August 26th
So the Champions League draw took place yesterday and we got a fairly nice draw too. Arsenal will play Ajax, Sparta Prague and Swiss side FC Thun. The first game will take place against Thun at Highbury on Wednesday 14th Sept. Vice-chairman Double-D Dinky Davey Dein declared himself pleased with the draw and hopes this campaign brings more success than previous. Which, in fairness, wouldn’t be too hard. Thun will not be playing their games at their own stadium but instead at the new Swiss national area, the Wankdorf Stadium. I think the demand for tickets for that game will be high, let’s face it, who doesn’t like being Wankdorfed?
Not two days after saying he was after a keeper Arsene Wenger told the official website that he was ‘chasing a player’ and was hoping to bring somebody in before the transfer window. When asked if it would be a high-profile player the boss replied “We usually make them high-profile once they are here.” From the hints being dropped on the website it seems it could be an outfield player rather than a keeper, which is interesting. Could it be Achille Enema who Tony Adams was watching the other night. Our ex-captain told L’Euipe “I think he is looking for a midfielder to replace Vieira.”
Philippe Senderos had been a regular in central defence since last season but was left out of the side against Fulham for two goal Pascal Cygan. Arsene Wenger still believes in him though and just thinks he needs a bit of a rest. I mentioned earlier in the week Senderos’ top-flight career is only at the beginning so there are times when the learning curve is going to be steep and a game or two out of the team helps a player get his head together. As a defender the little mistakes you make can end up costing more than a young striker missing a couple of chances too but that’s football and what I like about Senderos is his attitude and the way he will react to times like this. The boss says “If you are under pressure at 20 and everyone analyses every ball you face, sometimes you can go downhill. It’s better that you move out and come back again when you are regenerated. I rate him very highly. I think he will be an immense player for the club and I’m completely convinced of that.”
Me too. Dennis Bergkamp reckons Thierry Henry is the most complete striker he has ever played with, putting him ahead of his first strike partner at Arsenal, Ian Wright. “It is a difficult one but if I compare how I played with them, I’d say Thierry is a complete player. He sets up team-mates, has skill and pace, scores and makes goals. Ian, on the other hand, is an out-and-out goalscorer who could score goals out of situations that even I thought was impossible. I’ve been very lucky to have played with them both.”
José Mourinho’s teamtalk – from the people who did the Beckham/Keane thing from Ireland’s Today FM. Classic. I love the bit about that hideous cunt Drogba.
Today, thankfully, is Friday. That means I get to leave work an hour earlier which means the after-work beers start an hour earlier which means I’ll come home and fall flat on my face asleep an hour earlier. It’s all good.
