Open to Interpretation

By: Abby | July 22nd, 2008

What can you say about pre-season friendlies? Other than nothing, really. It’s hard to interpret them as anything. I remember reading someone’s opinion on the German team’s friendlies before the Euro- if they’d won their game easily, that would be a cause for worry because it means they’re not working hard enough in training. (I can’t remember whose opinion it was, but the thought stuck with me.)

With these very early Arsenal friendlies, too, it’s a weird collection of players- youth-teamers about to make the step up to the Carling Cup squad, new players who’ve never worked with the rest of the team before, old players still out of sorts from summer vacation. It was that sort of team that took the field against Szombathelyi Haladas (according to the Arsenal website, the champions of the Hungarian second division), and the result was a 1-1 draw.

I was at work, so unfortunately, I was unable to watch and see what actually took place. According to trusted sources, new signing Francis Coquelin, who came in in the second half, impressed (did you know we signed someone named Frances Coquelin? Well, we did), as did the combination of Nicklas Bedtner and Theo Walcott. That was also the combination that led to the goal- check out Bentdner’s fantastic control:

Having not seen the game (hopefully, I will, in the name of blogging and such), I can’t really say much more about it.

In among all the transfer rumors of the day came a worrying report from the Sun. I’ve yet to see it confirmed anywhere else, and we all know how reliable the Sun is, but they’re saying that Kolo Toure has contracted malaria on a trip home. It’s worrying, as malaria is often fatal, but it can be treated and Kolo is, I’m sure, getting excellent medical care. If this is true, get well soon and well.

Speaking of get well soon, when I got home today Fox Soccer Channel was showing a re-run of the Everton game from December- aka the game that, thanks to Eduardo, we won 4-1 despite not particularly deserving to win at all. It reminded me of how much I miss the forward. According to recent reports, there’s been a bit of a setback in his recovery, meaning that he’ll be back in September. Frankly, considering I didn’t think I’d be seeing him again until the new year, if ever, September seems remarkable. I hope he’s not rushing himself back too soon, but that he’s pushing so hard after such a serious injury shows a lot of spirit.

Oh, and PSG, in their quest to sign every aging French player in Europe (they’ve already got Giuly, Makelele, and perhaps Thuram if health issues permit (although as a big fan of Thuram, I hope that he makes the right decision if they don’t)), are apparently interested in William Gallas. But when even Sky Sports thinks it’s unlikely, it’s really a bit unlikely, isn’t it?