december 17th
09.01 – Another good night in the Carling Cup last night as Arsenal went through to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns. Kanu scored the first goal, heading a chance straight at the keeper but then knocking in the rebound. In the second half Arsenal were gifted a second goal when Russell Hoult (who some people were advocating signing in the summer) beautifully set up young French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who has now got 4 goals this season, all of them in the Carling Cup. Nice to see him take his chances when they’re given to him though, unlike a certain jug-eared striker on Merseyside.
Also taking his chance well, and drawing praise from the boss, was Graham Stack. He got nothing but good reports when he spent last season on loan at Beveren, and after last night’s game he said “It’s a dream for me to play for Arsenal – so to play three games and get us in the semi-finals is great. I’d be disappointed not to play in the next game – but to get into the semis is a fantastic feat for such a young side. It speaks volumes for our academy.”
The draw for the semi-finals will be made after tonight’s games are completed. Despite playing in all the rounds of the Carling Cup, Greek defender Stathis Tavlaridis could be off to Lille when the transfer window opens. I suppose he’s gone beyond the point where he could have any realistic hope of making the first team, and he didn’t really impress me last night, so if he goes, good luck to him. Going nowhere though is Jermaine Pennant who continues his pennance at Leeds, for at least another month, while Dennis Bergkamp might stay on at Arsenal for another season according to Arsene Wenger.
Today sees the start of Rio Ferdinand’s hearing for missing his drugs test. All the usual old cronies are out saying what a good lad he is, don’t ban him, he’s suffered enough. Give him the full 2 years, I say. Wonky lipped muppet. The fact that so much time has passed has clouded the issue. Bottom line: Rio ‘forgot’ to take a drugs test, despite having been told twice that morning about it. You won’t convince me that he genuinely forgot, and whatever he was trying to hide or whatever he was was trying to do, he’s a professional athlete and should be punished accordingly. ‘The guillotine’, you say. What a splendid idea.
Christmas shopping % = 0%. Really fucking slowly, slowly.
