Howdy Arse lovers. I write a few hours in advance of the fixture with Olympiacos. Far from ideal as it’s likely you’ll read this in wake of that game. But it was so nearly worse dear reader. I did originally flounce off in a massive huff and refuse to produce the column altogether. This was until my lawyer forced me to release a statement explaining that it had all been a misunderstanding. Then Blogs bore down on me brandishing that belt with the really big brass knuckle and I relented. He smelled of rum.
I’m rather hoping the Bolton victory at the weekend- our first by a three goal margin since February – has set us on the road to recovery. But I’ll admit I’ve been hurt adopting this way of thinking too many times before. Arsenal’s road to recovery is too often littered with road works, Junction 6 pile ups and annoying fucking caravans that seem intent on hovering in your lane.
I think the best note to start with on reflection of the weekend is to pay tribute to our captain and talisman Robin van Persie, who reached 100 Arsenal goals. A richly deserved milestone that once again makes the mind do Pat Rice-esque somersaults pondering what he might have achieved with greater fitness levels. The blistering volley at Charlton in 2006 will surely register as his greatest effort. But I think my favourite would be one of his many efforts against Blackburn in our last season at Highbury.
I’m tempted to recant poetically about this period being his coming of age in the side. At the time it felt as though he was cementing his place as Henry’s strike partner, but in retrospect it’s when he started to flower into Henry’s successor. But really, I think I love that goal because that preening uber cunt Savage tries to cynically take him out en route to goal, but succeeds only in looking a total dick.
Of course this has led to the newspapers making a big fuss over the length of time remaining on van Persie’s current deal. As it happens, they’re about a Pat Rice triple jump attempt behind the Arsenal populace, who have been acutely aware of the situation since the summer. There’s also anxiety over the fact that van Persie switched his agent to Darren Dein recently. Dein, as we know, seems to act as a kind of David Dickinson figure at London Colney, desperately looking to relieve us of our most valuable wares on the cheap.
It’s not a situation I’m going to pay too much mind to. I may be leaving myself open to accusations of naivety here, but I really don’t think van Persie’s main driver is money. (Though of course I’m sure it’s still important). Ultimately, I believe his impression of his future will be forged by what happens on the pitch. I have already allocated plenty of brain space to worrying about that, so I’m choosing to take the economical approach. Cranial efficiency, people! Either that or I’m headed for a brain tumour the size of Kolo Toure’s arse.
Our little worry eggs have been hatching even further this week with the news that Jack Wilshere’s ankle injury required surgery, which keeps him out for 5 months. The collective wetting of knickers over the quality of the medical care he received has predictably erupted. As I pointed out in this column a fortnight ago; Arsenal’s prognosis has been cautious throughout because they knew this scenario was a possibility.
I spoke to my own physiotherapist about Jack’s injury last week (because my knees make Ledley King look like the Iron Man). His informed, qualified assertion was that, for a stress fracture in the ankle, standard procedure is to put it in a protective boot for 6-8 weeks to see if it heals. If it doesn’t, you operate.
Whilst it is a shame for Arsenal and for Jack that his layoff is now so prolonged, I don’t think this will be the worst thing for him – provided of course he makes a full recovery from his ailment without long term consequences. For a start, he is 19 and it looks as though he will be playing at the top level for the duration of his career. The physical relief of 6 months watching daytime TV and rom coms could do his body some good.
It may also just dull the glare of expectation on Wilshere. Second season syndrome tends to taint the coverage of your performances – even when they don’t necessarily dip. The media’s “build ‘em up and knock ‘em down” modus operandi, plus the football supporters’ constant desire for a new shiny toy ensure that. Wilshere might be, perhaps unwittingly, shielded from that. It’s not a disaster for the team either. Jack isn’t our best player yet. If he continues progressing at the same rate, he will be very soon. But he’s not yet as integral to us he could be in a year or two.
In the meantime, provided they stay fit of course, I think Arteta and Ramsey can pick up the baton. I’ve been very impressed with Arteta since his signing. I think he adds an authority and quiet assurance you get when you sign a 29 year old, seasoned performer. Arsenal have been sporting a young midfield for a few years now and I think one of the team’s big weaknesses has, consequently, been their adaptability to in game situations.
That is to say, the nous to realise that you don’t really need eight players forward when you’re a goal up in injury time. You don’t need to panic and thrash around like a horny teenager if you’re being held 0-0 after 60 minutes. Arteta has a composure and an intelligence about him that transmits. Plus, he has the ability to either sit deep and allow Ramsey to plough forward, or else go for the jugular himself. Not only does he have that ability, but he has the intelligence to pick his moments too.
I think he’s taken a lot of the load off of Ramsey and Song and that really showed in the Bolton game. Neither player featured much in the first half of that match. Both looked a little lost. Arteta was probably our standout player in an otherwise impoverished half. But after the interval, both his midfield deputies grew in stature. See Ramsey’s role in the first goal. Arteta isn’t Cesc Fabregas. He was never going to be. But I think he’s looked a fine addition thus far.
That leaves me finally to congratulate the Arsenal Ladies side who completed another all conquering treble on Sunday. Birmingham City- their closest rivals to their Superleague crown- were swatted aside with relative ease in a 4-1 final victory. Rachel Yankey’s second goal in particular was a standout moment. Congratulations again to them and bon journee to you, dear readers. LD.
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