Review: Stoke 3 - Arsenal 1

This will have to be a short one - and thank god for that.

Not very often that I say this, but Le Boss got his managerial decision-making on this one totally wrong. It's not that it hurts going out of the FA Cup - in fact, I think it's great, but it's how that really takes the cake.

First, he should've just thrown the game, but in his line-up, you could see that he was in two minds. Yes, he really had other priorities, but he wanted his cake and eat it too, so he stuck Cesc in, and exposed him to injury at such a shit-hole for us as the Britannia Stadium. Then of course, we had the mix of chaps like Coquelin and Jay Emanuel Thomas. And, to top if off, we had the Arsh, Rosicky, Ramsey and Eduardo on the bench. Why even bother?

It was a total mix up and cock up. Should've just gone totally with the Reserve team. But he couldn't. He knew he'd get the hardest stick from select portions of fans, the British media and who-knows-who else if he did so. Which explains the strange line up, which more than anything, exposed how unbalanced we can be if injuries were to hit even harder.

So what do we have now? Cesc, Denilson, Ramsey, Eduardo, Arsh - all exposed to a gut-wrenching, momentum-stopping defeat prior to the games of our season. I've not included Theo here. Of everyone on the pitch, he must've put in the more horrible. It was sad to see him rule himself out of South Africa, but he surely did. Let's hope we don't see much more of him on this form.

It hurts to lose, it hurts to lose anytime, and to Stoke City. But it could've been must less painful if Le Boss had been slightly more honest with his line-up.

Hand on heart - who really wants to still be in the FA Cup these days, with the kinds of fixtures we have, and the squad that we have. Furgeddit I say. And other hand on heart - what does getting to the quarters, semis, finals or even winning the damn thing ever do? Who's going to remember that Pompey ever won it recently? My bet this year: Birmingham.

So what now?

I suppose there is one good thing about playing Bolton twice in the space of 4 days. It basically means that we won't have to go anywhere near the Reebok Stadium or have their 18 fans* visit the Emirates ever again this season. And hey, the way they're going, we may not even have them in the Premier League next season. It's all looking good on the Bolton front, I say.

* speaking of the 18 fans - did anyone notice the away section of the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night? I suppose this was the same lot who may or may not have tropped down south for the postponed-at-the-last-minute game. In any case, since it was only 18 of them, I can see why we decided to just pay them off and shut them up.

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to shut them (as in the players) up over the whole Gallas foul thing. I mean, let's get a few things straight:

(a) It was a late tackle - yes. Happens all the time.

(b) It looked like a 50-50 at first glance, which was why the ref let it go. Happens all the time.

(c) The ref waved play on. Happens all the time.

(d) Defending players stand around like pricks wondering why the whistle didn't go. Happens all the time.

(e) Arse bulldoze their way through the penalty box. Happens all the time.

(f) Juicy Arsekaleinen lets a Cesc dribbler get straight through his legs. Now that, my friends, is what you should all be pissed about.

So after losing the plot immediately after the game, Owen Coyle now realises that "I don't think William Gallas purposely went to hurt Mark Davies. I think it was badly timed, simple as that but we have to move on."

Errr....mmm...okay then. Move on, and get the hell out of our hair. You lost at the Emirates, now scram.

As far as new signings go, Le Boss reckons that "it is very difficult in January to find players who are available for the Champions League, who are just good enough to play for Arsenal and at the right price. You never know, but at the moment it is unlikely."

Exactly. I mean, we got a great bargain in Sol for free*, and while I'm sure we'd pay £9.99 for Lionel Messi, he'd still be cup-tied, and he'd also kinda stifle Theo's development too, so I think we can rule him out straight off. As it stands though, looks like the only thing Le Boss is going to be signing in the next 9 days is his autograph.

* another thing about Free Sol. You know these freebies that you pick up every now and then. How many times have you got something for free, feel really chuffed with yourself, bring it home, and then realise that the damn thing doesn't even work? Well, he's gone and hurt his neck (??!!)...in training (??!!), so there you have it. That same, sinking feeling. But it's okay. It was free anyway, so let's just chuck the damn thing out.

Next up then is Stoke in the FA Cup. I really couldn't give a rat's ass, unfortunately. Ricardo Fuller has threatened a "rough and aggressive" Stoke on Sunday, so please just go ahead. Let me help you along the way. Go to http://www.arsenal.com/. Click on "Reserves and Youth", you will see a rolldown menu. Go to "Reserve Players". Be my guest, and be as rough as you'd like. With our injuries, the fixtures coming up, and the fact that Le Boss ain't signing shit, I hope at least that's the team list he'll be choosing from. (Except Clint Eastwood though. We'll need him in the league, unfortunately). And Rory Delap can chuck a throw straight into the goal to win for all I care. Put's us out of our FA Cup misery and distractions, I'll say.

Yes..Man U and Pool are out, so we do have a chance. But I'd so rather just exit now than lose to Chelski in the semis. Right?

