Good day to you all. We find ourselves in a kind of mini-Interlull with quite a number of our players in action for their countries tonight.
Last night saw Brazil play Italy at the Grove (2-0 Brazil) and a return to the old stomping ground for Gilberto Silva. He’s enjoying life in Greece it seems, and nobody could begrudge him that. Speaking about the current Arsenal side and its troubles, he says:
It’s only my opinion, and I could be proved wrong, but I think Arsenal made a mistake letting some of the more experienced players go. He thought it would be good for the development of the younger players. They’re having to learn for themselves and that’s hard. These players need to find that killer instinct. They can get there but it takes time. I hope it comes quickly.
It’s proving a tall order for some of them and I wonder now does Wenger regret letting the Brazilian leave. Yes, he had found himself frozen out by the form of Flamini but last summer Flamini had gone, Diarra had gone in the January, and when Gilberto was allowed to leave everyone assumed a suitable replacement would be forthcoming.
We all know now it wasn’t and I think we can all see what a mistake that was. What I wouldn’t give now for his experience, his leadership, his ability to step up when needed. Remember when he captained the side in Henry’s absence? Remember the fact he got into double figures in goals? When the team needed him he was there.
Now, in the absence of Cesc and with the others struggling to prove their readiness, he’d be a fantastic player to have in the squad. Now, I’m not saying he was perfect but he’s better than what we have at the moment and I’ll argue that with you till the cows come home.
It’s a measure of the man too that despite how poorly he was treated, and I think he got a bum deal from Arsene Wenger, he remains a gentleman about the manager and about his time at Arsenal. I miss Gilberto.
Theo Walcott says he could be back in contention for the Champions League game against Roma. He’s still in the rehab stages but the signs are good this could be the end of his shoulder problems. He’s also looking forward to playing with the new boy, Andrei Arshavin, saying:
When he gets his fitness back up, he will be a top player for us definitely. I have seen him on YouTube a lot, watching how he plays, the balls he can spot. He can do unbelievable passes. He is going to be a good addition to the squad.
In the absence of newly crowned African Player of the Year, Emmanuel Adebayor, it’s likely that Nicklas Bendtner will get the nod to partner Robin van Persie. As usual the big Dane is not short on self-confidence, saying:
I still feel that when I play my best, I should start, regardless of who is fit or who is injured. Of course, chances for me have improved with someone else out injured. But I still hope that he (Adebayor) will be back soon, as we need him in the team.
I think it’s probably fair to say we haven’t seen the best of Bendtner this season but he is only 20 years of age. His style does him no favours, he’s a bit Kanu-esque in his loping about the pitch, but he doesn’t have the tricks of the Nigerian to wow the crowd. But he’s capable of scoring goals and while his return isn’t great so far this season it’s kind of on a par with the rest of the team.
When he had a run of games earlier in the season due to injuries elsewhere I think he’d admit he didn’t do himself justice. Now we need him to take this new chance. Perhaps the increased competition for places up front will be a spur to all the forwards. Eduardo’s coming back, Arshavin can play the ‘number 10’ role, Theo will be back and if Arshavin is starting at right midfield then he becomes an option up front, Carlos Vela is in the mix.
If only we had those kind of options in other areas of the pitch. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bendtner and Vela start against Cardiff. They seemed to have a good understanding in some of the Carling Cup games earlier in the season. Let’s wait and see.
Arsenal Youth has some info on Amaury Bischoff PI scoring for Portugal U21s and some English players involved in the Arsenal U19 squad.
Other than that it’s pretty quiet so keep your fingers crossed our guys come through tonight’s internationals without picking up any injuries, more tomorrow.
