january 28th
FA Cup day today and some of my Arsenal site chums seem a bit gloomy about our prospects of getting a result today. When you look at the amount of players missing – Kolo, Eboue, Cole, Lauren, Henry, Cygan, Clichy, Cesc, Pires, Bergkamp and Gilberto – and our current form it’s easy to understand. It means lots of youth, inexperience and one or two players desperately out of form but I reckon we can still get a result against what has been a bogey side for us in recent times.
Given the personnel at our disposal I fear we’ll see the dreaded 4-5-1 again but I think a 4-4-2 with Reyes and Robin up front has more than enough to get us a win. After being ‘bullied’ off the part against Bolton earlier this season – and I do think that’s an understatement when Gilberto was the one who got bullied the most and there are 6 year olds with no shinpads who could do that – the boss has brought in Martin Keown. Of all the Arsenal players of the modern era he is the one above all who would never have allowed that to happen. AW says “I felt that the team needed a bit more experience in the dressing-room. Martin has that and can give it to the younger players. He has been doing his coaching badge and I asked him to come in to help us. He is a reassuring presence, he knows about the culture of the club and he has been a winner.”
I’d really like Keown to look after the young centre-halves as well. Teach them about coping with physical opponents, how to make the fouls that don’t really look like fouls and how to provide a solid platform at the back on which we can base the rest of our game. It’s too late for Sol but it’s good to know the problem is being addressed. Of today’s game AW says “I feel the whole team is up for it. We have to win the challenges that is for sure, and not forget that when we win the ball to put it down and play our game and not play like they play.”
I quite fancy our chances today, I have to say. We’ve got an amazing record in the FA Cup and maybe the lack of senior players isn’t such a big problem. They’re the ones with the pyschological block about Bolton, the youngsters won’t be afraid. Can you really see Robin van Persie giving a shit about any previous games with Bolton? Me neither. It’s a good chance to pick ourselves up and find some form and restore a bit of confidence to the squad again.
The boss also spoke about the Thierry Henry contract situation, saying “We are, at the moment, doing everything we need to. Since he stated he wanted to stay we have been quick to offer a contract and when we are ready we will announce it.”
Not much else happening this morning. It is the rainiest, coldest day of the year here in Barcelona. I have a match at 8 if the pitch isn’t underwater by then. Enjoy your Saturday, Gooners, and come on you rip-roaring red<s>currant</s>s!
