march 11th
We start this morning with the fantastic news that Thierry Henry is set to miss the next two or three weeks with a calf strain. That means he definitely misses tomorrow’s FA Cup game against Bolton and it could mean Robin van Persie getting another chance up front. Opinion seems to be divided on the young Dutchman. I like him, I have to say. I think he’s got bags of talent and just needs a proper run of games in the team to prove his worth. He’s keen to make up for his red card against Southampton which some people were too quick to castigate him for having previously forgiven far worse indiscretions from other young players. He talks about it all here and lauds his fellow Dutchling Quincy.
Bolton will be looking to expose tired legs and minds after our Champions League exploits but with the FA Cup the only chance of silverware this season big fat Walrus looking cunt and his cunty team might get more than they bargained for. Robert Pires describes Bolton as his ‘bete noire’ but is confident the Gunners can do it. I don’t have any team news as yet but I’d like to see Cesc start in midfield. He’s not afraid of the physical side of the game and adds some vision. Philippe Senderos, who Arsene Wenger tentatively compares to Tony Adams, will continue in defence and this will another big test for him against a very physical side like Bolton.
Euro hangover reaction: Thierry Henry says we’ve been hampered in the transfer market by the new stadium saying we’re not even in the same league as Spurs or Birmingham when it comes to spending. If there weren’t funds available before now then the board will be checking down the sofa for loose change to add to Arsene’s ‘war chest’ this summer. Patrick Vieira says defeat in Europe again is disappointing and says we’re not the best team in Europe (at least he’s not stating the obvious just for somehting to say….oh) while Ashley Cole says we’ve got to change our style of play to be more successful in the Champions League. The boss isn’t worried about losing any of his star players – a problem that seems to be unique to Arsenal when we go out of Europe. You don’t hear a word about Manchester United or Barcelona or Madrid players wanting to leave because they went out at exactly the same time. It’s just an easy story for mischevious journos.
Anyway, that’s about all there is so far. We have an early kick-off tomorrow which I’m going to miss because I have to play a match myself at the same time. I’m going to pretend the opposition are Bolton and kick their strikers up and down the place. Hurrah!
