. It would be a nightmare to have the ball at your feet and having to lift your head and play a pass with Coquelin snapping at your ankles. Imagine Francis with the experience of Rosicky, Arteta or Song around him.
The same applies to Ryo who is already standing out at Bolton. Imagine Ryo a year older, playing for an attacking team like Arsenal. He would have more of the ball and be on the front foot more than he is at relegation threatened Bolton. With Santos and Vermaelen around him he would have a great platform to take a few steps forward in his development.
While every man and his dog can give you the names of who you expect to leave the club, I don’t think bringing faces in, is quite as cut and dried as people think it is. There are many young players on the fringes of the first team and while we can all say that potential isn’t enough, you need only look at players like Jack Wilshere in his first season and now Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to see how quickly potential can turn into key players for a team.
Arsene Wenger has been told time and time again that our squad lack strength in depth but quietly he has been shaping and developing another row of talent waiting to fly off the shelves and onto the pitch. This isn’t to say that quality addidions is not needed, I am sure we could fit in some more in our squad to improve us but we have plenty of quality already at the club.
Speaking of talents flying off the shelf, Arsene Wenger has said that Jack Wilshere has had the a-ok on another scan and that his injury is now over and done with which is reason to have a full blown party up and in here, well sort of because he is not fit or sharp enough to play for us. It is hugely unlikely that Arsene will rush him back for this season. So you can cancel those banners and balloons.
I know that Jack is massively passionate about his country but I would love it if he wasn’t taken to the Euros. Not because of the extra football but mainly because we want him here on the first day of pre season so he can prepare himself for the new season and also to play with players he has yet to play with. Arteta, Santos, Mertesacker and *ahem* Podolski *ahem*
After all is was that advantage that Jack had, that got him a place in the first team in the first place. Cesc, van Persie hadn’t yet returned from their post World Cup holiday and Diaby was injured.
Nasri has been spouting off something or other about having played too many games at Arsenal. Yeah I used to really like this girl from my school, she was hot until I found out that she had a boyfriend. After finding that out, I changed my mind and thought she was a right minger.
Don’t worry Samir, when Manchester City buy another attacking player in the summer, the last thing you will have to worry about is playing too many games.
Right, going to get ready for some footy tonight but will be back for some match preview action tomorrow.
’till then.
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