Finally, with the four games, the Run of Death coming up, here're my predictions:

Villa (away) - Draw
Man U (home) - Win
Chelski (away) - Draw
Pool (home) - Win

That'd be nice enough, I think. More after the weekend game then.

Review: Arsenal 4 - Bolton 2

So we do things only the hard way. We needed to win by 2 goals to go top of the table. I'm sure that was top of everybody's mind - as much as it shouldn't have been. So what do we do? Defend worse than Sunday kick-about heroes, and find ourselves two down with less than half an hour played.

Now - first goal after 7 minutes was absolutely unbecoming of any table-topping team. Useless punt into the box. As Diaby rises to head it, I suddenly get a flash of his own goal at Old Trafford. He doesn't score another one, and I heave a sigh of relief, even if it's a crap header straight up into the hair. It falls to Clichy, who hooves it straight up into the air again. It falls to a Bolton head (as would be the pattern for the rest of the 90 minutes), drops onto a Bolton boot and it's 1-0. Simple as that. It was quite simply, pathetic.

So we rally. Or sort of. Some nice build up, but the final shot on goal was always crap. Most of all Eduardo.

Anyways, we rally. And rally, and rally. And then - set piece. Fail to clear. Scramble in the penalty box, clumsy challenge from Denilson. Penalty. 2-0. Great. Just great. We had a chance to top the table, and instead, we don't even show up and find ourselves 2 down to a team second from bottom at home.

For the next 20 minutes, we labour yet again. You could see a goal in us, but couldn't be sure where it would come from. Surely not Eduardo, who looked half blind, and and half awake. If we could only get one before half time, we might have a chance. Might.

Sure enough, up steps our current man for the moment - scored the last minute equaliser, and this time, he scores the crucial goal almost out of nothing. A screamer than Juicy Asskaleinien let in at his near post. You almost wished that half time would not come, as we probably played our best 5 minute spell of the season in those last minutes. We would have to wait.

The equaliser has been spoken out quite a little bit. Owen Coyle thinks Gallas should've been arrested for assault. Alright. Fine. But the ref saw nothing, waved play on and Cesc bundles into the penalty box and squeezes the ball through the Juciy Asskaleinen. Just sweet. And juicy. Now, how often do we get the chance to give Bolton just a tiny taste of the hard game?

2-2 and some 40 minutes left to play. You could just see it coming, and leave it to goal machine Vermaelen to do the deed from a set piece. It was almost Bolton-esque, how Diaby got his head in on a set piece, knocked it to TV, and he lashes it into the goal.

To cut a long story short then, we eventually get our fourth, when the Arsh stumbles his way into the Bolton box, then smashes another yummy peach past the Juicy Ass. Ah. That was poetic, how we eventually did it, even if it was painful and highly unnecessary. Theo could've and should've got himself a goal with his first touch, but for an Arsh who refused to pass it when Theo would've had a tap in. Yes, he won it himself. Yes, we were already 4-2 up, but I really would've rathered preferred to beat Bolton 5-2.

The highlights are here, but the player ratings should tell a fuller story:

Almunia 6.5 - One good save, and was left to look like a useless dodo with the first goal. Also should've save the penalty, which was a crap Matt Taylor effort. Had one good save but that was about it. You get the sense he doesn't really command the confidence of his back four...

Clichy 6.5 - Kept C Y Lee quiet, which given how the latter had basically given Traore a spanking the last time, was good enough. Took away one point for his crap clearance. Let's put that down to lack of clearing practice. But I think he's done that before too...

Gallas 6.5 - Buggered by Kevin Davies all night long. Every ball, every damn thing lobbed at Davies, Gallas is made to look like a twat. A defensive shambles, but almost all his adventurous runs were a thing to behold. Even that tackle on Gary Cahill. We've got a right 'ole traditional attacking centre half.

TV 7 - Good attacking runs too, and great goal. But again, his lack of height while never an issue, became crystal clear against the likes of Kevin Davies.

Sagna 7 - Thank god for someone you could really depend on for a quiet and effective performance.

Diaby 6 - Oh man. Now it's clear. We miss Song. We really do. Really. Really. Really. Let's not deceive ourselves. We're a defensive shambles without him, and Diaby's never going to do the job.

Denilson 6 - Given that he's just recovered from his heart attack, we'll forgive his lack lustre performance and sloppy penalty.

Cesc 7.5 - The heartbeat. So to speak. Had a few chances other than his goal that he could've taken, but he's our captain for a reason.

Rosicky 7.5 - If he keeps fit, Rosicky's going to be immense for us in the run-up. He does have that knack of the crucial goal it looks like. Always full of energy and running.

Arsh 7 - Not his best (again). But as always, showed with a few super passes, his goal and his run that should've let to 5-2 that you just need to give him one chance, and it usually happens.

