By 1970’s Gooner
Kolo Toure, moments after teeing up his brother,Yaya to score the Ivory Coast’s second goal on the 44th minute was stretchered off holding his groin.
The injury looked bad but the player himself has been reported to have said after the game that he expected to recover in time for the next match against Mali in Accra on Tuesday!
This now is confirmed by a team official who said he expected Kolo to be available for the next game.
“His injury is not important. When he first came off it looked bad but now he is okay and recovering. We think he will be fit for the next game on Tuesday" said Ouattara Hego, general secretary of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football.
This assessment looks rushed to me as it comes even before the player has had a chance to have a scan that would have determined the extent of the injury.
If a player comes off a football pitch holding his groin unable to walk then it looks pretty serious to me. Usually with a mild groin strain a player will probably be out for two to three weeks. If it is more serious then the recovery may take 6 weeks or longer.
If he makes the mistake of playing with the injury then he runs the risk of aggravating it even further and may be causing long term damage.
I am sure Arsene Wenger will have something to say about this.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Spurs look to Wembley in Mickey Mouse Cup, Arsenal to the title and beyond
By 1970’s Gooner
It shows how big a gulf there is between Spurs and Arsenal when Wenger fields his B team throughout a competition which has been jokingly named the Mickey Mouse Cup while Spurs played their first eleven throughout.
They even rested their key players for this semi final second leg so that they could be ready to battle it out against a bunch of kids!
Arsenal’s B team reached the final last year losing narrowly against another first eleven, those of Chelsea! This year they steamrolled teams like Newcastle and Blackburn and battled hard to get a draw in the first leg of this semifinal.
Yet Spurs celebrated like kids last night as though they had won the Champions League, the Premier League and FA Cup. They seem to forget that it was mostly kids they were playing against.
Granted they played very well but as I said in my preview of this game, on many occasions in football you play as well as the other team let you. And Arsenal’s kids were not at their best last night.
Shocking performances from Walcott and Diaby coupled with goalkeeping errors at crucial points in the game proved too much for the young guns. Still this is why Wenger bloods them in at the deep end.
This experience will stand them in good stead for years to come as they take up the mantle of keeping Arsenal at the top of English and European football which is where Arsenal are destined to arrive.
The same cannot be said of Tottenham however who may have to make do with fourth rate Mickey Mouse Cups.
It shows how big a gulf there is between Spurs and Arsenal when Wenger fields his B team throughout a competition which has been jokingly named the Mickey Mouse Cup while Spurs played their first eleven throughout.
They even rested their key players for this semi final second leg so that they could be ready to battle it out against a bunch of kids!
Arsenal’s B team reached the final last year losing narrowly against another first eleven, those of Chelsea! This year they steamrolled teams like Newcastle and Blackburn and battled hard to get a draw in the first leg of this semifinal.
Yet Spurs celebrated like kids last night as though they had won the Champions League, the Premier League and FA Cup. They seem to forget that it was mostly kids they were playing against.
Granted they played very well but as I said in my preview of this game, on many occasions in football you play as well as the other team let you. And Arsenal’s kids were not at their best last night.
Shocking performances from Walcott and Diaby coupled with goalkeeping errors at crucial points in the game proved too much for the young guns. Still this is why Wenger bloods them in at the deep end.
This experience will stand them in good stead for years to come as they take up the mantle of keeping Arsenal at the top of English and European football which is where Arsenal are destined to arrive.
The same cannot be said of Tottenham however who may have to make do with fourth rate Mickey Mouse Cups.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Diarra is arrogant, but Hoyte and underated Senderos can beat Spurs at the Lane
Arsenal Analysis resident ticket holder at the Emirates was there on Wednesday night for the Carling Cup tie against Spurs. These are his “touchline” impressions of the game.
By Eros
I have been reading a lot of reports about Wednesday’s game on the net and since I disagree with a lot of them I thought of putting down some thoughts about the game which are the result of watching the game from inside the stadium rather than from the TV.
Diarra
Firstly let me start with Diarra who reports say that he excluded himself from the squad, apparently he did not feel mentally up to it with all the transfer speculation!!!
I hate to say that we missed him badly on Wednesday; we had no one to control the tempo of the game as Gilberto was not able to play such a role.
