november 1st
18.06 – Leeds 1-4 Arsenal (Henry 2, Pires, Gilberto)
Jermaine who?
Clinical stuff from the boys today against a Leeds team that are as good at defending as Rio Ferdinand is at making excuses.
3-0 at half time with two from Henry and one from Robert Pires. Leeds offered a bit, their fans sang gamely as they watched what’s left of their club, but it was men against boys stuff. Gilberto scored his third Premiership goal of the season to make it 4 and game over early in the second half.
Leeds scored a consolation goal, and Arsenal brought on Edu and Aliadiere, who should have scored his first Premiership goal of the season but managed to head over from less than 6 yards.
Still top of the league, despite Man Utd and Chelsea both winning. And did I mention, Jermaine who?
11.54 – Ouch. Stupid head.
Yesterday Sir Alex Ferguson showed his class yet again by suggesting Arsenal had done a deal with the FA prior to the punishments being handed out after the Old Trafford game. Demento said “I read that they had done a deal, and I think it was a suspicion right through the country that they had done a deal. Vieira’s injured, for a start, isn’t he? They are very fortunate, Arsenal, that they can get off with that, and they have been doing that for years.”
Hmmm, I’m glad this situation is nothing like the one when Roy Keane was sent for hip-surgery after he elbowed Jason McAteer in the head after being done for his book about trying to maim Alfie Haaland. The suggestion that Vieira’s injury is somehow times to coincide with this situation says more about the intelligence of Ferguson than anything else.
Natually, Arsene Wenger has reacted angrily to Demento’s latest sput of verbal dyssentry. “There was no deal and to say so is a serious charge. If this guy comes out and can prove that we have struck a deal, then we can still talk together. What do you want? The players have been suspended, one for four games, one for three games and two for one game each. You have a player who has been suspended for one game plus one for the sending-off and fined £20,000 for not walking quickly enough off the pitch and you think we have struck a deal with the FA!”
Of course, it’s just Ferguson stirring the shit like he always does. Maybe it’s an attempt to solidify the morale within his own squad, expecially when they face chucking £30m down the pan when Rio gets the ban he deserves. Whatever it is, it’s not going to harm us. We’ve already been turned over by the suits, who are now going to get involved again having said they’re ‘considering’ Ferguson’s comments. I hope they fleece him good, it’s about time somebody did.
Speaking about our lack of a right-back, AW said “I am worried about it. Bringing Moritz Volz back from loan at Fulham is an option, as are Justin Hoyte or Kolo Touré.” I hope it’s either Hoyte or Volz, because moving Touré is not a good idea in my opinion. He’s playing really well at centre-half and moving him to right back would mean the return of the unpassable and highly successful Sol – Cygan central defensive partnership.
Good news yesterday in that David Bentley has signed a new 5 year deal with the Gunners. Bentley said “I feel it is only a matter of time until I get in and hopefully I can make an impression when I do. The club is crying out for someone to come through.”
Peter Reid fears an Arsenal backlash today. “What happened in midweek wasn’t great for them and I don’t think it will make our job any easier. It isn’t the best time to be playing them.”
Ok, I have to go stop my head hurting with sausages and rashers. More later.