Eduardo 2 - He was absolutely, indescribably, unforgivably bad. Slow. Lacking in confidence. What more could you ask? Now, Bent Nick aside, if Le Boss thinks we've got the striking fire-power to compete against Villa, Man U, Chelski and Pool in the coming weeks, dream on.

No doubt, this was a great result, which like the 2-0 a few days ago, was down more to spirit and graft than ability and performance. Too many were below par, and Ed continues to fail.

Our rise to the top has taken place at basically at a time when (a) we've taken a Champions League break, (b) there has been but one small FA Cup distraction, and (c) when we've also not had to stretch an already stretched squad in further Carling Cup exploits.

I am not sure how far this current squad can go - if not in the coming crucial 2-3 weeks, then in the more crucial months of March and April. Diaby has as expected done his usual, and we can expect - no matter how minor - that this injury will lay him off for 3-4 weeks. So what do we have? Craig Eastmond v Villa, Man U and Chelski. Up front, it's an embarassing Eduardo, and defensively, we have (as I've said on many occasions) Sol as back-up to Gallas and Vermaelen.

The spirit and momentum that we have right now is a thing to behold, but the fact is that a crocked hamstring is more than enough to confine this all to irrelevance.

Le Boss needs to buy. For sure.

'tis the season

To be depressed. Yes. It is. Despite the fact that we've got a game tomorrow to look forward to. Despite the fact that with a 2-goal win, we get to go top of the table. And why, you may ask, would that be so?

Let me spell the ways. First, the injury circus carries on - to degrees of farcity. With Walcott and Denilson possibly back (and Le Boss will say probably earlier than necessary), there is now of course the quid pro quo that Nasri and Ramsey are also out, and Merida too. Le Boss has the low-down on this, so I shan't pain myself to go into it any further. Quite simply, no team can get through such disruption on such a week-in, week-out basis. And for all the good news on the playing field, I fear this will be the basis from which we will likely falter. Put it this way; we haven't even started on our Champions League campaign again. And woe betide the day we have to start with Traore and Eastmond, and have Jay Emanuel Thomas and Francis Coquelin on the bench in Europe. Bolton let us off the hook, but I don't think even the likes of Porto will be so charitable to our Carling Cup squad.

Second, if there is a way to mitigate against the freakish injury situation we have right now, it is to go into the transfer market early, decisively and with the least disruption and uncertainty to the squad. That hasn't happened, the moment has passed and Le Boss has made it all the more depressing by suggesting that we are "not close" to bringing anybody in. We have what? 12 more days to go? If he wasn't going to make any signings, I would've as boss, said it early and given the squad the right frame of mind to get through the tough fixtures we have ahead of us.

But no, he first linked the signing of a new striker to Bent Nick's injury. It's 10 more days it seems. So great, what's going to happen should it get pushed back yet again? Do we scramble with 24 hours to go? Even if he comes out 101% fit, let's not forget we're still missing RVP, and Eduardo's just not doing the deed. That just ain't right - for the squad, and for the fans. Le Boss has trumpeted the hunger in the team, but you have to question his own hunger if he thinks we can get through with the injuries we have and the youth (and injuries) of the remaining squad. When Merida gets injured and its becomes first team news of concern, you know for sure you're up shit creek.

Third, at some point, you're going to have to start wondering about why exactly our players seem to be so injury prone. I mean, for all the shit I've said about Chelski's Cap'n Fantastic, he seems to be made of some real hard shit. He gets a right kick in the head, and he's out. REALLY OUT - as in unconscious. For what? 2 minutes. 5 minutes later, and he's back on the pitch. Merida gets a kick in the foot and he's out for god knows how long. And then...our guys get regularly injured during training too - see Nasri (x2) and Ramsey. Now why the hell is that? If you get crocked by a Bolton arse, I can understand that, but during training? Gimme a break. Better start investing in a few flight-simulator type of training machines, or skip training altogether. Let me just say this: it surely ain't just down to luck, or the lack thereof.

So we may just start Walcott and Denilson tomorrow. But let's see what happens. I sense the ghost of Matt Le Tissier with the two. Ever watch that movie Unbreakable? Shit, if Theo ain't made of glass himself.

As you can see, this one Arse is a frustrated Arse. We have the title in our sights. It's right there. We could even go top tomorrow. And what happens? We refuse reinforcements coz the prices just aren't right. Yeah, right. It's been said the real transfer action usually doesn't take place till the last 72 hours or so. I won't hold my breath - though we've got that little issue of a Man U visit on the last day. The 31st. Just what that day will bring, we shall have to see.

Review: Bolton 0 - Arsenal 2

Given the team available, an excellent result: not the best display of course, but a hard-won, ground-out victory. Exactly what we needed.

