Barrel of a gun

Written by Paul Williams on Saturday, April 11, 2009

So, despite not playing football for three weeks and no gym work in that time, football went ok, well even. I managed to set a goal up with a raking, back to goal, off my left foot pass that drew the keeper for our striker, Vez, to round him and tuck away which prompted a rather excessive and in your face celebration.

You see, Vez had earlier been denied what should have been a clear goal because the ball hadn't crossed the line. The ball hadn't crossed the line because the goalkeeper had neglected to clear a spare ball from the goalline. Is that bad seven a side etiquette or what?Anyway, we won 3-2.

KFC on the way back led to the bath and then a massage, but my groin still feels like it's strung with piano wire. Too much information? Sorry, I'll move on. This evening blog comes to you after a bedroom reorganisation, a building of a bed and a bath. Now, I'm ready to type.

An opening preamble about injuries, slight or otherwise, seems kind of fitting in the aftermath of the news that Gaël Clichy will miss two weeks with a back injury. Whilst Manuel Almunia, as expected, will miss three weeks, William Gallas has been ruled out for the season.

*Gulp*

We had to prepared for this kind of news though. The good news, for me, is that it seems Arsène is happy to stick with Johan Djourou as the preferred back up for Gallas and Touré rather than bringing back the fit again Silvestre. Sensibly too, we will be seeing more of the impressive Keiran Gibbs. It is in such circumstances that careers can be forged.

They can also be screwed too, but I'm backing Keiran to step up at what is an extremely challenging time for the club. As much as it is challenging, how exciting for Keiran to think that whilst his season started with appearances in the Carling Cup against Sheffield United and Wigan, over the next week plus one, he'll be playing against Villarreal and Chelsea.

Oh and Wigan as well. And should results go our way, he may yet feature in a Champions League semi final. F365 reacted to news of the promotion of the Carling Cup crew by saying they'll be "thrown in", but I don't agree with that, Djourou played a big part in reestablishing the side's defensive stability over the winter months and is no stranger to the first team, whilst Fabianski has 20 appearances for the first team under his belt.

I did catch myself, whilst in conversation with Rachid yesterday, wondering whether Gallas' injury (how heartbreaking for him to miss the Wembley semi final) would represent the last sighting of the number 10 in an Arsenal shirt. The boss has quickly moved to allay such fears. And as far as I'm concerned, they are very definitely fears. Whatever else went on earlier this season has been put firmly in the past in my mind by some excellent performances from the Frenchman, so I'd hate to see him go.

Interestingly, in that "thrown in" piece, the boss talks about the effects of tiredness, saying, "My experience from France is that they always talk about 'fatigue, fatigue.' When you talk about it you are tired." Makes you think about all those times he has talked about the players being tired, doesn't it? In this instance, he has dispelled the notion that the players might be tired after a long season and certainly, if you look at the players in line to play tomorrow, the only ones you'd really be worried about are Sagna and Denilson.

For tomorrow, Eduardo and Robin may be back. Which would be just as well in my opinion, of course the little Russian genius will return to the first team too. I wonder now, does the boss feel we have enough attacking power and defensive stability to start Arshavin on one flank and Nasri / Walcott on the other, or will the more defensively minded Eboue come in? Maybe we'll even see Arshavin central and Walcott and Nasri wide. That would be some sight to behold.

Of course, I'm forgetting that Fabregas has been deployed in that central role since his return.... options, options! We've built some momentum of late, but I think this is going to be a very tough game, it would be a very good three points to take.

Who's hungry?

User Comments

4

Goonerbeall

Posted on 12 Apr, 2009 at 01:19 PM - Reply

You are havin a larf mate! With Djourou injured I would'nt trust Silvestre with defending against a tricky team like Villareal. Yesterday he made a mistake and was outrun by a Wigan forward leaving us exposed. Young Gibbs did what he could which almost got him sent off- or so said MOTD pundits. Now we have to rely in him against Spaniards? You are joking.

3

bedy

Posted on 11 Apr, 2009 at 10:15 PM - Reply

Did you noticed that we conceeded a goal in wigan game today but with Gallas how many clean sheet we've had.Time to wake up, Djourou is still leaning you can't buy exprience you earn it Gallas is our most reliable fighter, defender and defence organiser; inrespective of whatever you say or write,time to face the fact.

2

Ralph

Posted on 11 Apr, 2009 at 10:08 AM - Reply

Plz tell the boss(wenger)to talk to the doctors that they should do anything possible to bring clichy back for the champions legue game and the f a cup

1

Hamad

Posted on 11 Apr, 2009 at 06:52 AM - Reply

Having Walcott, Nasri and Arshavin would DEFINITELY be a sight to behold. But I think Arshavin on the flank and Nasri central would better suit their styles. Arshavin's a born winger and Nasri is more of a central playmaker.

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