Right so, the internationals are over and we can get back to talking about real football. As far as I know we haven’t lost anyone though injury and Cesc didn’t play at all last night so he’ll be rested and raring to go against Liverpool.
And a rest won’t do him any harm at all considering he’s already looking forward to recharging his batteries in the summer. Elsewhere Rosicky played for the Czechs, Freddie played for Sweden who were beaten by Northern Ireland while Abou Diaby started for France and did well by all accounts. Apart from that I don’t know who else played but if there are any injuries no doubt we’ll find out today. Away from the first team Nicklas Bendtner scored for Denmark as they beat Germany 1-0 in a friendly.
The Times is reporting that Arsenal have a verbal agreement in place to sign Frank Ribery in the summer, provided Marseille don’t qualify for the Champions League. Opinions are divided about him but he’s small, quick, direct, goes wide and does offer something different than the central midfielders we’re insisting on playing on the wings these days. At this stage he’s the most likely arrival in the summer.
Gael Clichy talks about losing a finger, dying and how Armand Traore breathing down his neck keeps him on his toes.
Arsene Wenger says he should have sacrificed the FA Cup this season and says the replays against Bolton and Blackburn were a factor in going out against PSV in the Champions League. It sounds like a nice thing to say but realistically how do you sacrifice a competition like the FA Cup and especially when you’re playing at home like we did against Blackburn? At that stage we had a squad with a lot injuries so who does he pick and how exactly do you sacrifice the game? Do you lose deliberately at home? Score own goals on purpose? Of course not.
I’m not sure the FA Cup had much of an impact on the PSV game. Would losing in the FA Cup have made our strikers score goals? No Sir, it would not.
Jose Antonio Reyes says he’s still hoping to secure a permanent deal with Real Madrid. Whatever happens I think you can be sure he won’t be coming back to Arsenal. Meanwhile the boss has ruled out the possibility of Gilberto joining Juventus, calling them a ‘pack of stripey shirted, Brady stealing cunthammers’, and who can argue with him?
And that’s that. I must away and record an Arsecast for you but with little material to work with this week it might well be a short one. Unless, of course, I include my acapella cover version of Safety Dance. Hmmmmm….
