Things I Think I Know About Ankles and More
That's Going to Leave a Mark
Well, its November and what would any November be without a significant injury to one of the core players for Arsenal. Whatever the season is like it is always the month before Christmas that sees us suffer. This time the victim is Robin Van Persie our inform central striker with the chocolate leg. He’s a victim, not of a bad tackle, but of circumstance with this right ankle being missed on tackle but so firmly planted it rolls leading to a partially torn ligament in the ankle.
Now for those of you that do not know partially torn ligament in the ankle sounds pretty bad. Let me spell out to you in a more comforting way – ligament tears are known more commonly as – ankle sprains. Depending on the type of damage and range of movement each sprain is classified into 3 levels of severity. They are:
Grade I Sprain
A Grade I (First Degree) sprain is the most common and requires the least amount of treatment and recovery. The ligaments connecting the ankle bones are often over-stretched, and damaged microscopically, but not actually torn. The ligament damage has occurred without any significant instability developing. Recovery time 4-6 weeks.
Grade II Sprain
A Grade II (Second Degree) injury is more severe and indicates that the ligament has been more significantly damaged, but there is no significant instability. The ligaments are often partially torn. Recovery time 4-8 weeks
Grade III Sprain
A Grade III (Third Degree) sprain is the most severe. This indicates that the ligament has been significantly damaged, and that instability has resulted. A grade III injury means that the ligament has been torn. Surgery is likely necessary and recovery time is 6-12 weeks.
Based on what we are hearing from the Dutch FA, Arsenal and Van Persie himself, I think we could say he is either a Grade I or II sprain. More likely a Grade II since he seems to be on the longer end of the recovery time.
Arsenal physios and doctors are allowing the dutch striker to go to Serbia to visit a doctor who has a rather inorthodox way to treat ligament injuries. It is a combination of electro-therapy and gene-therapy. The gene therapy being the placenta fluid I am so sure you have all read about. As best as I can surmise based on my career in healthcare. The placenta fluid is likely thought to have regenerative properties. Scientists are currently looking at placenta genes as a way to conduct gene therapy on more chronic conditions. Anyway, I digress. The addition of the electro-therapy will be used to stimulate and speed up whatever processes the placenta fluid is likely to have. Basically, it can only help and not hurt any more than he is hurt now. If it doesn’t it should not alter his recovery time in the negative.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, I just am making a broad assumption based on what I know is being done with placenta in science.
So enough with ankles and on to the more urgent discussion of what does Arsenal do? Once the injury was universally known, the twitterverse, blogs and media were quick to determine we had in face suffered a major catastrophe and our title hopes were lost. I love pundits and fair weather fans, I really do. These are the same pundits who declared the fight for the last big four spot would be between us and City. They didn’t see the epic collapse of the scousers or the mediocrity that is City’s defense coming.
Again I digress. It is true that the loss of Robin Van Persie is a loss to the club. The striker has been coming into form lately and has goals in 7 of the last 8 matches he has played in. He was prolific in the recent North London Derby. But how much and how significant a loss is debatable.
Remember that Van Persie was rather slow to start the season and by the third league game we had already scored 11 goals. If memory serves correct only 1 if any were scored by the man with the chocolate foot. The rest came from a rather robust attack. And true again, we are missing the great dane who fancies being the best striker in the world in 5 years. However if we are going to suffer injuries anywhere, our forwards are one of our deepest areas.
Figure that Eduardo and Arshavin are likely to feature big in the revamped lineup with RvP out. Also, John Cross at the Mirror has confirmed that Walcott should feature in the squad against Sunderland – likely coming off the bench. Additionally, Carlos Vela is set to return and he is definitely going to be looking to show Arsene that he is ready for more first team exposure.
But really this is a golden opportunity for Eduardo who has declared that since Crotia is out of the World Cup his focus is squarely on helping Arsenal achieve its silverware goals. Now is the opportune time for the Crozillian to do so.
I don’t buy into the doom and gloom and like has been said in a previous thread, if our championship hopes are tied to Robin Van Persie then we don’t deserve to win. It has to be a team effort and frankly there is more of an aura of “Teamwork” in this current generation of players than in recent memory. Goals will have to come in from everywhere and they should. I still think we pose one of the biggest attacking threats in the league.
Arsenal are not done by any means. And as they were written off at the beginning of the season – I think they are being written off again, much to I hope the chagrin of the punditry who say so.
THINGS I THINK I KNOW:
- With all the news on Van Persie, lost was the stellar performance of Aaron Ramsey on international duty for Wales. His 2 assists and a lone goal were the only single biggest reason that Scotland went down in flames. He done Club and Country proud and at 18 is slated for more glorious things to come
- Also lost in the clutter was news of Eduardo’s brace in Croatia’s 5-0 friendly win. If this is portent of things to come opponents should beware
- Arshavin was instrumental in Russia’s 2-1 win over Slovakia. While he didn’t score his play leading up to the goals is a reason why Russia were able to go ahead and win
- There are ongoing attempts to unsettle Fabregas again. Don’t they realise that while he is Spanish in nationality he is no longer Barca blood. He has been at Arsenal far longer than he had been at Barca. Who do they think got him to this point in his career? Certainly not them. While I have no doubt Fabregas will sometime go to Barca, I don’t see it in the near future.
- Adebayor is out again saying he feels no remorse for his celebration and is upset his former teammates wouldn’t shake is hand. Awww Dade has turned to Baby. Seriously this guy needs some mental help
- Why is it we have 2 players go down and the press has us in a bonified crisis while Chelsea lose Lampard, Drogba, Bosingwa and Cashley Gold and nothing is spoke of it or how it effects them. By the way John Terry is also fighting an ankle injury and his prognosis is iffy
- As a fan of Scottish Football – how the mighty have fallen. Two years ago, Scotland’s national team looked very promising and their were talks of a sustained run. However that was a team managed by an able manager – McLeish of Birmingham. Thank goodness George Burnley is gone. My choice for replacement – Sir Alex Fureson’s son who was recently released from his job. Also the SPL are pure shite and in shambles
- Back to my favourite team to slag – Mark Hughes is currently doing damage control for his teams current lack of form. Since beating Arsenal they are 0-4-1. Their last two draws has seen the opposition come back to draw level. The defence is crap (sorry Kolo) Lescott and Bridge are the biggest culprits. Selling Dunne was the worst move for the Citizens. Sparky is saying they were never focused on a top four spot and that if they finished fifth this season wouldn’t be a failure. Riiiiiggggghhhtttt. £200m isn’t supposed to buy fifth place
- The special one wants to return to build something. Jose Mourinho wants to return to the EPL and build something from the ground up and sustain for 10 years. City is glamor choice based on the money – but if he wants a challenge and wants to really build something. How about coming back next season when Newcastle are promoted and under new ownership. Build that storied club back up to being a force
- Finally I think our lineup for the near feature will look something like this: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Nasri/Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin, Rosicky/Vela, Eduardo/Walcott/
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I don’t care for Roy Keane, but I wish Arsenal had a few more players with his competitive nature;
the link below is to his interview today; refreshing perspective vs. the rhetoric in the media and on blog sites everywhere. from a former player & current manager; watch this video, all of it, as it reconfirms West Brom’s Di Matteo.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8370497.stm
FIFA will not agree to a replay. I like what Mick McCarthy has dubbed FIFA – Forget Irish Football Association.
