Back to the future

What a massive week for football. Oh yes.

Arsenal's youths went up to Anfield and made sure they would follow the men 20 years previously, men who returned from Anfield before these youths were born, back down to London with silverware in their hands. A 2-1 victory last night meant that there was a singular lack of the drama that attended proceedings two decades ago, but it gave Arsenal the FA Youth Cup with an emphatic aggregate scoreline, 6-2.

Sanchez Watt's 24th minute goal probably destroyed any pretensions Liverpool had of getting back into the tie and though they would equalise, the gawky Daniel Ayala completed the scoring by putting through his own net. I didn't get to see the game, though I've V+ed it for when I get football withdrawal symptons like, er, next Wednesday. I did, however, watch the celebrations at the whistle and, following Wilshere's trip round the pitch signing autographs last week, he led the players in making sure the fans were acknowledged last night. Not to dwell on it too long, but it was great to see players associated with our club celebrating.

As Steve Bould surveyed the scene of another Arsenal triumph, he looked to me every inch an Arenal manager in the making. A, dare I say, George Graham in the making. He said before the game that he didn't think the boys wanted to hear "old man's tales" from 20 years back, but I wonder how much of the little smile playing on his lips last night was for that night 20 years back. I'm sure a man as big as Bouldie is was revelling in the moment, proud of his boys. Boys, he said, that the manager likes. Boys that, maybe, won't go the way of the 2001 FA Youth Cup winners and will have a future in North London.

Well done chaps.

I noticed yesterday afternoon that Emmanuel Adebayor has signalled he won't be spending the summer hawking himself like a cheap streetwalker. If Arsène tells him to stay, he says, he will stay. Hmmmm. Do I believe him? No. But if that is true than, Arsène must do what every right thinking Arsenal manager would do and get straight on the phone to Barcelona. Maybe they'll even give us Thierry back in exchange.

Oh yes, the Champions League final. Somewhat hilariously, Arsenal have advertised him at 8/1 with Paddy Power for the first goal. Have they forgotten that this is the same Henry who failed to score in every final he played in for us? Which, aside from the World Cup Final of 2006 when Domenech ran him into the ground, was every final he's ever played in? Anyway, of course I wish him well tonight and I hope he scores the winner. But I can't help thinking that were he to do this, then for all of us, it would be a bittersweet moment. What we would have all given for just one of the three chances he had in 2006 to go in... Anyway, that's in the past and tonight, despite the perception Thierry is not a big game player, he will be playing against a side who have fallen victim to his magic on more than one occasion.

Good luck Thierry. The red half of north London, the sky blue side of Manchester, the whole of Cataluña (except Espanyol) and probably most of Spain are behind you. No pressure then.

User Comments

mikeygooner

Posted on 29 May, 2009 at 06:42 PM - Reply

phillip, i think he was actually joking about Henry...

phillip

Posted on 28 May, 2009 at 11:05 AM - Reply

give Thierry back? that's the most hilarious joke for today. Barca won't let him go and Henry certainly will not go back to Arsenal period there's always a hope for us to win titles and by buying Henry back from Barca won't be the solution, why? simply because he doesn't have the passion to play in premier league any longer. he's happy at Barca and let him be. we have to move on and start think about Arsenal's future. our future lies on these young players, not Thierry Henry whom have lost his 'appetite' to play for the Gunners.

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