Lauren’s gone, but now we must move on 19 January, 2007

Last night it was announced that right back Lauren has moved to Portsmouth. It’s sad new for every Arsenal fan but we must get over it now with the United game on the horizon. “Ralph’ has been a fantastic servant to the club and I don’t think there is one Arsenal fan with something bad to say about him. He was one of those good old Arsenal hard nuts that are now gradually fading out of our team. Eboue steps up to first choice right back, it won’t make a difference to him. He’s been in the same position all season and most of last season including a run that took him to Paris. I’m not 100% confident in Eboue, I’d much prefer having Lauren there but Emmanuel is only going to get better. He’s got some big boots to fill and I think he’s up to the task. He’s going to have Hoyte and Gilbert hot on his heels for that place so he’s wrong if he thinks he’s a guaranteed name on the team sheet.

Lauren takes the no.10 shirt at Portsmouth and has signed a 2 and a half-year deal there. He joins a number of Ex-Arsenal players including Adams, Kanu, Campbell and Andy Cole (cough). I’m sure he’ll do well there but I’m keen to see him playing. To move from being Arsenal’s first choice right back to Portsmouth he must be a different player to the one we saw before his injury.

When we played Liverpool in the Carling Cup Wenger said Lauren wasn’t going to play because he had a small toe injury. I hate it that managers do this and I’d much prefer him to tell the truth and say he’s thinking about moving. Chelsea the other day said on their website they’re going to put a bid in for some player, can’t remember who and then told the fans the offer was rejected. It rarely happens like that where the fans are actually told what is going on at their football club. Anyway Lauren is gone, bye bye, thanks for the memories, see you on the last day of the season.

Now we move on to Sunday. RVP picked up a knock in training this week and was a doubt for the big game but now Wenger is saying Van Persie has an 80% chance to play. He was expected to start and with Baptista and Adebayor in reserve I don’t think Wenger will play him if there is any sort of risk. At the moment I’m still thinking he’ll play but hopefully we’ll get some more news on that tomorrow. Also Johann Djourou is out which leaves us a bit thin on centre-backs but we’ll be alright. And I’ve got some terrible, terrible news to tell you. Teenage sensation Alexander Song is away on international duty for Cameroon U20. I can’t imagine the sort of stress Mr. Wenger must be going through now but I’m sure he’ll find a replacement for the clash with Manchester United.

Eboue is back so he will feature but Gallas and Freddie are still out and Gilberto is suspended remember. So I’m expecting Fab & The Flam in the middle of the park with Rosicky & Hleb out wide. Eboue/Toure/Senderos/Clichy in defence then Henry partnered by RVP if fit, otherwise I reckon it’ll be Ade. By no means a weak team and certainly one good enough to beat Man U if they’re up 4 it. Scholes, Ronaldo and Larsson are all on good form so we’ll have to make sure we don’t give them the room to play. I can see it now, Senderos mastering Larsson, Clichy embarrassing Ronaldo and Fabregas dominating that ginger twat. We just have to hope that happens.

The weekend’s fixtures will have a big impact on the title race and according to Wenger we are out of it if we lose. Most people dismissed Arsenal’s chances a while ago but if results go our way this weekend we’re gradually climbing our way closer to the top. It’s a very slim chance we could win the title in 2007 but still a chance.

Sorry about the lack of updates this week, I had an interview today and had a lot to prepare but I’m back now and I’ll have a match preview up tomorrow. Now I’m going to the squad pages to remove Ralph Lauren…Happy Weekend.