We’ll start this morning with congratulations to Thierry Henry who picked up his third Football Writers Player of the Year award last night. He said it was an honour and he praised the English game saying the passion meant they deserved to win the World Cup again. I did like this quote though:
Some youngsters do not love the game any more. They love what is around the game, but not the game itself. But you always have to have respect for the game and the game will give you something back, as it has given me back something today.
It’s not even a thinly veiled dig at players like Jermaine Pennant who have such talent but seem more interested in nightclubbing, jewellery, flash cars and all the other things that aren’t really that important in a footballer’s career. It’s just the culture amongst certain young English players that makes it seem that way. When you look at how a consumate professional like Thierry lives his life and what you can achieve then it should be an example to all of them.
Arsene Wenger says he was ‘shocked’ that Theo Walcott was selected for the World Cup and explains why he didn’t play for Arsenal. What it does show is that Sven is obviously highly suggestible. ‘You should take Walcott to the World Cup’ – ‘OK!’. ‘You should become manager of Aston Villa and get me David Beckham’ – ‘OK!’. ‘You should go and meet Chelsea’ – ‘OK!’, ‘OK!’. Not you, Ashley. Sven. ‘OK!’.
Ashley Cole says he’ll look after the youngster during the World Cup and Robert Pires, who is off to Villarreal, says he’s got the talent and ability to make an impact in Germany. Thierry Henry says the best thing the English press can do for Walcott is to leave him alone but with the tabloids following his girlfriend everywhere in the last few days it looks like they want a new celebrity couple to build up then knock down. Fair enough if they want a 17 year old wonderkid but why do they have to make a 17 year old girl their ‘babe of the day’? It’s more than a bit horrible, really.
If you’re looking for somewhere to see Wednesday’s game in London check out the Islington Academy. The bloke emailed me and asked me to mention it last week. Of course I forgot but I did tell him to remind me! Luckily I saw the link on Arsenal World which has all the details.
Well done again to Arseblog’s second most cool and handsome Dublin Gooner who raised £620 for the David Rocastle Trust last week. He’s now set a target of £1,000 to be raised before the Champions League final and £1,000 is a lucky number. You do want us to win the Champions League, don’t you? If we get to £1,000 we’ll surely win. Can you sit there and do nothing? How many people have spent a fortune on eBay tickets? Come on, Arsebloggers, let’s get some money to the Rocky fund. The reward of just knowing you’ll help is enough but the pain of doing nothing and not winning against Barcelona, well, how could you ever forgive yourself?
Not that I’m trying emotional blackmail or anything…I wouldn’t do that. Click here to donate or pledge money to the fund.
Current total stands at: £640. Update: We’re now at £780 £925! Nearly there.
Congratulations Dubs! £1,000 target reached. Thanks Arsebloggers, no need to stop there though!
Right, not much else happening. Over the weekend I suppose we’ll have to start talking about the final and the players and the tactics and things like that.