As far as the team went, we started with the likes of Traore and Craig Eastmond. Eastmond! In the centre of midfield. Crikey. You could just see things going horribly wrong, and the way Bolton started in the first 120 seconds, it could really have been horrible. Bolton go on to have a good bite of the first half of the first half, until of course - Cesc and Eduardo come up with a moment of brilliance. It may have seemed scrappy, but the touches between Cesc-Eduardo-Cesc was simply sublime. So 1-0, and we seemed to take control of the first half. Cesc, in particular, misses a half-sitter right at the end of first half, after another nice move and (unwitting) dummy from Eduardo.

Note though: there was a moment where after a couple of scrappy bits of Cesc targetting, nips at our ankles, Rosicky goes and trips up Klasnic. Nice! Who'd have thought with Rosicky.

The second half started much like the first - with Bolton on the front foot, and threatening a goal. The defence looked rather suspect, especially with Traore on the left. In fact, it was probably at the start of the second half that Eastmond starts to show his age with a couple of dodgy touches.

Cue change, with Clichy coming on - to provide some cover for Traore, and Merida coming on for Eastmond. We begin to take control with Bolton tiring, and Merida pops up with a pretty nifty finish of his own. Game set and match.

Player ratings:

Almunia 7 - Had precious little to do but a couple of comfortable saves. One strange moment where he got the eye from Gallas for not coming for a ball...

Traore 6 - Got the run-around, particularly by C Y Lee. Clichy should probably start in mid-week.

Vermaelen 7 - A good, solid quiet showing, with a few cool runs up into the Bolton half.

Billy 7 - Ditto. Solid in the back, and even one amazing run into the Bolton half.

Sagna 7 - Nothing spectacular, but kept the right relatively quiet. Might have to work on how he can provide Billy and Vermaelen more cover.

Diaby 6.5 - Quiet game by the standards of his last few, but we'll give him some slack for not exactly doing the Song-deed. Ventured forward too far once too often, me thought.

Eastmond 6.5 - Better first half than second. By then, showed his age with nervous touches, stray passes, etc. Should do well versus Stoke in the FA Cup though.

Cesc 8 - What can you say? Probably carried the entire team today. The goal, the vision, the sheer weight of his presence. God forbid we lost him to any further injuries.

Rosicky 7 - Pretty good showing, and proving more and more he's got 90 minutes in him. Will need him 100% with Nasri out.

Arshavin 7 - Not the best, but got a little more involved after moving to the left and giving Ed the out-and-out striker's role. A few nice passes, especially where he nearly got Cesc in for goal at the end of the first half.

Eduardo 7 - Not the best, of course, but did well in setting up the first goal. He so needs to keep fit, and keep playing.

So. Another 2-goal win on Wednesday, and we actually go top of the table! Holy geez. Let's keep out eye on the ball though, and keep it tight. But the pushing coming to shoving will come later. Nasri's out for what Le Boss calls a 21-day injury. Now what does that mean? He could conceivably miss Villa, Man U and Pool! All for a hamstring injury in training. These shit injuries he's getting in training are getting really to be a pain in the...hamstring. It's more than precarious. It's downright playing with fire, we are.

All we need now are Rosicky getting another tweak, Cesc too, and we'd be up shit creek without a paddle and boat. No striker, no midfield, and Sol Campbell as cover.

Not a bad weekend all in all. Of course, Chelski do their goal difference a world of good with a spanking of a woeful Sunderland. This, the team that beat us at home. What the hell man. Of course, Man U do the deed v Coyle-less Burnley, but the other results are nice. Everton continuing with their form v City, Pool doing what they're best at in drawing at Stoke, and both Villa and Spurs drawing at home.

A word on Everton though. Everytime I watch them, I see players I think we could do with. First, I've always liked Cahill. That guy can jump, and plays like a striker one-foot taller and stone heavier. Just marvellous. I've always hated Fellaini's hair, but he could do the deed in our midfield. And Landon Donovan, we shoulda signed him. But anyway...speaking of signings.

I must say I rather like Piers Morgan. Not really for his talent judging, but for the fact that's a rabid Arse man, and that he writes a pretty good piece every now and then. This one on Sol is a rather good example. He makes good sense of putting into perspective the little bit of sentimentality of Sol coming home, but I'd add another dimension to that: in that our going overboard over the 6-month re-signing of a 35 year old just shows how badly our search for what's really needed - a striker - is going.

That seems to be going nowhere, and time is running out. Why do I get a sinking, stinking feeling that we're going to end up with nothing? The latest is that Bent Nick's going to be 10 days, i.e. in time (EXACTLY!) for Villa, but knowing our luck with injuries, he'll come back, get nicked again, and we'll find the transfer window slammed shut in our bollocks.

For now, though, I'll enjoy the glow of victory, and the thought that we could soon be top of the table. Let's keep our panties on, and see to the result.

Ciao.

Errr. Wassup? Nuthin'?

I'm starting off today after reading news on Theo, and what it is that keeps niggling at him. I was just thinking then, for lack of anything else worthwhile to report, let's do a little list - of the Top Three Disappointments for Arse in the season so far.

