Sometimes I like to draw on furniture but not my own furniture.
Another miserable morning and not much in the way of news. We may be without Mathieu Flamini (new deal please) for Saturday’s game against Wigan as he suffered an injury during a France training session. According to insufferable French coach Raymond Domenech, Flamini “suffered a little something”. Well, that’s made everything clear you speccy cunt. With reports that Abou Diaby also injured himself on French U21 duty (we don’t know if he “got a little thingy” or “received a small whatsit”) it looks like Gilberto and Lasanna Diarra, two men with points to prove, could man the midfield against a team who will arrive with a new manager in charge. That’s always a pain in the arse. Still, Domenech, what an absolute cock that bloke is.
Justin Hoyte says he wants to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place. He’s been frozen out quite badly this season which must hurt. There’s no question that Sagna is a better full-back and has improved the team but when you see Hoyte pushed down the pecking order behind Diarra then you have to think his future at the club comes under serious questioning. Personally I’d keep him as second choice right back, he’s better defensively than Eboue and Diarra is a midfielder. The fact that we have too many midfielders to give him a game there doesn’t mean we should play him at right back either. Anyway, it’s a good attitude to have but I wonder how long he can last without playing.
News of Chelsea’s interest in Luca Modric has rekindled ours, according to the Sun. As I mentioned yesterday there were rumours that we had signed him this summer and also that a deal had been done which would bring him to Arsenal in January. The player himself says:
I’d love to play in the Premiership. I’d like things to happen soon and it’s possible maybe even this winter. I don’t have a preference for a club. There are a few big clubs in England where I would love to play.
He’s got a great understanding with Eduardo at international level so perhaps that would stand in our favour. Again he is a more central player who, like Hleb and Rosicky, would have to adapt to life on the wing but he is a very good player indeed. With doubts over Rosicky’s ability to stay fit for any period longer than three weeks the boss may well be tempted. There’s no way we’re paying £30m for him though.
Speaking of Eduardo he talks about tomorrow night’s game when Croatia could upset England’s chances of reaching the finals of Euro2008. Although the Croats have already qualified they won’t be doing England any favours. Can the blinky Crozilian score at Wembley? Will this be the thing that kick-starts his Arsenal career? Can I think of any more questions which don’t really need an answer? Of course I can, can you? What do you mean that’s enough questions? You want me to shut up? Really?
Nostalgia lovers – something for Christmas perhaps?
And that’s it. One more day of international break then we can start concentrating on real football again. Till tomorrow.
