Puffing Billy Will Get Arsenal Back On The Rails – Wenger
Oct 24th, 2008 by 'holic
The pre-match press conference is usually an opportunity for the press to learn and share with us just who will or will not be available for the weekend, and how the manager sees the game going. Those of you who have access to the version broadcast on ATVo will know that the latest one concentrated on just about everything but the upcoming contest at West Ham on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger had to put right those keen to drive a wedge between him and the clubs supporters by clarifying his remarks at the AGM. They were, apparently, intended to convince us of the reasons to get behind his young squad and not as a criticism of the negativity that has been expressed from time to time in recent months.
He also had to dodge questions about Tottenham’s plight. Quite right too, it is the job of Arsenal supporters and Jonathan Woodgate to point out the state that they are in! Another cul-de-sac saw him asked about the possibility of David Beckham returning in January. He was quick to rule out any chance of him coming in as a player.
Then of course came the questions about his captain, and that smoking photo. Wenger was forced to condemn the act, and agreed that his skipper bore extra responsibilities as the leader of a young side. Aware how this might all look in the weekend tabloids he also made sure to build up Gallas for his experience and honesty. He suggested the break had given him chance to assess his own performances thus far.
“He wants to do well, he wants his team to win and he has made a mistake, who didn’t? Great captains, we all make mistakes.”
So, aside from the fact that Gallas and Toure are fit to return, possibly even Sagna, we didn’t learn a great deal about the likely starting eleven at Upton Park. I’ll suggest that his back four will be perm any four from Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Silvestre, and Clichy, so if Sagna doesn’t make it he will be spared a tricky decision. Toure will switch to right-back.
In midfield surely we must go with man of the moment Theo Walcott on the right. Fabregas and Nasri should feature, which leaves the conundrum of Diaby, or Song, or Eboue, or Denilson in the middle. I do hope a rest for Nasri to create room for Diaby on the left is not a considered option, but I fear it will be.
Adebayor will start, but with van Persie or Bendtner? Robin will probably get the nod having been sacrificed for the 4-5-1 in Istanbul, and I am surprised I find myself genuinely considering the Dane ahead of him, but Nicklas must be close to getting a run in the side?
‘What of the ‘holic pound?’ I hear you ask. Well after three goals against Everton, and five at Fener, surely there is some confidence in forward areas? I’ll plump for a real oddball and a 4-2 away win. Another pound may well be ventured on Theo to score first.
I’ll be back on Saturday night with an update on the competition to win four great books (see yesterday’s post) from Octopus Publishing. Don’t forget, for your chance to win just send me an email at competition@goonerholic.com with the answer to this question.
Which three clubs did Arsene manage before joining Arsenal in 1996?
All correct answers will go into a draw next Friday, 31st October, and the winner will be announced along with the preview of the trip to Stoke the following day.
6 Responses to “Puffing Billy Will Get Arsenal Back On The Rails – Wenger”
No drinks? That’s a travesty. A bottle of Bolli and some of that Cassis please…
No Bolli? Just that bottle of Cava then.
Noble is out for them. he can be a bit spikey so thats good. I’d be surprised to see Toure at RB. Eboue has done really well in his couple of games so I would really hope he can keep the position if Sagna is missing. toure and gallas will be the centre backs I think. Denilson will probably play and RVP will return too. I am going for a 2-2 or a 3-2. I agree it will be high scoring – poor defences and good attacks.
I’ve always got Bolli, Snail. Funnily enough I used to bet a bottle of Bolli with a Scouser on who finished highest in the league. It started in ’89, he collected in ’90, I won again in ’91, then he moved 🙂
I wish we had kept it going…
I took a brief break from stalking and missed the mollusc!!!
*gnashes teeth*
one Kingfisher strong, ‘holic…
Strange to see Wenger admit that he would’ve loved to keep Upson at Arsenal. Never rated him as top quality. What do you guys reckon?
And 2-0 to the gunners. About time we kept a clean sheet.