#1 - Theo. No doubt. Has been nowhere, and even when he has appeared, has been nowhere near the level he needs to be. The way things are going, South Africa's a pipe dream. Given what happened in 2006, that would be a sad sad blow for the boy.

#2 - Almunia. Was it a coincidence that his "virus" kept him out for so long early on? In which case, isn't it about time he caught another such virus?

#3 - Eduardo. People would say he needs his time to get back to ship shape. Well, that time has come and gone. He seems to get into tackles intent on not getting injured. He seems way too slow to be up front, and despite his occasional goals so far, I can even sense his fear when he's goat a shot on goal. C'mon - he nearly missed that sitter he had against Hull.

Elsewhere then, there's been a "I-told-you-so" moment at Anfield, where Rafa seems to have gotten a nice little pat on the back for reassurance that he has his job till the summer. What a sad sad club they have become. Whatever the case, I'm just chuffed that Torres and Benayoun will most likely miss the game at the Emirates, and who knows, Gerrard may have to sit that one out too. 3 points against Pool is always sweet, and there's no better time with that game coming at the end of the Villa-Man U- Chelsea trek.

More on Anfield though, and it's not surprising that in their greatest moment of need, fans are starting to call on God - in this instance, King Kenny. Well, perhaps they should pray just that little bit harder, as apart from having Dalglish as care-taker, there is the even juicier long-term option of Guus Hiddink, who has apparently put his hand up. Whatever the case, what Pool fans will need now is for either Rafa to quit and forego his severance package, or for the dude to drop dead. As I said, it's become a rather sad club.

Looking forward to the weekend, nothing new to report - either in the form of new injuries, recoveries or signings. What a long week this has been. At least we'll have a mid-week game on Wednesday, though of course it's Bolton again.

I wonder...

Having sat through the glorious result at Anfield last night, I wonder:

(a) What Maxi Rodriguez was thinking sitting the stands.
(b) What Fernando Torres is going to do with this free time on the treatment table.
(c) Whether Stevie G will eventually leave Pool (for Man City) in the summer.
(d) Whether Marouane Chamakh is having a Homer Simpson "doh!" moment
(e) How long a contract extension Rafa will get.

Let's face it. If the powers that be in the Liverpool board had the money to let Rafa go, they'd have done so yonks ago. If they haven't done it yet, they probably won't do it any time soon. I mean, what were they keeping him around for? To keep them in the FA Cup? Well, even if that's gone down the tubes, what difference does it make? So while we see all sorts of headlines now that "Rafa must go", I think the more appropriate (thought gramatically suspect) would be "Rafa must went". Since he hasn't went, then he probably won't go anytime now.

Performance wise though - Pool were simply dreadful. Dreadful not only in terms of their play, but in their lack of any desire, and in their lack of any clue. It was simply quite sad.

Apart from feeling smug this morning, there hasn't been much on the Arse front to keep me occupied. I'd give the news of our signing some 17 year old Bolivian wonderkid as much of a damn as if Le Boss had proclaimed he'd identified the as yet unborn spawn of an unholy Bergkamp-Henry-Wright alliance as the striker to end all of Arse's striking woes.

Speaking of children though, there's news that Steve McClaren will do some cradle-snatching in taking Jack Wilshere to FC Twente. Well, I suppose Enschede would be a better option for an 18 year-old young man than say...Amsterdam, and joining the Dutch league leaders would be a better option than Bolton or something in the lower leagues. I just hope old Steve will give him some real playing time.

Also on the kids front, there's news that Clichy has made an amazing recovery, with Le Boss admitting that he looked "very very sharp" in training. Well, any news of our walking injured coming back is good, but I wonder how much this had to do with Traore's little tantrums in the game against Everton.

Otherwise, there is a lot more of nothing to report. Nothing. Zero. And zero multiplied by 100 is still zero. Which leads me to conclude with an irrelevant space-filling note on the Adebayor shirt thing.

Let's give the guy a break. He was nearly killed. He didn't have his luggage. Some arse (his brother) gave him an Arse shirt. He put it on. I mean, c'mon. His brother. Probably hadn't gotten his stash of Man City shirts yet, and pulled an old Arse shirt from his box of other Arse shirts:

"When we jumped out from the bus we left all our luggage in the bus and we ran away. So when I came back [here] I didn't have anything to wear and the first person I asked was for my brother to give me a shirt. At the moment, we are all confused in our heads. I just want to say again sorry for the shirt and I hope people will understand."

So we forgive him. We understand. He had a life-altering experience, and he unwittingly showed up in an Arse shirt immediately thereafter. As gracious Arse fans, we'll give him one more the next time he shows up at the Emirates. Shit, I'm a real Arse fan, who actually paid for the one Arse polo shirt I've got, and I'd gladly give it to him (not that it'd fit).

Alright. Enough nonsense. Ciao.

