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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
21 Feb	3:00 PM	P	Sunderland (H)	0	0	Draw

After Eduardo's triumphant homecoming on Monday night, what a blow to find out that, mirroring his reserve team comeback, the reported hamstring complaint will keep him out for two weeks.

You might even call it, as Arsène Wenger has, a bit of a "nightmare". The striking options were just beginning to look healthy again, but it seems that Sunderland, Roma, Fulham and, most likely, West Brom will have to be dealt with by a combination of Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and, perhaps, Andrey Arshavin. Though, by the time of the West Brom game, the only one of the upcoming games taking place away from North London, we might well be able to count on Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor once more.

Speaking of Theo, it is being reported that he was expecting to agree a £50,000 per week deal to extend his Ashburton odyssey another five years, but Arsenal's initial offer has not quite come up to that mark. Now, I'm not one to say Arsenal should go throwing money at a player, but it seems to me that, having, lost players like Cole and, allegedly, Flamini over financial disputes, it wouldn't be wise to test the patience of a young flyer like Theo. Yes, he has much to learn and in all probability will be sitting on the bench for a while once Arshavin is acclimatised, but he has a massive potential for improvement and I would expect him to always be part of the matchday 18 when available for selection. He is exactly the kind of player we need to keep here.

I mentioned a player that I don't think we need to keep here yesterday and he's also been talking. I guess what he says makes some sense, and I also have some sympathy with the views of A Cultured Left Foot as expressed this morning. I just think, as evidenced early on in the season, that Ade had a lot of work to do to convince the fans he was "on message" and, what with one thing and another, he hasn't done it. Interesting to hear him say that he doesn't care if he doesn't score another goal as long as we win something. That is insight, I suspect, many Gooners thought beyond the big fella. I don't know, this is a schizophrenic blog and part of me would like him to stay if he can put in the work that made him so popular in the first place. I'm just not sure, with the talent we have available, that he should be an autmomatic first team pick.

So, the options now for Saturday become clearer, the boss will surely start with Robin and Nick up top, with Nasri on one flank and a choice between Vela, Arshavin and (dare I mention his name) Eboue on the other. Given his performance on Monday night, for me, it has to be Vela starting, with Arshavin waiting in the wings to come and make a name for himself as the situation calls for it. Of course, the fact that Arshavin can't play on Tuesday night might influence the boss' thinking and we could see him start. What it is to have options...

User Comments

boollett

Posted on 23 Feb, 2009 at 06:54 PM - Reply

arshavin floats on the wings and behind the strikers...he would either be hemmed-in and in a un-natural position or he will float out anyway leaving the middle open.

i think he adds a large chunk to the centre midfield rather than being its core

frederick pronk

Posted on 21 Feb, 2009 at 01:04 PM - Reply

theo is a great player n i will not like him to leave bcos someone doesnt want spend a little money we lost henry n i dont want to loose theo bcos he is a good stiker

delboy

Posted on 20 Feb, 2009 at 08:50 PM - Reply

as i already said, eboue should never play for arsenal again. He's not good enough and what he did against spurs was un forgiveable.

Cro Gooner

Posted on 20 Feb, 2009 at 07:26 PM - Reply

arshavin should maybe start for that last reason alone. Vela could always enter after som 65 mins when Arshavins lack of match fitness showes.

The author is spot on when comes to ade, he has always been waisting high profile goal opportunities, but his hard work to create new ones for himself and others used to compensate this, he was a fantastic player till last summer.

The lack of quality options up front has left us picking him eventhough he really should have been sent to the reserves to find his feet again. if he doesn't before the end of this season he should be sold, as his decreased work rate is a very bad omen in terms of commitment.

cape town gooner

Posted on 20 Feb, 2009 at 12:58 PM - Reply

I would have thought the boss would play VP and Bendtner upfront, Nasri on the one side and Vela on the other.. With Arshavin and Song/Denilson in the middle? Denilson is giving away too many stray passes. Surely Arshavin belongs in the middle as oppose to the wings?

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