Well, the main news this morning is the fact that Lauren has left Arsenal and joined Portsmouth. I have to say I’m very sad to see to him go. To my mind he’s the best full back we have at the club, his experience has been vital and his hard bastardness is something that some in our team, and Eboue in particular, could do well with learning from (not that I’m going to hold my breath there though).
I’m sure Arsene Wenger knows that he’s the best right full back at the club but there were obviously big doubts over whether or not he could return from his injury the same player. Now, I’m as supportive as the next man about the youth project and I realise when young players break into the team it’s hard to take them out but if Arsene could replace an inconsistent, cry-baby like Eboue with an experienced international at a crucial part of the season then I don’t think there’s any question about what choice he’d would make. If there was the chance that Lauren could be the same player he was before his injury then he wouldn’t be leaving – and nobody should underestimate how serious that injury was. He came close to retiring more than once.
Given that fact there was no way the club would have stood in his way when the offer of a 2 and half year deal from another club came in. To suggest he’s been sold simply to finance the Highbury apartments is specious reasoning at best but then there’s nothing like a sensationalist headline to garner a few extra hits.
Arsene Wenger called his contribution ‘absolutely outstanding’ while the man himself said:
I have made many great friends and have many wonderful memories from the years I have spent at Arsenal. I have enjoyed great success with the Club and I am very grateful to Arsène Wenger, my team mates and all the fantastic Arsenal fans for their support. The fans have been brilliant.
He went on to say the usual about how much he was looking forward to playing for Portsmouth, the way every player moving to a new club does. He goes with the good wishes of every Arsenal fan and our thanks for everything he’s done since he joined the club nearly 7 years ago. Best of luck, Ralph. I’ll always remember the time you kicked Cristiano Ronaldo 5 feet up in the air. And for old times sake, here it is. Legend.
The ticketing row between Arsenal and Sp*rs has been sorted out. It’s far too long and complicated to go into in any great details, save for the fact that Arsenal wanted to sell tickets at a lower price but Sp*rs objected because their share of the gate money would be less and there’s been agreement on the allocation of tickets for both legs. Read more here.
Ahead of the game on Sunday it’s good news about Robin van Persie. Reports that he’d miss the game seem to have been premature and he should be fit after a scan on his ankle today. The boss also hinted that it would be Mathieu Flamini who would replace Gilberto but I suspect most of the team news will emerge at this afternoon’s press conference so we’ll have more to talk about tomorrow.
Cesc Fabregas says Paul Scholes is the ‘complete footballer’. I remember Patrick Vieira saying that Scholes was the midfielder he’d choose from all over the world to play in his team and I don’t think it’s just coincidence that United’s revival this year has coincided with Scholes return to the side and to form. We have to keep a close eye on him on Sunday.
Ok, it’s time for the Arsecast.
As always the Arsecast is sponsored by classicfootballshirts.co.uk who this week have given me £100 of store credit to give away so listen out for the competition question, there’s a blogchat with a Manchester United fan *spit*, Arsene Wenger Hawkins has a special message for Robbie Savage, the Man in the Bar has another player history, there’s a bet of the week from www.bluesq.com and there’s lots of other crap in there as well.
To subscribe to the arsecast in iTunes – click here. To download this week’s arsecast directly – click here (16mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here.
And that’s it. More tomorrow including a preview of the United game. Have a good one.
