march 16th
10.48 – You know, a little while after I posted that picture yesterday, I began to feel a bit bad about it. Not from the point of view that I think I was over the top (well, maybe a little bit) – I don’t think Pascal Cygan is a good enough player for us at this level – but from the point of view that it’s hardly his fault, is it? He doesn’t pick the team. What’s he supposed to do when Arsene Wenger wants to sign you for the Champions of England? “Er….sorry Arsene, I’m not really sure I’m capable of playing at this level, but thank you for you interest“.
Nah. That’s never gonna happen. Andy put it very well over on the forum. Of course, I can’t go taking the picture down either, because what’s the point in having a website like this? If I’m going to give at-the-time reactions to things that are brilliant and wonderful, I have to do the same with things that aren’t so great.
It might also have seemed that I was singling him out for criticism in the light of the defeat yesterday. Not so. It merely confirmed my belief that he wasn’t Arsenal quality, but when we needed something special from Pires or Bergkamp or Henry, they didn’t, or couldn’t produce. Arsene Wenger remains calm though, saying “The championship is still in our hands. We still have four games at home and by being strong there we will win the championship.“
Arsenal looked tired yesterday though. They’d played 8 games in the same period that Blackburn had played 2. Now it’s off to Spain and the lads are going to have to dig out a big result against Valencia to see them through to the 1/4 finals. Looking at it though, if we want to retain the league title, involvement in Europe and in the FA Cup is going to sap the strength even more. Time to bake some more of those Creatine Pies, Arsene.
Ray Parlour says he’ll have to consider his Highbury future if he doesn’t get more of a run in the team. With a collection of central midfielders now, and a hot young thing in Jermaine Pennant waiting in the wings for a game on the right hand side, something has got to give in the Arsenal squad sometime. What odds on Parlour to West Ham during the summer?!
Right, time to do the Sunday Papers thing. Even with the sun shining the way it is, a beautifully warm spring day here in Spain, and sitting outside a seafront café with a coffee and an ensaimada, they’re never as enjoyable when Arsenal have lost the day before. Bet you feel really sorry for me.
