february 20th
I’ll start this morning with squad news for the Chelsea game. Ashley Cole misses out after picking up a knock against Portugal – Gael Clichy will deputise – but the good news is that Gilberto could well be fit enough to be part of the squad after his injury turned out to be far less severe than was first thought. Whether he starts or not is another thing. Also likely to start is Freddie Ljungberg who will play with a plastic protector for his damaged ribs, and there’s no place in the squad for Cesc Fabregas – who many thought might step in if Gilberto’s injury had been as bad as reported.
Elsewhere, Jens Lehmann has been telling everyone that he’s the best German goalkeeper in the whole world and faces the wrath of the current number 1 by saying that Oliver Kahn is a square faced, butter-finger kunt. The Sun says Roman Abramovich is fuming that he missed out on Jose Reyes, as he was prepared to offer £20m down instead of Arsenal’s £8m with the fee rising depending on appearances etc. They say we gazumped him, but doesn’t that mean we would have paid more? Unlikely. If Chelsea had offered £20m straight up, Sevilla wouldn’t have bothered their Andalucian arses dealing with us at all.
Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri has said a loss to Arsenal will end their title hopes. I’m not sure I really agree with him, and I imagine he’s trying the old mind games thing on his players, making this game the most important of the season so far for them. Roy Keane has been at it too, saying he doesn’t expect Arsenal to hand the title to United like we did last season. His comments stink of Ferguson and the mind-games have well and truly begun now. I’m sure AW will keep the players focussed on the important things and not the comments of Claudio and a mad Irishman.
Not much else going on at this early stage. Due to scooter malfunctions and our car being in the garage for the last 3 1/2 weeks waiting for a part from India of all places, I’m going to have to break out the bicycle to get around again. Yes, it’s better for the environment, but when you see how the Spanish drive it’s a risky business going out on a bike, let me tell you.
