Yesterday started with a rumour. A new club was in for Jonathan Woodgate. It was Arsenal! We’d agreed a fee! He was ‘set to sign’! We’d ‘beaten Sp*rs in the race!’. Arsenal blogs confidently announced we’d be signing him/having lunchtime talks with him/giving him a billion pounds a week! Opinion was passed on how he’d fit into the team! Then Arsene spoke. He said:
I do not know where that story came from. There is no truth in it at all. We have never been in touch with Middlesbrough about Jonathan Woodgate.
And across the land humble pie was warmed in the oven, headlines were modified and the delete key was used hither and thither. Personally I’m quite happy we didn’t sign him. Leaving aside his dubious past we already have too many players who spend more time in the treatment room than on the pitch. I’m sure Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky would have liked a new friend to talk to but if they’re that desperate I’ll buy them a puppy, or something.
If you don’t count this season Woodgate has played an average of 13 games a season for the last 5 years. At least he can swap stories with Ledley King as he’s since signed for Sp*rs. Frankly the whole thing smacks of an agent trying to get the maximum possible out of a team desperate for defensive signings. When you have Kaboul and Dawson you’d be desperate too. I hope he breaks in half during his debut, the zombie looking cunt.
Right, onto matters more important and there’s a game of football tonight against Newcastle. One of the things I suspected Keegan might do there was lessen the cunt quota but it seems he’s decided the best way to deal with someone like Joey Barton is to bring Denis Wise on board. If Joey needs any advice on travelling by taxi I’m sure the man who just walked out on Leeds can help him.
From our point of view we’re without Rosicky but everyone else from Saturday is available. Tomas’s injury is thought to be short term though (until the next one), while Robin van Persie is back in training but still unlikely to hit the first team for another two or three weeks. You’d have to think Adebayor and Eduardo will start up top, Almunia will return in goal, Sagna at right back and the rest of the team more or less picks itself. Three points would put us top of the league as United don’t play Portsmouth until tomorrow night. It’s a good chance to just put a little bit of pressure on.
And speaking of United the draw for the 5th round of the FA Cup was made and it’s United at Old Trafford. Typical, but a tasty fixture all the same. Chelsea, as usual, paid someone to ensure they got a lower division side.
Jens Lehmann is now officially our FA Cup goalkeeper and Arsene Wenger is hoping that the final will be his last game for the club. Jens himself is being Jens Positivo, saying:
I believe in this team’s ability to win things and I believe in my ability to be a part of that.
How awesome would it be if the FA Cup final was his final game. And he saved a penalty like in 2005. And scored the winner. After running the length of the pitch in a manner which would have made Lionel Messi sit at home and play with himself with excitement. I’d like that. Jens scoring, I mean. Not Messi wanking. Bleurgh.
The Online Gooner has a piece that every Arsenal fan should read.
Finally, just a reminder that if you haven’t voted for Arseblog in the Best European Weblog category for the 2008 Bloggies there’s still time. Go here, select Arseblog, then submit. It couldn’t be easier, and thanks.
Right, busy morning ahead. Here’s to three points tonight. More tomorrow.