El Cheapo

We all know how and why Ade#%$! left Arse, how he's rolling in dough with his fat new contract (not that money was ever an issue in his move), but this has to take the cake. Pretty funny photo circulating of him in the last few days doing an interview in an Arse shirt.



All I can say is, damn cheapo! Even if all you do is live off your sponsor-provided freebies, at least get with the times and get rid of your old Nike-Arsenal togs, man! Wonder what Adidas is thinking right now. Anyways, who cares - but there should've been a clause in his contract that says he has to return all clothes and kit provided. Who knows, he might've run off with a couple of towels from the changing room, laces for his boots, soap from the shower...

Another "who cares" story. Seems Marouane Chamakh has finally made up his mind and will head for Liverpool. Funny. Wonder if he even realises this Pool probably ain't going to be getting him Champions League action next season. Must as well stay with Bordeaux, dude. The only logic I see here is if Torres goes, as Rafa admits he will, then must as well put some of that extra wage money on a lesser version on the cheap. Even funnier when you think how the British press have been going on about how this is the beginning of the end for Pool, and we have one of Europe's supposed stars signing for them at this stage of the season.

But all the better that all the shit with him has been put to bed. I'd honestly gotten sick of it through last summer, Chamakh's dithering and all.

On to actual Arse news then. First, Sol seems to have survived 45 minutes of the Reserves game. Wonder what the verdict was on that. Second, with Saha now supposedly on, and Senderos itching as ever, there's always the possibility of a Saha-Senderos swap. Ah, why not I say. Saha will probably get injured while slipping on the 4 snow flakes outside the Emirates, and that'll be the last we see of him. Which was the same situation with Philippe, so status quo there. In the meantime, what'll we have is another defender in Sol, so our season really starts to look good now!!

Second, is a bit of shitty-sounding news. Spurs. Thinking. Of signing. The Flamster. Now that, would be shit. He leaves us on the free, moves to Milan, and after that, they get to pocket a couple of million in profit, only for us to see him move to Spurs. Just friggin' great. It would of course be even more implausible for us to re-sign the Flamster, but this just goes to show how it was really one of the boss' biggest mistakes to have let him go. For free. Anyways, honestly, I don't think the Flamster will fall for it. If he does, well, then. He'd join the ranks of David Bentley, no?

Final bit of fixture news. Looks like it's confirmed that we'll play back-to-back games with Bolton this weekend and then Wednesday next. Not only do we get to see Bolton twice in 4 days, it's now Owen Coyle too. Just shoot me - but I think these 6 points will be key. Bolton will be up for it in their boss' first two games in charge, so they may just rise about the mediocre for those 180 minutes. Not really looking forward to it.

Somehow, this weeks brings back a deja vu feel of those infuriatingly boring summer weeks of mindless transfer speculation. Gotta snap out of it. More tomorrow. Hopefully.

Holy Sheeet

Well, looks like the whole Sol thing is beginning to look like a strange nightmare taking a turn for the worse. Kinda like the whole Nightmare on Elm Street deal, when you don't really know if it's still a dream or reality until, of course, you're shredded to bits and dead as a door nail.

Looks like the deal is that he plays tonight in our Reserves game v West Ham on a "Reserve League Registration", which I suppose basically means what it is: a one-time only trial to see if he can last 90 minutes. If you read his comments on the deal, you can't help but be a little perturbed about whether he has actually signed or not:

"I shall be playing in the reserves at Upton Park tonight - it must be two years since I last played there. I cannot wait. I cannot tell you how much I've missed playing after being out so long since leaving Notts County.

"I need to get minutes under my belt, a couple of reserve games at least, before I can start looking any further ahead. I hope to sign for Arsenal until the end of the season. There are still a few technicalities to iron out, but I have signed for Arsenal until the end of the season, and it's fantastic, great, marvellous."

To make this really Nightmare on Elm Street stuff, let's wait for him to get injured, Le Boss to announce his signing, and proclaim that he's cover for Gallas/Vermaelen.

Oh well. Let's see what happens at the Reserves Game then. Sol wants a few minutes. So who knows, as I write this at 2011 GMT, his couple of minutes might be up already.

In the meantime, poor ole Philippe's expectedly griping about needing to leave. It's sad to see how his career has ended at Arsenal. Could've and should've been much better.

As far as the real world is concerned though - looks like Cesc has made his recovery and should start for Bolton, and Denilson has recovered from his ultra quick lung transplant. More later. Who knows maybe by tomorrow morning, Sol would've scored two, set up another three, and we'd have solved our defensive, midfield and striking problems in one free signing.

Good (?) Monday Morning/Afternoon/Evening

Thought I'd start today off with something about the weather (in England) and how people are getting their knickers in a knot for a few inches of snow. I've already said my piece early on, and well, for those who are so inclined, click here for another view for which all I can say is "hear ye, hear ye!"

