Waving goodbye to Colin Lewin. Players should leave if they aren't happy & Frimpong fit, ready and looking good……

Morning Gooners,

Recovering from a serious injury or a raft of niggling, confidence sapping injuries, is not an exact science.

Some players return as good as new. Others suffer deep psychological damage, from which they never fully recover.

Eduardo is the classic example, he was lucky to still have two legs and be able to walk again, never mind play professional football.

He was robbed of something on that day at St Andrew’s, Small Heath, something in his head and it never really came back to him whilst at Arsenal.

Aaron Ramsey at times, gives the impression that he to is still struggling with those same inner demons. That Shawcross vicious assault, not only robbed Aaron of a large chunk of his career, it also left a mental scar that to this day, I suspect still haunts him.

Both Tomas Rosicky and Robin Van Persie struggled with a succession of debilitating injuries but eventually both returned to have a successful and surprisingly to many, effective seasons in 2011-12.

Jack Wilshere is weeks away and Emmanuel Frimpong is very close to a return too, he joins the squad next week for complete, normal training.

Arsene Wenger says:

It is very good news because he is really fit and ready. He has worked very hard and we are amazed how good he looks at the moment.

Both will hopefully have successful returns and soon be fully integrated back into the senior squad, where they’ remain as valuable members.

Of course, the sight of Abou Diaby, the butt of so many of our sick note jokes, dominating the centre of midfield at Anfield, only went to show how right Arsene Wenger was right in persevering with him and never stop believing in Colin Lewin’s most constant and long-term companion.

It had been, well yes, years since we had all seen quite how good Diaby really is. In truth, it had been so long that we had all forgotten his quality. Understandable really considering the length of his absence.

And who can deny that Abou Diaby is only at the very start of his journey?!

He has a long long way to go in this season, a long way to prove that he can stay fit, injury free and sustain the standards he set at Anfield and I’m sure this little muscular setback is just that and nothing more severe.

Admittedly he has long way to go before we fans can consider him one of the first names on the team sheet, but let’s allow him that time.

Arsene Wenger has never stopped believing in Diaby and considers him to be one of his best players so I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that come next May, Abou Diaby can look back on a successful and relatively injury free season.

Who knows, we may all then be Diaby fans, just like Arsene…

It won’t be too long you know, before Wilshere, Frimpong and Sagna are all departing the sickbed and finally waving goodbye to Colin Lewin.

What a squad we will have then…….

In the meantime, Arsene Wenger has made it quite clear too all at out club, if any player is not happy, they know where the door is and they should go.

I believe any player or any employee always had to defend the company he works for and if he is not completely happy with it then he has to go somewhere else. That is basically what I think. That is what I say to everybody.

Asked specifically about Sagna, Wenger said:

I didn’t say about the player, just about everybody. You have to defend your company.

There you have it!

Written by Allezkev

0 thoughts on “Waving goodbye to Colin Lewin. Players should leave if they aren't happy & Frimpong fit, ready and looking good……

  1. rico says:

    Morning all,

    Really good read Ak, very positive news from the sickbed and if we can get through to Christmas without any further serious injuries, we have a cracking squad.

    So much for us worrying about Frimpong, seems he has knuckled down and trained hard, just what we needed to hear. Haven’t even seen many tweets from him these days…

    Totally agree with AW, our club needs committed players, not ones who are looking for a bigger wage packet elsewhere, and if they can’t take competition for places, then go, simples….

  2. Bendtnersgone says:

    Morning all. Things are certainly a whole lot better than this time last year. The squad has more balance and I finally believe in the coaching staff. I think that goes for the players too. I’ve read various quotes from Chesney, Tommy V and co lauding Bouldy but saying Pat Rice was more a father figure than a coach. The dressing room likes what’s happening and it shows. If Giroud can just calm down and bag his first goal tomorrow we may see our front line get into it’s groove. Then we’ll be flying.

  3. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Rico….better late than never,i guess.
    Wenger is right….you must defend your company,and that goes for all fans as well.
    You’re either a Gooner,or you’re not…simple.
    I am….albeit a sick one…stil.
    Bloody over this lol.

  4. Bendtnersgone says:

    Too right. I used be an advocate of Keown had did a stint with our defence in the run to the CL final. I couldn’t understand that not being made permanent. Still, Bouldy’s obviously a good coach and he’s there now so we’ll see what happens.

  5. rico says:

    Bg, I always wondered why Keown didn’t stay on, maybe he wasn’t asked as surely he would have snapped up the chance…

  6. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    Good write up AK.

    This morning I read on Theo as a false 9!!!!

