may 24th
A couple of years ago I went to see Catalunya v Brazil at the Camp Nou. It was just before the World Cup in Japan/Korea, it was a beautiful warm night, the stadium was packed with nearly 100,000 people, all singing together, enjoying the night and watching the match. Certainly one of the most memorable nights of my footballing life.
Now Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas will have the opportunity to play in this game as he’s been called up to the Catalunya squad this week. He’s been given special permission by Arsenal to play in the game, and he says “Playing for Catalunya is like a dream because every year I used to go and watch them play and now I have the privilege to be there myself.”
Of course the Camp Nou would be his home stadium if he hadn’t joined Arsenal, and he’s a player we’re likely to see figure in the first team next season. I was watching him play for Spain at some junior level the other week and he looks like he’s grown a bit since he joined the club. AW has also said he’ll play first team football next season, so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses. Sadly I’m working all this week so I won’t get to go the game. If only I’d been made unemployed last week.
Edu has spoken about Freddie Ljungberg’s situation at the club, and while speculation increases about his future and people write him off as not as good as he used to be, it’s worth paying attention to our slick Brazilian when he says “I know there has been some stuff said about Freddie and that is really sad. He played a big part in what we achieved this year and like all of us, he can play a big part in the future.”
People tend to forget Freddie got 10 goals this season. More than Wiltord. More than Bergkamp. Only less than Pires and Henry. And he spent a lot of time injured and never quite got into his stride. A player worth keeping in my opinion. Ray Parlour is the subject of interest from West Brom who want to sign him and Andy Cole apparently, while Martin Keown could have his choice of to-be-relegated clubs as Norwich are interested in signing him.
Other than that there’s not much else going on. How was your weekend then?
