Emmanuel Eboue has highlighted the belief in the Arsenal squad and is confident the Gunners can be successful this season.
The full-back turned midfielder thinks Arsene Wenger’s men should be able to cut out the mistakes and can go on to win all of their remaining 11 Premier League games to lift the title.
Something is afoot in the mind of the man too often compared with Patrick Vieira. Physical appearances aside, Wenger himself has felt moved to document the radical differences in the playing styles of our current number two and our former captain. As a player whose confidence dominates his performances to an unusually high degree, removing this albatross from Abou Diaby’s neck might be just the trick to sustaining his recent fine form.
Carlos Vela has been likened to Robbie Fowler, as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger banks on the Mexican to make a big impact on Arsenal’s football betting odds in the coming weeks.
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Arsene Wenger has once again signalled his faith in his current squad by handing out new contracts to Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner.
Just one more quick update for you today, Kolo Toure has spoken out about the Kevin Davies challenge which forced Clichy to leave the field against Bolton:
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Only a couple of snippets of Arsenal news for you today, and the first is an encouraging announcement from the club that defender Johna Djourou has inked a new contract.
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Just one more quick update before the Fulham game starts, there has been some encouraging news about Cesc Fabregas, who picked up a hamstring injury before the start of the season.
Arsene Wenger said that Fabregas was back in training, and while not ready for todays game against Fulham, could be ready for FC Twente’s visit to the Emirates in mid-week :
“He is doing very well in training.
While he is not likely to be involved on Saturday, he should be ready for the Champions League game on Wednesday night.
You know how important he is on the creative side of our game and you want him to be in the team, but we do not want to face a gamble for just one game and we have to be patient.
“We will have to asses him on Monday or Tuesday to see how big a gamble it will be to start him or not.”
Of course Fabregas’ contribution to Arsenal’s attacking presence cannot be understated, a fully fit Fabregas and the continual improvement of Van Persie are vital to our chances this season.
Lewin changing a nappy
Ahead of the game at Fulham today, here’s a look over some of what has been said this week.
I think there have been some interesting comments from Arsene Wenger, following Adebayor signing a new contract worth £80,000 a week, having spent his summer noisily threatening to leave the club and being booed during the Arsenal victory over West Brom last week. Here I’ve collected what has been said on the subject in the last few days.
Wenger thinks the fans should lay off Adebayor now:
“We have to get behind him and support him because he is a tremendous force and has tremendous importance for the team, What happened in the transfer period did not always reflect his deep desire and overall I am positive he will recover.
I think he is settled in his own mind now. But you want your own fans to be behind him. Every player needs to feel wanted.” [1]
Legendary Arsenal striker Alan Smith (Cup Winner’s Cup final ‘94 anyone?) had this to say about the booing of Adebayor in his column in the Telegraph:
“I think the booing on Saturday was down more to the fact he didn’t pass when he should and it was only a small section. Another section were calling his name.
This is massive for Arsenal. You look around at centre forwards and players like Adebayor are at a premium. That’s why they are so valuable. He can do everything; he’s great in the air, fast and strong. If he had left you would have had to question the way things were going. The message it would have sent out would have been awful.” [2]
Wenger also spoke about Adebayor getting booed:
“I believe it was linked with results and goalscoring.
It was an edgy, nervous game because when you are one up your fans want to be reassured with another goal.
He had a few opportunities to score the second goal and didn’t do it. Give him time and watch him score.
I cannot understand their disappointment with him – his heart is with the club.” [3]
Sorry, couldn't resist
Wenger spoke a little more about the transfer saga:
“He had a lot of interest from many big clubs but he always told me one-to-one his preference was to stay,” said Wenger.
“I was convinced he wanted to do that and I know he made sacrifices.
“People have advisors and some clubs pay higher wages than we do, we have to accept that.
“The story did not come out like that in the press and unfortunately he is paying a price for a story which is not really him. He made a press conference in Austria where people interpreted his statements a bit differently, but I know what he told me.
“[Overall] I believe that Emmanuel has been unfairly treated.” [4]
I’ve hinted at it before but the best thing Arsenal fans can take from this situation is that Adebayor really has something to prove this season.
He had a great season last year, but after his flirtation with AC Milan and Barcelona and demands of higher wages from Arsenal he has put himself in the spotlight. If he does not produce the same level of performances this season he may not have such big clubs coming for him and would be made to look even more foolish.
In a way, I just wanted to collect this here because I think it is time to move on from this now. I’m not sure I have completely forgiven Adebayor, but the fact is it has happened now and Adebayor is still in an Arsenal shirt. I for one cannot see any sense in booing him further (though I understand it last week) or the clamour on some blogs for some sort of public hanging. All I hope is he gives his best for Arsenal this season. If he does that and next year he thinks that £80,000 a week still isn’t enough cash then he can go wherever he likes.
Panathanaikos ex-gunner Gilberto spoke to the Daily Telegraph today about the departure from Arsenal of midfielders Hleb and Flamini.
“When you win things, you achieve more than anybody else. You get better contracts, and more money, anyway. I can’t blame a player who wants a good contract. But I believe if they stay at the club, they can earn good money and do a lot for the club and themselves. So if they win something, it means more and they are more appreciated by supporters.
“I don’t know what the reason is for them leaving [Flamini and Hleb] but they could have stayed. If it’s for money, I would think they’re wrong. Most of the players who leave miss the club for lots of reasons. The lifestyle at Arsenal is fantastic. You get so well looked after.”
Hooray, what’s this great news in my inbox? Wenger has signed a new Frenchman, he is fast and has great strength on the ball, he will flatten defenders? Apparently he comes cheaper than Barry or Alonso too…
Oh. It’s a car.
So anyway, Citroen are apparently now the official car supplier to Arsenal FC, whatever that is supposed to mean. Maybe this will mean we will get to see Adebayor turn up to training in a 2CV!
Source seems to be marketing drivel but might be worth it to see Wenger smile for once.
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