may 16th
08.56 – They may be chalk and cheese in terms of management style and how they like their football teams to play, but you suspect that with just a touch of George Graham’s defensive focus, Arsenal would be looking to complete the double-double tomorrow against Southampton.
Gorgeous George says “Arsenal have to get a lot better defensively. I didn’t have all the world-class players Arsene has and, in midfield and up front, they are wonderful to watch. But you have to get all three departments right and the defence is not. You only had to watch Real Madrid when they lost to Juventus in the semi- final the other night.”
Which funnily enough is what our old chum Myles has to say about Madrid on ANR. “Like Arsenal, they are an attacking team with a dodgy defence.” Lee Dixon has urged Arsene Wenger to go out and splash the cash on John Terry this summer. “Gone are the days when Arsenal can sign a player like Pascal Cygan for only £2million and then expect him to set to the world alight immediately. Sol Campbell has the ability to go on and become the best defender in the world but he needs a new partner to build up an understanding with. John Terry at Chelsea would be a good signing…”
Ashley Cole reckons it will be a ‘disaster’ if Arsenal finish the season without a trophy. David Seaman is set to be named captain for the game tomorrow, in what could be his last match for Arsenal (before he’s snapped up by Kelvin Koogle for Man City).
In terms of team news, Pascal Cygan is definitely out (mentally more than physically if you believe the whispers). Oleg trained yesterday but remains a doubt so we could see Kolo at right back and Igors Stepanovs in central defence. I did hear that Gilberto may move into the centre of defence alongside Martin Keown with Gio or Edu playing in midfield. Apparently the team have played some training matches like this during the week. Wenger says “Pascal Cygan’s out – all the rest are gambles.”
So tomorrow eh? Love the cup final I do. I’ll get up early, do my bits and pieces down the market, come home, get the beers into the fridge, and sit and watch about 3 hours of pre-match build up without moving. Those of you living in far-away places such as Canadia and America will have to get up at 4am and do the same. Even if there isn’t any build up on the TV, sit and stare at the blank screen as if there was. Imagine the thrills of watching the team buses wind their way through the streets of the Welsh village, the locals slack-jawed with the technology of it all. Like ancient man seeing fire for the first time.
Do they still take the cameras on board the bus? Remember how they used to do that?
Reporter: ‘And here are 4 players playing cards. What’re ya playing lads?’
Player: ‘Er….cards.’
Reporter: ‘You must be very excited about the game’
Player2: ‘Yeah, I am…..’
Oh, it was great stuff. I can’t wait…..