To allow a replay would make them admit their system is flawed. Something they are not inclined to do.
I have quite a few comments around Henry’s hand ball and one of the ones I completely agree with is Robert Di Matteo, boss of West Brom where he claimed that 99.9% of footballers would have done the same in his position. He also feels that based on what he saw Henry simply reacted instinctively.
It’s sad it happened. It’s too bad it happened. But the blame should squarely fall on a linesman or refs inability to be in the right position to make the call and FIFA’s inability to move football into the modern age.
I may not like the call. Actually I could care less about the call to be honest, I can not even remotely like a team that has Robbie Keane on it. The French national team will likely get their just deserts early on in the WC. They are not cohesive enough to win it and Domenech is a lousy manager.
“one of the ones I completely agree with is Robert Di Matteo, boss of West Brom where he claimed that 99.9% of footballers would have done the same in his position”
If the media would take a breather and start interviewing current and former players and managers, fans would discover that these things are part of the game……and sometimes the officials get it right and other times there is controversy.
DAG – agree with you about your evaluation of the present French team; but life and sports are full of surprises. One play or player can totally turnaround the chemistry of a team and they have that wild card player in Franck Ribery – a real game changer.
Late joiner to the thread, but what Henry did was sh*t, and if something like this doesn’t change football and result in the introduction of technology, then FIFA are the dumbest organisation in world sport.
A replay is the only honourable way out of this situation, for the good of football.
Arshavin a doubt for Sunderland?
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/11/19/1635021/wenger-expresses-relief-over-arsenal-duo-kieran-gibbs-van
That would rule him out of a central spot and takes out 2/3 of our most attacking options. VP and AA23 don’t dilly daddle too much either and go for it when they must. Shame really and hope that the subs, whoever is picked, are direct as well.
Why don’t we just say that Henry is not “that sort of chap” and leave the matter, just like the English/Irish/British would do? :)
Why yes, you’re right, he’s a perfectly good lad, and would never cheat. The Irish defender near him must have pushed his arm into the ball.
Atleast the French media are being fair and calling things as they are. Can you imagine if Rooney would have done the same thing, the English media would have run stories about what a good lad Rooney was and it was not in his character.
On the other hand, if Henry had been honest and told the ref and if France had lost, you can be sure the French fans would have given him hell. Heck, wasn’t David Ginola given grief for a give away that cost France a place in the 1994 World Cup? If I remember, he was never picked to play for France again.
Ideally, FIFA needs to do something “for the good of the game” as opposed to letting the game ruined by incorrect calls. I hope the World Cup is not decided by an incorrect call or a dive.
What I don’t get about soccer is why they only have ONE REF! Why? American Football has 6 refs to watch the same number of players on a field of the same size. Basketball has 3 refs to watch half as many players on a playing area about 1/20th the size of a football pitch. Why does soccer have just one ref (and two more with very limited jurisdiction) left in charge of such a huge area with 22 players?
Instant replay is also important- Baseball has 4 umps in the regular season and six in the playoffs, but that didn’t prevent that blown call in the ALDS that screwed the Twins over. One of the worst calls I’ve ever seen- and it’s because they don’t have instant replay.
Instant replay and more refs, that’s what you need… and it wouldn’t be hard to do.
2 center officials were used for awhile at college and high school; if a lines man failed to show up, some times they would elect to run the dual – certainly this was not at the professional level.
2 officials: 2 perspectives, 2 views = indecision
& players / managers learned to use this to their advantage
main reason for the difference in # of officials – look at the # of laws each sport has……there are only 17 laws for soccer.
American football is about contact on every play at every position & there are rules that are specific to the techniques not allowed. Players who can be moving, the # who can be on the line at the snap; moment of a fumble; catching a pass in play (1 foot touching ) control of pass, blocking techniques – holding.
Fouls called away from the action of play are common to American football – pass interference; personal fouls, etc.
Soccer, other than offsides, the focus is around the player with the ball or those waiting for a free kick.
Indecision? Absolutely not! Officials in American sports often don’t see things the same way and thus they disagree, but they NEVER do it publicly. They always huddle up for a quick 5-10 seconds to make sure they’re all on the same page. It’s not that hard.
Football may only have 17 laws, but it still has 22 players and a massive playing area. I also feel like it has many more “gray areas” than Am. Football and baseball, and at least as many as basketball.
CG – this sentence is referencing the use of the dual system of officials in soccer; not intended to apply to other US sports.
As the original question is why only have 1 official.
Initially it was reasoned that 2 officials could do a better job of covering the flow of the match – but over time this rationale was proved wrong.
That makes too much sense and FIFA/UEFA are not known to doing anything sensible.
You’re right.
Don’t you find watching the last two minutes of a football or basketball game agonizing? Once you understand soccer, can you sit through a baseball game?
American sports have been customized for commercials.
I believe at this WC, there will be 2 or 3 major controversies – that create even more furor than witnessed between France – Ireland.
The old guard at FIFA will give way to the pressures of change.
Yes.
I can sit through and thoroughly enjoy a baseball game.
Just like people sit through and enjoy Cricket for hours on end.
Yikes, the vitriol surrounding Henry is heady stuff.
Some folk feel this compelling need to take extreme positions and even vent bile. You’re a sinner or a saint, black or white. Hardly realistic given the human condition. Best to humour it.
I’ve never had any problems in acknowledging the wonderful contribution Henry made to the club over many years whilst remaining clear minded enough to see that he was a very poor choice as captain. Similarly Vieira, a legend of a midfielder and in many ways a great captain, yet he let himself down by fraternising with Real again and again. That’s life, even the best act in ways to blemish their reputations. Henry has done it with this handball incident – although time will dilute its importance – and rightly so.
I find the criticism of Henry as a bottler, however you define that, somewhat churlish. Players contribute differently to their teams. Henry’s goal tally was enormous and incredibly consistent. We won titles and cups off the back of his goals for many seasons. It’s probably true that he didn’t score as regularly in finals and key games. Yet titles are not won in key games alone, nor are cups won only in the final – you have to get there first.
So players are a composite of different characteristics, weaknesses and qualities. It’s the package that counts. Henry was an excellent package for me. Although as often happens, the package can morph over time. And I think this happened with Henry. Post-Vieira he was never as influencial and compelling at Arsenal despite being given the responsibility of captaincy. So celebrate what he gave us, and if you can be honest enough to acknowledge lesser aspects but in a measured way. Re-writing his legacy in a spiteful way just makes the storyteller look unintelligent.
I hope that’s not aimed my way, as the point about black and white is the same as I made above.
Nor do I have any bile to vent at Henry. I think he cheated in this instance, period. And I don’t understand why people think acknowledging that, makes him a cheat his whole career.
Frankly, his slouching around the pitch the last year with us bothered me more that this did.
not aimed at you vibe
Thnx, kiwi. I know strongly expressed sentiments are easily misunderstood in this cold print.
I think people underestimate how hungry players like Henry are to win games. They look at him and think he’s won the leagues, cups etc so he shouldn’t really be that bothered by a play off match to get to the world cup. His blase body language doesn’t help either. So when he does a very sneaky move like he did yesterday, it seems more sinister and calculated than it would if an ‘honest’hard-working player who hasn’t won much, someone like Paul McShane of Eire or David Weir of Scotland, did a similar thing. Those players can almost be excused.