All Diarras’ rumblings in the press make him look silly and arrogant as he has only been with us for 5 minutes and is already demanding first team football.
Flamini proved beyond any doubt that if the coach thinks you deserve a chance then when he gives you the opportunity it’s up to you to make the most of it from there. Under different circumstances I’d be very happy to make a quick profit and sell him to the highest bidder!
However injuries and the ANC makes that extremely dangerous as he may have to fill in either the middle or as a right back. This is one occasion that I hope Wenger for once puts his foot down and keeps him in the team at least until the summer.
Hoyte
I was very impressed with the second half performance of Justin Hoyte when moved next to Big Phil to play as a centre back.
He was composed and his speed allowed us to hold a higher line and start controlling the ball better than we did in the first half. Also he did not get caught out of position and he could prove a useful solution during the next month.
I was very disappointed however with Diaby and Djourou. We all know that Diaby is not a left winger, but I think the reason that Wenger persists to employ him there is so that he can improve and work around his biggest weakness which is his left foot.
However against Spurs he persistently tried to dribble himself out of trouble rather than pass the ball, did not help Traore enough by being reluctant to track back and he consistently drifted infield and made life difficult for Denilson.
I’m lost for words for Djourou, he was simply abysmal. Let’s hope that it was just nerves of the first game back and he will improve over the next few weeks.
Senderos
However a lot of unfair criticism has been laid on Senderos. Yes he started the game shakily but he improved as the game went on.
He was partly at fault for the nightmare spell 30’- 40’ where Spurs scored and should have had a couple more, but he improved as the game went on made a few good blocks and won a few headers.
I’m confident that next to an experienced and extremely quick defender like Gallas he will excel given some games to get in to rhythm.
Good substitutions by Wenger – even though enforced – we steadily improved in the second half and it was all Arsenal in the last Quarter.
For all the above comments however I am acutely aware that we were awful on Wednesday night. We could not keep the ball and resorted to uncharacteristic long balls and sloppy passing.
Berbatov created a lot of problems especially in the first half pulling defenders out of position, and feeding cute little through balls to any runners from midfield.
For all his class however his team-mates did not have the necessary composure to convert their chances and with that they squandered the best chance they had in a long time to beat the old enemy.
Wenger said he will keep the same team more or less for the return leg but I expect more options on the bench at WHL.
We certainly cannot be as bad again and even though they should be considered favourites now, I fully expect us to go to there and either win or get a score draw to take us through on away goals after extra time.
By Eros
I have been reading a lot of reports about Wednesday’s game on the net and since I disagree with a lot of them I thought of putting down some thoughts about the game which are the result of watching the game from inside the stadium rather than from the TV.
Diarra
Firstly let me start with Diarra who reports say that he excluded himself from the squad, apparently he did not feel mentally up to it with all the transfer speculation!!!
I hate to say that we missed him badly on Wednesday; we had no one to control the tempo of the game as Gilberto was not able to play such a role.
All Diarras’ rumblings in the press make him look silly and arrogant as he has only been with us for 5 minutes and is already demanding first team football.
Flamini proved beyond any doubt that if the coach thinks you deserve a chance then when he gives you the opportunity it’s up to you to make the most of it from there. Under different circumstances I’d be very happy to make a quick profit and sell him to the highest bidder!
However injuries and the ANC makes that extremely dangerous as he may have to fill in either the middle or as a right back. This is one occasion that I hope Wenger for once puts his foot down and keeps him in the team at least until the summer.
Hoyte
I was very impressed with the second half performance of Justin Hoyte when moved next to Big Phil to play as a centre back.
He was composed and his speed allowed us to hold a higher line and start controlling the ball better than we did in the first half. Also he did not get caught out of position and he could prove a useful solution during the next month.
I was very disappointed however with Diaby and Djourou. We all know that Diaby is not a left winger, but I think the reason that Wenger persists to employ him there is so that he can improve and work around his biggest weakness which is his left foot.
However against Spurs he persistently tried to dribble himself out of trouble rather than pass the ball, did not help Traore enough by being reluctant to track back and he consistently drifted infield and made life difficult for Denilson.
I’m lost for words for Djourou, he was simply abysmal. Let’s hope that it was just nerves of the first game back and he will improve over the next few weeks.
