Real Football – And We're Gunner See Jens Again
Jul 29th, 2008 by 'holic
Well ok, it may not be ‘blood and thunder’ competitive given we are facing three games in five days and Stuttgart are preparing for a UEFA Cup qualifier, having edged past the challenge of Russian club, FK Saturn Ramenskoje, in extra time of their Intertoto Cup clash on Sunday. This will, however, be a more meaningful measure of where we are than facing teams of journeymen in Eastern Europe. Clearly the locals think so too. All 42,500 tickets have been snapped up to see former Gunner Jens Lehmann make his debut for the German club.
The hosts’ coach, Armin Veh, has strengthened his squad in the summer. Not only Lehmann, but also central defender Khalid Boulahrouz has been signed. Stuttgart’s European Championship contingent, which also includes Mario Gomez and Thomas Hitzlsperger, are expected to make their first appearances for their club this season. I’ll be particularly interested in Gomez, a player with whom we were tenuously linked when the ‘Adebayor will leave’ stories were at their height.
Arsenal’s international stars are also likely to return for at least part of the proceedings. Kolo Toure will probably not play for a couple of weeks after his mild malaria attack, and Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to be rushed back. Most will want to get a first glimpse of Samir Nasri, and see just who gets the nod to start in the centre of midfield.
I suspect we will also be waiting with interest to see who is preferred to start up front. I suspect that Adebayor may get the nod, alongside van Persie, just to head off an early jolt to team spirit. There may, however, be an even more important lesson in store for him when the team is announced for the opening Premier League fixture. That may also have more of an impact. We shall see.
Preparations for the match are at an advanced stage, although some fraught negotiations remain. I have yet to tell Mrs ‘holic that she will be watching Coronation Street in the bedroom as the game kicks off on Arsenal TV at 7.15 UK time. Diplomacy will need to be employed.
Enjoy the game everybody. Oh, and if you get a couple of minutes to spare I have updated the Hol-Picks page for the first time in a few weeks. I won’t be as lax again. Honestly 😉
19 Responses to “Real Football – And We're Gunner See Jens Again”
Morning Jackster
Morning Jackster, and Hi Sally.
Too hot to sleep. Off to Gallows Corner 😉
Heh, well in MarkM.
This will be however be
Sorry ‘holic. You’re giving me more work these days!
Pint please, guv.
Well in Mark.
“There may, however, be an even more important lesson in store for him when the team is announced for the opening Premier League fixture.”
Interesting statement! If Adebayor is fit and he’s not half-way out the door to Barcelona or wherever, he is 100% certain to be in the team.
Arsene has never been one for childish reprisals and he will always pick what he thinks is the best team. He also stated that 99% of what was written about Adebayor didn’t come from him and was not true, so he is not going to throw a hissy fit about this now.
Hello aj. It’s not about childish reprisals. Wenger publicly will offer all the support he can to Adebayor, but if he has three strikers in form at the start of the season I would have a small wager with you about which one is left out. Flamini found to his cost in 2006-7 it doesn’t pay to rock the pre-season boat.
I think he should be benched at least for this match and maybe the the first Emirates Cup match, man if any of those statements came from him then screw you ade’…… I hope RVP can play more than just this match without getting hurt…..
Sir ‘holic definitely has a point re Adebayor. And its actually what I hope happens.
*Gets to the bar early to miss the lunchtime rush*
“I have yet to tell Mrs ‘holic that she will be watching Coronation Street in the bedroom…”
Good luck with that. : )
Afternoon all, Pint and a bag of crisps please.
*Kicks nelly*
Looking forward to seeing Nasri play today. Don’t know exactly what to expect but it’ll be good just seeing him with the team. The thing that I really want to see is how Wilshere performs if he gets to play. He’s done well against these much weaker sides but it’ll be good to see how he stacks up against some quality. And thanks for the mention on the Hol-picks, i had to think quite a lot to write that article! Cheers to you and to Mad Jens one more time
Looking forward to seeing a ‘proper’ game of football after the 10-2. Ever thought of getting Sky+ holic? It really does make these evenings less stressful with the wife. I live with a Manure fan and never have any problems as the soaps are taken care of. Let’s hope it’s a good one tonight.
*Enters Monkey-free zone*
Obi Wan: You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed me.
Snail: Can I claim that trip on expenses?
Heh, thanks Snail.
Thanks to you too Glasgow. Sadly Sky is not an option here because of planning regs., and I won’t pay double to get cable in the bedroom when we have a perfectly serviceable HD tv and freeview in there. Besides, the soaps look much better on a smaller screen!