The evil injury spirits that troubled Newcastle in the days of old have come to settle in London. After looking around in the big city they decided to settle in the Emirates Stadium as the new year began.
They had a stronghold on Vermaelen from August and have held him since then. Nasri was held for ransom, paid his dues and was released in time for us to play Barca at home. Walcott didn’t do well enough to make them happy. After injuring himself on international duty in the game against Montenegro, Walcott spent a considerable time out of the game. He came back and fought for his place.
His performance against Chelsea was noteworthy.
With a place in the Carling Cup final awaiting him, the evil spirits descended on Walcott in the form of Stoke’s Whitehead. Fabregas and his dear hammy still have scores to settle.
Song joined the long list of absentees. The latest inductee to the injury club is our best goalie this season, Wojciech Szczesny.
With Vito Mannone out on loan at Hull and Fabianski out for season, Arsenal FC are left with Manuel Almunia, Emiliano Martinez and James Shea.
The latter 2 are not up to scratch yet so AW the Alchemist is eligible to sign an emergency keeper on loan for our remaining 10 games.
We needed to get a goalie that will only be on the “short term” because our young Poles will be fit again next season.
There weren’t a million and one keepers you could find to play for Arsenal in March so it seems as if AW the Alchemist will resort to the “invincible” goalie, Mad Jens Lehmann.
If I had the chance to sign a 41-year old goalie for the remainder of the season I’ll jump at that chance because he might not even play any of those games.
The general morale of the Arsenal team wouldn’t be sky-high at the moment so the introduction of the German volatile perfectionist will be highly welcome. This is a player that has been decorated in terms of silverware. He was between the sticks when we won our only trophy of 2004. The only trophy we are aiming for right now.
At the age of 41, Mad Jens brings his much needed experience to the squad. A few words of wisdom wouldn’t hurt now and then from the goalie and if the players don’t want to heed he should feel free to go “mad” on the players. Diaby and Denilson are players that need a bit of Lehmann’s volatility. I guess AW the Alchemist’s words are not enough for the Devil and the deep blue sea.
Even if he’ll play second fiddle to Almunia, Lehmann’s presence will keep Almunia on his toes a bit. Almunia of all people knows how ruthless AW the Alchemist can be. After winning his place from Lehmann, Almunia became complacent because of Fabianski’s error outings. Fabianski’s resurgence meant that Almunia dropped to number 2. Szczesny’s emergence dropped Almunia to the number 3 position. His Arsenal exit even seemed on the cards when the January transfer window loomed.
What makes it more warming is that Lehmann knows that he’ll be on the bench.
He says,”this time I’m looking forward to my role on the bench, I support Almunia. We can win the title”.
I won’t really be a bad idea ending his re-ignited career with a Premier League winners medal.
Back to my headline…
AW the Alchemist sets his sights on an emergency goalie…
Guess who?
Jens Lehmann
Sayonara