Senderos
However a lot of unfair criticism has been laid on Senderos. Yes he started the game shakily but he improved as the game went on.
He was partly at fault for the nightmare spell 30’- 40’ where Spurs scored and should have had a couple more, but he improved as the game went on made a few good blocks and won a few headers.
I’m confident that next to an experienced and extremely quick defender like Gallas he will excel given some games to get in to rhythm.
Good substitutions by Wenger – even though enforced – we steadily improved in the second half and it was all Arsenal in the last Quarter.
For all the above comments however I am acutely aware that we were awful on Wednesday night. We could not keep the ball and resorted to uncharacteristic long balls and sloppy passing.
Berbatov created a lot of problems especially in the first half pulling defenders out of position, and feeding cute little through balls to any runners from midfield.
For all his class however his team-mates did not have the necessary composure to convert their chances and with that they squandered the best chance they had in a long time to beat the old enemy.
Wenger said he will keep the same team more or less for the return leg but I expect more options on the bench at WHL.
We certainly cannot be as bad again and even though they should be considered favourites now, I fully expect us to go to there and either win or get a score draw to take us through on away goals after extra time.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Arsenal’s weaknesses Vs Spurs thirst for revenge
By 1970’s Gooner
There are three things that are worrying me for tonight.
The first is to do with what will not take place at the Emirates. And that is the fact that Diarra has not been included in the squad which implies that something is anon.
Usually when a player has been in the news about impending transfers and is subsequently omitted from a game that he is supposed to participate in, as you would expect for Diarra tonight, then I fear the worst.
I rate Diarra very much. He is only 22, a full France international, a really strong and tenacious central midfielder who can also play equally well at right back with fantastic potential.
Financially speaking his value will no doubt multiply in a few years. If Wenger will allow him to move on he should indeed factor in this aspect and demand a price more near his potential value.
The next thing that worries me concerns what might happen on the pitch tonight. And that is a weakness in our central defenders.
They are both young players without a wise head around to guide them. Usually Wenger would pair one young defender with a more experienced hand next to them. He can't do it this time as he needs to rest and protect Gallas.
Also one of them, Senderos, looked rusty to me last time out against Burnley. And they will have to face one of the most potent strike forces in the Premiership: Berbatov and Keane.
The other weakness that worries me also originates in our defence.
Traore also looked out of sorts at Turf Moor last Sunday; so much that Wenger had to substitute him midway through he second half with Justin Hoyte.
Only this time Traore will have to face a more agile and penetrative winger in Aaron Lennon. If he puts in a performance like last Sunday’s then we are in trouble.
On the other hand Spurs will be out to get revenge for their last defeat at the Emirates which they would consider as unlucky having missed a penalty and the chance to go ahead at a crucial time during that game.
They are also under new management and they will be fired up even more.
I think the whole game will hinge not so much on how Spurs perform tonight but on how well Arsenal’s defence cope with what Spurs throw at them.
Prediction: It will be a game of two defences. Which will let in the least goals? Home win 3-2
Arsenal squad to face Tottenham:
2 Abou DIABY
3 Bacary SAGNA
6 Philippe SENDEROS
9 EDUARDO
11 Robin VAN PERSIE
15 DENILSON
19 GILBERTO
20 Johan DJOUROU
21 Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK)
26 Nicklas BENDTNER
30 Armand TRAORE
31 Justin HOYTE
32 Theo WALCOTT
36 Mark RANDALL
40 Vito MANNONE (GK)
41 Gavin HOYTE
BREAKING NEWS
Sam Allardyce and Newcastle have parted company!
There are three things that are worrying me for tonight.
The first is to do with what will not take place at the Emirates. And that is the fact that Diarra has not been included in the squad which implies that something is anon.
Usually when a player has been in the news about impending transfers and is subsequently omitted from a game that he is supposed to participate in, as you would expect for Diarra tonight, then I fear the worst.
I rate Diarra very much. He is only 22, a full France international, a really strong and tenacious central midfielder who can also play equally well at right back with fantastic potential.
Financially speaking his value will no doubt multiply in a few years. If Wenger will allow him to move on he should indeed factor in this aspect and demand a price more near his potential value.
The next thing that worries me concerns what might happen on the pitch tonight. And that is a weakness in our central defenders.