So while Henry definately didn’t cover himself in glory, he hasn’t gone too far down in my estimation. There was enough there to indicate pre-meditation, but it also happened quick enough to maybe put it down to instinctive opportunism.
“So while Henry definately didn’t cover himself in glory, he hasn’t gone too far down in my estimation. There was enough there to indicate pre-meditation, but it also happened quick enough to maybe put it down to instinctive opportunism.”
All of that is fair enough. I don’t get people’s defensiveness, as if this moment wipes out everything else he’s done. It doesn’t.
But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, either.
Oh, and in regards to the above, not sure what that was a shot at, but yeah, I read the book. (And then later saw the Colin Firth movie. Not as good, of course.) ;-)
Yeah, not sure what my point was there either :) It’s just that the book is seen as hardcore and the movie a bit frivolous and more of a romantic comedy type thing, so lots of people I know try and distance themselves from it for some reason.
On Henry, it seems some fans(mostly of other clubs)are acting as if it does wipe out everything else he has done. Putting him some moral pedestal, as if morals are that important in an entertainment business, and morals comprised a significant part of what made him an Arsenal legend. Because for me, they didn’t.
Of course it does somewhat tarnish Henry to some extent, especially given that he’s so conscious of his image(somewhat in contrived fashion during his career at times), but I guess I’ve always thought he and nearly every footballer has that ‘side’ to them, so yesterday was just a confirmation of that.
So the sooner people see footballers for what they are – faulty/hypocritical people like everyone else and not saints – the sooner the OTT indignation after these events become a thing of the past. Not saying your going over the top, as your just stating the obvious, but over here it’s hilarious listening to some people crying foul when they would struggle to name the Irish starting line up and it’s probably the first match they’ve watched of the whole campaign. Bandwagon jumping is an understatement.
He did cheat, and there is no point in denying it, but people cheat in football every week to different extents. It’s like the Eduardo thing, are people gonna claim that Gerrard’s ‘legend’ has been sullied the next time he does his starfish impression in the box? Most likely not, even though there may be just as much pre-meditation as there was behind Henry’s action.
Henry’s cheating action was relatively rare, and so there is a novelty factor there which is fuelling this to some extent, but when you cut through all that, your still left with same situation you see almost every other week across europe.
All of the above, very well stated, couldn’t agree more.
FEVER PITCH:
I read the book in ’98. That’s when this all started for me. The way FP was written (almost like a diary), I was pretty skeptical of how a movie would come off. In the end, it was an all-right enough rom com, with a brilliant ending! ;-)
See my remarks above to Fred. Objectively, it is not a situation that is pre-meditated.
See my comments above.
Pre-meditated, as in he came into the game planning to cheat? Of course not. Done with intent in the moment? Yes, he did.
Not sure why you would think you have a more objective perspective than the next guy.
ditto,
so each is entitled to their perspective…..and I don’t see it being pre-meditated.
That’s fair, of course. I was responding to the use of the word ‘objectively’, in your sentence. As if you had some special key to objectivity.
I see him catch the ball with his left hand, to keep it from going out. Then flick it down to his feet. Those actions would require intention.
Better news from the official site on the injury front with Denilson, Vela, Traore and Fabianski declared fit and available with Walcott and Wilshere both “short for the weekend.” Diaby, supposedly has “a chance for Chelsea”. Gibbs “has a chance” to return for Std. Liege on Tuesday–much better than a broken metatarsal….
That is good news.
I hope we put out a bunch of reserves for the Standard Liege match!
We don’t need our best players coming back from Internationals, to play 3 games in 8 days.
OH NOOOOOOOOO !!!
NOT DENILSON …. NOT DENILSON !!!! :D
Below is something I read from an Arsenal blogger, it just sums up what I said above – Come on, as if on that 0.0001 second, there were really so many stuff going through Henry’s mind before he decided whether he should handle the ball or not. What a joke.
“Does he somehow feel hard done by in his football career? All the medals with Arsenal, France, and the treble with Barcelona last season? Does it really satisfy him that this is how France have got to the World Cup? Does he think they deserve it? Is he frustrated that they’re such a bad team these days compared to the old sides he played in? Does he really think they’re going to do anything more than humiliate themselves as they did at the Euro?”
What is wrong with that statement???
It is absolutely correct.
Deep down in his sub-conscious Henry knows he aint close to Zidane. He does not have the ability, neither is he cut-throat enough to “carry” France.
YET he is their biggest player. With that in mind he needed to do ANYTHING to get France into the WC.
Hence comes the CHEATING.
What is wrong with that statement???
Deep down in his sub-conscious Henry knows he aint close to Zidane. He does not have the ability, neither is he cut-throat enough to “carry” France.
YET he is their biggest player. With that in mind he needed to do ANYTHING to get France into the WC. Hence comes the CHEATING.
Fred, I make no excuses for Henry’s handling of the ball.
The free kick is being taken, and its served into the PA and allowed to bounce. In such a pressure situation under mental duress and physical exhaustion, no player is planning deception.
There are other scenario’s where a player has the ball at his feet, and plans to take on a defender in the PA – hoping to embellish any contact. Or players embellish being pulled down.
There is no way for any of us to know what Henry was thinking in that fleeting moment that the ball UNEXPECTEDLY reached him.
IMO, cheating is planned.
Cheating is planned? How far in advance?
Diving is cheating, right? When does that ‘plan’ go into gestation? Weeks in advance? Or the instant? What about Maradona? Planned ahead? Or cheated when he got an opportunity, and made the decision in a flash?
Vibe –
How far in advance? Gestation?
For gifted youth players (14 and up) with the expectation to play college or professional, they will search out a coach/manager who has professional experience and their services aren’t free. They are paid to prepare the player for the next level. Sadly, diving and player’s reactions intended to deceive the official are part of the sport AND are taught.
Strikers develop dribbling skills and reacting to contact is taught (at a young age) and must look authentic.
Example of poor discipline: early on, the Wolves forward was yellow carded for a hand ball on a corner kick; he realized it was too high for him to deflect with his head, & his reaction was to raise his arm-hand to achieve the same result. Some players just make mental mistakes.
Maradona: I don’t think this type of goal is practiced. It certainly caught me by surprise (and obviously the match officials), so I just think it was a flash decision. For his playing career, I never thought Maradona was a dirty player or cheat. (not like some of the Blackburn players under Hughes).
Under the pressure of the match, things happen that are not explainable or predictable. For those fans that follow the game, they know the type of player Henry is and was.
Henry was a great servant for Arsenal and soccer fans should not judge on 1 isolated error.
“so I just think it was a flash decision”
You said it right there. A decision. That’s intention. Which is exactly what I believe Henry did. Made a flash decision. (For the long variety of reasons I listed above.) You’ve made my point.
“Henry was a great servant for Arsenal and soccer fans should not judge on 1 isolated error.”
You’re not reading what I’ve written repeatedly.
One more time:
The only people on here who are connecting dots between this incident and Henry’s entire career are those bending over backwards to defend him. I have said, more than once, that he cheated here doesn’t mean he was a cheat his whole career. It seems like some of you feel his legacy is that fragile. I do not.
So, yeah. Great Arsenal player, one of the greatest ever. AND he cheated in a WC qualifier. It’s a gray world. Both things can be true.