    If he was Cesc then yes he can do the false 9, but Theo can not and will never be able to play such a game for one simple reason….his first touch. It was never worked on and now its too late to improve.

  7. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Very positive post.

    Personally, the return of both frimpong and JW10 is better than any possible new signings the fans expected in the DM/CM position. My reason is that I am very tired of players using us as a stepping stone and then later fading away to Mr.Nobodies after they have left us.e.g Hleb

    I heard that the reason AW did not go for M’Villa was because, when we wanted to have a discussion with him before the Euros, he had the audacity to tell Grimadi he will make up his mind about where he wanted to go after the Euros. What that translated to and I guess AW was that, he wanted to see if in his ‘false opinion’ a ‘bigger club’ will come for him. But his luck ran out and he got injured a few days later and the rest is history.

    Frimpong and JW10 are arsenal true and true who feel privileged to be at arsenal. I happened to re-watch last years match against Udinese last night and I thought Frimpong showed what type of player he can be for us. He made Di Natale look like an amateur. His performance for Wolves against the Spuds before he got injured was not bad either. I believe with better coaching he will be a very good player for us for avery long time.

    Someone might say Cashley Cole supported arsenal too but he never did. I am not sure he supports any time but himself so there is no comparison in my humble opinion.

  8. JW says:

    On the evidence of the first three games I’m beginning to realise just what Wenger saw in Diaby, I had forgotten what a promising player he looked before the broken ankle. Arsene had faith in him, maybe he does know more about his players than we, the ever critical, fans do.

  9. rico says:

    Hi TSGH..

    That M’vila news seems to be feasible and if so, I’m glad we didn’t sign him, he’d be just another looking for a way out when the so called bigger teams came sniffing around him.

    Re Frimpong, didn’t he once say he’d go down on his hands and knees and beg to stay IF the club ever tried to sell him…

    Great attitude and just why I still wish we had kept Henri Lansbury…

  10. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Unfortunately loyalty seems to be a commodity for sale to the highest bidder these days. If Wenger is getting harder with the players then that is good in my opinion.

  11. rico says:

    JW, I’d like to see him in a few more games yet, maybe by Christmas if he has stayed fit and performed consistently, I’ll start to have more faith in him. But, so far, so good….

  12. rico says:

    Morning Adam,

    For a long time now AW has been a bit soft on the players, wrapping them in cotton wool and supporting them regardless of what they say/do. I’m with you, if he’s started to get a bit tougher then good…

    Something else Bould has brought to the table maybe?

  13. rico says:

    That’s why so many get so so frustrated with Diaby I think JW, you can see clearly that he has talent, just his injury or sometimes inability to perform to a level we believe he can.

    And I still can’t forgive him for the 4-4 at St James Park…. 😉

    Walcott is another, if only he could always play like he did against the Totts in the second half, or Milan and I’m sure there are a few other matches.. 😉

    But all too often he just sits on the wing and gives up…

  14. emma says:

    Goodmorning groovers

    rico
    “For a long time now AW has been a bit soft on the players, wrapping them in cotton wool and supporting them regardless of what they say/do. I’m with you, if he’s started to get a bit tougher then good…”

    I couldn’t agree with you more. If being ruthless with the player will lead to winning trophies then I am up for it. Looks like Wenger has changed and I kind of like this wenger 😉

  15. JW says:

    Rico/Adam,

    I think Wenger has been bitten once too often, loyalty should be a two way street but recent events have shown that certain badge kissers had no conception of the meaning of the word.

  16. devilgunner says:

    Yes Rico, he can be a number 9, but only in a 4-4-1-1 formation which played a lower back line and relied on fast breakaways. With the present formation and tactics he can never play as a number 9. He can never play central.

    TalkShiteGingerHater…..I agree regarding your assessment of Diaby. Yesterday I said that Song was only kept as a cover for him until Diaby returned. With Frimps and Jack returning and Coquelin there the day that we see the three of them dominating midfield is very much near.

  17. rico says:

    Morning emma, you and me both. But i do think Bould has had a word in his ear, just this time, AW has listened … 😉

    JW – i think so too, maybe that is why he has changed his ways in the transfer window too, not so many younger players who would see us simply as a stepping stone…

  18. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Exactly Rico. Re MVila I honestly believe that was the case, because the person who informed me in June was a middle aged french man who works for one of the European defense companies who I happened to have a work related meeting with. We happened to talk about football during lunch and he mentioned that his brother owned a cafe he says Grimandi frequents.

    I believe M’Villa thought PV4 would push ManShitty to make a bid for him after the euros but the fact is his performances over the past year has been below par. Desailly’s comments 2 or 3 years ago went to his head. Capoue is now ahead of him in the Le Blues pecking order.

