With the international break now behind us (praise the Lord!!!), football fans can brace themselves for some Premier League action, as Arsenal will aim to continue keeping track with the leading pack, as they remain seven points off the mark.
The pick of the weekend’s matches will be Chelsea’s former gaffer, Andre Villa Boa Constrictor take on his former side with his new-improved Spuds. As a thoroughbred Gooner, I don’t give a fish’s tit about those scum on the White half of North London but I hope to see a good game of football. A draw will be a great result from an Arsenal and of course, Manchester perspective.
However, the Gunners are probably licking their lips with the prospect of playing Norwich City in Carrow Road. The Canaries have been very dismal this season and anything other than three points to the Arsenal will be somewhat disappointing. However, caution must be thrown to the wind, as the last fixture between Arsenal and Norwich showcased the club’s defensive frailties that were duly punished by the away side.
Yossi Benayoun curled in Arsenal’s opener early on before Wes Hoolahan levelled the tie for the visitors through a howler from Wojciech Szczesny. Against the run of play, Grant Holt put the away team ahead with an effort that deflected off Kieran Gibbs but the Arsenal faithful thought that a Robin van Judas brace was enough to grab all maximum points.
Then James Morison happened…
If my memory serves me right, that draw but Arsenal’s hopes of a third place finish hanging on a thin thread, so they had to rely on their fierce rivals, Tottenham, to fuck up and guess what, those Spuds duly obliged.
Arsene Wenger has been on the news lately, as he stated recently that Arsenal’s style is better suited for away matches. I can agree with that assessment because the Gunners have been brilliant away from home this season as they’ve amassed good results in Anfield, Britannia Stadium, Stade de la Mosson and the Etihad.
The manager also reiterated that Arsenal’s moment of truth has arrived and he’ll like to see his Guns hit a rich vein of form, as they did in Autumn last season. This time last year, Aaron Ramsey scored a late goal to bag all three points against Marseille, and this was followed with an extended run of victories over Stoke, Bolton, Ch3l5ea, West Brom, Norwich, Dortmund before the Thomas Vermaelen-inspired draw with Fulham.
He also gave updates on the current injured lot in his team. As expected, Theo Walcott is still out with that nasty injury he suffered during the international break, after a collision with San Marino’s goalie, Aldo Simoncini. I heard that Simoncini was auditioning to play for Stoke City and Tony Pulis must have been proud. Shame.
According to Monsieur Wenger, Walcott is about two weeks away from action.
The boss also gave updates on Gibbs, that was substituted in the victory over West Ham with a thigh injury. He has stated that the young fullback will be out for this weekend’s encounter as well as the Capitol One showdown against Reading.
Lukasz Fabianski has developed a new ankle ligament problem and he has gone to see a specialist. The Pole should get ready for some horse placenta because that’s what he’s gonna get chilling with for the time being. Szczesny on the other hand, is still out, leaving Mannone as Arsenal’s custodian between the sticks till further notice.
Finally, the manager stated that the midfield duo of Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby are still out.
Unlike these folks that are out injured nursing a limb or two, Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong and Bacary Sagna continued their long road to full fitness with a closed-door friendly in London Colney against Chelsea. Unlike the previous Under-21 fixtures were Wilshere managed to get an hour under his belt, he played for the entire 90 minutes with Sagna – even the Gunners lost by two unreplied goals.
Wilshere will play for the Under-21s against Everton on Monday and he’s tipped to make his long awaited comeback against Reading next week Wednesday in the Capitol One Cup Fourth Round. Wilshere on the other hand, has told his manager that he’s ready to make his comeback but the Gunners are still very cautious with the young lad.
The prospect of seeing Jack Wilshere alongside Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta will soon be a reality but I’ll prefer to take each game as they come.
When Spain hosted France in the Vicente Calderon, Arteta watched the game from home as his teammate, Olivier Giroud, landed the sucker punch that shared the spoils with Spain. The vice-skipper has backed Giroud up, stating that he has found his footing in England and the goals will start creeping in.
The Lego-haired Spaniard wrapped things up by saying that he’ll like to be a football manager someday.
You don’t have to wait that long Senor Arteta. Football Manager 2013 is coming out next month, just grab one for yourself and play it on your laptop.
Besides, it’s the greatest job on Earth.
Sayonara.
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