Brand new (you're) retro

What did you get for Christmas, then?

It's been a pretty good one so far, I think. Tomorrow afternoon, I will head off to Baxi's to watch the Arsenal v Villa game in my brand new retro Arsenal shirt - it's the 71 Cup Final one and one I've wanted for ages, Jo finally put me out of my misery yesterday. More importantly, though, I will head off across London with the knowledge that an Arsenal win will open a gap between us and Aston Villa, lengthen the gap between us and the neighbours and it might even take us second, if things go wrong for Manchester United against Hull.

Most importantly; following Chelsea's draw at Birmingham earlier today, we could close the gap to just four points, with a game in hand on the league leaders. That would have been unthinkable just 4 weeks ago, but that is the opportunity ahead of us. Of course, it won't be easy against a very well drilled Aston Villa side, yet to taste defeat in our north London enormodome, but as Andrey Arshavin said a couple of days ago, we must start taking these opportunities.

The task looks like being further complicated by the unavailability of club captain, Cesc. At the moment, Arsène reckons he is 50:50. But reading about a player who was supposed to train on Christmas eve and didn't, I think if Cesc wasn't such an "influential and great" player, we could forget about his participation tomorrow.

Of course, it isn't beyond the realms that the boss will gamble with his fitness, but bearing in mind Denilson and Diaby's contribution to the victory against Hull last week, the prospect of further damaging the captain should not be one that appeals. It does look like we'll have Armand Traore back though.

And appeals, speaking of Hull, is what the FA look set to be hearing in the near future, Phil Brown had already had his say on the handbags last week. Arsène says, not unreasonably that whilst Nasri provoked the incident, it was "more the Hull players who were around it". I have to say, having been at the game, that whilst a couple of red cards could have been shown, it really was something and nothing - a bit like Arshavin's goal celebration. I don't think the FA need to be wasting their time and the time of the clubs involved on something like this.

Hilly "The Kid" Wood, speaking to the Daily Star (I believe he's mates with Brian Woolnough) has been sufficiently riled to take time out from smoking cigars in the background, to tell them how "pissed off" he is with the latest "nonsense" coming out of Joan Laporta's mouth regarding our club captain.

According to the chairman, Cesc is on a very good, long-term contract and is settled enough not to want to leave. In direct contrast to previous comments from various members of the Barça hierarchy about how they do not wish to disrespect Arsenal, the chairman states that he finds this monotonous behaviour both tiresome and disrespectful. I think we've all commented on how disrespectful this behaviour really is, but it's nice to hear the chairman say so too. It's about time.

User Comments

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea