Which way will we go?
Now more than ever feels like a defining moment for us. We’re half way through the league slog and perhaps unexpectedly keeping pace.
But where do we go from here? Is this, like two years ago at this stage, a false dawn? Or are we ready to break that trophy drought?
The manager, for his part, looks refreshingly up for it. Never in the history of January transfer windows can I remember him admitting so publicly to being in the market for players.
Thanks to all of you who have taken part in the Goodplaya goal of the decade survey. If you haven’t yet, watching all those great goals again is a great way to wile away a dragging Friday. See here for details.
How ridiculous all the criticism over the postponement. The fact is it was snowing all morning on Wednesday but not settling and so the game looked very playable. When it started settling and temperatures began to plummet, it obviously became a problem. As it was, a few hundred Bolton fans and probably an equal number of daytrippers to London were put out plus a few long distance fans who set out early. Think about it: had they gone ahead with the game, with trains cancelled and roads ice rinks, thousands of others who had paid to see it would not have been able to make it. The travel refund to the Bolton fans is frankly more generous than anything we ever get out out the club. What odds the same Bolton fans labelling us southern softies had we called it off based on just a forecast? And what an outrage too that when I went to the Reebok a few years ago it cost me more to watch the game in the north-west than their fans pay to watch it in fairly central London? And your car park is crap.
I too noticed the absence of the words long term in the puff about Tomas Rosicky’s new contract. But it does seem right to keep him. He has already made a useful contribution this season and the fact is it’s players like him and Arshavin who are giving the squad a much more balanced look experience wise.
It would be a shame to lose Fran Merida. Right now he may be well down the pecking order but his is no less coherent a case than that offered by certain other midfielders at the same age and he has the added bonus of being very highly rated in some quarters.
Of course, Arsene being Arsene, it’s a striker that is the priority. Sod the fact we’ve scored bucketloads of goals despite injuries up front. Sod the fact too we’ve conceded a fair few in spite of no injuries at the back. If there is ever a choice between strengthening at the back and the front, you know which way we will go.
That’s not to say strengthening up front is senseless. It’s certainly not. It’s just you fear the worst were Gallas or Vermaelen to finally get crocked. Reports this morning say Big Sol could get a short-term deal. Blimey is all I’ll say at this stage til I’ve had a proper chance to think about it.
In midfield, if form and fitness continue, we suddenly seem to have five very decent players to fill those three places.
But in goal things remain a worry. Is the current incumbent really the man to take us to a title? Or not far short of 25, is Fabianski (who reassuringly seems a little less up for the mad dash), ready to usurp him?
Arsene’s positive message
Not so, responded Arsene. And amen to that.
I hate it when managers start moaning about congestion and start getting clever with team selections.
By and large, all it ever seems to accomplish is in telling a side who are flying high that they’re actually knackered, with defeats soon following.
The man from Senegal
And let’s face it, him pulling on a Man City shirt is hardly up there with him wearing the white of Spurs, the red of United or the blue of Chelsea.
Any of those would have been weird. But City? I can’t say I’m that bothered.
The guy arrived at Arsenal age 20 and left at 29. I think it fair to say we got his best years and if he needs football at City to get into the French squad for next summer, then good luck to one of the finest players I’ve ever seen.
Do a You Tube search on him if you’ve got a minute. Wow.
Goodplaya responds
Billbloke says:
Goodplaya says:
It’s true. What an incredible transformation. I don’t think anyone can say he doesn’t deserve his place right now. Though I feel Denilson is improving too.
Singha Song says:
Goodplaya says:
I thought the hammering Wilshere took in one particular paper was a bit over the top. He turns 18 on New Years Day and a day later it’s open season suddenly!