Champagne Charlie

Being serious, for just one brief moment in the life of this blog, I would like to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, who finally succumbed to cancer this morning at the age of 76. I remember, as a 12-year-old, more than Gazza’s tears, more than Lineker’s finger to eye gesture (pesky Tottenham scum!), the look on Bobby Robson’s face as the World Cup semi-final reached its heartbreaking conclusion.

And there was a time, for me, when England defeats were heartbreaking, rather than just being accepted as the natural of order of things, before I became completely indifferent to the fortunes of the national side. I also remember, as Thierry Henry went bezerk after Newcastle United inflicted a controversial 3-1 home defeat on the Arsenal, Bobby Robson commented that “some people around here don’t know how to lose”. Quite.

We then proved how right Bobby was as, not losing another league – or, for that matter, FA Cup – match, we charged to a second “Double”. So, um, thanks for that Sir Bobby. And for everything else, I think the football world, the world itself, is a sadder, emptier place this afternoon.

Not sure how to carry on now… I like this article by Joel Che. He makes a point here that I’ve been trying to make, probably not as articulately as Joel has, but it seems to be a point that millions of Gooners, burnt out by another summer locker clearing session, just can’t understand.

The sale of Touré and Adebayor has taken place because the manager wants to change the culture and attitudes around the club. Destroying the African clique, which had become complacent in its comfort is one way to do that. As with Vieira and Henry, once Touré and Adebayor had become more negative influences than positive, they were shipped out. Which in turn gives players like Bendtner, like Djourou a chance to shine and positive influences to learn from. And what the hell is so wrong with that?

I’ve seen people questioning Bendtner’s ability to score more than 20 goals this season. Well, he’s 21- is it not reasonable to expect an improvement? Is it not reasonable to assume that he will start more games this season than last and therefore improve on his 15 goals from last time out? Fans demand player loyalty, perhaps they should show more faith in the players we have, because if anyone can show me a 21-year-old striker, not an automatic first choice, who scored 15 goals last year, I’d be happy to hear about him. Some reckon Carlos Tevez to be the kind of player we need, I say that he did score 15 goals this season gone, but 4 of them were against Blackburn in the Carling Cup!

I mentioned Patrick Vieira up there somewhere, as he is in my estimation, it seems that Ian Wright’s Wednesday evening comments may have something to them. The Guardian reports that the boss will discuss a possible move (I was going to say return, but we’ve moved home) with the former captain next week. One of my favourite moments of Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial was hearing Vieira’s name rolling around the new stadium, it’s clear that he is still loved by the majority of Gooners.

It’s less clear that; a) this could happen and, b) that at the end of it all, he would continue to have the love of his public. Maybe it would be a great way for him to go out. I question though, one person’s contention that Vieira now, with one leg, would be better than Denilson. That is, as a guest post on A Cultured Left Foot today makes clear, grossly unfair on the Brazilian. Blaise Matuidi’s name crops up again and the Guardian article suggests that he may become an Arsenal player soon. But for £5m more than the £3m originally suggested.

I’ll close today with the acknowledgement that working in Islington really does have its benefits, I’ve been given Executive Box tickets for the first day at the Emirates Cup tomorrow. Call me a Champagne Charlie if you want, but it’s the only way I’d have been setting foot in North London tomorrow!