october 20th
09.41 – Arsenal travel to the Ukraine today ahead of tomorrow’s must-win game with Dynamo Kiev. Ray Parlour says “A draw wouldn’t be so bad but a win is what we really want. Whatever happens, we mustn’t lose.”
Arsenal will be without Martin Keown and Dennis Bergkamp, but Vieira and Ljungberg could return. It will be interesting to see who makes way in midfield if Paddy does play. On current form it’s got to be Edu, who’s playing as well as he did during the run in to the double in 2002. I’d play Kanu up top with Henry too.
Arsene Wenger has said that Sylvain Wiltord’s contract problems are affecting his form. No shit. The boss says “Once Wiltord’s contract is sorted out, you will see the real Wiltord back. He is a confidence player. I do not want to offload him, though. I want him to stay here.”
All well and good, but he’s playing like a crippled dog at the moment. As far as I’m aware he’s been offered a new deal at the club but has refused to sign it and just the other day he said some thing along the lines of ‘We’re not even talking about a new contract.’ Even if he does sign a new contract, it won’t be greeted anywhere as enthusiastically as he might hope. Yes he’s scored important goals for us, but I won’t shed any tears if he leaves, plus I think we could do with some fresh blood.
Lucky Arsenal? Maybe, but you make your own luck in this game. It’s not over until Kathy Bates sings, and it is quite literally a game of two halves. Unless there’s extra time when it becomes a game of four halves.
Need coffee.
