So, let’s start this morning with Arsenal’s new away shirt, as revealed on Twitter last night.
Due to the fact it is not blue and especially not white, I have to say I like it. The maroon over blue piping isn’t going down well with everyone but for the most part the reaction has been positive. I suspect this is because of the return of yellow and the fact that it is not blue and especially not white (which as we all know is the shirt colour of the worst kind of reprobate). Here’s another pic via Bay Area Gooners (quite large) – and a gallery from the official site.
The new kit is available from all good bookshops from July 13th. There’s still no sign of the home shirt but some of the mock-ups going around have been very close and a return to proper white sleeves is surely all we need to bring trophies back. Who needs signings when you have a traditional Arsenal shirt? Ok, getting carried away here. Signings and a good shirt. Unstoppable. Oh yes.
Actually, just saw this from @bozo_apparel on Twitter and it looks very, very close to what the new home shirt will look like.
Moving away from fashion and back to football and any vague hopes we might have had that a change of Chief Cunt at Barcelona would stop the Cesc Fabregas stuff were a touch optimistic. Sandra Rosell is saying he’ll sit down with Joan Laporta (heh, they all have girls names) and discuss where things are at. He says:
I am sure that we can close the operation Cesc. The relations between the two clubs has been very positive and we must make sure this does not damage those relations.
Erm, do you see that stable door there, Sandra? Yes. That one. The open one. No point closing it now because the horse is pegging it down the road towards Taragona. Meanwhile Cesc is talking only about the World Cup, as you would expect, and despite him being missing from the season ticket form (or something), Cesc’s presence in the new away kit marketing is surely a sign. A sign that he’s in the marketing pics for the new away kit, I know, but him not being there would definitely have given Conspiracy Joe something to shout about this morning.
At the World Cup yesterday Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendnter came face to face as Holland played Denmark. The Dutch won out, 2-0, in what was a game in keeping with most of the others in this tournament, dull and seriously lacking in quality. Bendtner was risked by the Danish coach despite not being fully fit, lasted an hour and had probably the best Danish chance of the game in the first half but headed wide. Robin looked a bit off the pace, as did most of his teammates to be fair, but I had expected a bit more from Holland.
Later, Alex Song remained on the bench as Cameroon were beaten 1-0 by Japan. He had an excellent season for us but this had no impact on Paul le Guen who is clearly from the Domenech school of stubborn mentalist. He played Samuel Eto’o, one of the most lethal strikers in the world, on the right hand side for most of the game. Lunatic.
Again the game wasn’t much to shout about and last night’s bore fest between Italy and Paraguay was little better. Perhaps it’s just the opening round of games, teams are being too cautious blah blah, but so far the standard of football in this World Cup has been hugely disappointing.
The only Arsenal interest today is Brazil who will probably play ex-Gunner Gilberto Silva. Beyond that I’m hoping Drogba is fit to face Portugal and that himself and Ronaldo run into each other, head first, at top speed. Brains everywhere! Update: Forgot Eboue, how on earth could that have happened?
And, of course, I’m eagerly anticipating the football feast that New Zealand and Slovakia are sure to provide in the early game.
The TV coverage and punditry is almost as poor as the football but when you have a former Arsenal striker leaving his phone on during the build-up to games then at least it provides a comedy moment or two – unlike Mark Lawrenson’s risible attempts to crack wise during games.
And that, my maroon cuffed chums, is about that for today.
