So tomorrow sees the next chapter in the book of which is our footballing season. There is some debate whether the game is going to go ahead or not, the snow has settled in and around London and due to the temperatures around here, it’s not going and not melting. I’m more confident that the game will go ahead tomorrow than I was about the Bolton game, as no further snow is predicted.
This week has been a strange one and it’s seen the rumour mill at large – with new links to players appearing every day – the one linking us with Real Madrid’s Higuin is the most laughable – a player who is now starting regularly, at a young age, playing very well and a player who cost Real Madrid about £15m a few years back – firstly, why would they let him go and if they did, it wouldn’t be cheap. And talking about deals that wouldn’t be cheap, I’m not sure if you’ve heard the ludicrous story of us buying Zarate for £40m… if you haven’t then check this out:
“I am in contact with Arsenal. A couple of days ago a leader of the English club asked me about him. Arsenal wants to increase their attacking options and so already they are preparing an offer of €40million which they will deliver to Claudio Lotito [Lazio president].”
Now, who in their right mind would ever think that that would be true. I mean, 40 million euros is about £40m at today’s exchange rate and we would never ever pay that much money for a player, especially not someone like Zarate. Thanks, just needed to get that off my chest!
Onto the Everton game, and they’ll be looking to do one over on us after we embarrassed them with an opening day 6-1 defeat at their ground. Everton – on their day – are pretty impressive and do have a something something about them – but the problem with them is that this season, they’ve hardly been on their game and have suffered quite a lot of defeats and draws despite being the better team. Even though Lescott isn’t shining at Man City, his loss for Everton is bigger than people think. I think we’ll be way too strong for them at the Emirates – but having said that, they did force a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge a month back, so we can’t take them lightly.
The boss has told us that we have Rosicky back in the squad and that’s good news, as is the fact he has signed a new contract (there is more to come from him), but I wouldn’t expect him to start the game tomorrow, more likely to be on the bench. Denilson and Arshavin have had more time to rest, so should start the game and I’d expect the following line up:
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Traore
Diaby – Denilson
Nasri – Ramsey – Arshavin
Eduardo
With Arshavin and Eduardo swapping places when suitable. It will a test for the test as they are getting used to have Alex Song in the team, but I think Denilson does have the quality to step in and do a job. There is also news revealed earlier today that Cesc will be back for the game against Bolton on January 17th, so it looks like tomorrow’s game is his only absent game.
And finally, the rumours about Lucina Traore are starting to get some ground now. Yesterday’s comments discussed the player in brief, but their club did reveal:
“We have had contact from Arsenal but we have not received a concrete offer yet. Four million euros is close to the amount we are seeking.”
We’ll find out later today whether Niklas Bendtner will pass his fitness tests and then we’ll know the extent of time he will be out for – either way Arsene, four million euros is not a lot if the player is half as good as we think he could be…
Updates as normal throughout the day on twitter (you can see the twitter updates on the homepage) and of course, comments to your comments whenever possible…
Til then…
