April 7th
Ok, where to start this morning?
With Freddie expressing his delight about the performance in Turin? Or with Cesc showing how confident he is of making it the final in Paris? Or with Thierry talking about Paris and what it would mean to him to be in the final in his hometown but warning that there’s plenty of hard work still ahead? Or Robert Pires hinting he might accept the one year deal beign offered to him despite some slight criticism of the manager? Or José talking about Villarreal? Or with a Guardian piece featuring Nigel Winterburn talking about how Arsene’s third great team has arrived ahead of schedule? Or Terry Venables talking about how Arsenal can ‘rule Europe’?
I tell you what, I can’t make up my mind, you choose. Let’s talk about Sol Campbell though. He was happy to talk to the press yesterday for the first time since his walkout during the West Ham game. Asked if it was his toughest season, he responded “My toughest season? I would say it was frustrating. I am just a little bit tired of people carrying on in their stupid little ways. Just let me play football.”
See, we were letting him play football, despite some fairly atrocious and insipid performances, until he decided he’d abandon his club and team-mates after a shocking 45 minutes against West Ham. I wonder is criticism of that part of people going on their silly, little ways? Since his departure Senderos and Toure have forged a fantastic partnership in the centre of defence. One that is built on trust, one that is built on teamwork and doesn’t have anythign other than the team’s best interests at heart. You listen to Campbell and it’s hard to believe he wants to come back and play for Arsenal more than he wants to put himself in the frame for the World Cup. I don’t believe Arsenal is his motivation anymore and although I’ve said it before I’ll say it again. I would be just as happy never to see him play for us again. If we have an injury then we use him, if we’re picking the team on merit then he really shouldn’t be doing anything but warming the bench between now and the end of the season where I believe we should offload him onto whoever will pay a decent price for him.
I’m not a big fan of Matt Hughes in the Times but this quote sums it up perfectly – “As a man who went Awol during the half-time interval of a Barclays Premiership match against West Ham United two months ago, Campbell, 31, has not always been blessed with the best sense of timing, a problem that appears to be repeating itself. He has returned to mental and physical health when his club and country need him least.”
Yesterday’s PR guff was nothing more than that, a desperate, slowing 31 year old overshadowed by his younger, more dedicated contemporaries trying to make sure people don’t forget about him. He’s been fantastic for us in the past but his West Ham escapology act was unforgivable in my opinion. Let’s hope if he is required at any stage he remembers he’s playing for a team and not just for the ‘mysterious Sol Campbell Ltd’. Anyway, since he’s been gone we haven’t exactly missed him and that tells its own story.
Finally, let’s compare and contrast a little. We’ve spoken about Campbell now let’s hear from 18 year old Cesc Fabregas who had this to say after the Juventus game – “At a big club like Arsenal with a big manager, it is always difficult to believe in young players. But he did and we have to thank him for what he is giving us. We are really grateful to him because he is giving us the opportunity that we did not expect before.”
Gotta love the lad and his attitude, don’t you? No game tomorrow because it’s a trip to Manchester on Sunday to play a resurgent United. They’re in form, we’re in form and although there’s no title to play for from our point of view the game is as important as ever. A full preview and team news etc tomorrow. Until then have a good day and take it easy in work today. Tell your boss I said it was ok.