    Re Frimpong I think his last tweet had been to update the faithfuls on his return to training. I believe AW had some firm words with him after the medias jackpot on his incident.

    Henri Lansbury shot himself in the foot by not moving to Bolton on loan. Fat Sam stunt his development. Even though he is a gooner, I have bheard like most fans his attitude was a little bit hollywood-like and he thought he should be in the first team just because he had been on loan.

  19. rico says:

    tbh devil, i’d rather see him on the left, cutting in and onto his natural foot….

    Also, if Frimpong stays fit now, imho Coquelin will be sold….

  20. emma says:

    The pace of Walcott scares defenders but he has no control neither a good touch. I don’t see Walcott better than what he is now. He is like a toddler that puts on the left shoe on the right leg and vice versa. I would love him to prove me wrong but I think his time at arsenal is tick -tock

  21. JW says:

    Rico, I think we are wasting Theo’s talents, we should be making much more use of his pace, not on the wing but centrally, an example was the break from near the penalty box during the international the other day. He can cause panic in the opposition defence. One way to use him would be when defending corners, as the corner comes in he should be sprinting out of the box towards the half way line, he would take possibly two opposition defenders with him and provide an outlet for a clearance.

  22. rico says:

    TSGH – serves him right then, and I think its safe to say that AW will never go back for him either, if that report is true.. Capoue is the real beast out of the two isn’t he?

    Did Lansbury refuse Bolton then? Silly fool if he did, Coyle is a good man and a good manager and he would have played Lansbury a lot more than Big Sam did…

  23. rico says:

    You are very hard on our english international emma 😉

    JW – you and me both, right wing is not for him and all it has done is get fans on his back… central or left for me too… but not right

  24. Bendtnersgone says:

    Off topic here but has anyone else heard the new Giroud song? Well I say new but I may just not have heard it before. If you want to hear talking Larry sing it check it out on ‘off the post’. Me likey!

  25. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    That is what I heard just before the ‘bad day’ in Manchester last year. I am not sure how accurate that information is but basically, Lansbury wanted to go to a big city club.And maybe on a footballing side he thought he might get more opportunities at WH but Fat Sam was appointed and well I don’t need to continue …..?

    Contrast that AW’s attitude on players loan options to Maureenho who forced Sahin to go to ‘Liverpoo’ because he can not stand AW.

    And contrary to what the ignorant ‘ginger man’ (no disrespect to any red haired person) on ‘Talk Shite’ will say most of the big teams Chairmans will always go for AW instead of Maureenho if they were both available at the same time, and Maureenho can’t understand why the Real Madrid job was offered to AW first and not him.

    I think Le Coq has potential but he has to be careful with AW because contrary to what people believe at AW he has a very mean streak according to Oppong Weah and a few of his ex Monaco players.

    Le Coq’s statement was very disrespectful to the 3 senior players he thinks he should play ahead of. We will see what AW’s stance on the comment was by his involvement in the next few weeks.

  26. rico says:

    TSGH – if ever you feel the desire to write a post for HH, please let me know 🙂

    And, that’s just why I think Le Coq may have burned his bridges at the club. He is still young and has to be patient but it seems he has itchy feet already.

    He hasn’t even suggested that his comments were twisted by the media, unlike Sagna…

  27. emma says:

    rico – I am not worried about Giroud one bit. He will come good once the goals starts flying in. Though he didn’t score against Belarus on international duty, his movement was great and the keeper made a couple of save esp a headed ball which was on target.

  28. rico says:

    Me neither emma for the same reasons, the song about him is good, be great if the fans sing it tomorrow…

    Wish I was going, think it could be a cracking game, just hope
    Le Tissier is covering it for Sky Sports…..

  29. devilgunner says:

    Incredible Rico…..even I am off to the dentist today. Just for a check up and clean up. cu later my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

  30. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good morning Rico and fellow Gooners.

    AK — Another gem of a positive article.

    Scott — Sorry to hear you haven’t recovered yet. Are you still off on the trip to race your dog(s)?

  31. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    It shall be an honour Rico.

    Same here Emma re. Giroud. I thought his movement off the ball against Belarus gifted the goal to Capoue on tuesday. My only worry for him is that he is too much of a nice guy and humble as compared to other strikers. I hope the connection and noise Poldi and SC19 are forming will not cause him to feel left out and make him loose confidence.

    Re Le Tissier, I would love it if we beat the saints tomorrow just to watch his bum face. He is another man who never has anything better to say about us especially as he hardly ever won anything in his very good career.

