Lauren offically back. 19 December, 2006

Ralph Lauren played in a reserve game last week which was a significant step towards his recovery and now he’s been named in the Carling Cup squad for tonight’s trip to Anfield. I was at the open training session on Monday and it was very nice to see both Lauren and Diaby out on the Ashburton Grove pitch. I don’t think Lauren will be getting 90 minutes tonight but I think we might see him at some point. It’s fantastic news that he’s back to 1st team football though and hopefully he’ll be back playing regular football soon.

The rest of the squad is Toure, Senderos, Rosicky, Baptista, Denilson, Song, Poom, Almunia, Aliadiere, Hoyte, Walcott, Traore, O’Cearuill, Merida and Randall. You can see some of the big names have been left out but there are four or five players that are regular 1st team players, I hope we field the strongest possible line up out of those names with all the main ones starting. I doubt Lauren will start and I expected Walcott to be rested; Theo played 89 minutes against Wigan and 83 against Pompey so I didn’t think the 17 year old would be playing most of this game too. However with the names that are in the squad it looks like he will be playing.

So, across the back I’d like to see Hoyte, Senderos, Toure and Traore. Then in midfield Rosicky, Baptista, Denilson and Merida. I think the Brazilian pairing in the middle will work well and Merida can play central and left midfield, he is a good player but I don’t see anyone else who will play left wing apart from a striker in a 4-5-1. Then up front I’d like Aliadiere and Walcott starting, Jeremie is the only out and out striker named in the squad however Baptista and Theo can play as a forward. I think Wenger will go with a 4-5-1 though dropping Walcott back into right midfield and possibly playing Rosicky through the middle or on the left.

I see Lauren coming on in the second half for a run out but he might start and then be replaced later on so not to aggravate any injury. Wenger has praised Ralphy for his commitment and his effort to get match fit again. It was a terrible injury nearly a year ago and we have to give credit to him. Here’s what the boss had to say:

“It is nice just to have him back. If you think what Lauren has gone through recently, the strength of character this guy has shown is amazing. And when you are at a big club that is the first quality that you need. There was a question mark about [his future] I must honestly say. But his desire, his strength and the way he practiced and worked so hard during his rehabilitation was top, top class. But I am not surprised. I know him and I brought him here. Lauren is an exceptional human being. That is why he came back It is great to have such an experienced player and such a winner with us again. When you have him in the side then you always have a chance.”

Nice words from Wenger; I’m sure he as much as anyone is exited about Lauren’s return. We’ll see if he’s still got it tonight or we may see him against Blackburn on Saturday.

While there’s all this good injury news on Lauren, Ljungberg’s injury will see him out until 2007. He’s been injured alot this season and to be honest, this time I am not bothered. Freddie has not been great this season and last season it was evident he was on the decline scoring only one or two goals. I believe the Swede will be on his way soon, he’s been incredible for this club, a great member who I will never forget but everybody’s time comes to an end one day. Rosicky is back now so we’ve got a more than good enough replacement in him.

A quick word about that open training session thing yesterday. The players were about half an hour late out leaving a couple of thousand Gooners sitting waiting in the English winter. They ran about a bit and stuff and did a little passing and moving and defence verses attack. I left early to go and buy tickets but I think they had a little game at the end. The highlight for me was seeing Lauren and Diaby out training. Ralph was training with the others as normal but Abou came out late and was running lengths with a coach. They both looked quite fit and ready and hopefully they’ll be pushing for places in the team in the very near future.

As I said I left early to buy tickets, it took me three attempts to buy the bastards. Firstly the cash point buy the box office wasn’t working so I queued up only for them to tell me they don’t accept my card. So I ran for 15 minutes to the nearest cash point but it was one of those ones that you have to pay for so I withdrew the minimum I thought I needed for the tickets. Then I ran all the way back, queued up again, then to find out the tickets were ₤34 not ₤27. So I had to run all the way around the stadium to my mate to borrow money because I wasn’t gonna go to that bloody cash point again. So then when I finally made it to the front of the queue for the third time I thought that would be it. But no. When the guy went off to get some change he came back and told me that I’d only given him ₤50 not ₤70. I was going mad because I had somehow lost ₤20. Anyway, in the end I managed to get the tickets for the FA Cup game in Anfield in the end but it was one hell of a struggle. No idea how I’m getting there yet.

Ok, it’s the Carling Cup at Anfield tonight though. There were tickets for tonight on sale yesterday too but God knows how I would’ve got up to Liverpool so it’s just Sky Sports 1 and a sofa for me tonight. I’m not expecting anything but hopefully we’ll progress, I don’t know how strong a line-up Liverpool will field but they won’t be easy that’s for sure. Match report tomorrow, until then.

p.s. Sorry for the lack of blogging this week, my internet’s been broken and whatever but I’m back.