So here we are, just a day away from the new season.
Despite worries over the midfield I’m excited, I have to say. No matter what my head says about the fact we need that player my heart, as always, is full of promise and hope for the campaign ahead. We’re starting with a crucial game against FC Twente in the Champions League.
Robin van Persie summed up how important qualification is, saying:
Arsenal need to play in the Champions League. If you have players like ours and a stadium like ours, you need to play at the highest level in Europe.
He then said Twente were Dutch football’s Sp*rs, as if we needed any further motivation for this match. I think we have more than enough for Steve McClaren’s men but the fact the former England and Boro manager is in charge gives it a bit more of an edge. Of course people are a bit more nervous than they might like and while I don’t think it’s going to be a walkover by any means I think we have the quality and ability to win this tie.
Bar Cesc and perhaps Kolo the rest of the squad have had a good pre-season. Results have been decent, performances not bad and, like the holic says, probably over-analysed so I think we’re in good shape for tomorrow night. We’ll probably miss Nasri and Diaby through injury but apart from that I think we have everyone (lifers like Rosicky and Eduardo apart) available.
Speaking of Rosicky he says he’s not going to risk coming back too soon and he’s just started doing some work with the ball. Looking at what he’s saying I think we’ll be lucky to see him this side of Christmas. September sounds optimistic given the fact he can’t even kick a football properly.
The Sun and the Mirror link us with Ghanaian Athony Annan. I know nothing about him but I hope when it comes to a midfield reinforcement we have our sights set higher than that.
Joe Cole talks about Theo Walcott.
And that’s really about it. So while we wait for more news, which is sure to emerge during the pre-game build-up and press conferences, how about a competition? Ok then. There’s a new book called Arsènal co-written by Alex Flynn and Kevin Witcher, editor of the Gooner fanzine.
It covers the influence of Arsene Wenger over Arsenal since his arrival 11 years ago and includes exclusive interviews with the man himself. Now, not only do we have a competition to win the book we’re also giving you a lovely discount for when you purchase a copy – and the best thing is that discount goes to a charity that, sadly, most of us will have some affinity to.
Arseblog readers can get over £2 off the £12.99 publishers’ online price, making the book £10.91 plus postage and packing. Of the money you save, over £1 per copy will be donated to charity. Originally, Arseblog was going to donate any moneys raised to the David Rocastle Trust, but it seems to no longer exist. So the next best thing seems to be to donate it to the Cancer Research UK charity in memory of the great man, and in the hope that they can find a cure for the disease that robbed us of an Arsenal legend.
To buy the book online, simply click here and select ‘buy now’. In the window that opens enter the word rocky in the promotion code box and your £2 will be discounted when you press the ‘go’ box next to it.
To enter the competition simply answer the following question. Arsene Wenger’s first match in charge of Arsenal was against:
a) Borussia Monchengladbach b) Sp*rs c) Blackburn Rovers.
Send your answer to [email protected] and I’ll announce the 5 winners on Thursday morning.
Right so,
