Right, lots going on so I’ll try to get through it as efficiently as possible.
Champions League – it just had to be the Mugsmashers, didn’t it? This means we now play them in three consecutive games. The home leg of the CL on the Wednesday, the league game at home on the Saturday then the 2nd leg at Anfield on the Tuesday. We’ll be sick of the sight of each other but hopefully it’ll be the Mugsmashers who are more sick as they slump to three defeats in 6 days.
Conspiracy theorists are asking questions about the draw after it was apparently leaked onto some website a good 90 minutes before it was made. Me, I don’t believe in conspiracies. Apart from JFK, the moon landings and the career of Westlife.
Arsene Wenger’s thoughts on the draw can be found here. As he rightly points out it’s something for us to worry about in a couple of weeks time but this is now a massive period for us. Our next 6 games, after today, are Bolton (A), Chelsea (A), Liverpool (H H A), Man United (A). Talk about season defining. But this is what it’s all about, no? Better to have games that mean a lot than games that mean fuck all.
The manager is convinced the team will win something and at this stage it would be hard to take if they didn’t. While I think we can all recognise the progress that has been made to end up without any silverware this season would hurt. I suppose the big worry is whether or not the squad can stand up to the rigorous test in front of them. It’s going to be energy sapping stuff, both physically and mentally.
For today’s game against Boro we have Robin van Persie back, who Arsene is describing as a ‘new signing‘. I spoke earlier in the week about how important he could be and to have those fresh legs at this stage could make all the difference. Theo Walcott and Kolo Toure are both back in the squad for today, as is Eboue, so we’re starting to see a bit of strength return to the squad. There’s still no sign of Tomas Rosicky with Arsene saying:
Personally I don’t know when he will be back. We miss him yes he is a big player and has a fantastic spirit. We have missed his talent. I can not really give positive news about his injury. It is a strange injury but not a bad one.
Well it’s bad enough that he hasn’t played since since the end of January and with no return in sight I think it’s time we seriously considered his position at the club. Yes, he’s a very good player but for someone who is considered a first XI starter when fit he spends far too much time out injured. It’s now clear we can’t rely on him to be fit and available and harsh as it sounds perhaps we’d be better off looking elsewhere for somebody to fill that left side position on a long term basis. That said if we can get him fit (the Six Million Dollar Rosicky, perhaps?) he’s got the quality to make a contribution during the run in.
You know the way you love Robert Pires? Yeah, me too. And you know the way you thought you couldn’t love him any more? Well, when told that Sp*rs were interested in making a move for him, he said:
Is it a joke? They must have forgotten where I come from. They can make the offer, but I won’t play for Tottenham
What I wouldn’t give for a 28 year old Pires right now. I mean in the team, of course. Yes … the team.
Back to today and I don’t need to tell you how important three points are. United will go top of the table at around 5pm after they beat Derby. We have to respond, put the disappointment of the drawn games behind us and win this one. While I’d like it be convincing and emphatic I really don’t care how we get the win, once we get it.
It’s time to start building some momentum again. Come on Arsenal.
More tomorrow.
