june 8th
Do you know in all the time I’ve been doing Arseblog I don’t think I’ve had a picture of Ray Parlour (on his own) on the site.
It’s always been the goalscorers, Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Reyes. I suppose a lot of that has to do with that fact that Razor hasn’t scored a goal since the FA Cup final in 2002, but it does seem like he’s been overlooked.
It’s kind of easy to overlook him too. In a team full of highly skilled, fancy players, Ray Parlour brings a work ethic and dynamism to the side that’s as vital as the tricks and flicks of other players. He’s an old fashioned grafter.
Anyway, the reason I mention him is because there were stories running all day yesterday about how West Brom were in for him and the man himself has turned down a move there. My blogging chum from the East Lower has a bit more info about Ray’s future and some quotes from the man himself, but I hope he stays put.
Another veteran in the news is Martin Keown. Harry Redknapp wants to sign him for Portsmouth, but since he and his Chairman are bickering like an old married couple, Mandaric reckons Keown is too old and is digging his heels in. Harry says “Martin Keown wouldn’t have played for Arsenal last season if Arsene Wenger didn’t think he was good enough for the top flight.”
Martin didn’t really play that much for us last season, truth be told. A lot of that had to do with injury and the emergence of Kolo. He’d certainly be a valuable asset to any side, even if he didn’t play a huge amount, as his experience and knowledge of the game would be a great help on the training ground.
Thierry on England v France: “All season I have been fighting with Sol and Ashley to win stuff and now we are going to be opponents. Everyone is talking about me playing against Sol but there is also Lampard vs Makelele and Pires vs Cole. So many players are going to be facing each other. When we play against England the best team will win – and best of luck after.”
No more on Mexes. It’s been widely reported that he’s off to Roma, but what I was told yesterday was that although there exists an agreement between the player’s agent and Roma, the Italian club and Auxerre have had problems reaching an agreement with regards a fee, which is where we stepped in. More if I get it.
Finally bad luck to the Calgary Flames who had the Stanley Cup stolen from them by piss-poor refereering, dodgy decisions and a corrupt governing body. How very Arsenal. Next year Dan, unbeaten.
