Lauren offically back. 19 December, 2006
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News, Cup Games, Uncategorized.trackback
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.
Yeah, great to see Ralf (the forgotten) & Diaby! A nice physical addition, and not a moment, to soon!
PEOPLE, PLEASE READ BELOW, MY E-MAIL I SENT TO ARSENAL ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL FLAG BAN AT THE GROVE!
PLEASE JOIN ME, IN MAILING THE 2 LINKS AND LETTING THEM KNOW, THAT BANNING THESE FLAGS, ARE A COMPLETE N’ UTTER FARCE! CHEERS
info@arsenal.co.uk & marketing@arsenal.co.uk
I just wish to complain, in the strongest possible fashion, on the clubs new
policy on banning International flags at the Emirates.
I am really worried as to where Arsenal Football Club is heading these days,
with their stances on agreeing to kick people out from Stamford Bridge, last
sunday for brining inflatable mobile phones to the game, yet countless
Arsenal fans were abused & coined in the process.
Also kicking people out of the Red Section, earlier this season, for
standing up, after asking loyal gooners to go to this section & help
increase the noise, on match days, and what not…
It appears that the club, I once claimed to be the pinnacle of
professionalism, has now turned into a pathetic yielding organization, that
gives into any politically correct scheme thought up by some protest group
or minorities.
It appears that if some falls into a certain category or minority or
religion, they get preferential treatment over the loyal, passionate fan,
and a lot of gooners I know, are getting very angry about this.
I understand that certain people may not like to see certain flags, because
of their view on the religion or the politics of that particular region, but
to ban ALL international flags, because a section of people don’t like one,
on display, is beyond belief.
Are the club going to get rid of the “Fly Israel” ad’s, that appear on the
advertisement boards, during the matches, because it offends muslims?
Are the club going to change the arabic sign of the Emirates logo, because
it offends jews?
If you set one president against flags, then you are going to have to change
almost every aspect about a match day, until there is not a single ounce of
passion left… and no passion = no atmosphere and could in turn mean a down
fall, in attendances.
I hope that you reconsider this new policy on flags, before you have a fan’s
revolt.
Thank you,
Stephen, North London
Good Blog and Welcome Back
Although I would like to see the 4-4-2, I think you might be right and AW will go to his 4-5-1
I also think if it was 2 up front it would be Bap and Aliardiere, instead of Walcott (I personally believe AW will play him exclusively on the wing for 2-3 years first on the right and then move him to the left to complete him).
Tonight I would like to see 4-4-2
Almunia
Lauren Toure Senderos Traore
Walcott Denilson Rosicky Merida
Baptista Aliardiere
Replacing Lauren with Hoyte, Rosicky with Randall at H-T (unless they can last! 90mins)
but we are guaranteed
but if it is 4-5-1
Almunia
Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Traore
Denilson
Walcott, Baptista, Rosicky, Merida
Aliardiere
with Poom, Hoyte, O’Cearuill, Song and Randall on the bench
I just don’t want to see Alex “please nutmeg me” Song for a while!
Come on you rip roaring gunners!
Clock Ender, that’s cool. To be honest I’m not going to send that email becasue it’s not going to do anything. To be honest there is nothing we can do apart from if loads of people decide to bring flags and cover the stadium. I think what the club has done is insane. Can’t even taqlk about it, it is so stupid.
Thanks Gunner 8, I reckon you’re right with the team there. Just hope song doesn’t play but I think he might.
get the train from euston to lime street for about £40
its the best way to get in and out quickly.
I was relieved to see Baptista on the official squad sheet–the BBC didn’t include him and I thought the worst.
So now the match might be called off due to fog. Any ideas when they would replay it?
the next availble time when it could be replayed is when the semi final is meant to be.
the fogs cleared up now, dont know why they dont play it
feel sorry for the gooners who went all the way there…
…it wasn’t that fucking bad, they played in weather like that for years back in the day. Also why teams wear numbers thanks to Herbie C
devistating for the gunners who travelled all that way.
with regards to that email above it is excellent however the sad and frustrating thing is the lack of impact it will have, falling on deaf ears. you are correct in that it is politacl correctness gone mad. maybe we should ban fans wearing father xmas hats during winter as it might offend someone. ridiculous society we live in.
anyway balckburn on saturday, home and the players will have fresh legs. come on arsenal!!
Cheers Arsenalnews,
Yeah, it will have very little, if no effect at all!
But i’m hoping if enough of us moan, they may review it!
There’s already talk of quite a few fans turning up, for the game agaisnt Charlton, at home, in International Colours & Flags, to see if the club will boot out, about 1,000! Watch this space!
Yeah, if there is 1 good thing, to come of yesterday, it’s the fact the players should be rested up! COME ON ARSENAL!!!
I’d be up for that, wear my England shirt and bring the flag
MAybe they want us to have flags of concrete? Oh wait I’ve got it, they want us to have Fly Emirates flags or EDF Energy flags. Hey, maybe redaction could invent a song about how great EDF Engery are