Hello,
Not much happening, so just a quick round-up for you.
Today sees us facing Nagoya Grampus as part of our pre-season tour. The only thing I know about the club itself, is that Arsene Wenger was their manager for two seasons (1995-1996, if you're interested), before joining the Gunners. Nagoya now has Dragan Stoikovic pulling the strings, who is a former player. A lot of warm words were spoken by both managers before the game, but I just can be bothered which. The usual chit-chat.
However, there's a much more practical side concerning this game, namely, defensive shortage. You may well be aware that Vermaelen has a severe (and chronical, it seems) back problem, which prevented him from joining the Club during our Asia tour and will, eventually, keep him out for three months. But it's not the end of the story. After yesterday's training both Szczesny and Koscielny limped out, nursing a back and ankle problem respectively. While both injures are supposed to be short-term, we are walking on thin ice already, with Sagna deputising as an emergency centre-back. If that wasn't bad enough, there are reports of Monreal being injured too (though he's off the tour).
Not much happening, so just a quick round-up for you.
Today sees us facing Nagoya Grampus as part of our pre-season tour. The only thing I know about the club itself, is that Arsene Wenger was their manager for two seasons (1995-1996, if you're interested), before joining the Gunners. Nagoya now has Dragan Stoikovic pulling the strings, who is a former player. A lot of warm words were spoken by both managers before the game, but I just can be bothered which. The usual chit-chat.
However, there's a much more practical side concerning this game, namely, defensive shortage. You may well be aware that Vermaelen has a severe (and chronical, it seems) back problem, which prevented him from joining the Club during our Asia tour and will, eventually, keep him out for three months. But it's not the end of the story. After yesterday's training both Szczesny and Koscielny limped out, nursing a back and ankle problem respectively. While both injures are supposed to be short-term, we are walking on thin ice already, with Sagna deputising as an emergency centre-back. If that wasn't bad enough, there are reports of Monreal being injured too (though he's off the tour).