Gallas fit for Chelsea clash 23 November, 2006

Arsenal centre-back William Gallas picked up a thigh injury last week and it was feared he could be out until the end of the year. Not such a bad injury and we’re got suitable cover but it would’ve meant he’d have missed the trip to Stamford Bridge on the 10th December. Today news broke that Gallas might make an early recovery and is aiming to play in the Porto game. This is great news for Arsenal and for Billy who must’ve been distraught at the news of missing the trip to his former club. I’m sure he’s been working his very hardest to regain his fitness in time and it looks like he’ll make the trip to Chelsea. Wenger has been talking to Arsenal TV about Gallas’ recovery and our other injuries; this is what he had to say:

“Gallas will not play against Fulham and Tottenham could be a bit premature – but he has a chance to be available for Porto. At the moment we have Tomas Rosicky and Gallas both looking extremely good and close to coming back again. I do not think Rosicky is ready [for Bolton], but he has a chance to be available for Fulham. Lauren and Abou Diaby, meanwhile, remain on course to return early next year. Lauren is practising with the group now so that is very good news and Diaby we think he will be available in January.

Good news on the injury front then. Glad to hear that Ralphy is playing some sort of part in training again.

There isn’t really much news about but it was the loaning deadline day for the football league today so there were a few final day deals going around. Reserve captain Matthew Connolly has joined Bournemouth until 2nd January. The loan of just over a month will do him some good and will be useful for him to gain a bit of 1st team experience. Hopefully he doesn’t like it so much there that he wants to stay though.

Julio “The Beast” Baptista scored his first goal for Arsenal on Tuesday and he’s hoping to cement his place in the first team. His performance against Newcastle was not one to be proud of but that behind him now and I’m pretty sure we won’t see a display like that from him again. I think Wenger needs to play him against Bolton on Saturday for his physical presence and Julio is hoping he gets he nod from Arsene too:

“I would like to have more time and to be a part of the team. But I can only do this by making use of the opportunities the manager gives me. I was satisfied with the goal, I am fit and I hope to keep on helping the team in the upcoming games. I know I must give good performances for the manager. With Arsene Wenger, I am learning nobody is assured of their position in the starting 11 and we all have to prove ourselves.”

It’s good that he’s not expecting to be selected and hopefully he’ll work harder to get in that team. He’s going to have to work very hard too if he’s going to be chosen ahead of Gilberto or Fabregas. I think his best hope is in a 5-man midfield joining those two as another central midfielder. I think you’ll agree it sounds a very exiting partnership.

I’ll have a preview of the trip to the Reebok to come, see you later.