november 19th
08.55 – Now, you all remember a couple of weeks ago when Arsenal played and lost to Blackburn, ITV”s naff Premiership show took it upon themselves to be defenders of fair play by highlighting Dennis Bergkamp’s alleged stamp on some no-mark Blackburn player.
There was no damage done, the ref saw it, dealt with it and that should have been that. On Saturday, Sp*rs Ledley King stamped on Freddie Ljungberg, injuring his knee badly enough for him to miss Sweden’s international this week, and possibly putting him out of action for some time. Did ITV highlight this? Not a chance.
I have no problem with TV going back over contentious incidents in games, but only if they’re going to do it for every incident in every game. I saw George Boateng flatten Zola with a forearm smash last weekend too. If that had been an Arsenal player, we’d be saturated with it by now. Hoddle, the man who had an Arsenal fan’s season ticket confiscated after inciting the crowd by giving them the finger, says there’s nothing in it. Well, he would, and that’s fair enough. I’d expect AW to do the same. But Des, Ally, Andy, Robbie and the rest of the two-bit crew that manage to make the Premiership look second rate, what’s your excuse?
Sol Campbell has had to put up with a lot since he joined Arsenal from Sp*rs. Winning the Double, improving as a player, playing Champions League football and for the first time, captaining Arsenal when Paddy went off on Saturday. It’s all been too much for some Sp*rs fans who have spent their time spreading rumours and lies about his private life. Sol responds here.
Did anyone else see the footage of Steffan Freund during the game? Chest thumping, primal screaming, gurning encouragement at his team mates. It’s no wonder they lost. He scared the shite out of them. Still looking for a pic of that Spurs kid who was crying on the telly, if anyone has it please send it on.
Finally, a word about Anders Limpar. One of my favourite ever Arsenal players announced his retirement from football yesterday. He brought flair, excitement and skill to a fairly dour Arsenal side, before shamelessly being flogged to Everton and replaced by Eddie McGoldrick.
He scored wonderful goals, the FA Cup games against Leeds and his 50 yard lob of Liverpool’s Mike Hooper spring to mind. He was like an Overmars you could warm to.
Good luck Anders.
