Early team news & first glimpse of 09/10 Away Kit? 6 February, 2009

With today being Friday, we get the usual load of quotes from Arsene Wenger’s press conference. The question on everyone’s lips is will Andrey Arshavin make his debut vs. Spurs? Well Wenger has revealed that he can officially play and that his work permit is sorted. He is currently travelling back from Russia so we only have tomorrow to see what sort of shape he is in. Wenger says he will resist rushing him back too soon:

“I will have reservations yes. The worst thing for a player is not being ready to play in a game of that intensity, or getting injured before having kicked a ball for the team. I will see what kind of shape he is in tomorrow to see if he will be involved in the squad or not. We are not in a hurry with him. He will be available. But at the moment he is somewhere in a plane. He had to fly back to Russia to get a visa and he is coming back tonight.

I believe he is talented, intelligent and motivated. When you have these things together, you always have a chance to make an impact. But you have to give him time as well. He is not fit at the moment because he had only 10 days preparation after a long break.”

Arshavin wont start on Sunday, but I’d like it if he made some sort of appearance. I think it would be a big boost having him on the bench. So what if he’s not fully fit? I’m sure he could manage 10 or 20 minutes football at the end of a game just doing what he can. I’m sure Andrey will be dying to get out there and show us what he’s made of, what a chance he has to do it against Tottenham.

If we’re struggling to find a goal late on in Sunday’s game, I think Arshavin would be a great introduction. He might just give us that little bit of creativity and determination going forward and it would also lift the team and fans. I agree that we shouldn’t rush Arshavin in too quickly but I’m not asking for a 90 minute performance, just a short cameo.

This photo of Arshavin has come to my attention today, it is supposed to be part of an advertising campaign for next season’s away kit:

The pictured has been leaked to The Mirror. I have no idea where this picture came from, or where it was taken but The Mirror claim it’s a “new publicity shot for Nike”. Could this be the look of our new away kit? I don’t mind our blue kits; it’s certainly better than white. I’ve heard that Man United are also getting a kit with this ‘V’ shape across it. Early days yet, if I find anything else out I’ll let you know.

Back to the team news and Emmanuel Eboue is available for selection this weekend. He was taken off after half an hour last weekend and presumed injured but this was just after a stupid dive and it wouldn’t have been the first time Wenger has replaced Eboue for acting stupidly. I bet he never actually was injured. I’m hoping we don’t have to resort to using Eboue on Sunday; there are so many more productive options we could go for. Wilshere? Vela? Ramsey? Even push Clichy up field and put Gallas at left back. I’ll talk more about our options tomorrow.

Tomas Rosicky has kicked a ball for the first time in a year this week. His long road to recovery takes another step forward and Wenger says he is positive about his return. The manager has put an estimation of six or seven weeks for his return – if correct that could see him return against Man City on the 4th April. Hopefully he makes it.

That’s it for today then. Tomorrow I’ll have a full match report ahead of a massive North London derby. Until then.