Constant News

By: Abby | March 18th, 2008

While I’ve been settling into my new gig here, things continue to happen around the Arsenal world to discuss. A lot of it is about this bit of a slump we find us in, which I’m trying not to think about. I have a thing where I don’t read the blogs (as much) when Arsenal are in a bad run of form, a combination of superstition and pain minimizing. I think I avoided all football-related news (other than Hertha) for a week after the Middlesbrough loss.

But now I’m officially needing to pay attention. Which means I must confront my pain and delve into the world of Arsenal news. And, well, it’s been a fairly disappointing run of games, which means that I can’t really hold out anyway without getting twitchy. So onto the news!

Theo Walcott might be in line for an England recall. The last time he was called up for England, one might recall, it was during the World Cup. He’s since gone back to the U-21s and done very well for them, but not being called up for their game with Poland means that he could be with the big boys in France instead. There has been a lot of talk in Arsenal circles about young Theo, but he’s shown flashes of his talent since coming to us and has especially shown it recently- two goals against Birmingham, two great crosses (one resulting in a goal) against Milan, and generally looking lively. We’ve got to remember that he’s not even 19. Arsenal fans are spoiled by the high quality of our teenagers, but not every young player is Cesc Fabregas- Cesc is so spectacular because he’s so uniquely good at a young age. Theo needs patience (never a strong virtue among football fans). But he can also do a great job as an impact sub as we’ve seen in the two seasons he’s been at Arsenal- coming in when players are tired and putting in great crosses. Perhaps he can do a similar job for England?

Speaking of patience being needed, Inter are accused of tapping up Alex Hleb. If there’s ever an example of the importance of being patient with a player, it’s the rise of Alexander Hleb this season. While last year he was possibly the number-1 player Arsenal fans wanted sold, this season he’s proved himself to be absolutely integral. The Belarusian’s close dribbling and agility have given him plaudits from the same fans who wanted him sold. Whenever I think of questioning Arsenal’s transfer policy, I think of Hleb and how he’s come on. Perhaps I’ve drank the Kool-Aid a little, but Arsene Wenger has a much better record for this sort of thing than I do.

Although I’m not sure I’d miss Emmanuel Eboue if he went off to Barcelona.

Our own Catalan, though, wants to stay here for life. Having Cesc at Arsenal for all of his career is a lovely thought, isn’t it?

A few spurious transfer rumors on the buying end as well- namely Everton’s on-loan South African midfielder Steven Pienaar (who’s also supposed to sign permanently for Everton), Loic Perrin from St. Etienne, and Le Mans striker Gervinho, who would up our Ivorian contingent (or keep it steady if Eboue leaves).

The Arsenal Ladies will be facing Leeds in the FA Cup final, after Leeds got past Everton on penalties and we smashed Lincoln City 1-5. After the shock loss to Everton in the League Cup final, this is a great chance for the Arsenal Ladies to reassert their dominance in the women’s game (as if the massive lead we have isn’t enough). We beat Leeds 4-0 last time we saw them.

And Robin van Persie wants to win a trophy for the boys. So do I, Robin, so do I. But you probably have a better shot at doing something about it than I do.

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