Hello (it's good to be back)

Written by Paul Williams on Sunday, January 4, 2009

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
03 Jan	3:00 PM	FA	Plymouth Argyle (H)	3	1	Win

So this is 2009 and after a rather limp finale to a year that promised so, so much when it began, the Gooners were back in the groove today with a 3-1 win at home to Plymouth. I wasn't at the game, I haven't seen the game and, as I was coughing my way down Hounslow High Street and then eastwards on the Picadilly Line as the game took place, I didn't listen to it either.

I did get a text from Ben Ingber though, telling me at half-time the game was "dull dull dull. Nic is shocking". I guess 4 second half goals, though sadly none for Nic the Shocking, would have livened things up somewhat. Pleased to hear that Robin van Persie was skipper for the day and marked the occasion with a couple of goals. If the gaffer is going to make Robin skipper on these occasions, what is wrong with making him the captain in the absence of Francesc Fabregas? Yes, I know I'm not his biggest fan, but I'd rather we gave the captaincy to someone who's actually good enough to do his job in the first place without giving him extra responsibility. Robin does at least show the kind of attitude us Gooners demand from our players, overly so in some cases.

Apparently, Mickey the Fish got injured today, plus ça change, which led to Keiran Gibbs getting an hour outside of the Carling Cup. I have no idea how he did, but here is a player you feel might be worth a closer look, I feel sure his athleticism would serve us better down at left back then the decrepit old Manc at times when Gaël Clichy is unavailable.

It's been an interesting kinda week, without net access enough to post here, I did at least read about Kolo Touré's transfer request - what? Due to the break down of his relationship with big Willy G - what the hell? The consensus I have picked up is that if Gooners were to choose between Big Willy and Fat Kolo - they'd take the fat boy any day of the week.

I'm going to say f*ck that, I'd rather have the world class quality of William at the back. Not that I want rid of Kolo, but the Kolo Touré of 2008 is not the player that we expected him to be four, or even two, years ago. Part of that may be attributable to the Gallas effect, part of that is almost certainly due to the devastation of malaria, but this Arsenal team isn't good enough to carry passengers. And it seems to me, that is exactly what Kolo has become. For his spirit, enthusiasm and obvious love for the club, I really hope he gets himself sorted out and stays. Of course, if he were to depart, he would leave Gaël Clichy as the sole surviving member of our 2004 squad of untouchables. Which is staggering. And saddening, I think it may even be called (whisper it) asset stripping.

Not content with his - and I use the following term advisedly - Christmas present, mentioned here, to Gooners, the lamentable John Cross has followed up with a piece quoting nobody, but saying that Arsène doesn't like the fact that he's being criticised by the fans and so may be off to Madrid, taking the catalan prince with him in exchange for a £25 million contract. I don't even know where to begin with bullshit like that, but I would like to think that after 20+ years as a football coach, 12 of them as Arsenal manager, the gaffer has enough about him to take criticism at face value and not pick his ball up and take it home, or to Madrid, just because he's in a bit of a sulk.

Round 4 awaits. More later, maybe.

User Comments

8

billp79

Posted on 6 Jan, 2009 at 12:37 AM - Reply

gallas is good on the other half of the field though....he can finish
maybe push him up to defensive midfield with a couple of new defenders

7

billp79

Posted on 6 Jan, 2009 at 12:35 AM - Reply

A couple of durable defenders with quick feet would be nice
give theo what he wants
a defensive middie
then world dominance....
in that order

6

goonneerrs

Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 12:17 PM - Reply

I think you need to get behind the team more stop mocking oaur players because if we were to lift the champions league in may with the likes of Kolo playing then you would be very quiet on your computer quickly deleting this article totally disagree with everything that you have written bar the RVP bit he is a trooper and does his best and it shows ! Your friend is right Bendtner is not worthy enough to wear red and white and i cannot wait to sell him!!

5

laban

Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 11:39 AM - Reply

In fairness, kolo has not been the player he was a couple of years ago. And that makes me doubt wengers strategy of buying young players and insisting that we have to wait for them to mature. The fact that a player shines at 20 years of age, does not mean that he will be as good when he is 28. Christ, look at Michael Owen...

4

Hitendra

Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 09:33 AM - Reply

Has anyone thought of Djorou being the main-stay of our defence, and Gallas & Toure competing to be alongside him?

I just seem to feel that they both play better with Djourou than with each other...

Anyone agree or want to slam me?

3

bedy

Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 09:28 AM - Reply

Gallas any day is our best defender,how many defenders have 5 goals mid season in the premiership
only Gallas and he is competing with strikers and midfielders in number os goals scoreed e.g. Nasir 5 goals, bedtner 5 goals even vela 4 goals.
So look at the statictics before you start your hypocritic response.
Finaly your Almighty Clich has caused us 3 matches(lost) this season alone and two winable matches turn to draw throgh his lack of confidence.

2

Krisso

Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 07:09 AM - Reply

Don't agree with you on Kolo. Which of our losses can you attribute to him? You talk of his form...which of our players has shown their best form lately? Cesc? Adebayor? Clichy?
Whole team has been poor. So lets not blame it on Kolo.

1

sesugh ugbor

Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 07:42 PM - Reply

i dont agree wit the willy over kolo thought, i'll 4eva pick an out of form kolo wit a huge possibility of return than an always shaky willy whether in form or not.

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