Well as the January Transfer Window comes to a close Arsenal have finally been linked with a player who isn’t a teenager, and it’s with the Hearts and Scotland keeper Craig Gordan – who is another Hearts player who is having problems with the board.
I’ve seen this guy play a few times, against Italy and France for Scotland and he was impressive and at 24 would be a good signing. But reports are saying it’s more likely he’ll join fellow Scot Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. It would make sense if we did get him, with Jens not sure on his future and Almunia being not ready for first team football yet.
And Arsenal are apparently ‘leading the chase’ to sign 17 year old FC Brno defender Ondjei Mazuch. After the signing of 15 year old Gilles Sunu from France these kind of signings won’t excite the fans now but will do in the seasons to come.
But going out of the club is Alex Song, who has joined Charlton on loan for the rest of the season – which for me is a win-win for all parties concerned. Song isn’t ready for Arsenal yet and his experience he’ll get from Charlton will determine if he’s got what it takes to jump that extra level. And if he doesn’t play well then he’ll send Alan Pardew down a division which would be fantastic.
And to tonight’s big game against Spurs. Baptista is out while his Brazilian team-mate Gilberto is back from suspension and looks to play which is a boost after losing The Beast to a groin injury. It should be Gilberto and Fabregas in the centre which provide some vital experience against a full strength Spurs side.
And apart from Kolo, Arsene will again turn to his youngsters to impress and hopefully progress into the final against Cheslea. Every football fan would love to see an Arsenal v Chelsea final so let’s hope the boys can give them what they want! If the kids can make it through tonight’s game then they couldn’t have deserved it more.
But Arsenal might have to do without Emmanuel Eboue who is struggling with an ankle problem and Johan Djourou who tweaked his hamstring a couple of weeks ago.
With Baptista injured the defence and attack picks itself, and I would guess the starting lineup would be a 4-5-1 with only Aliadiere as a fit and recognised striker:
Almunia, Hoyte, Kolo, Senderos, Traore, Denilson, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby, Walcott & Aliadiere.
Predictions?
I’m going to say 2-1 yet again for obvious reasons! 🙂
so wait Almunia is 26 but aint yet ready 4 1st team footy, but gordon s 24 and is? Almunia aint ever gonna be good enough to be arsenal number 1. neither will gordon.
Almunia looks good in some games but is just sh*t in others. I mean that first goal the Yids scored last week was terrible! I think Almunia has got one more season left and if he doesn’t start improving then he’ll be out. But then again he’s probably still there just to keep Fabregas company!
What are you on about Anon? When has age ever mattered to when a player is ready for Arsenal? Our average age of the team is probably the youngest in the entire league! Plus this Gordan has international experience which Almunia hasn’t got.
My team for tonite:
Almunia
Hoyte, Kolo, Senderos, Traore
Walcott, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby
Adebayor, Aliadiere.
fabregas will be rested denilson will play instead
I like sausage.
I dont know where all this criticism of almunia has come from all of a sudden. he has had a really good season for us this year and even the spurs goal last week was more down to toure than him. his save on sunday was world class and lehmann would not have made that save from Nolan. I think he is a perfect number 2.
I dont know much about craig gordon. I have seen clips but I think you need to see keepers play 10 games – in big pressure games before you can make a judgement on them.
Yeah, that save against Nolan was a massive save and kept us in the FA Cup! It’s going to be a real test at the Reebok though since Bolton will be able to get away with roughing us up.
If we are actually in the race for Gordan (which is unlikely and more like pure press speculation) then I would be surprised. If the guy is a Scotish team regular then he’s not going to want to sit on our bench!