Finally….
For me this was the absolute worst international break I have had to endure….Good Arsenal momentum broken by significant injuries to 2 players in our starting 11 and who knows how many niggles, etc. Now we face a reasonably strong team (Sunderland) early in the weekend schedule, in their stadium, with few players who were away on international duty. I imagine they’ve had most of their team intact and working towards the game on Saturday while we will have to hope our inherent class (and new players/formation) prevails. A huge challenge.
Even worse however, was what I had to see about this football game I love. The break was book-ended by two matches that show what an absolute sham the game can be, with key episodes of “referee-manipulation” by ex-Arsenal players determining the outcome of each. First there was Chelsea-Man United, where the referee rightly gave yellow to Didier Drogba for his simulated “involuntary” spasms after Johnny Evans karate kick, but somehow forgot to book Evans himself. Moments later he gave the classic “make-up” call when Ashley Cole theatrically exploded himself on a clean tackle by serial fouler Darren Fletcher (who, of course, has been labled with this reputation by our own Arsene Wenger). The ensuing free kick with Drogba pulling down a defender but missing the re-direct of the ball, billowed the net and was allowed, giving 3 points to the delighted home team.
After that we waited a week, saw some desultory international football (a pallid performance by our own Andrey Arshavin on a plastic pitch being the highlight, Some heady talk on GolTV by Ray Hudson and his American sidekick about the emergence of Robin Van Persie and the brilliance of Arsenal, blah, blah, blah, followed moments later by his serious injury, being the lowlight) and then, at least, we had something to talk about. Tuesday, Kieran Gibbs gets hurt and then yesterday’s matches….I watched Arshavin’s remarkably poor outing (he did create Russia’s best chance, however) and Slovenia going through, and then France playing like crap (I do like that goalkeeper from Lyon, I must say) before the critical “Hand of Henry” to the head of our own William Gallas, which combined with the seeding of the European play-offs make FIFA and the World Cup seem like the absolute pinnacle of cynicism. (Pondering the implications, however, I wonder about keeping Ireland out of the WC….The Irish diaspora is so large that perhaps, if we could guarantee at least a couple of elimination games for them in South Africa–and with proper instructions to the refs, perhaps we could, it might’ve been very good to have Ireland in the WC….)
Bottom line, it was all bad, very bad. And if I needed a long hot shower after the Chelsea-United game, I now need a serious disinfecting soak in scalding water. Or maybe the antidote is to see Arsenal play some good football on Saturday, win fairly and earn the three points we need. Go on you reds….
Hugo Lloris (France GK) is only 22 yrs old.
Drogba didn’t deserve a card, he deserved medical assistance! The guy had a cleat implanted in his chest, cracking a rib.
I suppose he should just laugh that off?!
Stag
I’m unable to confirm that Drogba cracked any ribs.
Evans boot did make contact with his chest, but I’m unable to find any sight that will elaborate what his condition is……
He did re-enter the match & finished the match. Showed no signs of the boot contact affecting his play.
IMO, Drogba, when on his game, is sensational player, but when things don’t go his way, he’s unable to control his emotions.
I thought all the leg wiggling was over the top.
“made contact with”?
Seriously?
He certainly made contact with his chest… like the guy that broke Eduardo’s leg, made contact with him…
it could have caused SERIOUS damage to Drogba…
if he didn’t crack a rib, he’s extremely lucky.
And now for something completely different:
Robin Van Persie walking without the aid crutches: http://bit.ly/3Pc0DV
As for Thierry Henry – anyone who says his play for the French national team tarnishes what he accomplished for Arsenal should have their fecking head examined.
Someone needs to let me know how the two equate. They simply do not. Name me one other footballer who would’ve gone up to the ref said – “hey ref, I handled that ball, the goal should be disallowed.” There is not ONE football player who would do that.
Henry is right, it is the ref who HAS to make that call. If he doesn’t then you play to the whistle. If there is no whistle it is not the players fault.
Henry came out post match said he handled the ball. The French have all said they don’t want to win this way. But FIFA will not replay this game. Because if France is out then its another big country not playing in a tournament that is already a second class citizen to the Champion’s League and quite possibly the Euro Cup.
Now can we get back to talking about Arsenal and fuck all that has to do with France and Ireland?
Very well said, DAG…
Football is not a self-officiated sport and until you give the referees the tools needed to properly officiate matches, they will continue to be manipulated. It’s ugly, of course, but that’s the way it is.
To me it continues to speak to the need for a breakaway European Super League, with more officials and instant replay. (And maybe point bonuses for goals scored–to encourage attacking football.) If the game is going to make its money through television and be watched by millions, results should not be determined without the technology. Purists will cry (and they’ll be correct) but to me it seems to be where the game must go.
I would have little interest in a Euro Super League.
It would make all the other leagues irrelevant. There would be no relegation… it would be a disaster for the sport.
Why would there necessarily be no relegation?
Because none of the big teams would want to be in a league they could potentially be kicked out of and no teams coming up to the top division would have the money to compete unless they were bought by a sugar daddy like Man City or Chelsea was.
Your first point is true–they wouldn’t WANT to be relegated, but that’s true of all teams in all leagues that have relegation. Certainly teams WANT to be in the Champions’ League even though they need to re-qualify every season.
Your second point is equally valid, that it will take big $$ to compete–much as it does currently.
I still don’t see why teams, for example the top 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 (or more?) from the best domestic leagues couldn’t be invited to participate in a new league that wasn’t regulated by the current governing bodies and could have things like referee access to instant replay and points for goals scored. It would simply be another level of competition for the teams that already carry huge squads of quality players–kinda like it is already.
well said DAG.
I think if anyone qualify to say whether Henry is a cheat or not, it gotta be the Arsenal fans. Cos we had seen him playing week in week out for 8 years. Who knows better than us to decide whether he’s a cheat.
IMO, Henry is one of rare players today whom possess a true sportsmanship.
I recall one incident back in a FA Cup final. He was through and tackle from behind by a Southampton defender, had Henry dropped to ground (which I am pretty sure plenty of other players would have done so), he would not only win us a penalty merely 5 minutes into the final, and got that defender send off as well.
Titi didn’t. And I read later on that Southampton defender came out and praised Henry for that.
And week in week out, whenever Henry was chopped down, he got up without a fuss. Never complained to a ref trying to get the offender booked, never moaned our cried foul. He just got on with it.
On that particular incident (against Ireland), if anyone who actually played football before, would know that it’s more like a instinctive reflex action from Henry rather than intended to cheat.
It happened so quickly that not as if Henry had time to THINK about should he handled the ball or not.
Like so often, when we saw a shot flew past the keeper heading into the net, if there’s a defender standing on the line, some of them may instincitvely palmed the ball away with their hands, despite knowing that they would get send off.
Truth is I don’t think they had time to THINK. Their body reacted faster than their thought at moment like this.
I know I would had I been the one in their place.
It’s easier for us to say he shouldn’t do this or do that. But when you are on the football pitch, things happen so quickly with today’s game, I don’t think players really have time to THINK before acting. If they do, they probably would be playing like zombies.
“I think if anyone qualify to say whether Henry is a cheat or not, it gotta be the Arsenal fans. Cos we had seen him playing week in week out for 8 years. Who knows better than us to decide whether he’s a cheat.”
