Back to Blue 17 October, 2006

Yesterday I tried out a new look for The Cannon. I fancied a change from the blue as it wasn’t very ‘Arsenal’. A few people liked it but most people preferred ‘the old blue one’, and to be honest after seeing the new one so do I. So it’s back to good old bluey for now, I hope to change it to red or something but maybe keep the same look, we’ll see.

I got some great new pictures of my flag from the Watford game thanks to gunner8. In the first one you can see me putting the flag up with my little brother and in the second one it shows the flag just before kick off. Cheers for the great pics G8.

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In the news today Arsene Wenger has denied bidding for Ribery. He’s said that he thinks he’s a good player but repeated what he said this summer about him that he’s not looking for any more attacking players:

Arsene Wenger:

“We have never made an offer to Marseille for Franck Ribery. I find him a good player, but I am not looking for any players at the moment. I have exactly the squad I need and offensively we have lost some players like Bergkamp and Pires, but we have got Rosicky and some young players who have developed well like van Persie and Adebayor and Walcott, plus the players who create the game like Alex (Hleb). So for the moment I am not looking for anybody to come in.”

Quite true words, I don’t think Ribery is better than Walcott or Rosicky so would probably be a bit of a waste if we bought him anyway.

After Cech’s and Cudicini’s injuries at the weekend Chelsea will have to face Barcelona tomorrow with reserve ‘keeper Hilario and will have reserve goalie Yves Ma Kalamby on the bench. I kind of feel sorry for Chelsea, I mean Cech could’ve died apparently or had some serious brain damage. Cudicini is a great goalkeeper but he’s going to be out for a while too. Our German no.1 has had his say on the events:

Jens Lehmann:

“Yes, it is a man’s game – but what you have to consider as well is these men have children and wives and their children do not want to see their fathers end up with lifelong damage, driven around in a wheelchair or not being able to work any more. First of all let me say that I hope both Carlo Cudicini and Petr Cech recover quickly. When it happened I really felt sorry for both keepers. It made me really, really angry too. I am still upset because it happened to Schwarzer and Shay Given – now it has happened to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini. All of them are great keepers, very brave, they never went to challenge or harm the striker – but all four of them got knocked out due to so-called ‘clumsy’ challenges.”

“I have never injured a player in my life and I really want to retain this record because I respect my opponents. But now if they want to have a go at me then I will have to change my game because there is no protection from the referees. I know when I go on the pitch there is a risk of being injured. You cannot take this risk out – but what you can do is make statements on these intended challenges that people make on the keeper. They do not have any risk when challenging a keeper like that. In fact all these fouls are made out of a safe situation where these players cannot be hurt themselves. I am worried because my game is based on coming off the line so I am a potential target.”

Nice words from Mad Jens, I hope something like this doesn’t happen to him but he’s right that it is likely. He does run out of his box more often than most goalies so I suppose it’s more likely to happen to him. Touch Wood.

It’s Arsenal v CSKA Moscow tonight, it’s going to be freezing and probably not the best game then for the Brazilian Denilson to get his debut for Arsenal. The Brazilian under 19 captain is in the Arsenal squad for the first time since his deadline day arrival. Wenger has praised the kid but it doesn’t sound like he’ll play him unless he has to:

Arsene Wenger:

“He is a good all-round player and has good technique. He is not fazed, the boy has a good first touch, and fantastic stamina – he can run all day. He defends well, is a good passer of the ball and has good technique. – but he does not have the final ball like Cesc Fabregas. At the moment he is a bit unsettled because it is the first time he has left his country; he is still in a hotel, so he is a strong character. He can play already and we will see him certainly at West Bromwich Albion. And if he is needed [tomorrow], he can come on.”

The boy is definitely one for the future and I’m not expecting him to come on and impress tonight. Don’t forget it’s an early 5:30 kick-off tonight so make sure you’re home early for the game and it’s on ITV4. A match report to follow soon. Have a good day.