February 25th
A quick Saturday round-up as I have to catch a train to go and play football.
We’ll start with some injury news. Gael Clichy has had a setback with his foot injury and is now unlikely to play before April, Sol Campbell is out of the Real Madrid return leg (no tears here, let me tell you) despite being fit enough to fanny around at the BAFTAs, Dennis Bergkamp is out of today’s game against Blackburn despite being back in training, while Robin van Persie is also still out with his toe injury which means Arturo Lupoli gets a place on the bench. Ashley Cole is working his way back to fitness and after reports yesterday suggested a £15m summer move to Real Madrid was as good as done the manager is confident he’ll stay and commit long-term to the club.
Congratulations to Cesc Fabregas who has received his first call up to the Spanish senior squad. Our old friend Luis Aragones said “Although Cesc is young, after a year and a half in the Arsenal team he has emerged as a very important player. He’s performed well for the under-21s and he’s also got an eye for goal.”
Jens Lehmann looks set to sign a new one year deal with the club. The boss also revealed he’s offered Robert Pires one more year while he told people to ‘use their imagination’ when discussing the state of the Thierry Henry contract situation.
Arsneal Holdings PLC released their interim financial results yesterday which you can read here and get Keith Edelman’s view on here.
Ok, that’s about it. Let’s hope that the Real Madrid performance was not just a once off. We need the same commitment and energy against a Blackburn team that will play a different type of football from Madrid, that’s for sure.
Come on you goooooooners…
