Did I ever mention that I love Per Mertesacker? I think I might have mentioned it in passing, perhaps.
Anyway, the BFG’s reaction to Germany’s win over Algeria last night was fantastic. Sure, they didn’t play particularly well in a game most people expected them to win relatively comfortably, but immediately after the game he was approached by German TV who were critical of their performance.
I don’t know what you want from me – do you think that just Mickey Mouse teams are involved in the last 16? Would you rather we played beautiful football but got knocked out?
All that matters is we’re in the quarter-finals.
Yes! And surely any criticism of Germany has to be measured against praise for an Algeria side who played really, really well. The Germans finishing wasn’t up to its usual high standards, but ultimately it’s all about qualification, not how you qualify. And he’s right – it’s the last 16 of the World Cup, not a Sunday league tournament against a bunch of hungover veterans. It’s noticeable how well organised most international teams are these days. The cliche of no easy games is truer than ever.
Still, if Germany didn’t play well at this stage, it’s not as if they’re alone. France were unconvincing against Nigeria yesterday, Holland scraped past the Mexicans, Brazil needed penalties to beat Chile. Nobody’s really standing out in this tournament as the one team that stands head and shoulders above the rest, and for the neutrals amongst us that makes it all the more exciting.
I do wonder, however, if Mertesacker was approached by the German equivalent of Mark Lawrenson or Robbie Savage – two men whose default position on any game they’re watching is ‘this is shit’. Get sent on a nice junket to Brazil, being paid to be at the World Cup, all expenses and mod/cons taken care of, and all they can do in every game they co-commentate on is moan and bleat about how terrible it all is.
Here’s an idea: give the job to somebody who might enjoy and appreciate it. Or, if there are things that are worth complaining about, can do it in a constructive way. Tell us why it might be happening rather than sitting on the sidelines lambasting and lampooning with impunity without the first hint of wit or intelligence. Anyway, I appear to have been sidetracked by those bellyaching dullards.
I saw Mesut Ozil come in for some criticism last night from Arsenal fans angry at how badly he was allegedly playing. Imagine being angry at how a man is playing for his country in a game which doesn’t affect you in the slightest. Imagine how desperate your need to be angry about something – anything – must be. In the end the Arsenal man scored a goal which cemented Germany’s place in the last eight, and a handy goal it was too because Algeria got one back late on but it was too little, too late.
In the other game, I thought Nigeria v France was a bit disappointing. I did express this sentiment on Twitter and was immediately told I was being un-followed by one Nigerian chap. I do love when people feel the need to tell you they’re un-following you. Of course, I immediately prepared a gift-basket and a diplomatic envoy to fix relations.
Olivier Giroud started for France and, like the rest of the team, struggled to break down the Nigerians. They did look better when Griezeman came on and you can see why we’ve got more than half an eye on him. In the end it was a mistake by Enyeama (literally: son of Enya) that allowed Pogba to score 11 minutes from time, and a late own goal by Yobo sealed the win for the French.
Today we’ve got Argentina v Switzerland, which should be fun for Senderos and Djourou (if they play), while I’m really looking forward to Belgium v USA later on. After that we’ve got a three day break as the tournament heads towards the final stages, so make the most of it. Except if you’re Mark Lawrenson and Robbie Savage who would find something to complain about in a 7-7 draw with injury time goals, red cards, an amazing comeback by one team, and one of the players revealing himself as a lizard-like alien from V at the final-whistle.
From an Arsenal point of view there’s some transfer speculation with French outlet Infosport+ suggesting we’re set for talks with Newcastle’s full back Mathieu Debuchy. He is the man currently keeping Bacary Sagna out of the French team at this World Cup. At 28 he wouldn’t be exactly a long-term purchase, which has led many to speculate he’d be arriving to mentor the likes of Jenkinson and Bellerin through to the first team, but I do wonder if that’s over-thinking it a bit.
He’s 28, experienced in the Premier League, French and probably wouldn’t cost the earth. It would be a solid, if uninspiring signing, but I’m not sure what else we should be looking for in a right back, particularly if we’re determined to spend the big money elsewhere. If he’s a step-down from Sagna, that’s true of almost every potential candidate out there.
There’s the Aurier faction but I wonder how much truth there is in our interest and how much is because he posted a picture of himself on Instagram in an Arsenal shirt. He might have already endeared himself to the fans, but you need a bit more than that to make a transfer happen. I’m sure Arsene has had him watched in Ligue 1, and will have seen him first hand in Brazil, so I dare say he has a better idea of his suitability than most of us.
To me, Debuchy seems a better fit. Not that I’m suggesting he’d be a better signing, but if you had to put money on Wenger signing one of them I think I’d err on the side of caution. Of course with my betting record that would mean the immediate arrival of Aurier, so let’s see what happens. It just wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Debuchy was the guy.
Finally, Luis Suarez’s ‘apology’ for biting Chiellini is as hilarious as it is insincere. He said the Italian ‘suffered the result of a bite’, no doubt on the advice of lawyers and PR people who worded it in such a pathetic way. The idea that he was forced into doing this by Barcelona is pretty funny too, as is the idea that they’ll only sign him if he signs a ‘No biting clause’ in his contract.
A grown man having to make an assurance to an institution that will spend upwards of €50m on him that he won’t sink his fangs into anyone’s arm or neck or anywhere else. It’s amazing when you think about it. But then this is a man who has done it more than once, and a club that tries to portray itself as something special but are just a bunch of in-fighting pirates who, most likely, drink their own piss on a regular basis simply because Real Madrid don’t.
Till tomorrow my friends!
