Pre-season continued last night with a 5-0 stroll over Slobadomayz Hashpipes. In the evening gloom Arsenal’s new away kit proved difficult to see, what with it being the exact same colour as shadows, but that didn’t stop Nicklas Bendtner continuing his goal crazy pre-season ways with two goals.
Even better were two goals for Eduardo who got a good hour under his belt. He looked fit and sharp and it’s great to see. The other goal came from a Robin van Persie penalty. The opposition might have scored a penalty of their own only for the bloke taking it to cock it up so badly he’s going to end up on countless YouTube compilation reels.
It’s nice that we’re scoring goals, I have to say, even if there’s not too much to be read into these pre-season games, but perhaps we’re beginning to see the way the team might line up this season. At times it looked as if we were playing with three central midfielders with two wide forwards playing behind a main striker. Interesting. We’ll get a better idea when we can actually see the games in decent resolution without having to sit 6 inches away from a computer monitor.
Arsenalist has the goals and an interview with Eduardo.
The appearances of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in the first half might be a small clue as to their futures. I thought that if any possible moves were forthcoming they’d be protected from injury but maybe that doesn’t apply to friendly games like these. Whatever the truth from the Arsenal camp the papers are full of stories again this morning: keywords = Kolo Toure, Manchester City and £15m. There are reports of personal terms being agreed and talks being at an ‘advanced’ stage so there definitely seems to be something going on.
A Cultured Left Foot makes an interesting point in that no denial of these rumours has been forthcoming. In a summer when we’ve heard from almost all the players linked with moves away, even Nicklas Bendtner yesterday denied any possible move to AC Milan, Kolo and the club have been very quiet about this one. That might just be because there’s nothing doing, that this is all nothing but rumour, but it would make you wonder.
These stories haven’t really gone away since January when Kolo handed in a transfer request, then decided at the last minute to stay at Arsenal. Perhaps he didn’t want to be the first high profile player to go there. Would the arrivals of Tevez, Barry and Adebayor make it easier for him? We’ll see. The Mirror speculates that if we do sell him the money will go almost straight away on Fulham’s Brede Hangeland who is becoming the Obafemi Martins of defenders. Whenever we’re linked with any kind of defender, it’s him.
One thing is for sure though, that if we sell Kolo Toure to Manchester City that money must be invested back into the team. The same if Eboue leaves for Italy. Arsene generally knows the right time to sell a player, I don’t think there are too many Arsenal fans who would dispute that, where he’s fallen down in recent times is by not replacing them.
The obvious example here is Gilberto. Allowed to leave last summer I’m very much of the opinion that he’d still have brought more to the team than Denilson or Song or Diaby last term. Anyway, with the Adebayor money already in the coffers, adding another £20m or so by selling the two Ivorians would surely have to bring about some transfer action.
Meanwhile new boy Thomas Vermaelen says his lack of height is not a big problem because he can read the game well and he’s got a good jump. Oh dear, one thing everybody knows is that white men can’t jump.
Time to hear from some legends now. Firstly Thierry Henry has reacted to Twitchy Redknapp’s claims that he advised Patrick Vieira to sign for Sp*rs, saying:
I am Arsenal through and through. I’d never advise anyone to sign for Tottenham. I can’t have Arsenal fans thinking I am helping Tottenham in any way.
And that is why Thierry Henry is an Arsenal great. Well, that and all those goals he scored for us. I seem to remember a few of those down the years, but he doesn’t slag off the club, the fans, the manager, or anyone else, which is why he’ll be remembered with fondness and some players will be subjected to verbal custard pies whenever they return.
He also believes the trophy drought could come to an end this season, saying:
I know how those supporters feel. Like them, I am Arsenal through and through and we all suffer when the team doesn’t win anything. All I can say to them right now is to have faith in Arsene and know that the first trophy in five years will be more enjoyable than ever.
Then Dennis Bergkamp has been talking about Andrei Arshavin. He reckons the Russian’s a good ‘un, saying:
Arshavin has every chance of becoming a favourite of the London fans. Arsenal found the kind of player they have been lacking. I hope Andrey will not rest on his laurels and will to continue to work to a higher level. Then he will become part of Arsenal’s history.
And there’s another man who knows a thing or two about becoming part of Arsenal’s history. Arshavin doesn’t strike me as the rest on his laurels type anyway but that kind of backing from someone as important to Arsenal fans as Dennis must be nice to get.
Robin van Persie reckons we’re in good shape in the striking department but he wouldn’t be unhappy to see a new signing come in as it would strengthen the squad. Good attitude.
And beyond that there’s not much to tell you. The lads will continue training ahead of the final game of the Austrian tour tomorrow evening. It would be nice to see us line up in red shirts though. The more I see that away kit the less I like it. And that’s saying something.
Till tomorrow.