Yes, it's an issue for the local authorities, and there is unavoidable fear of litigation. But that is really quite sad, and something for all to think about, particularly as you see other games taking place on the continent. Anyway, especially if the EPL powers-that-be want to take their league onto the global level, more will have to be done to just help shovel some snow, pay for some grit and salt, and get on with it. The fact that 50 to 60,000 people eventually showed up at the Emirates must show that push comes to shove, most adults will make the decision to show up for the game.

Elsewhere, there's of course still not much to say re transfers. Fran Merida is still a case of he said/she said, yes, no, maybe. Whatever. Once agents come into play, we all know things to to shite. I'd say it all explains the lacklustre performance at West Ham. What seems to be more certain than other things - in that Le Boss has not completely shat his pants in laughter - is Sol Campbell. Holy Mary Mother of God. Yes, we'll sign Sol the 35/36 year old who couldn't make it in the 4th Division to give us that final push towards the title. Yessireee. While we're at it, let's aim to sign a few others:

Lukic, Seaman, Adams, Keown, Dixon, Winterburn, Parlour, Pires, Wright, Bergkamp and why not Overmars. Apart from Pires, we'd probably get them all on free contracts, at about 5,000 quid month plus expenses. Unfortunately, Vieira has decided on another old folks' home.

Oh yeah - finally, seems Denilson has ruled himself back into the game with Bolton. Le Boss thinks it "mysterious", and that he should've at least fallen on the ball, rather than crumple to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Yes, probably. But I know what happened - bloody voodoo man! Someone, somewhere, with a little Denilson doll, just waiting for the perfect opportunity. The same person had a Mohawk Billy doll too, in the first half. Dammit.

Much as I'd like to see some new signings this week to inject some positive karma into the Arse talk, unfortunately, I don't think so...

More later, but before I go, a little bonus. Whatever we thought of snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat, this must take the cake: snatching a draw from ever-loosening jaws of sphincter muscles. Wherever you are, it must be better than being a Angolan fan:

Review: Arsenal 2 - Everton 2

A fair result, all in all. There will be times when we half show-up at home, and find ourselves up against opponents just that tad sharper and more committed. So I'll take the draw, it's our first at home, and it obviously could have been much worse. There had been some talk prior to the game about how our momentum would hopefully maintain intact despite the last postponed game, and that the way it started, it did look like the week in the cold hadn't been very helpful.

Lousy goal to let in through that corner (set piece again!), and you couldn't begrudge Everton the goal. We slowly picked up the pace, and deservedly got a half-lucky goal back through Denilson. At half-time, we go in level, and you could sympathise with Everton if they felt that little aggrieved.

As the weather started to get really crap, so too did our defending. (Note to Le Boss: Almunia really is becoming quite crap. Bring on Fabianski). Going forward, we we at odds as we tried to get the passing going, but at the back, there some really scary moments. Despite the fact that we kept beating down the doors then, it really wasn't that surprising to find us down again through that sucker punch.

In the end, it might not have been our prettiest effort, but it was significant enough that through sheer spirit, we managed to get one back, and could really have won it if we had more than that 5 minutes of added time.

Given the shit weather, dangers of slipping in the dark days of January and how mediocre we were, I'd take the 1 point.

What looks scary going forward though, is the depth of our squad given even more injuries. Denilson pulled up with a mysteriously scary-looking injury, and we had not choice but to bring on Merida. Eduardo had a ineffectual day out, and we only had Vela. Finally, Billy too pulled up with a weird injury early in the first half, and we had nobody in place. So I'd say we have problems in defence, midfield - with Song gone, and of course up front.

Before that then, the player ratings:

Almunia 5.5 - Not up to it, I'm afraid. Has not shown very much how he's deserved his regular place from either Fabianski or Mannone, and this should be something that needs looking at latest by the summer. Flapped at one or two, and could've done better marshalling the defence in front of him. One spaz throw out to Sagna that could've led to a goal or an injury for Sagna, and right at the end, stupid collision with Traore.

Sagna 7.5 - Good as always. Seems to have the energy all the time.

Billy 6.5 - Off day for the two-some really. After pulling up with the injury, never really looked his sharpest.

Vermaelen 6.5 - Not his most convincing as well. I'll give the boys some credit - with all the hours they've put in, you'd expect an off performance once in a long while. Could've done with a rest last weekend.

Traore 6.5 - Don't know really. Had some really really good moments, but had a lot of trouble with Landon Donovan (we could've signed him, I thought). Then got into a little hissy fit when defending a corner, and had another little yelling match with Gallas before that too. Signs of a lack of communication when he clattered into Almunia too. Weird. Wonder if Le Boss would have a quiet word with him about all that.

Denilson 7 - A decent showing, but what is it with him and his injuries?

Ramsey 6.5 - Tried his best, but I suppose we can't expect him to replicate Cesc-ian performances week in and out.

Diaby 7 - All over the place, and set up the second equaliser. But somehow, he ain't Song, and still has that irritating tendency to dwell on the ball every now and then.

