Creamy pies

Written by Jonathan Chong on Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
10 Jan	3:00 PM	P	Bolton Wanderers (H)	1	0	Win

On the way home last night, I picked up a London Lite. Unusually for me, I read the paper front to back, finishing with the sports section, and then I came across something that gave me quite a bit of pleasure. For years and years we endured referee sanctioned assault at the hands of Bolton - the most memorable, or notorious, occasion being in the spring of 2003 when three ridiculous tackles resulted in three Arsenal substitutions being required in something like 20 minutes.

Arsenal duly surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 and with it, effectively, their hard won Premiership crown. We football fans have long memories and so, with Arsenal beating Bolton, again - we haven't lost to them for something like 3 years now (so much for bogeymen) - it was so gratifying to hear Kevin Davies complaining about Arsenal's attitude to the game on Saturday. The phrase, one that Fat Sam used to like using a lot back in the day, springs to mind. What was it? Oh yeah, "sour grapes".

Robin van Persie's response? A brilliant dismissal of Bolton's approach as not being "proper football". Robin seems to be, and I say "seems" because I haven't seen enough of him to say for definite, playing some great stuff at the moment, he's getting the goals when we need to them. He's making chances, he maybe is becoming the player people thought he was going to be 4 years ago.

No doubt this is due to the fact that he hasn't (I'm touching wood as I type) had an injury for ages, he's also become one of the focal points of the team. A few months ago I was very down on him, but I'm enjoying my humble pie with lashings of cream, mmmm, tasty! The return of Eduardo no longer seems as urgent as it once did, unless it is to displace Adebayor. Robin also acknowledged the frustration we're feeling right now, saying he wants to win something this season, but backed the manager and the club's long-term vision. Talking the talk and walking the walk, I like it Robin!

Arsène has spoken, briefly, about Samir Nasri and his change in position on Saturday afternoon. The switch to the centre probably suited Samir down to the ground. And so it suited us. I like Arsène's self deprecating "accidental idea" line. As if sending Vela on to play on the wing, and pushing Samir inside to replace Diaby was something crazy radical and that it worked was just a happy accident. We know Samir made his "bones" playing behind a striker, so his proficiency in the centre is not surprising. I would like him to play a more central role. But I don't see how it could happen without dropping Robin or Ade. And to drop RVP at the moment would surely be crazy radical. Dropping Ade might not be so, but it seems unlikely.

Whilst Andrei Arshavin bats his lashes at us, Yaya the Younger's agent has said that he won't be going anywhere this January and being one to take somebody's words at face value (I'm so trusting), it seems to me that if Yaya does leave Barcelona in the summer- which he would be mad to do, in my opinion- he'll be going somewhere where he can earn mega money. So Manchester City rather than Arsenal.

Final thought for the day, given the level of discontent being aired on forums and websites, it's amazing to think that we are only four points behind Chelsea. They are only four points behind Liverpool. Anything is possible. Not likely, I know, but still...

User Comments

5

billp79

Posted on 14 Jan, 2009 at 10:40 PM - Reply

what is wrong with a 3-5-2 ?

4

str8goon

Posted on 14 Jan, 2009 at 09:13 PM - Reply

Totally agree. We should have gotten Armand Traore back from his loan spell and throw him down the left flank where he and Clichy could casue some major damage. I cannot believe the wingers we have. With Eboue backed by Sagna and Traore backed by Clichy we'd have the most defensive yet attacking wings in the history of the game. We would totally mute our oppoents use of either wing and force them into the funnel down the middle of the park. And I know what your saying, thats probably where we're weakest. But if Arsene adds the CDM and whoever we will be a force to be reckoned with. Bring back Armand Wenger! We need him much more than Pompey ever will. He wanted a starting place so there he goes....come back Armand, the Emirates is calling you home.

3

Michael

Posted on 14 Jan, 2009 at 07:52 PM - Reply

Watch out! Pompey may want him on permanent. Bite your tongue.

2

Tom

Posted on 14 Jan, 2009 at 06:22 PM - Reply

Great article, agreed with everything. I especially like the part about allardyce and davies-what goes around comes around just like van persie at chelsea (van persie's disallowed goal in 05/06 that shouldn't have been and the fact that they should arguably have had terry sent off aswell but I won't get into that too much lol. Off to the Everton v Arsenal match but sat amongst everton fans- does anyone else do that at all anywhere, I'd like to know about it?

1

sam

Posted on 14 Jan, 2009 at 01:06 PM - Reply

If someone had told me we would be only four points behind Chelsea on January 14th, despite having a poor poor start by our standards I would have laughed. I think theres no doubt that if we get in at least two top class players this month we will finish in the top four, maybe even top three. Arshavin is that little extra spark we need in the midfield/ attack. With Adebayor, unfortunately, not on top form at this moment in time and Eduardo's return still awaiting, we need the extra quality. A defensive midfielder is VITAL. Alex Song, Denilson, Diaby have all tried to play central midfield with distinction this season, yet we have to admit that neither of them are in the same boat as Gilberto, Flamini or Fabregas. The likes of Marcos Senna, Torsten Frings and others have been mentioned but I wouldn't want a player whose career is closer to the end than the beginning. If I could pick any defensive midfielder in Europe to come to Arsenal this month, it would be Yaya Toure. I always watch Spanish football on Sky and I am a huge fan of Toure. Kolo is right, Yaya is twice as good as him. (although 2 years ago I am sure it was the other way around). Yaya is amazing. Skill, strength, pace, power and all round a good player. Although it's unlikely this month as Barca are not keen to sell and the player himself is happy at arguably Europe's best club right now. A defender, I feel, is not as important as it was earlier in the season. I agree however that Kolo Toure and William Gallas CAN NOT play together. I agree that Johan Djourou is a first teamer now, and rightly so. Mikael Silvestre? I think he is decent back up. One last thing, I saw Pompey's game at Bristol last night, and I think Armand Traore's improvement, since moving on loan and playing in midfield, has been remarkable.

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