Day 3 of many.
Time goes slowly during Interlulls, doesn’t it? Imagine we have the rest of this week, then the weekend, then the rest of next week, and only then do we get some Arsenal.
Are we junkies? Is Arsenal our crack? I think we are and I think it is, you know. Perhaps a broader range of interests would ensure we don’t suffer so much during these trying times. I might take up lawn bowls. Yes, lawn bowls. Sedate, tranquil, zen-like.
Only I don’t have a lawn at the moment. And even if I did it’s not long enough to play lawn bowls. I think I might try some actual crack. That would certainly help pass the time. Although, as Whitney said, ‘Crack is whack! Crack … is whack!’
Nevertheless, I have scratched around to bring you what little Arsenal news there is. It seems that Hull have been given an extra five days to provide evidence to the FA in the Fabregate incident. An FA spokesperson said:
We have now received a request from Hull for an extension of time to provide their observations. We have considered the request and have allowed an extension until 30 March.
What do they need more time for? Surely what they saw and what evidence they say they have could easily have been collated into a report by now.
Maybe they’re prepping ‘witnesses’ but the delay does nothing but make you think there’s little or no substance to the Lies of the Tigers.
Sylvester is back, fit again and feeling Mighty Real. Oh yes. Arsene Wenger’s weirdest ever signing, and I’m not just talking about the size of his big potato head here, says:
It was very good to be back. There have been so many big games and the team is doing well so you want to enjoy that as much as you can and be involved. I am glad of our progress and hopefully I can join in now.
I know it’s good to have experience about the place but I’m still really struggling to see the point of Sylvester. As long as Toure, Gallas and Djourou are fit there’s no need for him. Of course you never know how many injuries we might pick up between now and the end of the season but I’m really hoping we don’t see much of him until we sell him in the summer.
Tickets for the Champions League 1/4 final go on sale today at a cost of £72, which is pretty steep, all things considered. To check out what ticket prices are like locally I rang up Villarreal yesterday and in my best ‘I haven’t spoken Spanish for two years’ Spanish, I asked the lady how much tickets were priced at. She said:
They’re not on sale yet but I think the cheapest will be around €70-€75
So not much difference there either. I think it must be a Champions League standard. I checked the Barcelona website and tickets for their game against Bayern are starting at €73, which is an odd price.
Perhaps Villarreal’s scheme to ensure season ticket holders who have lost their jobs maintain their tickets means they need all the cash they can get. Inside the ground a bottle of water will be €10, a bocadillo de jamon y queso €25, and there’ll be a once-off payment of €50 for use of stadium air.
A full list of all the players away on international duty can be found here.
And that’ll be that. More scratchings, perhaps pork flavoured, tomorrow.