Silly, really.
But, fine, then. In this instance, I think he was a cheat. The ball didn’t just strike him, he used his hand to redirect to his feet.
Does this mean he’s always been a cheat? Of course not. Why does it have to be so black and white?
It means in this instance, under these circumstances, at this point in his career, with these stakes, he took a shortcut and got away with it. He absolutely cheated. And that’s exactly why France says they didn’t want to win that way.
Perhaps you first statement should be amended.
“I think the only people who would makes excuses for Henry, it gotta be the Arsenal fans. Or the French.”
He has always shown great sportsmanship, and been a class act throughout his career.
More so than any other great player that I can think of…
Andez was 100% right, no “amending” necessary.
He reacted. The ref didn’t make the call. You continue playing until the whistle blows.
He’s no more a cheat than Zidane is a THUG for his headbutt. A snapshot moment in a long career. The career speaks more loudly than the moment.
Messi had his hand of god moment at Barca, not hearing he’s a cheat …
“He has always shown great sportsmanship, and been a class act throughout his career.”
Again, misses the point. Not talking about his career, talking about this moment.
We can argue opinions all day long. There’s film of this. The ball didn’t bounce off his hand. As I said above, he handled like a basketball. And then he denied what our eyes could clearly see afterward. That’s not sportsman-like.
In this moment, he cheated.
bullshit.
that’s your opinion…
it was an instinctive move…
his actions after are 100% sportsmanlike.
if he cheated, so did Eduardo, Messi, Rooney, … I can go back and make a list of virtually every player in the game… Eboue does it weekly.
Because it was a high profile match, you think he cheated.
that is 100% your opinion.
The World Cup is 2nd class to the CL? and Euro?
That’s complete non-sense.
I agree 100% on your explanation of the hand ball and Henry though.
With Henry possibly being our best player ever, the topic is Arsenal related.
btw, FIFA’s decision to seed the stronger nations in playoff (changing the rules when the qualification round already underway) must be among one of the most DISGRACEFUL moment of FIFA, and football in general.
Basically, they are just like telling the whole world they want the traditional stronger nations to go through.
It’s just unbelievable.
My point is – if they want to seed the teams in playoff, they should have stated it BEFORE the qualification round started. You can’t just go out there and change the rule once you realized a few bigger nations such as France and Portugal are in the playoff round.
I think Henry summed it up perfectly himself “It was a handball, but I am not the ref. ‘The ball hit my arm, fell in front of me and I played it. The ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”
Logically speaking, he was 100% right. He’s a footballer, his job is to play football. It’s the referee who’s the one responsible for every wrong decisions he made on the pitch.
Once again, it just proved that how wrong the notion that “in football, things would even it up in long term”, coming from those who insist there’s no need for video technology to help out the ref.
Tell the Irish HOW things will EVEN UP? Afterall, how many chances a relatively smaller nation like Ireland would get to go to the World Cup finals? For many of their players, they may never get the chance to go to WC finals in their career again. All that… thanks to a crappy referee.
sometimes when i think back all the crucial decisions against us at the past, who’s false really was?
Take the Old Trafford penalty, was it Rooney’s false? He’s a footballer, he wanted to win a game, and he wanted to win it at all cost. So it’s understandable why he dived. Afterall, not like it’s his first dive which cost us a defeat anyway.
Was it the ref’s false? like the old cliche, he’s only human afterall. It’s clear to me that the current 1 ref 2 linemen system can no longer catch up with the fast pace modern game. And all the TV cameras in a match can only make the referees look even worse.
at the end of the day, my conclusion is – the ref needs HELP. Or soon or later there will be nobody to respect a ref.
“Or soon or later there will be nobody to respect a ref.”
The officials are at a decided disadvantage to the fans and media; they cannot humanly catch all of the exploited player reactions, as they don’t have access to video replay.
MOST of us when we’re watching, rarely see the infraction until we’re shown the replay; and the replay is likely to come from a different camera angle than that of the official. Today’s game is just too fast, and enough players ( at most clubs) have crafted acting skills that are intended to deceive the officials and gain advantage.
Earlier in the France/Ireland match, two calls went unjustly against the French. Yet these did not happen in overtime, and consequently are not the post-match focus of commentary.
Russia had a player red carded (the 1st red card), unjustly. Watching the sequence of events, the official was decidedly influenced by the emotions of the players and their fans. In some ways the venue does have a psychological impact that favors the home team.
Even with replay, many fans would find some other issue to complain about – that seems to be the nature of our society. If it goes against your team, player, manager, political party, rationale is lost in the argument.
As Ozi mentions above, some in the media are even tying Arsenal to Henry’s dastardly deed. (as if anyone really pays attention to the opinion of M. Palmer
and the other secretary types)
I believe within 2 years we will see instant replay as part of our sport. Otherwise
as Andez remarked – officials images (credibility) will be tarnished permanently from a missed call in his / her past.
{wasn’t it Graham Poll (?) the English official that issued 3 yellow cards to a French or Italian player in the ’06 WC final, and this error forced him to retire}
MOST of us when we’re watching, rarely see the infraction until we’re shown the replay
—————-
Exactly.
re: Graham Poll
3 yellow cards to Simunic of Croatia (v Australia) in 06 WC.
Henry would have summed it up perfectly if had said
“The ball landed in my palm, I handled it like a basketball and dropped it at my feet.”
He was honest. Said it was a hand ball. In the heat of the moment, is he supposed to stop playing?
Did Eduardo say… I dived. I cheated. I jumped in the air like I got shot. The keeper never touched me at all.
What he’s not being honest about, and what some of you seem to be in denial of, is that the ball was handled with intent.
THAT is the part that Henry should have dealt with differently, and THAT is cheating.
Nobody on here expects that he would have raised his hand on the pitch to acknowledge this is what he did, anymore than he is admitting it now. As with Maradona, we’ll have to wait for that.
And Eduardo only enters into this conversation because you keep dragging him in. What does one thing have to do with another?
BOTH cheated.
One denied Celtic a chance at the CL, one denied Ireland a shot at the WC.
Pretty similar.
INTENT?
So now you are in Henry’s mind, you know what he was thinking…
And you know that Eduardo didn’t INTEND to cheat or dive?
Pretty similar situations…
Henry’s handball happened & its unfortunate because I place him in the same category as Eduardo – ‘ITS NOT HIS NATURE TO DECEIVE’ – a fair player.
So Vermaelen, Rosicky, Eduardo, Arshavin, Almunia, Denilson and Ramsey will be couch potatoes this summer watching, Bendtner, Vela, Gallas, Sagna, Djourou, Song, Ebou, and the maybes: Clichy, Nasri Diaby Gibbs and Theo
When will FIFA do something good for the game like bringing in replays?
I am disappointed it was Henry, of all people, who handled it. Good thing Henry plays in Spain because if he was at Arsenal when he did that, you can be sure he would have had a worse treatment than Beckham did after the 1998 World Cup. Knowing the British press, there is no forgiving such an incident and tomorrow’s headlines will be savage for Henry (some already are).
Ofcourse, the play-offs should not have had a seeding system anyway. That way, maybe we could have had a France vs Portugal game or an Ireland vs Bosnia fixture.
