Archive for the ‘Player News’ Category

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.

Gallas also talked to Arsenal TV. about the future of the team and the events of the Birmingham City game that saw him booting an advert board and having a nice long sit down at the end.

“You know I learned a lot, you want to be the best captain, give good advice to your players, but sometimes you can make mistakes as well so I think this season I know what I’m going to do and I know I am ready to change my way to speak to the players.”

Talking further about the team, he said :

“They are young, they are very shy but it won’t be difficult for them to settle in, the squad is fantastic, the atmosphere is very good so I think it will be fine for them. We have to win something because the trophies are more important at the end of the season. Everybody knows what they have to do, we are ready.”

Can’t really argue with that. I don’t really blame him for his behaviour in the Birmingham game, it was a emotional game for much of the team after Eduardo’s injury, and like the man said, everyone makes mistakes. I still think he is a good captain and hope he keeps his head and takes Arsenal to the title this season.

Cesc Fabregas has once again had to come out in the press to deny rumours of intention to leave Arsenal for Real Madrid. Pleasingly for Gooners, Fabregas was quoted by Arsenal.com saying :

“I am happy at Arsenal, my future is here and the priority is to achieve success and win trophies at Arsenal. I think that some people are just trying to make mischief but my intentions are very clear.”

Reports had surfaced in the Spanish press that Fabregas was frustated at Arsenal and would leave next summer if not this. However, Fabregas scotched those reports, adding

“I have not spoken to any media so it’s frustrating to read quotes that I have supposedly said about my future”

Amen to that, and don’t be going anywhere Cesc
In other Cesc news, as evidenced in the picture above from Arsenal.com, Fabregas was back from his summer holiday and training with Arsenal today.