Thierry loan talk nonsense + Wenger must prioritise the Carling Cup
Happy December 1st to you all. Far out, that’s the year nearly gone. Not the greatest year for Arsenal granted, but I’m sure we’ve all had a few personal highlights. Arshavin’s fourfer against Liverpool, Fabregas’ 11-second goal against Spurs, van Persie’s consolation penalty against Man United…
Maybe not the last one. Anyways, it seems that the doom and gloom is gathering at the tail-end of 2009, after some major fall out from the Chelsea debacle.
But arguably, most of the negativity is summed up by Robin van Persie’s injury. Amazingly, for a team that prided itself in the strength in depth we had in attack, we’re suddenly appearing rather brittle after one injury. I suppose Bendtner’s absence exacerbates it a bit, but nevertheless, we’re looking worse for wear. Eduardo’s lacking for confidence, Walcott doesn’t know where he’s playing, and Vela seems way out of his depth.
Bacary Sagna is the latest to speak up, saying that Arsene Wenger needs to splash out and replace van Persie. It’s clear that the striker’s absence is having a weighty effect on the club and it would be difficult to carry on with our dilineated resources.
But Mr Myles Palmer (should I just say You Know Who? ‘Voldimort’ is already taken by a certain whats his face) reckons that RVP’s replacement will come in the form of the one and only Thierry Henry, in a loan deal from Barcelona. He implies it’s a done-deal and then goes on to chastise the 226-goal ‘timid poser’.
Of course, it’s not a done deal. You Know Who also insisted that Patrick Vieira was on his way back to the club, fully ignoring the fact that Wenger just does not re-sign ex-players.
Fully aware of the fact he won’t come back, you’d have to say it would be an interesting signing anyway. Shorn of his old pace and perhaps goal threat, playing the distributive role in van Persie’s absence could still prove a good fit for an Arsenal side in need of a boost. But would our old number 14 fit in well with a young side very much their own team now, and with a Walcott touting his old number?
As mentioned earlier, it’s December, which is a new month that is not November. It has to be seen as a new start by the side. Our first fixture is Wednesday in the Carling Cup against Moneybags FC at Eastlands. And I’m afraid of the fact that the youth team will be sent out in a not-so-happy hunting ground.
There are pros and cons to a second-string side in this game – the pros concern a fearless, young team giving the first teamers a rest before the Stoke game, and perhaps relying on Citeh underestimating them and sneaking a win.
The cons are that we are exposing ourselves to another serious loss, which regardless of what team is put out, will further dent confidence around the club. Perhaps more damage would be done if the first team suffered any kind of loss too.
But I think Arsenal should learn from Liverpool’s mistake earlier this season and make a real, proper fist of a cup competition this season. We’re not out of the league yet, despite the huge points gap. But we’re one game away from being in a two-legged semi-final. That’s nothing to be sniffed at.
So I seriously hope Wenger is bluffing, and can throw in the likes of Walcott, Rosicky, Eboue, as well as promising youngsters like Ramsey and Wilshere, Eastmond and Merida.
Would you like to see the League Cup prioritised? Let the comments be your hunting ground.
Filed under: Arsenal, Carling Cup, Transfer Rumours
I agree with you there that we should not belittle the league cup and focus only at premier league title that seems quite out of reach now. I don’t mean to brush off our chance to win it but other title is as good as league crown. I believe our youngsters can do well, therefore i will keep supporting them though i don’t quite agree with the coach decision to field only inexperienced players at ManC stadium. If we can win the league cup i hope it will change Wenger’s mind
Firstly, Myles palmer doesn’t know his arse from his armpit! He is a George Graham sicophant.
As much as I love TH14 no way should he come back as it would wreck any kind of bonding the team have made in his absence. No, we shouldn’t belittle the Carling Cup, I was lucky enought to see us beat Liverpool and what a strong squad the ‘Kids’ turned out to be. I think you could be right and Wenger will include a little more steel into his squad, maybe Walcott, Nasri and Vela?
I wouldn’t want the cheat back. Some people dont care what he done but in my book he’s not welcome.
These quotes from Mr Corruption Sepp Blatter that Henry told him his family received treats in London are pure fabrication. It’s sickening to see a once very moral person to sink to use his own (I dont love any more) family to try and show himself as been somehow victimised. He is trying to lobby Blatter to avoid a ban for cheating at this wednesdays FIFA meeting. The sick shit is using his own family. Funny how london police know nothing of these ‘treats’.
TH14 isn’t good enough for Barca anymore… why is he good enough for us then? The answer is he shouldn’t be – if we aspire to becoming a great team, we can’t accomplish that using the ageing cast-offs from other great teams i.e Silvestre. The youth policy is not incorrect – Ferguson and Mourinho never bought “older” players, they bought young players, but great ones. These don’t come cheap.
We are three players away from being a dominant team – a new (world-class) goalkeeper, a big center back to deal with the Drogba’s of the world, and a big power striker to give us some presence in the box when it comes time to bust through 5 defenders or get on the end of hopeful crosses. Lloris, Sahko and Chamahk. Easy, and can get all for under 30 million total – which we have.
I can’t see how AW can put out a stronger team than we have done in previous rounds, we have more injuries now and cannot afford any further injuries to key players. Top 4, FA cup and CL are far more important than the CC. The Stoke game is an absolute massive, pressured, must win and our first team should be working up to that game all week.
I would expect a CC team something like this…
Fab
Gilbert Senderos Silvestre Eboue????
Ramsey Coquelin/Eastmond Merida
Theo Watt Vela
If jack is fit I would expect him to play up front with Watt probably dropping out but that would give us the smallest front line in history, Watt is bigger and scored a cracking header the other day so maybe even if jack is fit AW will play watt to give us more options up front, or play jack instead of theo.
Thats a pretty good side but it would be an incredible performance to beat city at eastlands in a game that is a must win for hughes and in which he will put out his strongest possible team. Even our first team would struggle to win that game. I am resigned to us going out but hope some of the kids put in great games and senderos breaks ades legs,both of them.
Good to see you are on the recovery path from your overreaction. You were very unfair/unbalanced in your assessment of our youth players.
Starting with Traore: he did take risks but it’s Sagna who cost us 2 goals, not Traore. Traore played better than Giggs against United for sure. They’re on the same development trajectory and it’s only his second league game. He did very well considering.
Walcott and Vela have nothing to be ashamed of considering it was their second appearance of the season. Vela was far better than Eduardo and Arshavin btw.
Henry and Vieira are too old and too slow for Arsenal. All these rumors are rubbish and why mention Myles Palmer so often? He’s a has-been who can’t get over his dumping. Nobody but a handful of doomers gives a shit about the guy.
For tomorrow my money is on both Walcott and Vela to start against Citeh. They need games tofind their form, the sooner that happens the better for us.