Thankfully, it is back to the league on saturday. Hopefully Arsenal can pick up from where they left off and get a win. It won’t be easy.
Good thing Henry plays in Spain because if he was at Arsenal when he did that, you can be sure he would have had a worse treatment than Beckham did after the 1998 World Cup. Knowing the British press, there is no forgiving such an incident and tomorrow’s headlines will be savage for Henry (some already are).
——————–
Great point. You are so so right. I almost forgot that. Had it an Arsenal player doing it, we would be hearing no end of it from the media and opposite fans.
We already are hearing it. There’s all sorts of comments that seem to have the underlying blame attached to us. It’s ridiculou. It’s all Wenger’s fault that the ref was shit and that Henry was human enough to not own up to a handball in front of 70k French supporters.
Sucks for Ireland… really thought they’d hold on for PK’s. And while this deliberate handball in the box by Henry is a bit of unfortunate business, is anyone surprised that William Gallas scored a crucial goal in extra time, with his head no less? That’s classic Gallas, even though it should have been disallowed.
Oh, he’s a cheat too, he should have stopped and said no no, we don’t play like that!
I agree with you- it was a spur-of-the-moment decision by Henry that probably half the strikers in the world would’ve made. Everything happens in a split second, and the ball bounced right to where his hand was anyways. Did he plan it? No. Should he be labeled a cheat for the rest of his career? Hell no! Nevertheless, it was an unfair goal.
I disagree. The ball didnt go to his hand, he moved his hand deliberately into the balls path.
Sad for a legend to be descending into such blatant nonsense.
If an Arsenal player did that I would be embarassed. If that happened against Arsenal I would lose it.
Yeah I would lose it too if it happened against Arsenal.
Yes it is sad and even worse to see him run off celebrating. I don’t care if 99% of the players would have done that, I just do not want to see an Arsenal player or an Arsenal legend do that.
a legend?
how can a cheating bottler be a legend?
In your world maybe.
legend for scoring so many goals for so long against the Charltons and Fulhams of this world. We would always appreciate that.
He has now sullied all that by adding cheating to his bottling negative.
He DELIBRATELY stuck his hand out and JUGGLED THE BALL and you are defending it?
Ridiculous.
Why don’t we release Eduardo? How can you possibly support him after DIVING in Celtic match?
He is unfit for Arsenal.
He cheated, and it was probably pre-meditated…
Oh yeah, Eduardo deserved the media planking he got. And he deserved a ban as well.
Henry’s crime however is worse. He is not exaggerating contact, he is DELIBERATELY juggling the ball and setting it up nicely for himself.
He deserves the brutal media reviews he is currently getting.
Yoann Gourcuff. Overrated.
Yes, judging by recent matches you’d come to that conclusion. For Bordeaux, there is tremendous linking and understanding with his teammates – no egos.
Any decent player thrown into this French mix would leave the same impression.
Arshavin’s team is (was) just as dysfunctional…….and Arshavin had great difficulty overcoming their poor play. He will be re-leaved to return to our playing style.
That really surprised me from Russia. I would never have expected to see a Guus Hiddink-coached team play like that. He is one of the greatest managers of all time, and I really mean that. It gets said a lot, so it kind of loses its value, but I really see him as one of the very best. I guess that’s why I’m so surprised Russia didn’t make it.
so Arshavin “overcame their poor play”, and Henry cheated and is a bottler?!
Great stuff.
Who’s in the WC?
And I think France did pretty well in the last WC too.
Its not about how you get there, as much as how you perform once you are there.
Henry cheated and is a bottler.
and he’s in the WC… and the best Arsenal striker ever… maybe best player ever.
Yes, he is in the WC by cheating … and yes he is a bottler. Had ZERO shots in the whole 120 minutes and he was the main freaking striker.
our best player ever is Thierry Henry.
:)
France are a really mediocre team. Lots of running but no brains, no tactics, no planned passing process. And lots of pussy, non-cut throat players like Govou, Anelka, and sorry to say Henry.
They wont get out of the group stage if they draw a decent group.
As for Henry, he should really be ashamed of himself. Non-Arsenal fans have always known him as a nice guy but big-game bottler, now he will be known as a big-game cheat.
I have followed France since the early 80’s. This team is an embarrassment.
Henry, Anelka, L. Diarra; these three have supernova egos that stifled any possibility of playing chemistry in the squad. Maybe the coach is intimidated by Barca, Chelski, and Real blood lines.
Henry never had a shot in 120 minutes; he wore the captains armband with style. As Fred mentioned, Mr. No Show.
Anelka – Every time he received a pass, he would dribble, beat his man, allowed him to catch up, then beat him again – in the meantime his teammates just stopped making runs.
L.Diarra – poor tackling and awful passing. I noticed his teammates avoided passing him the ball.
I see a healthy Nasri starting. Ribery can have a big influence, but not as long as the above three are on the pitch.
yes, he’s a cheat… why not hang him?
how many players dive every match? it was a quick reaction, and a bad non-call by the referee.
As he stated, I am NOT the referee.
What should they have done, kicked the ball into their own net to tie the score and give the WC trip to Ireland?
The tie was 1-1 overall, so there was no “bottling” yet.
Arshavin must be a bottler too, Russia lost, and what did he do?
Sticking your hand out and touching the ball thrice takes the cheating to a ridiculous level.
I would ask you if you would be so accepting if Arsenal was victim but I am sure you support Man City more, so never mind.
Fred, it was a knee-jerk reaction. He admitted it was hand ball.
Messi had a big time hand ball… There was the hand ball by the German defender on the line against the US, in the WC… it happens, and its the referee’s responsibility to make the call, its the players to PLAY UNTIL THE WHISTLE.
They should be using video replay.
Accepting of the call? I don’t really care, to be honest.
If it were against Arsenal, I’d be pissed, but I wouldn’t cry about it. Humans make mistakes.
Soccer players are KNOWN for cheating.
Doesnt matter, he cheated way too blatantly and DESERVES all the bad press he gets.
Absolute RUBBISH that Henry doesn’t play well in big games.
WC 2006
Led France in scoring in the Group stage, scoring 2 of France’s 3 goals.
In the QF against Brazil, he scored THE goal… and it was a great goal.
In the SF against Portugal, he was taken down in the box, and Zidane scored the penalty, (so he was responsible for that goal too).
Sorry he didn’t score 2 in the Final match, but hey, he’s human.
He has NEVER scored or played well in ANY final and the majority of “big games” – important competition or not.
Outside of Arsenal fans the consensus is as a big-game bottler.
No tournament bigger than the World Cup.
He was excellent in the last one.
Don’t let that FACT get in the way of your arguement.
You never let facts get in the way … so keep spouting shit.
He played like SHIT in that WC. He was inconsequential. Zidane was 99% of the team. The defense was the remaining 1%.
Dont rewrite history.
Leading scorer for France, and played very well.
Your dislike from him is classic.
He could have been MVP of the tourament if France won.
Appropos of nothing much, cool interview with Nick Hornby on AA/USA. For those brought into the Arsenal fold by Fever Pitch, such as myself, a must-read.
Additionally, the likes of Andez and LDE will love what he has to say about our lack of silverware over the last few years. ;-)
http://www.arsenal.com/usa/news/features/a-chat-with-nick-hornby
“For those brought into the Arsenal fold by Fever Pitch, such as myself, a must-read. ”
What, the book or the movie? ;)
Gallas scores for France after deliberate handball by Titi. A bit disappointed in him…
…extra time for Gallas and Sagna….
