Thomas and the tweaked Achilles

It was noteworthy, I think, to see the frustration on Thomas Vermaelen's face at the conclusion of Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Milan on the first day of the Emirates Cup. Me, personally, I couldn't really have cared less about the competition, but for the players I think it's a good chance for them to get used to playing in front of crowds again. a chance to tune up and eradicated bad habits. Unfortunately, it seems as though old habits die hard as Arsenal played some gorgeous football but only had one goal to show for it when the Achilles heel got tweaked again and Pato scored from Seedorf's free kick.

That was all I saw of the competition as the V Box didn't have enough space to record the Celtic game on Sunday, but as I said I wasn't too bothered about that. Don't get me wrong, it's great to be able to watch the players again, but I do find myself increasingly nonplussed by the enthusiasm generated for a competition that means absolutely nothing to anyone. Least of all Andrei Arshavin, if what I've been reading on Twitter is anything to go by.

So, how's your week been? I've been enjoying my week off, doing as little as possible, watching films like Rocky (I bought the complete, uh... sextology? at the weekend) and Predator, playing Pro Evo. I hope Jack and Aaron develop like they have on my Master League game- unstoppable doesn't quite do them justice. Oh, and there's been some decorating done too. But not too much of that by me, I must admit.

In the real Arsenal world, it seems as though Arsenal are on the verge of a truly inspirational signing. Or maybe not. Personally I don't know anything about Emir Spahic other than the fact he plays for Montpellier and, at 29, is the Bosnia national team captain, so if we do sign him I won't be rushing the judgement, much. Even that well known fountain of all knowledge Wikipedia is remarkably short on detail. All the info they have fits on one laptop screen. If you Wiki'ed Cristiano Ronaldo, by way of a comparison, you'd be scrolling for a little bit longer to read everything they have. Perhaps that's why Arsenal are interested.

As I said, no rush to judge here. I'd rather have another body at the back than not. At six feet tall, he might not be the giant people are looking for, but I think Thomas Vermaelen has shown that height need not be everything in a centre back. I was also impressed by what I saw of his partner for the Milan game. I think supporters should have come away from their first real viewing of Laurent Koscielny quietly confident that Arsène's scouting network has again uncovered a bit of a talent. Vermaelen certainly seems happy with him, although as the player himself admits, he needs to spend a bit of time in the gym to get himself ready for the rigours of the Premier League. Nice to hear he's learning English too.

It's fairly obvious that a big part of Vermaelen's successful first year in English football is his attitude. We were treated to an early taster of that as Manuel Almunia conceded a last minute goal against Celtic in last year's Champions League qualifier against Celtic. It meant we won 5-1 as opposed to 5-0 and that's all it meant, but Vermaelen was furious. It was the first time we saw how Vermaelen hates conceding goals, but it- sadly- wasn't the last. He told the matchday programme at the weekend,

"You have to keep performing every year. If you play for Arsenal you can never say 'I had a good year, so now I'll ease off'. That's not possible. People ask you to do better every year and I will try to do that. I hope we can perform as a team and that's the way we will achieve what we want."

I speak only for me here, obviously, but when the tedious Cesc saga is ultimately resolved in Barcelona's favour, whenever that may be, Vermaelen is a shoo in to replace him as captain. Don't get me wrong, I love Robin, but aside from the fact he keeps getting these pesky injuries, I think the leader has to be someone who can see the game in front of him. Not a striker, no matter how talented. I also think Vermaelen has something of Tony Adams about him- which is ironic, bearing in mind TA didn't think Vermaelen "ready for the Arsenal" a year ago. But perhaps that's why big Tone is now managing in Azerbaijan rather than London, N5.

Of course, the Emirates Cup was of import to a couple of Arsenal youngsters and Marouane Chamakh; Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong apparently using the tournament to stake their claims large style. Wilshere, having been the star of the show last year- having taken Michel Salgado to the cleaners the year before that, now looks set for the role I think he should have- gradual integration in the style of Aaron Ramsey last year. What will happen with Frimpong is less clear in my mind, mainly because I know next to nothing about him. Chamakh scored a lovely little goal after great work from Andrei Arshavin and, in his general play, suggested that the Premier League need hold no fears for him either.

I was going to add a closing paragraph about our goalkeeping situation, but it seems that this is not going to be resolved as I would have liked. Accordingly, I'm just going to sound like a moaning bastard if I say anything, so I won't say too much. But if the Spanish waiter begins the season as our number one, Arsenal won't be seeing a penny from me until that situation changes- Blackpool aside, of course. Knowing how few of our home matches are on the box this side of Christmas, it hurts me to impose a ban on myself. But I know much more it would hurt me to pay upwards of £45 to watch the kind of performances from our custodians (ha!) that we saw last year.

Till tomorrow, then.

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