I read this article yesterday afternoon and my heart sunk!
Arsene Wenger has apparently given no assurances to any of our three goal keepers about who will play or when. Manuel Almunia, who is not far away from being fit and therefore in contention for the gloves again has been told he needs to fight for the No1 spot and it could still be his!!
All i can say is I hope this is another case of Wenger telling porkies to the press, surely his days at our club are numbered? Not only does he have Fabianski ahead of him right now but he needs to improve an awful lot in order to knock Wojciech Szczesny off of the No2 spot too, let alone pushing Fabianski out.
Me personally, I think if Fabianski were to have a few bad games, the younger of the two Poles would take over, his display in the Carling Cup was just superb.
Of course Almunia has a future at the club. He has been out for a long time, but he must come back and shows the performances in training and his quality, you can never stop a player from playing.
Wenger has rejected suggestions he would allow Almunia to leave during January.
At the moment what we are focused on is to win together with the squad we chose at the start of the season. We are on a train which wants to go to the terminal station – and that means nobody moves out when the train is moving.
Wenger has great faith in Szczesny but he has by no means be assured of playing time, in fact he has just been told to carry on from what he did against Newcastle in the Carling Cup.
I don’t give assurance to anybody for game time, I just told Wojciech he has the quality to be an Arsenal goalkeeper, and that is down to him to show that. We cannot say on one side that we are in top-level competition and also give the players guarantees. The only guarantees are their performances.
Believe all that??
No, neither do I – I’m sure that if a club comes in for Almunia and makes an offer, he will leave. Szczesny intimated he would seek football elsewhere if he wasn’t guaranteed to play so watch this space I guess….
Talking of goalkeepers, on loan Vito Mannone put in a good performance last night for Hull making one or two match winning saves in a 2-0 victory. Good to see he is finally playing, making his loan spell more worthwhile.
The fun side of Cesc came out in an interview with Rob Beasley. Cesc was asked a few thing about the boss and whether he believe Wenger was still focussed and still had the desire to win. Cesc of course backed his boss saying he was more committed than ever and more determined for us to win silverware this season. He also talked about how special is was to have played the pass for Spain to score the winning goal in the World Cup and what it was like to be a winner of that competion. Rob Beasley asked him which competitions did he believe we could win.
This is a little piece of the interview:-
RB: There are not many players who can say that they’ve made the winning goal in the World Cup final, they’ve won the World Cup…
CF: It is something that I will always be proud of, a memory that will last for ever.
And you are right – there are not many people who can say that they are World Cup winners.
There are great players who have done many, many big things in football but have never won it.
It is a small, exclusive club so I have to be proud. I remember after the Manchester City game I went on to the pitch to do a TV interview and saw Marcel Desailly there and he said: “Hey, Mr World Cup winner!”
And I said: “You are too.”
And he grinned and said: “Yes, but that was a long time ago.”
The truth is it doesn’t matter how long ago, you are still a world champion – so in 15-20 years I will still be able to look back and say: “Wow, look what I achieved, that was amazing!”
Cesc was inevitably asked about the Barca bid in the summer but made it clear he is just focused on having a great season at Arsenal and winning something.
RB: Like what? What can Arsenal possibly win this season?
CF: We are still in a good position in the league, good position in the Carling Cup and we are in a good position in the FA Cup too, because it hasn’t started yet! (Laughs) And I think we have a chance in the Champions League.
Here’s the link to read the whole interview –
Cesc said he believed his current form is down to a busy summer and its normal for players not to reach their peak again until December. Well, that month is not far off so we should soon start to see the best of Cesc again, who knows, maybe he will peak early, starting tomorrow at Goodison Park.
That’s all folks, have a good one….
Morning All….
Hi rico.
Morning K-TR7, last ones out and first ones in this morning ….
Cesc has already won the wc and euros at 23.its a big achievement and i hope he adds more honours with us.
i get the impression that is what he wants too KT, did you read the whole article on the link?
