Morning all, it’s Friday. Hurrah! I have a poxy cold. Booo!
Early team news ahead of the Chelsea game on Sunday is that Adebayor, Nasri and Sagna might be back from injury. Let’s hope they are because we need them back and we need a big performance, similar to the one against Man United.
Chelsea are formidable opponents, people might talk about how their form is not great at the moment, but they’ve only conceded four goals in the league all season and they’ve scored thirty-two. It’s not exactly as if they’re there for the taking, or anything. In fact, they’ll be looking at us and thinking it’s a great time to play us. The only thing is they have been more prolific in front of goal away from Stamford Bridge and have conceded more goals at home than away so perhaps that’s something we can exploit.
Cesc says we won’t be going there to defend, which is good because we’re really not very good at it. He says:
Our target is to go there and win. We need to get some points back. Arsenal never go for a draw and a club like Chelsea will be the same as us. Every time I have played against them they have gone forward and tried to gain victory. We will expect it will be the same on Sunday.
There’s no Drogba, of course, he’s suspended after his coin chucking antics but they do have Nicolas Anelka who is probably in the best form he’s ever been in since he left Arsenal. We know they have quality in all areas though so it’s going to need a big, big performance from our boys. More on that game in the next couple of days.
The pre-match stuff will be full of the return of Gallas to Stamford Bridge, particularly after what has come to light in his autobiography. He has well and truly poked the hornet’s nest by bringing up his acrimonious departure in his book and that’s making plenty of headlines this morning. All I’ll say is that I think footballer’s biographies are a stupid idea when they’re still playing. When you’re retired you can say what you want but given everything that went on last week the last thing we need is another Gallas inspired media shitstorm. What good does it do anyone?
Chariman PHW says Arsene has reiterated that the manager has money to spend, if he chooses to spend it. He says:
There have been suggestions that we keep stopping him from buying – that is not the case. He certainly has got money if he wants to spend it.
He goes on to talk about how Arsene will only buy if he can find players who will improve the squad. Which is just common sense – but when it gets to a point where every single fan can name players who would be an improvement over some of the squad members then you have to accept that the squad needs work. Anyway, this is old ground which has been covered time and again and we still have January to cope with.
Aaron Ramsey talks about living with a Sp*rs player and his ambitions to become an established first team player at Arsenal.
Not much else going on so let’s crack on with the Arsecast. On this week’s show I chat to GilbertoSilver from Gunnerblog about the events of the last week both on and off the field, as well as that I get some insight on our new CEO from Glenn Davis who is a football writer for the Houston Chronicle as well as a radio presenter for 790AM Houston where he has a show/podcast called ‘The soccer hour’.
Amaury Bischoff PI is there and the penis of the William Gallas shows up too. Plus I announce the winner of the Savile Rogue scarf and give you another chance to win the sought after scarf in all of scarfdom (and do check out the site if you’re looking for Christmas presents, they are quality).
You can subscribe to the Arsecast iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week’s arsecast directly – click here (16mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.
As well as that there’s a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it’ll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it’s +44 20 3286 6360.
Ok, that’s your lot. Have a good Friday. I can currently only breathe through one nostril and my eyes hurt. Stupid eyes. Till tomorrow.
