Hello everyone.
Preparation for our top-of-league clash with Chelsea is in full swing and some pieces of the puzzle start to fall in place.
Wilshere, for example, will miss both the game against the Blues and the trip to Upton Park. Frankly, I'm not fond of this particular decision by the FA panel (whatever its name is). While Wilshere`s behavior was unprofessional and deserved to be punished it's not like it's worth two-match ban. Maybe the panel is setting a new standard and we're just unlucky to become the first victims, but the worry is, naturally, that it's just a one-off decision.
Luis Suarez did a similar stunt two years ago in a match against Fulham. He was suspended for one game. MacManaman`s foul on Haidara (which forced the FA to create this panel in the first place) was worth a three-match ban. Do you want to say that snapping a man's leg in two is only slightly worse, than showing the away fans the finger?
Anyway, we'll have to live without Jack for now. It's unlikely, he would start on Monday, following his uninspired performance against City, but, you know, the more players we have ahead of a busy schedule, the merrier.
On the bright side, Podolski will definitely make the squad two days from now. I even think, he may start, cause Cazorla wasn't at his best as of late. Wenger says, the German is more than capable to contribute by bringing goals into this side, so I'm looking forward to watching Giroud flanked by Walcott on the right and Podolski on the left. Two finishers plus the Frenchman is a mouthwatering prospect.
Of course, I won't be too much surprised should Poldi start the game on the bench. He may be that alternative to Giroud, we've been seeking, so the manager might only use him as direct back-up to the Frenchman. Before the German tore his hamstring to pieces, he twice played the lone striker role. Even last year most of the goals he scored came from a central zone, when he drifted inside to find space. But Poldi`s delivery from the left was, at times, invaluable.
Nevertheless, I, for one, am surprised, that we didn't see the German deployed up front more often during this last season. True, he plays on the left in the national team, but his escapades in Bundesliga proved him a goalscoring machine. It's a mystery to me, why the manager didn't use the German international in his more natural position. Maybe now is the time to reconsider this decision. Chelsea game will shed more light on the matter.
In other team news, we are unlikely to see either Oxlade or Koscielny. The former is probably still finding his form (no word on him from Arsene, anyway), while the latter has received ten stiches as a result of his collision with Negredo. Both the deep gash in the Frenchman`s knee and the number of stiches hinted at a long time on the sidelines but, mercifully, Koscielny will most likely return for our next away against. Which is good to hear. In the meantime, Vermaelen finally has a chance to prove himself. His last two outings were marked with two defeats, let's hope he'll turn it around on Monday night. Not that a result is riding on his performance alone, just an observation.
Meanwhile, the manager had spoken about Andre Villas-Boas sacking. Truth be told, he sounded as surprised as I felt.
The Spurs suffered two heavy defeats, but in-between they've won two away games and drew with United at home. Is it really that bad a result?
I don't even want to think, what's going on in their camp. A lot of words were said about their transfer policy and how not all of the players were hand-picked by the manager and rather by Levi and Baldini. There may something in this, I don't know.
The clear bit, is that the team is going from one extreme to the other in terms of results. Some say all the good results last year came from Bale's presence and this season we see what Tottenham is really worth.
At moments like these, I feel genuinely happy that Wenger is the only guy responsible for choosing, who to buy and who to sell. He has a vision of what he wants to achieve, he has the means to implement this vision without being hampered by the board or the chairman. Two sides to each coin, eh?
I'll leave it at that. Back on Monday with a review