Howdy people Nikky wants out 🙁 he should be patient he is just back from injury Pardon Morning people
Morning Erick, how’s you?
Nikki baffles me, out for so long then comes back and expects to walk back in the side, if his comments are for real then he can go…
Rico i read it.nikki b should shut up and get on with it.it seems most of our players have never had stiff competition and am glad it is there now.
Rico whats funny is that last week he was talking how competition is great for the team now he is running scared of the competition
KT Morning 🙂
We all suggested Chamakh’s arrival would put pressure on Nik, he needs to realise that to play he needs to work hard, moaning in the papers will do him no good – wasn’t Chamakh’s fault Nikki went to the WC half fit and then had a set back…
Erick, i guess he thought it would be chamakh fighting to get in the side, not him 😉
I read somewhere that Rvp or Nikki may not be with us next season
We have a huge squad at the moment and the player that has impressed me is Rosicky when he gets a chance he plays his hurt out even when a 18 year old is picked ahead of him he is a true team player
Hurt = heart
Of course Wenger’s not lying –
You think Szczesny’s justbetter than Amunia but that’s only true if his performances show it.
If Almunia played liked he did against ManU away in the CL semi-final every week you’d want him in the team
IfFabianski plays lkike he did against Wolves every week te same.
I think Szczesny might well be the best but he did NOT perform superbly against Newcastle.
Another day he could have been sent off before he’d made a save.
Or his rush of blood early on and his later pushing out of a shot could have gifted the Toon 2 goals and the team could have been knocked out brecause of his errors. The reason I think Fabianski’s an accident waiting to happen is cos he’s made so many errors, the same for Almunia this year – and because those errors have seemed to affect their confidence and so their performances.
Szczesny sort of shows a resilience that makes you think he might not be as badly affected but guys like you saying how good he is just shows how nervous people are about what we’ve got let’s not make stars out of guys who haven’t played (as Wenger asid as well).
Erick, i haven’t seen that about Nikki or Robin…
What makes you so sure chris?
Personally I already have more faith in Chesney than I do Almunia any more, we can look back on the games he saved us, thats easy but this season he has been woeful, hence Fabianski getting his turn. Fabianski doesn’t convince me either but his last perfomance won us the game…
Erick its true about rosicky.he never moans despite being the Czech captain.he is a top pro.
Rico its an update on twitter just an observation but a subjective on KT won’t be happy about RVP
Echo the comments re Rosicky, model pro….
Can’t see RvP going to be honest Erick, unless the club are fed up with all his injuries…
On and off a bit today folks, back in a while…
Replying an hour later….
On the other hand of course Wenger is lying
He lies all the time because he only says what he thinks will help the team the most. So is Almunia even injured? And if he is when he cmes back could he push back to first choice? And if he couldn’t who does it help to say so? If Fabianski or Czesny get injured and.or lose form he may need him etc………
That type of lying is of course what any sensible manager would do, imo.
Chris Aw himself is looking up to Fabianski he has no faith in Al and that is supported by the fact that Aw talks up Fab all the time
You have got me puzzled there Chris.
You seem to change your mind and rationalise your current opinion, as to whether AW is lying or not, based on your latest whim.
It’s only my idle speculation, but it could be he is neither lying nor telling the whole story. All managers, football or otherwise, have to try and bolster their team/staff morale, whilst not promising something that may not be possible to deliver.
I suspect you are not yet a manager, or you would already know that.
Hi Erick, 🙂
How’s it going? Still on your way to being a millionaire, I bet!
(pin drop)
Ouch, that was my toe, KT! 🙂
Mourinho is a great coach but he behaves like a child at times.he got a touchline ban which has led to him cancelling his weekly press conference.he is so self-centered and egoistical.
Am great RA hope you good too its been a while how is work and Family just seen this on tweeter. Greatest football players 4. Pele 3. Maradona 2. Nikky Dad 1. Nikky B 🙂 🙂
KT am tired of his theatrics lets play football
Boo, i’m back for a short while…
How’s your foot RA 😉
Erick 😆
Hi Rico;
Well KT did not apologise for dropping a pin on it, so I am hobbling around bravely! 🙂
Whizzing out look after my neighbour’s hounds, and try to get back for the last 20 mins of the F1 Qualifying.