    He stayed at ‘the dell’ because of his ‘love’ for the saints but is the first to advocate an arsenal player to jump ship. Maybe its the regret he has about his decisions.

  32. BigSanty says:

    Ģ♡̷̬̩̃̊♡̷̬̩̃̊Ď! It’s either you work & defend your club… Or you walk off through T̶̲̥̅ђe̶̲̥̅̊ door… AW has really been soft & father like to these players & least he need is an atom of honesty from them which he’s not getting. So since he is not getting it, am I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ support of his grip tightening “Period”. Time to show Love & respect to Club & Fans who pays them.

  33. emma says:

    TSGH – You re right. There is good understanding b/w Poldi9 and SC19. I hope the understanding b/w all 3 will come soon and that will be tasty

  34. Canadian Gooner says:

    TSGH — Your 10:27 am post regarding M’Vila would defenitely explain why Arsene went cold on his transfer so quickly. It is also consistent with the other stories of his attitude over the year or two. I think he has had enough of Players putting the club on hold hoping for a better offer. If we had signed him, he probably wouldn’t have staid long.

  35. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Gooners, thanx for the feedback.
    Afternoon Rico, thanx for a great sub.

    My major concern with M’Vila, has always been his age, 21/22, and therefore the potential for him to do, say 3 years of a 4 year deal, learn his trade under AW, and then piss off at 24/25, in his prime, using AFC as a stepping stone.
    I’d much prefer AW buying players who are 25/26/27, as it would be AFC who would then benefit from their best years!
    Now I simply have to do some work, lata.

  36. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Has any of you had a look at the first team training photos yet? Interesting to see Henderson and Yennaris with the first team squad but no Le Coq. I may be wrong but ….

  37. emma says:

    TSGH – You re right. I couldn’t find coq in the photos. Probably demoted to reserves. Though too soon to speculate

  38. emma says:

    TSGH – The teams photoshot was taken yesterday and was included. But in the teams training photo taken today he is not on it.

  39. allezkev says:

    Arsene Wenger, I believe, holds both Yennaris and in particular Henderson, in high regard.
    Not seen photos, but that is very good news to me…

  40. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Ahh okay.Very interesting but like you said its too early to speculate. Its also interesting to note Giroud was in green bib during practice. Does that mean he starts on the bench tomorrow as normally the starters are in white bib during friday practice?

    My colleague thinks Le Coq is the one wearing the yellow boots standing behind the Squid in picture 7 of 29.

  41. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    I would really like to see Yennaris make it with us. I like the way he makes no noise and just gets on with it. His only issue is his height especially for the position he plays in but technically, I think he is very good.

    Against Olympiacos U19 this week, he was very assured against ateam who are better than Stoke.

  42. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    I feel sorry for some of these youngsters in the reserves now because 4 years ago, players much less skilled (Denilson) were being giving opportunities and they did not grab them with both hands, but instead kept tripping over their designer shoes on the way to the bank.

  43. rico says:

    Tsgh – thanks re earlier, look forward to your post, and yours emma 🙂

    devil – hope your dentist appointment went better than mine….

  44. rico says:

    Tsgh – maybe AW feels sorry for them too, which is why he isn’t signing so many these days….

    We really have a good crop coming through, many of which could have a long and successful career with us…

  45. emma says:

    rico – Pep will be at the emirates on Dec 19 for a one-day seminar

    Chamberlain is on the far right. Coq is a bit taller. Yennaris is wearing a yellow boots. Santi is on a white boot. It could be either Yennaris/Coquelin

  46. allezkev says:

    My God, I do believe you are right.
    What the devil is one of the famous Wembley Wizards doing, wearing yellow boots….
    I must write to my MP and complain…
    Good heavens Adam, what next????
    What on earth is the world coming too..?!
    They’ll be giving women the vote at this rate….
    Rant rant rant….

  47. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all,
    Another fine post from Sir Ak stables, Diaby i must say has surprised me, he has come on leaps and bounds, a talented footballer with a good head on his shoulders see’s a pass well and ventures forward cautiously, question mark on fitness but if that is behind him,it bodes well for the season. Wenger toughthening up, i reckon he is a tough task master. The three new guys have come in with something diferent they are hard grafters who will get stuck in, they even challenge for headers God forbid, this is the reason in my mind, that has upped the work rate, with the whole team grafting i can see points mounting up and you know what points make……..

  48. stevepalmer1 says:

    Thats right Rico, a ball in the air needs a good challange i do believe Theo nearly challanged once but thought better of it. Evening AK nice one mate. 🙂

  49. stevepalmer1 says:

    Had a job which i priced for four weeks work and they wanted it done in two. early starts and late finishes but should finish tomorow, so no, no fishing but i will next week, i’ll keep you informed ha ha

  50. Lee says:

    You know that Rico. Top night last night, did you know that Adam supported The Arsenal before Arsene’s reign!!! 😉

  51. rico says:

    Ha ha Lee, Quality time with Dave then … Love it….

