Break on through to the other side

Ooh, my pen - or my fingers - runneth over with vitriol this week.

Another ex-Arsenal player has been talking. Yes Emmanuel Adebayor has been talking this week and no, he has no idea, no idea whatsoever, why the Arsenal fans "went after" him. Clearly the lack of intelligence that has, at times, been visible on the football pitch also afflicts Ade off it.

Shall I help him out? Yes, I think I shall, so here goes.

Ade, football fans the world over, Arsenal fans especially, understand that if a player playing for their club is playing particularly well, an interest will be taken by other football clubs. It is not something you can honestly say we "never understood". We understand it perfectly. But maybe we understand less when a footballer gives a press conference saying that he's staying and then tells Sky Sports News half an hour later "everything will be decided" next week. A statement like that indicates something less than commitment. And you know that. That's why you promised to win the fans you had upset back by working hard and scoring goals.

And you did score some goals, you even scored some very good goals this season, but hard work? What happened to you this season gone Ade? I went to a game with my uncle 18 months ago - his first visit to the Grove - and he couldn't believe how hard you worked. I think if we'd gone this season, he'd have been staggered by how little you worked.

You talk about Francesc Fabregas and how Barcelona, his home town club, have been trying to sign him for three seasons, it would be easy for Cesc - after six years of service - to describe Barcelona as Penelope Cruz, if he so desired. But what does he do? He comes out and indicates he is flattered by the interest, but he is happy at Arsenal. That is why we haven't turned on him and why we never will, we appreciate his efforts on our behalf.

It's been said elsewhere, but also, given the disrespect which you have afforded this club and our manager - do you really have the front to (indirectly) call Arsène Wenger a liar and expect us to believe you? - you actually haven't suffered that much. I don't condone it, but Emmanuel Eboue suffered 10 times more than you ever have in that one game against Wigan. Nicklas Bendtner has been treated mercilessly at times this season, but they worked at their games, tried harder and have won the fans, not all of them admittedly, round. They didn't go on national television and blame everyone but themselves for the situation you found yourself in.

And that's the crux of it, really, isn't it? I don't doubt that Arsenal decided they had had enough of you this summer, but the blame for that is entirely yours. And remember what you said about playing well and clubs like Milan AC, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid being interested in you, well, where are you playing your football next season again?

Whew, I'm talking to you again now, another ex-Arsenal striker has been chatting this week. Perhaps he's been talking rubbish too, but if it is rubbish, it's well meant. Thierry Henry says that it is vital for Arsenal to hold onto Cesc and that he hopes Arsenal win the league. He says:

"The only thing that matters to me is not who is in the top four, it's who is going to be top and I know that's how Arsène sees it too."

So, put that in your pipe and smoke it all you Arsèneisjusthappytofinishinthtetopfour people, you know who you are... It's not rubbish at all actually, is it? Well reasoned, like everything the Arsenal legend does. Maybe as well as pay attention to how Thierry finished a bit better, Ade could also have taken note of how to conduct oneself on leaving a club.

Let's talk now, about a player that is actually still at the club and Johan Djourou. When I got back from football last night, playing with a man less, we lost 8-2 if you're asking, I picked up an old Gooner - the cover was Patrick Vieira smashing in one of five scored at White Hart Lane in 2004 (memories eh?). In this Gooner was a Carling Cup match report and from the outfield players, there were only two of the side that beat Manchester City 2-1 that were still at the club, one was Robin van Persie and the other, Johan Djourou, what is that if not a stark reminder of the challenges in front of the latest Carling Cup tyros?

Anyway, Johan says that his lack of reputation doesn't bother him as he looks to break on through to the other side. Twenty nine appearances last season is a big jump from previous campaigns and it seems Djourou is well aware he needs to cement his place in the first team picture this season. He has been looked at alongside the new boy Thomas Vermaelen this summer and it doesn't take a great leap to think, with Kolo Touré's Arsenal future the subject of debate and Gallas in the last year of his contract, that they could be the future pairing of the club - dependent on performances, of course. You'll notice I didn't mention Silvestre there - is that a car crash I hear outside?

And on that note...

User Comments

miles7

Posted on 26 Jul, 2009 at 10:48 AM - Reply

He missed a good chance in his debut pre-season. Patheically funny.

Krish

Posted on 26 Jul, 2009 at 12:56 AM - Reply

And how does Ade perform in his first game as a Man City Player? Rubbish...what more, they lost the game as well.

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