Laters.
Erick, re your earlier, i promise a humorous one soon, just for you 😉
I have to go again too, inlaws!! 🙁
Back a bit later all….
It would be great if we were to knockout Mou’s team from the CL.
It is a small, exclusive club so I have to be proud. I remember after the Manchester City game I went on to the pitch to do a TV interview and saw Marcel Desailly there and he said: “Hey, Mr World Cup winner!”
who was writing that?
Its very silent in here 🙂 🙂 🙂
Boo, Public Holiday on here today or what 😉
Hi Stan, sorry for the long delay, been out and you were in moderation…
Cesc was telling the story….
Ricoooo 🙂
Hola!! Everyone’s busy, it would seem. 😉
Disappointing from Bendy, if the statements attributed to him are true. But the media, I am convinced, have it in for us, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a scissors-and-paste selection only of bits indicating Bendtner’s frustration at his limited chances.
I’m sure Barcelona would revive efforts to sign Cesc, but I would be surprised if Cesc remains as bent on securing a move away. That empire is seriously tottering. As despicable as Mourinho is, I hope Madrid win everything to be won in Spain this year. And I hope somebody smashes Xavi’s jaw. Really.
Agag hiiya 🙂 🙂 its been a long hope your great Misd u 😉 Nikky got to wait for his chance and learn from Rosicky who is patient and gives his all when called upon
Eriiiiiiiiiick 😆
Hi agag, busy day for me today sadly, Nikki, well he can take a run 😉
re cesc and barca, i think they will get the PSV player 🙁 and then they will be broke 😉
Hey, Erick!! I’m never able to catch you here 🙁 How goes the internship?
Yes, as everyone’s pointed out, TR7 has been the model professional. Dudu was too. The kids of Arsenal have much to learn from the older ones in the squad. But then again, for all that Cesc was non-committal in the summer over his Arsenal future, I’m glad he was no Shrek. Now, that is one classless, ungrateful, overrated… troll. 🙂
agag, i think barca can’t afford cecs and cesc knows it…. for the time being anyway…
as for the kids, you are both right, they need to learn from the likes of Tomas, Nasri, Dudu and certainly not the likes of Nikki B…
rico, that PSV player is in my wishlist. 🙁 😉 Oh well, Torres has been in my wishlist for just about an eternity now. And we still haven’t gotten him.
ha ha agag, you are not getting him, santa is sorting that for me…… 😉
i hope robin has a word with him though and he joins us instead of the stains….
But it would be eminently satisfying if Barcelona’s financial situation went from bad to rotten and they have to offload their stars. I live for that day!! I am so uncharitable. I love it. 🙂
rico, the last time Robin whispered sweet nothings into someone’s ear… a certain DVD ended up playing for the swampies. Me no likey. 🙂
agag, but that was only because wenger didn’t want him, he won’t be there for long, you wait and see, it was just an exit from Madrid 😉
i want Barca to do a Leeds but can’t see that happening really but they are broke, thats for sure :P:
My dinner calls me, so I bid you fine people a good night, stay safe and catch up tomorrow 🙂
Night Night
Barca is broke and fully deserve to be. 😀
We’ll get one of the Dutch, I’m hoping. 🙂
Good night, rico and Erick. Have a great one. Catch up soon. 🙂
You are reading too much into Wenger’s comments, mate.. He was saying all summer that Eduardo’s not going anywhere either but we all knew it was a matter of time. He was saying that he has quality keepers all summer but we know for a fact that he did made at least 3 bids for new keepers (2 for Schwarzer). Wenger’s just always giving the politically correct answers and does not confirm/deny ANYTHING until it’s done.
Morning – anyone around?
Yap Rico am around
Howdy Erick, up for the game today then 🙂
Sorry for the delay Erick, was just sorting todays post stuff…
New Post is up