There’s going to be a few tired boys for the Sunderland match with the latest international games being played right now. Arshavin, Fabregas, Gallas, Sagna and Eboue (altho less so with Eboue given he isn’t playing regularly for the club).
Ideally Arsene would want to bring some of them off early against Sunderland. But that presupposes we can put them to the sword early. Sunderland presents as an interesting encounter. Many of the regulars will be a little tired whilst the returnees will be a little ‘short’.
The good news for Arsenal is that Russia failed to qualify – so Arshavin will get a breather over the off-season. So he can go full-tilt this season without the thought in the back of his mind that he has the WC finals to stay fit for.
Hard to say. Arshavin might be on a downer thinking his last chance to play in a world cup is gone.
If Arshavin is down, then someone needs to convince him the Champions League is more important than the World Cup and winning the Champions League is better :)
Its not.
The CL is not more important than the World Cup. Never will be!
Ok, so I guess you won’t be convincing Arshavin then :)
Its not good for football or the player, when one of the best players in the game is NOT at the biggest tournament in the world.
I feel badly for Arshavin, and I agree with Mazza, as he will be will be a very unhappy player.
It was reported during the Wales Scotland game that Ramsey had a back injury. That was why he didn’t play the whole match. It sounded as though he started the game despite the injury.
With the mounting injury lists for both Arsenal and Chelsea, the big game will look like a Carling Cup match, especially if either side picks up another injury this weekend.
GOOD NEWS: (sort of)
Kieran Gibbs injury is only a severe bruise of he ankle/foot. No break. His absence is short term
There is no news that Ramsey was hurt. Nothing is out there at all. Not sure where F365 is getting that.
On a good note – Eduardo has signed a new deal with the club. It’s long-term is all that they are saying
Just saw on F365 that Ramsey is injured too. Anyone know what injury he picked up ? F365 is putting the injury count at 13.
Also, F365 says that Traore is injured, so that would mean Sagna or Silvestre playing on the left and Eboue on the right. Or maybe all 3 will play with Eboue up front. What I would hate to see would be Wenger deciding to play Vermalen on the left and have Silvestre or Senderos pair up with Gallas.
The Sunderland game is going to be a BIG BIG game given the injuries. A make or break game that has the potential of completely derailing the teams fragile mental resolve. I am hoping / wishing / praying that there are no more injuries and that we manage to pull through this setback…dont want to see anything like a repeat of what happened with the team morale after Bham 2 seasons ago. I will take a win against Sunderland if it means we draw / loose to Chelsea, but we must have a win against Sunderland at any cost.
I expect us to Wenger to start with Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Nasri, Fabregas, Song, Eboue, Eduardo, Arshavin
Subs : Rosicky, Denilson, Walcott, Merida, Vela, Ramsey
I would like to see Vela / Merida start, but I doubt that will happen.
Also, expect that we will have at least 5 “like-new” signings in January :)
Fantasy line up for Saturday’s match:
———-Fabianski————
——-Djourou—-Bendtner——
Traore———————Clichy
————Gibbs————–
—-Denilson——————-
—————Wilshere———
Theo———————–Vela
————RvP—————
Ramsey on the bench!
The blog 3rd Gen has an interesting perspective on the Gibbs injury and who would replace him if it is serious:
1. Traore is not injured but has been less match fit because he has not been used. He may have been working these last two weeks to get match fit.
2. Silvestre makes a logical choice to replace Gibbs as he has at least played a full 90 minutes in each of the Carling Cup matches he has featured in.
Not sure if I wouldn’t still go with Traore but it makes sense.
Or do you do something really unconventional and move either Vermaelen or Gallas to LB and bring in Senderos.
To disrupt the chemistry that Gallas and Vermaelen have created would be foolish. I have no objections to Senderos playing but it needs to be either because he’s earned a game or to rest one of the first choice CB’s.
Who ever comes in for Gibbs should probably be based on match-ups. ie. don’t put a slow defender if we’re likely to play against a pacy winger.
If Traore is injured, Eboue will likely start at LB. He’s our most fit and in form option and would do a solid job. I think we need to keep Sagna at RB as his crosses have been leading to goals in every game. Eduardo is not van Persie but he’s not exactly Franny Jeffers either. He may lack power and pace but he’s got guile for days and will look to involve others. He’s an international. He’ll do just fine.
Traore is available. He has only played in one outtting this season – a Carling Cup match.
Silvestre is a possibility. (but I hope not)
My darkhorse is Gilbert – who actually did quite well against Liverpool’s reserves in the CC match. He’s a longshot at best.
would like to have a further look at Traore, but is he injuried as well?
If so, I think Eboue would cope well there. Better than Silvestre. Silvestre no longer has any pace to play at LB.
that’s one reason i think Eboue is a valuable player for us, especially at times like this – when we are hit badly by injuries. Cos this guy can play in a lot of different positions. He’s not exactly outstanding in any of the positions, but he would go out there and do a solid job.
I would bet Silvestre would be there over Eboue, who Wenger apparently fancies in attack.
Silvestre has experience there as well.
Who’s gonna play LB w/ Gibbs AND Clichy out?
For those folks thinking RVP’s injury isn’t significant… didn’t Wenger just say “he’s the best striker in the league”?
If you lose the best striker in the league, its pretty significant.
On his current form… I agree with Wenger…
End of the world?
No. We can cope for a few matches, no problem… but its a massive match against Chelsea, and I’d have preferred to have our BEST team available.
Anyone know why Rosicky wasn’t in the Czech team? A little bit ‘short’ perhaps?
Anyway. If Eduardo starts up front and is joined by Arshavin and perhaps Rosicky (or Nasri) that looks an intelligent attack for this formation. If those assumptions are correct, Nasri and Walcott will (may) be on the bench (Vela is still injured – ETA next CC match). So that should be enough to trouble Sunderland. That said, only Arshavin has been playing regularly. Rosicky, Nasri & Walcott all badly need game-time, with the later two needing to integrate into the team and new pattern.
Time will reveal whether we have the robustness to sustain 2 games a week for the next 10 weeks with such a crockity bunch. One fear is that Arshavin is forced to shoulder too heavy a burden and breaks down himself.
From what I hear Walcott should be in the squad this weekend against Sunderland. Not a starter mind you but coming off the bench as a super sub.
Vela is also likely back again in a bench role.
Wilshere will be back in time for the Carling Cup tie against Manchester City. Denilson is also due back soon.
So the long term injuries then remain:
RvP
Nicky B
Djourou
Clichy
Gibbs (unknown injury)
Now it’s Gibbs injured on international duty as well. Thankfully we have Eboue and Traore who can both likely deputise competently given we have Gallas, Verme and Sagna in the other defensive roles and Song sweeping in front. So the injury to Gibbs is more a frustration, a lost opportunity for the lad and his development. He looks a lovely footballer and very much like Cole ability-wise. The injury to Clichy provided him another chance to shine – taken away during a meaningless age group friendly.
International football has become an unwelcome impost on top level club football mid-season. And let’s remember which one pays the player remuneration, provides the stadiums and creates the global passion. Over the years the international bodies have increased the number of international games that happen mid-season. That and the increased size of the CL have placed an unsustainable pressure at the top level.
