Morning all,
so we won a trophy! Hurrah. I think that’s the third time we’ve won the Amsterdam Tournament. We drew 1-1 with Sevilla in a game which told us little that we didn’t already know.
Lukasz Fabianski had a quite marvelous game in goal, commanding his area and making some fantastic saves. I was glad to see him have that kind of a game as things like that will ensure competition between the two keepers and competition means you get better performances.
We saw that for all their talent that some of the kids are still very raw. Aaron Ramsey caught in possession twice just outside our box, Johann Djourou once and our full backs got the run around all night. Our goal came from Carlos Vela who showed good strength to hold off the defender and finish well. I think he’s going to really push on when surrounded by more experienced players. The manager said it was a lesson in defending under pressure and really it won’t have done anyone any harm.
So, pre-season is over and done with and now it’s time to get on with the real thing. We start with the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday against FC Twente and with midfield looking very light at the moment there’s unlikely to be a signing before that game. Arsene Wenger says:
At the moment, I am not close to concluding any transfer deal, because I am too busy here. Maybe next week something can happen, but for now we have to focus on the Champions League and forget about transfers because it is a big target for us.
Of course it’s a big target but wouldn’t signing a good player make life a bit easier? Perhaps that’s just me. It does look as if there is something going on though and as I said yesterday I think the sooner we do the deal the better. I think, as it stands, we’re more than capable of beating Twente but I think everyone would feel a lot more confident if the squad was that bit stronger.
The boss also dismissed reports that Justin Hoyte would be leaving the club saying no firm offer had been received. There was a Boro scout in the stadium last night and I suspect someone told Hoyte because he played like he didn’t want to be bought. I thought his performance was very odd last night.
Rounding up the stories in the Sunday papers the News of the World we’re ‘keeping tabs’ on Yaya Toure. Zzzzzz.
They also have a story where Manuel Almunia says Theo Walcott needs to be a bit nastier on the pitch. I remember some film where this American footballer guy was running through to make a touchdown and from under his shirt he took a gun and started shooting the defenders out of his way. That would be cool although probably just a touch too nasty.
And that’s really about it. Have yourselves a good Sunday.
