Of gods and men

For those of you wondering why there was no blog yesterday (and I'm sure someone must have been), my last day before returning to work was spent putting a plasma tv screen in my bedroom. Clearly, that didn't take all day, but enjoying the view did. So, tempting as it was to write a blog gloating about how ridiculous John Terry looked at the climax to Chelsea's game with Aston Villa either in celebration, or in arguing (again) with Didier Drogba, I demurred.

Someone else returning to work this week is Aaron Ramsey. He does so with words of praise from Nottingham Forest manager, Billy Davies, ringing in his ears. According to him, Aaron has been a credit not just to himself, but "also Arsenal". I wonder whose next on Davies shopping list. On a serious note, despite that pesky snow restricting Aaron to just two starts and three substitute appearances, those two starts have come within 5 days of each other. Sandwiched in between them was one of his substitute appearances, so the last week will have been quite the workout as he returns to Arsenal and begins his push for a first team place.

Of course, it will most probably be a while before we see him in the first team picture, though I wonder whether he might, might I say, see some Carling Cup action next week. Perhaps even against Leeds in the FA Cup at the weekend? Probably too soon, but you can imagine he'll be champing at the bit to get on and try and win his place in the first team back. Obviously, he'll now have to dislodge Jack Wilshere, which may take some doing. It's funny how Ramsey superceded Denilson last season and it didn't take Wilshere long to do the same this time around, don't you think? Funny, or just the simple fact that Wilshere and Ramsey are footballers better suited to this league of ours?

As Arsène prepares to welcome Aaron back to the first team, he can also look forward to having Kieran Gibbs at his disposal once more. For one match anyway. Kieran was back in full training today and whilst he won't be available for tomorrow's big game with Manchester City, he does have a chance of making that Leeds match- have I said how important that game is to me yet? Good thing I've got the dentist beforehand, I'll be in too much pain to be nervous... Focussing, briefly on that City match though, whilst we can look forward to having everyone else except Diaby and Vermaelen available, Manchester City will be without Balotelli and David Silva. I think we can safely say that that is good thing. We'll talk more about that tomorrow though.

Of course, the fact of having, more or less, a full complement of players available is down to luck more than anything else, with the first team squad having come through the match in Birmingham bruised but otherwise unscathed. Despite Lee Bowyer's best efforts. Could he hear the "Cesc Fabregas/Lee Bowyer" chant? Was he determined to live up to it? His continuous efforts to maim Bacary Sagna, commendably unmoved in the face of extreme provocation, which were somehow missed by referee Peter Walton have rightly resulted in a three game ban. Actually, that's not quite right, he has been banned for the stamp, whilst his other offence has been ignored. I think he's got off quite lightly. The other thing I'd like to say about this is that whilst Jack Wilshere was quick to come out and apologise for his red card tackle in the reverse fixture, the only comment we have had on the matter from anyone connected with Birmingham City is from Alex McLeish. An apology? No, just an acceptance of the ban and a graceless whinge about how big clubs get preferential treatment. Tell that to Eduardo. From Bowyer? Nothing, but then I suppose it's an effort to move his mouth and form complete sentences.

Carlos Vela may be about to be sent to Bolton on loan. As others have noted, it seems unlikely his time there will result in him returning to cement a first team place as Master Wilshere has. This definitely has the whiff of the "shop window" about it and, whereas two years ago I would have been disappointed for him, now I just can't see where he fits in. Perhaps a move away will be the best thing for him. The surplus of attacking talent evidence by Vela's forgotten man status has left Arsène adamant that a centre back will be the only arrival at the club. And then only if The Verminator suffers a further setback as he recovers from his Achilles injury.

Finally for today, congratulations to Dennis Bergkamp. The man we used to refer to as "God" has been appointed Ajax's youth team manager, where he replaces the newly appointed first team coach Frank de Boer. Whilst Dennis waits to return to his spiritual home here in north London, the future of those youngsters couldn't be in better hands..

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