Arsene Speaks

Arsene's post match comments were telling. He has said what I have been thinking for weeks. Cesc must make it clear that he is at Arsenal and end the madness.

That alone won't make Barcelona or Barcelona's players stop making annoying comments about our captain but it will go a long way to help us all move along, even if only temporarily. Arsene has been fed up with all the chatter but what can he do? "There are a lot of things I don't master in football and the rumours are one of these things." He went on to address the tapping up question as well, "They [Barcelona] certainly have a case to answer but it is always the same - how can you prove it?"

So the door remains open for the player to set the record straight. "Cesc has five years to go and that is it...Who can stop the speculation? Only Cesc maybe, I don't know, maybe not even Cesc." Quite unsettling!

Common sense says that Xavi, Puyol, and Lerch (with his fucking US navy style buzz cut) should realize that they cannot afford the player. Until such time - and even then there's no guarantee that we'll sell - you'd think that they'd go about their business. You'd think that they'd be more worried about the upcoming campaign. Jose Mourinho is not an ordinary manager.

I used to have time for Barcelona. Some great players have worn their colors. They are Real Madrid's bitter, bitter rival, a status that would endear almost any club to me but that doesn't make up for acting low-rent and classless.

In other news...

Wilshere's football instincts were glaring yesterday.

The new signings looked comfortable.

Eboue is to be respected - if Sagna goes down with injury, I won't fret.

There were no injuries, not that I've seen reported anyway.

Wilshere/Frimpong got good experience against Seedorf/Gattuso.

Randall may have given Arsene the green light for a permanent loan.

I was exchanging thoughts with Supah Strikah after the match. He felt that Fabianski might have done better on Pato's goal. He felt that he didn't take charge. I commented that it might be harsh to blame him yet I understand the sentiment very well. Let's be clear. When ever a goal is scored against us, as long as those two clowns are in the nets we will always feel that they could/should have done better. That's the kind of reputation and support they've earned.

Interestingly, Arsene made this point about the goal, "You can't fault him [Fabianski] for the goal and he did everything else well. The only thing is there wasn't much command on the free kick. From outside it looked like no-one took charge of the organisation and that's a little bit down to goalkeeper." I would add that organisation is also a captain's job. And it was a bit disappointing to see the taller Djourou mis-time his header and then Vermaelen (captain for the day) beaten to the ball by the admitedlly dangerous Alexandre Pato. Vermaelen can and will do better. Djourou? I'm not so sure.

A fellow Gooner reminded me that he predicted Chamakh would "hit the ground running". He seems to be settling in nicely. I need to see that, as my confidence is beginning to wane after years of supporting this group unequivocally. The addition of an effective striker is a good thing. Big ups Yardie! You're right so far.

I just had a vision of Chamakh going nuts when we play Scum, making their shit stadium what Arshavin has done with Anfield. Hopefully our new striker will continue where Bob left off and score against _pur_ for fun, where ever we play them. Having 'almost signed Rivaldo' once, now they can claim the same about Luis Fabiano. To compensate for losing out on another Brazilian, Harry Redknapp has bought Anapka, which is a bit baffling. Why do you need another donkey when you've got Dawson and King?

So we wait on additional signings as time ticks away. All is not doom and gloom but I'd be really happy if Arsene plugged a few gaping holes. El Cunto said he'd take Friedl. I would too.

Celtic today! The Boss says he'll play his best side. Oxymoronic since Clown No. 1 will be in goal.

Chat later,

Agent 86