    Re tomorrow, and funny enough, just done the post – I think we could concede if we are not careful, they scored two good goals against both Mancs and just lost. Saints prob is their concentration to the end….

  52. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I’m fine rico. I prefer Capoue over M’Villa. Why we want to sell Coquelin? He have to figth for his place and wait for his opportunity and when it appears, garb it. Only play 11 but we must have 20 players ready for be call and play in 100% 🙂

  53. rico says:

    I hope not Lee, if we don’t we secure an all time club record….

    San Miguel eh, nice although as you know, Estrella is nicer imho – I have a Tiger Beer, just one though, that’s enough for me….

  54. rico says:

    Me too JM, he is more of a beast and has no attitude. Coq could have it all with us but he seems to have itchy feet already…

  55. rico says:

    Why is it I can’t remember the name of the pub I used to go into when I went to Highbury – I know one used to have a lovely log fire which I hogged on more than one occasion.

    Oh, and a wonderful Mexican restaurant which had a happy hour from 5-7pm, great way to kill time before getting the train home…

  56. stevepalmer1 says:

    When i went with my mate we drank in the Pins and then had a long walk to the ground when we got there i saw a pub right outside and asked why we never went in there my mate informed me that the away fans drink in there, What i said right outside the ground you have to be jokeing.

  57. stevepalmer1 says:

    Nice one Rico, he even walks back to finsbury park station instead of the Arsenal which is right outside but we never on that day 🙂

  58. allezkev says:

    Yep, I agree, 2-0, Giroud to score and we keep another clean sheet.
    Eventually the media tossers will begin to take notice.
    Lata.

  59. emma says:

    Good match PSG vs Tolouse
    Just remembered Wenger is on 3 match suspension for the UEFA champions league match so Bould will be acting manager

  60. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Phone’s been arsing around all day.
    I’m on me Samsung ‘I want to bin the bastard’ special.
    Lee, we gotta do the Curry Club again next month.
    Rico, i’ll pick you up at Paddington… 😉

  61. rico says:

    Not tonight Ak, I’m off to bed 🙂

    Stay safe all, footie is back tomorrow, well, the Arsenal are back which is all that matters…..

    Night all…. Sleep well…..

  62. Scott from Oz says:

    Top of the morning all.
    I was mid conversation last night and fell asleep,so apologies.
    Canadian……yes….i am heading off soon to race the hounds,and a long day is in front of me.
    They will need some luck today,but are due a little!
    I shall join you all for kick off tonight.
    You have a great sleep,i will have a great day and hope i can hang on for another 18 odd hours!!

  63. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Mind you, Apple aren’t exactly up to much with their after-sales service.
    Ask Adam?
    CarPhone Warehouse, 10/10
    Apple Store, 1/10

  64. Scott from Oz says:

    Gotta say Kev,i have had a world class nightmare with mobile phones over the last few years,and i have finally have a fantastic oe….Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
    I went through Nokia,Iphone and HTC,and each one had problems….6 phones in 2 years died,and none were my falt….so i am in love with Samsung.

  65. Charlie George aka AK says:

    I’m very happy for you both Scott.
    I think you make a wonderful couple….. 😉

    See ya a bit lata Digger

  66. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Seems fairly certain, that Wenger won’t risk Diaby today vs Soton.
    Personally i’d leave him out of today and Montpelier in midweek.
    Save him for the big test at Wastelands next weekend.

  67. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Not only Diaby rested, but Coquelin in the ‘Dog House’…
    So in comes Henderson and Yennaris, with Ramsey looking a certain starter.
    With Frimpong close to full-fitness, and with Wilshere and Rosicky a couple of weeks behind, I wonder if Coquelin has commited professional suicide after his badly advised comments?
    Coquelin, and Sagna for that matter, seem to have learned nothing, from the sudden demise and departures of Alex Song and some Dutch bloke?!!!

  68. Charlie George aka AK says:

    The word (on the streets) suggests that Szczesny is back in place of the unlucky Mannone.
    Fitting Koscielny back into the starting XI is far more problematic.
    How could Wenger drop either BFG or Verm…?

  69. nigel tufnel says:

    What bothers me about coquelin, is that he made a similar statement last year, i think just before he re signed with us. One year later, same thing? Young players must pay their dues. He is like 21 playing gor a champ lge team. He needs to shut up

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading