Morning all, a quick Saturday round-up for you ahead of this evening’s game against Boro.
Starting with team news Emmanuel Adebayor has been passed fit to play despite picking up a knee problem against Sp*rs the other night. Also fit again is Johann Djourou but Eboue and Diaby miss out. According to the boss Gallas, Hleb, Ljungberg and Baptista are not far away from returning which will certainly give the squad a boost.
After his impressive displays in the Carling Cup Denilson keeps his place in the squad with the AW saying:
He has quickly come out and shown personality. I feel he is one of the candidates for the midfield now.
One man who could have been lining up against us today is Jeremie Aliadiere but injuries to Baptista and van Persie meant his sale was blocked. At the least he’s going to be on the bench today and should get some more time to show he’s got something to offer the team.
At the press conference yesterday the subject of Jens Lehmann came up and Arsene Wenger couldn’t say if the German would be with us next season. He said:
I do not know if he will stay. I had a little meeting with him, but at the moment we have to sit down again to decide about that. Ideally I would like him to stay, but he will not get more than one year. What can change is somebody can offer him three years.
If I had to put money on it I think he’ll leave in the summer. After initially not convincing too many he has become a real Arsenal legend. Certainly my favourite Arsenal keeper of recent times but I think his age goes against him now and I think it’s time to look to the future in terms of our goalkeeping position.
I know he spoke during the week about Manuel Almunia being a candiate for the number one position but that promotion, if it happened, would surprise me. Taking nothing away from Manuel, who has been excellent this season and far from the ‘clown’ that some people have labelled him, I just don’t think he’s number one material and the manager’s words were more of encouragement and motivation. I mean, he can hardly say he’s going to definitely buy a new keeper this summer and then try and get good performances out of one of the candidates to take over.
Tomas Rosicky says he and Thierry Henry sing from the same hymn shit, showing a spiritual side to our squad that I never knew we had. He’s also anxious to get his first Premiership goal, saying:
Nobody has said anything about me not scoring and they are all happy when I help set up goals for others. But my first goal in the Premier League will come as a relief.
Tonight against Boro would be nice. In other quick news young defender Joe O’Carrottop has extended his loan with Brighton by one month and Arsene Wenger talks about living the life of the Sumo. No, seriously. No doubt he got some advice on that from Sol Campbell. And the manager was happy Southampton’s Gareth Bale was not sold during the transfer window as it means ‘we still have a chance’. Interesting.
Right, that’s it. Here’s to a good result this evening. More tomorrow.
