Stuart Pearce rated Theo Walcott’s performance for the Under-21’s who seem to be pulling things together over the past decade – perhaps they are England’s Golden Generation not the current bunch of wastrels – although I only saw the highlights of the performance, everyone seems happy enough. Pearce said,
He had me out of my seat. I would hate to play against him. He’s a box of tricks
But naughty little Theo apparently swore, ‘an obscenity caught by the television cameras’ – nice to know that The Telegraph reporter was actually at the game –
Like any other striker the adrenalin was flowing, but I knew James was the penalty-taker
Walcott, is I think, a couple of years away from being capable of holding down a central striking role at Arsenal but the continual appearances in this position for the Under-21’s is beneficial to Arsene in that it builds his confidence. Who knows, he may even be striking up a partnership with a soon-to-be new colleague according to rumours at the moment with a £15m bid reportedly being considered for Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor. Mind you, these same rumourmongers want you to believe that Adriano is being used as a makeweight in a swap deal for Gilberto. Given the strikers predilection for alcohol and ensuing weight problems, all I can is that it must be a hefty deal. Boom, Boom.
The transfer rumour media darling of the moment, Jens Lehmann, has hinted that he may keep his public ponderings going until the end of the season, entertaining all along the way with his witty and in no way, mean and nasty, musings on the current state of Arsenal’s goalkeeping crisis. Without the slightest hint of irony, he says
I would like to be in the thoughts of my coach.
I am sure you are, Jens, as it has been pretty tough to avoid you in the media.
You can boil it all down to one question: Is the other goalkeeper better than me? If not, why am I not playing? I’ve shown I can win matches and titles. Even if he is just as good as me, I should be playing
At this point, you are expecting me to fill in the dots for Jens, aren’t you? Or launch some stoic defence of Almunia. All I will say is, firstly, despite Almunia not being perfect, his record is not at all bad, comparable with Lehmann’s of a few seasons ago, purely statistically speaking of course. Ability wise it is accepted that the Spaniard is not at that level but then again, Lehmann’s abilities are in decline compared to same time and of course, the start of the season showed costly fumble fingers. Yet if Arsene decides to restore him to the side, I would not have a problem for if nothing else, this spell has shown Lehmann that not everyone is as confident in his abilities as he is. A humbling experience for most and behind the brash façade, exactly that for Lehmann.
Either way, the press want to destabilise with rumours of Jaaskelainen being a target in the summer; rumours that are wide of the mark, no doubt.
Steve Bould has answered a Q&A on the official website, with the younger teams emulating the first team.
There have been a lot of goals from midfield which is pleasing…But all the players are weighing in with goals, and what is especially pleasing is that there have been a lot of good goals, and a lot of different goals
The successful Youth Academies on the continent, especially at Ajax, have teams playing the same style throughout the club at all levels. It takes time to devise and implement such a structure, which those who deride the lack of Englishmen in the Arsenal side would do well to bear in mind.
For those upset with Brian Glanville at the omission of the 1989 Anfield win in his 50 Arsenal moments, his redemption in your eyes should be complete in The Times
Enjoy your Saturday. ‘til Tomorrow.