Arshavin 6 - Poor guy. We really really need to move him into a position that he's more comfortable with. Tried his darnedest, and while he was always dangerous, never really did see enough of the ball.

Nasri 7 - Effective if non-spectacular showing. Needs a rest probably - so thank god for the coming week.

Eduardo 6 - Still a long ways off from what we really need.

A bad day of the office, but we're bound to have them. So will Man U and Chelski this month, I'm sure. Key thing will be to bounce back against another tricky tie against Bolton. We've got bigger shit coming up beyond that horizon.

Stupid Bloody Snow

It's now 1500 hrs GMT (or so). And a few EPL games have already been called off. All I can say is: friggin' wimpy Chicken Little people out there. Le Boss has already spoken up about the whole thing, and as quite often, I agree 100% with him. He's basically said: (a) Postpone every damn game if you have to, and (b) are you going to postpone games just for the fear of a few people on the bums or getting into fender benders? I suppose it's the fear of getting sued for not postponing a game. Pathetic.

So there we are. The EPL - which is now a global phenomenon, where only 1% of the viewership will probably come from the British Isles, is now hostage to the weather. Oh well. What makes it all stupider is the agreed upon shortening of the season because of the World Cup.

Oh yeah, forgot to add another stupid element to the whole postponement saga from Bolton. Looks like we'll be putting up the bus fare for Bolton supporters. Perfect example of damned if you, damned if you don't. Wonder how many of the postponements so far for Saturday have been driven by this fear of having to cough up the travel costs for visiting fans. Again, I say: pathetic.

I must admit that I am mighty peeved simply because having a game to watch means so much. It means alot to Le Boss too:

"We don't want a break. We have a good momentum and we don't want to interrupt that."

Yes sir. Here's a thought, let's ditch the British weather from November to March, and have those games played in Hawaii. Rather than worry about travel costs for travelling fans, that money can be diverted to travel costs to sunnier places.

Alright, I'm rambling.

Elsewhere, Paddy Vieira's move to Man City has been sealed and done. Seems he's gonna be paid £130,000 a week. Simply insane and laughable. Just goes to show what sort of dynamic Man City has put into the EPL. Anyways, good for Paddy. Good luck to him fleece-ing his Arab bosses for a few quid before retirement.

So there we are. All the news is about snow and postponements, and that's more depressing than a Friday should be.

Later.

Hibernation

Mmmmm. That was nice. Ended November with a piece of crap post, and here I am, early January 2010, and things look a lot better. Strange game, it sure is. Let's just say we ain't going to be getting ahead of ourselves, and proclaiming all sorts of things. I'll leave the rather fickle British tabloid press to that onerous tasks.


More importantly, no excuses (well, some excuses) about the one-month lag in the postings. Had to do with a combination of actually having to make my living, watching games in different time zones (GMT +11, GMT +8)...which is no bloody joke, not being able to watch games, and finally, simple winter-related lethargy. Here's one example: in the middle of jet-lagged sleep, I wake up 10 times in the space of 60 minutes, and find myself instinctively reaching for the Ipod in the darkness, sliding that thing on, squinting at the score, alternate between cursing and smiling, drift back off to sleep, awake again, etc etc etc, finally deciding to get out of bed to watch the last 10 minutes, and finally, find myself not being able to get back to sleep from 3am on.


I'd thought of starting off with a nice review of a 6-0 spanking of Bolton, but alas, the snow thought better. That really sucked. What else could have been better than a mid-week game with nothing else on on a cold winter's evening? Wonder what Arshavin thought of all the fuss. Must've been just like a normal Russian fall evening, Wednesday.

There's much else to talk about about (especially considering how things have changed through December), and I'll start off with the latest transfer happenings.

There's talk - even in ESPNSoccernet - of one Lacina Traore catchin the eye of Le Boss - a strangely large, lanky Ivorian now plying his trade in Transylvania. Conjures up weird and wonderful images, this one. He's of course large - but what's funny is that he's been quoted to be either 6'6" or 6'8" - like some kind of sighting. Whatever the case, let's NOT start talking of him as the New Adebayor. That really sucks. What's the point in labelling a prospective girl your new ex-GF from hell? So long as he drinks blood at half-time and rampages against lesser Romanian foe, it suits me just fine.

This adds to the earlier Carlton Cole talk, which was interesting to say the least. Whatever the case, any striker who's not Champions League cup-tied and has a dose more confidence than Eduardo should do us no harm right now.

Elsewhere, Paddy Vieira's getting his medicals done at Man City. That really sucks too. It's going to be weird should he line up against us come April, but it's just weirdness, not fear. I remember Arse v Juve well...

Anyhow, it just shows how far poor ole Paddy has fallen, to even consider City in his bid for a final World Cup. If I were him, I'd just let it go. France under Domenech won't come to anything good, and City? Well, 'nuff said about that one. But he's his own man, so let's see what happens.

A short one today - but hopefully this gets the gears going for more to come.