There’s a bit of an injury crisis ahead of Monday’s game against Blackburn. The following players are either out or doubtful: Almunia, Rosicky, Senderos, Djourou, Flamini, Song, Eboue, Diaby, Denilson and van Persie. Almost a full team.
From that group Flamini and Senderos could play, the others unlikely to do so. It’s got so bad that there’s talk of Kolo Toure playing even though he can’t leave Ghana until after the 3rd/4th place play-off game later today. After a gruelling tournament to fly straight back and into the team might be too much even for Kolo. Hopefully Senderos and Flamini will be ok though, that’d ease the burden somewhat, and there’s still a couple of days for little niggles to clear up. Fingers crossed.
One man who may play is Gilberto but he’s not a happy man. After a blinding season last time around he’s finding his demotion hard to cope with. He says:
To this day I’m waiting for an explanation as to this change. The truth is I found out about it through the newspapers. I thought I had a good season last year and I saw no reason for what has happened. If I continue not to play, then leaving Arsenal is inevitable
I could not cope with another season like this one when Wenger has made me feel totally useless. A player must be able to smile. A sad Brazilian is no good, especially on a football pitch. Right now I really am struggling to battle on.
You’ve got to feel for the bloke, he really did have a great season last time around and the way he discovered the captaincy was being given to Gallas was a bit shabby. Given how well things have gone this season, how well Gallas has taken the captain’s role and how well Flamini has done in his position, it’s difficult to argue against the manager’s decisions (however shabbily they might have been implemented). All the same it’s hard not to feel for Gilberto who has given us good service down the years.
Obviously Arsene was asked about the foreign round of games and I was, I have to say, surprised at his reaction to it. I thought it would be something he’d be dead set against but typically his response is very measured. He says:
By principle, I am not against innovation. If it’s just to make £5 or £6million more then it’s not worth doing. You have to respect basic criteria – the competitiveness of our League, the fairness of our League, and, as well make sure that it is a promotion for our football.
It’s not worth doing it only for money. Having said that, it deserves a deeper look into because it’s not a decision, and you have to think forward always.
And while it’s at the discussion stage that’s reasonable enough. Arsene was asked by a Daily Star reporter if he was 50/50 ‘in favour’ of the plan, his response was that it was ’20-80′. That’s 20 for, 80 against. I don’t think he’s the kind of man to rule out anything without having all the possible information so while a fan’s response is much more vehement his is more considered. However, from a man who routinely criticises the international friendlies and the national associations making their players travel for no good reason I would have expected a more negative reaction. Especially when I can’t see any ‘fair’ way to add an extra fixture to the league season.
I still think it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever heard of. The reaction of fans from all clubs has been almost entirely negative and it’s rare that so many football fans agree on the same thing. That just means this is an idea so shit that nobody can get behind it.
The Football Supporters Federation has set up a petition on their site if you fancy signing it. I suppose that this thing would also need the approval of FIFA and UEFA. I remember when Wimbledon were trying to relocate to Dublin and that was scuppered because games weren’t allowed to be played outside of England (amongst other reasons). Perhaps that will be the same this time.
Right, that’s about that. No football for us today or tomorrow. Booo. Having to wait until Monday is crap. Still, enjoy your weekend whatever you get up to.