They are both young players without a wise head around to guide them. Usually Wenger would pair one young defender with a more experienced hand next to them. He can't do it this time as he needs to rest and protect Gallas.
Also one of them, Senderos, looked rusty to me last time out against Burnley. And they will have to face one of the most potent strike forces in the Premiership: Berbatov and Keane.
The other weakness that worries me also originates in our defence.
Traore also looked out of sorts at Turf Moor last Sunday; so much that Wenger had to substitute him midway through he second half with Justin Hoyte.
Only this time Traore will have to face a more agile and penetrative winger in Aaron Lennon. If he puts in a performance like last Sunday’s then we are in trouble.
On the other hand Spurs will be out to get revenge for their last defeat at the Emirates which they would consider as unlucky having missed a penalty and the chance to go ahead at a crucial time during that game.
They are also under new management and they will be fired up even more.
I think the whole game will hinge not so much on how Spurs perform tonight but on how well Arsenal’s defence cope with what Spurs throw at them.
Prediction: It will be a game of two defences. Which will let in the least goals? Home win 3-2
Arsenal squad to face Tottenham:
2 Abou DIABY
3 Bacary SAGNA
6 Philippe SENDEROS
9 EDUARDO
11 Robin VAN PERSIE
15 DENILSON
19 GILBERTO
20 Johan DJOUROU
21 Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK)
26 Nicklas BENDTNER
30 Armand TRAORE
31 Justin HOYTE
32 Theo WALCOTT
36 Mark RANDALL
40 Vito MANNONE (GK)
41 Gavin HOYTE
BREAKING NEWS
Sam Allardyce and Newcastle have parted company!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Carlos Vela shines again for Osasuna (plus video)
By 1970’s Gooner
Osasuna wrapped up 2007 with their first home victory in five games, after deservedly beating Mallorca 3-1. They led by two goals, the second scored two minutes in the second half before Mallorca reduced the deficit two minutes later.
Osasuna for all their superiority found themselves under some pressure as the game opened up with Mallorca pushing for the equaliser. Arsenal’s Mexican wonder kid Carlos Vela came on in the 64th minute and immediately started to have an impact on the left wing with his dribbling and lightning pace troubling the Mallorca defenders.
Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana finally secured the win for Osasuna adding the third and his first of the season four minutes into injury time, when he finished a brilliant play from the left by Mexican winger Carlos Vela.
Vela picked up the ball on the half way line on the wing and went on a fantastic run leaving the defenders helpless behind him before laying it on a plate for Viana to have enough time to roll it into the net from close range.
Watch the video of all the goals as they are worth viewing.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Fabregas and Gallas in the world's best eleven players of the year
By Aries
Journalists of the prestigious French newspaper “L'Equipe” have chosen their best eleven for 2007 and the Premier League has seven representatives. Among them Arsenal’s Fabregas, for the first time and also Gallas who was also in the team last year.
Cesc Fabregas has been in fantastic form this season adding goals and steel to his marvelous displays which have been instrumental in pushing Arsenal to the top of the Premier League and through to the last 16 of the Champion’s League.
The other Premier League players are Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Didier Drogba of Chelsea.
There were two players from the Spanish League, Daniel Alves of Seville and Real Madrid’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) and the midfielder Kaká (Milán) were the representatives of the Italian League.
Gallas and the goalkeeper Buffon are the only ones who were chosen for the best eleven last year.
Team of the Year:
Buffon
Alves Gallas Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Fabregas Gerrard kaka
Drogba Van Nistelroy
Journalists of the prestigious French newspaper “L'Equipe” have chosen their best eleven for 2007 and the Premier League has seven representatives. Among them Arsenal’s Fabregas, for the first time and also Gallas who was also in the team last year.
Cesc Fabregas has been in fantastic form this season adding goals and steel to his marvelous displays which have been instrumental in pushing Arsenal to the top of the Premier League and through to the last 16 of the Champion’s League.
The other Premier League players are Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Didier Drogba of Chelsea.
There were two players from the Spanish League, Daniel Alves of Seville and Real Madrid’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) and the midfielder Kaká (Milán) were the representatives of the Italian League.
Gallas and the goalkeeper Buffon are the only ones who were chosen for the best eleven last year.
Team of the Year:
Buffon
Alves Gallas Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Fabregas Gerrard kaka
Drogba Van Nistelroy
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