Wenger Being Baited Ahead Of Riverside Trip
Dec 7th, 2007 by 'holic
Quiet news day? I can think of no other reason for the concerted and unfounded criticism of the Arsenal manager that has filled countless column inches in the last twenty-four hours, and had Gordon Taylor frantically trying to apologise to the boss for the alleged misrepresentation of his views.
There is absolutely no point in me reiterating my stance on the debate. You know it. No, wait, I can tell from reading a large chunk of the other Arsenal blogs, forums, and fansites that you feel the same. The hack-pack in this country is becoming more xenophobic by the day. Here is a message we have shared with our opponents lately. It applies equally to the nations sports editors. YOU NEED MORE FOREIGNERS!
There is more bad news ahead of the Sunday visit to Middlesbrough. The quartet of Cesc Fabregas, Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb, and Robin van Persie are once again ruled out. It is hard to imagine any other Premiership side coping with the loss of probably four of its five most potent forces this season.
It is a mark of the strength of this Arsenal squad that a point was secured at Newcastle, and three more will be demanded by the support at the Riverside. Gareth Southgate’s side is in a terrible run of eleven without a win, and some might argue they are due a triumph by the law of averages!
The ‘holic pound is once again being planted on a one-nil win for the visitors. Newcastle may have stymied me with an equaliser on Wednesday, but I am taking what is developing into a formidable back-four and Manuel Almunia to keep a clean sheet.
With so much creativity and firepower missing I am also contemplating a few pennies on Emmanuel Eboue to grab the first goal. Regular readers will know I am not his biggest fan, but if he can keep a lid on his all-too-excitable nature and obey the laws of gravity he can pose a significant and unexpected threat cutting in from the right flank.
Given the weather forecast I doubt defenders will fancy attempting to challenge anybody like Eboue charging at them with speed on what is likely to be an extremely wet surface. The conditions on Sunday may well suit our slick passing game. Anybody recall Arsene Wenger’s comments after the trip to Anfield? We’ll have the handbrake off for this one please boss!
3 Responses to “Wenger Being Baited Ahead Of Riverside Trip”
No handbrake turn on that slippery surface?
Wenger is definitely under the cosh on the whole foreigners debate. It would be great if the Arsenal foreigners could raise their game on Sunday to give the boss the boost he deserves. I agree it will probably be close, but we need a victory at the Riverside.
arsene’s yet again been vilified for his ingenuity. tsk! tsk!