Arsenal’s own broader injury risk profile only serves to highlight to us the reality of the situation. Sooner or later something will give way or blow out unless FIFA find a way to defuse the pressure. It’s a tough balance.
International football has a tough road. Top club football is itself an international product with the best clubs stacked with a smorgasboard of international stars. These top clubs then meet eachother annually in the CL. So in a strange yet very real way the internationalisation of club football at the highest level has diminished the allure of the international game itself. Football is such a mature sports product that international football will always sit below the fanatical passion and support enjoyed by clubs. The question then becomes one of tension – between the clubs that ‘own’ the stars and the international authorities that use them for free.
Eboue wants to be an actor (http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/eboue-i-d-love-to-be-the-new-eddie-murphy) Comments anyone? Or does that require a whole new thread?
….I thought he was already ;-)
Zing! ;-)
Hey Kiwi,
I’m off to NZ for a holiday on Saturday. What is the Premiership coverage like there? Any pointers? I’ll be in Queenstown during the game…
Hi OziKenyan. Excellent EPL coverage in NZ on Sky TV (cable). Almost all Arsenal EPL and CL games are televised. Many motels/hotels have sky tv in the room.
You’ll enjoy Queenstown.
Nicee..
Cheers
And TV5 scored for Belgium again. So our scoring options haven’t quite died down yet:
http://www.soccer360.co.uk/belgium-vs-hungary-live-streaming-online-match-highlights-and-goals-video-international-friendly-football-14-11-09/
Interesting comments about moving him up to DM HTSteve, but I don’t think Wenger would want to tinker with the CB pairing. He has talked about understanding in that part of the pitch and all. I think we are more likely to see Ramsey back at DM (can’t help but think, what a waste). Also if it’s a one-off, we can play Eastmond there. He looked promising against ‘pool and seems to be getting closer to a first team spot. I don’t think he would be ready to play every minute while Song is at the AfCoN though. Shame that Djorou is injured, he started out his career as a DM and has stated in the past that he intends to move back there at some point during his career.
I’ve been a big van Persie fan since well before Wenger snuck him in the back door at the end of the unbeaten season. While I always thought he should be playing, I agree that it’s not the end of the world. Eduardo is a fully capable international striker who has excellent movement and touch, he looks to link play, and he can be very tricky to deal with. I think we’ll be fine.
I think it would be nice to stick someone between Edu and Fab; a #10 sort of player behind the front line who can make plays. I think that attacking presence would grant Fabregas a bit more freedom if he’a tad bit deeeper. Rosicky might work out nicely as he’s clever enough to creatively play there, he’s a legit goal threat, and he’ll work hard in defense. However, Arsene knows his team better than I ever will. We’ll see this weekend; well you guys will.
I agree and view this more as an opportunity for Eduardo than a major blow for the team.
As for having someone between Cesc and Edu, I think that the fluid movement we get from players like Cesc, Arshavin and Rosicky mean there will always be someone close and available to combine with.
BREAKING NEWS:
Kieran Gibbs was taken off at 21st minute in the U21 match against Lithuania. I all I know so far is it is a knock.
just saw that on the official website too…but not much else there.
hopefully we play traore instead of silvestre
The injury trickle is starting to feel more like a downpour:
RvP
Vela
Bendtner
Walcott
Diaby
Denilson
Clichy
Gibbs
Djourou
Who am I missing?
you can catch Ramsey’s goal v. Scotland – adding to the significance of the goal is the
fact that he beats Darren Fletcher in the box.
video at –
wwwdot101greatgoalsdotcom
under: 7 favorites
sorry I have to translate the sight; it would not post otherwise
http://www.101greatgoals.com/
under: 7 favorites
Ramsey’s goal v. Scotland
I can’t see our team struggling without RvP. He is a loss, but not critical for our form and scoring abilities.
We will have to wait until the matches are completed tomorrow, to see if there are additions to the
training table.
catch Ramsey’s goal on
http://www.101greatgoals.com
under 7 favorite goals
Ramsey’s v. Scotland
goal 1
Ramsey made accurate cross from the right wing – 1 bounce & 1 touch volley into net by teammate
goal 2
played a through ball to the left side of the PÅ – teammate crossed the ball in front of goal & slotted in by another Wales player.
goal 3
all Ramsey & Cesc like; minute past both – see video link below
this kid is playing well above his years…….he needs to be some where in our lineup.
http://www.101greatgoals.com
on the link: 7 favorite goals
Drogba has a cracked rib. Lampard will be back sooner but I do think he still misses the Derby. No?
Terry got hurt in training for the England team. Its minor, while I wouldn’t mind him being out – I doubt it.
The Adebayor story is fresh in the press today.
The reason nobody says Chelsea have an injury crisis is because they have bought solid back-up players in all positions, whereas ours are home-grown youngsters. And if their injuries worsen they’ll just buy more. We won’t, which suits me just fine, as I’m sanguine with our long term (financial) approach, but to some, buying players is what football is really all about.
And, are we the most hippy-dippy club in English (world) football. Placenta treatment? It may be the science of the future but among the macho-men who would urge RVP to walk it off, rubbing the ankle with a haggis might be a better solution (plus, isn’t cow placenta and ingredient in haggis?) As AW would say–“it shows a strong belief….”
Anyways, fine write up.
Good write-up. Some informative stuff there. I can’t find video’s of the Wales game, would have been good to see Ramsey in action. Like I read somewhere, with the comparisons with Cesc, one starts to dream and having 2 Cesc’s is almost like cheating. For the record, that kind of cheating I’m ok with… Let’s hope he continues his level headed growth as a player and fulfils his potential.
Agreed that RVP is not the be-all end-all of the team and we should weather this without too much of a fuss if we are champion material. Looking forward to see how we cope. I think AA23 is going to step up his efforts to his last season level if he gets a shot at playing central (even interchangiby so)
Adebayor’s story I think is just a rehash from what he said agesss ago, or is he really whining again??
Drogba injury I cannot find confirmation anywhere. Would be much easier for us and Wolves if he truly were injured. No news on Terry’s injury either. And Lampard recovery seems to be quicker then expected (unfortunately). Sidenote- Latest studs-up is decent. They all are actually.
I like teams writing us off. Less pressure on the players. They were just starting to take us seriously and VP’s injury seems to have clouded everything. I’m ok with the clouding part, just a chance for the players to prove themselves again (and I really would want to if I was a player because I don’t want everyone thinking that my team is reliant on one man). If we keep passing these small hurdles as they come along, our self-confidence will surely go up, hopefully to the point where after we go up a goal in a big-time game, we have it in us to hold on to it without self-imploding.
By the way – while the placenta treatment is radical – I want to say I have to admire RvP’s willingness to seek out and try new ways to get him back to the squad quicker.
Again I say there is a different attitude at this club and that is what HASN’T gotten them through difficult patches in the past. I am hoping that everyone on the squad has it and it gets us through this hiccup.
I think by the way it comes from AA23, TR7, TV5, WG10, & now Cesc. And its permeating down to the youngsters – look at Ramsey’s comments post Carling Cup against Liverpool.
While skill and form take you the farthest. It’s attitude and spirit that can carry you further.
Ramsey’s goal:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/
note he beats Darren Fletcher – how sweet!