january 2nd
08.45 – So now all the festivities are done and dusted, and we can get back into the whole football thing again.
FA Cup 3rd round this weekend. We’ve had some cracking cup ties with Leeds in the past, and although Leeds are struggling in the league no Arsenal fan needs reminding that league position counts for little in this competition.
Looking for a recall to the first team for this game is Lauren, who has missed a lot of football due to injury and suspension. In the meantime though Kolo Toure has moved to right back, and Pascal Cygan has put in some error free performances alongside Sol Campbell. As much as I like Kolo at right back, I much prefer him at centre-half, and we know that’s where Kolo wants to play too. It might be a bit harsh on Cygan, but I’d bring Lauren back for the FA Cup game. Cygan can move to the bench and we can give him a good hand for a job well done as the squad player he is.
As it’s January we can buy players if we want to, and Arsene Wenger even has some money to spend. It’s hard to see exactly what he could do though. In the summer we were screaming for a defender, but Kolo has gone a long way to solving that problem, and there’s the emergence of Gael Clichy as stand-in left back. If Philippe Senderos ever gets fit we’ll have no need for any purchases in that area. Up front might be somewhere we could improve though. A few good performances from Kanu aren’t going to be enough to secure another deal, and I did read that AW was ‘hopeful and confident’ about Sylvain Wiltord signing a new deal. As much as I appreciate what he’s done in his time at Arsenal, I think it would be best if we went our separate ways now. His performance in the Carling Cup against WBA was nothing short of atrocious and he was put to shame by the young and eager Jeremie Aliadiere, who looks to have a good future ahead of him. The usual names will be bandied about – Kluivert, Eto’o’o’o’o’o, Smith, Reyes, Angel, Dichio – but I doubt we’ll bring anybody in before the summer, giving youth a chance when needed in the second half of the season.
Right, I have to go to the airport this morning to pick up the car that wouldn’t start when we arrived home. That means dropping off the sweet rental car too, which is a pain.
