Random bits on a Monday 10 August, 2009

Nothing terribly exciting going on today I’m afraid. Saturday’s post-match interviews have finally come out and Arsene Wenger was asked whether we might be signing anyone before the season starts. He sounded doubtful but then again the season starts in five days so that doesn’t surprise me. He reiterated that he is happy with the current team and feeling confident. I know I’ve said it time and time again but I am also happy with the current team, we have a great starting XI but it’s what’s behind that which bothers me. Rosicky and Nasri are already injured and no doubt there will be more to come once the season gets properly underway. I just hope he makes a couple of additions before the deadline is up.

Defence is an area people would like to see us strengthen, especially if Senderos does go to Everton. We have a good pairing of Gallas and Vermaelen – behind that it’s Johan Djourou but then it’s Silvestre and possibly Song. I’d like another one in front of Silvestre in the pecking order just incase but I doubt Wenger will do it. However Djourou is telling us he’s ready for the first team and really wants to make an impact this season:

“I am still young, I have a couple of things I need to work on still and I still want to learn, but I want to step up now. It’s my time. I’ve learned from Kolo, from Sol Campbell when they were at the Club, and now I’ve got that experience that I need to play in those big games, week-in and week-out.

I signed for Arsenal when I was only 16 so it’s been a good learning process. Centre back is an experienced position, you’ve got all those big players and you can play until you are late in your age, so I think you have to be patient. Now I am 22 and you can see that I have learned a lot. For me that has been fantastic and now it is time for me to step up.”

I like Johan, and I’m not worried about him being our 3rd choice this year. He sounds like he is going to do his best and that’s all that we can ask for. I’m just worried if both Gallas and Vermaelen pick up injuries at the same time and we have to play Silvestre. Hopefully that scenario wont come about but I would sleep a little better knowing there was another option in there.

I’ve heard Tomas Vermaelen is a bit injury prone too, I might be making this up but I swear I heard that he’s had a few problems at Ajax. He’s already picked up a groin problem this pre-season forcing him out of the Emirates Cup and Valencia trip. Well Wenger says he should be fine for the opener at Everton so I guess that’s all that matters. I just hope he can stay injury free for his important first season.

Jack Wilshere has been called up for the England U21s who play Holland in a friendly tomorrow. He wasn’t in the initial selection so I don’t know if he’s in Stuart Pearce’s plans but we’ll see. Theo Walcott has also been called up to the full England squad who have a friendly with the Dutch on Wednesday. This despite his only pre-season action being 45mins against Valencia on Saturday. Wenger’s not angry though because he says Theo still needs a friendly to warm up for the season. As long as it is only a ‘friendly’ and Holland don’t go and injure him, then Wenger will be angry.

Barcelona say they are interested in Fabregas if they can get him on the cheap. Oh really? That’s nice…

Just before I go a couple of mentions of things newspaper-wise. In today’s Guardian they’ve got a Season Synopsis with the Premier League just five days away. They’re talking about Man United without Ronaldo, City’s prospects after spending almost £100m, World Cup stuff, Newcastle’s chances of getting out of a tough Championship, Carlo Ancelotti’s Twitter, the Michael Owen-style brochures you might have missed, the possible shift in power from the Premier League to La Liga, ESPN and the BBC’s involvement in showing live football, a funny look at the new and very complicated Europa League, Uefa’s experiment with five referees per match and team-by-team guide and previews of the Premier League/Championship/League One/League Two and the Scottish Premier League.

I know it’s a bit late in the day to be telling you but you might be going down the shop later…

Or if you’re planning on an evening in, take a look at The Mirror’s new dedicated football site. Here’s the Arsenal section, it’s got some great images from old times, wallpapers, interviews and all sorts on there. Worth a look even just to browse the image galleries.

Right then that’s Monday done. Tomorrow we edge even closer to the start of season. Woo!

Thanks for reading,