AGM bits and pieces and team news 23 October, 2009

First off, happy 60th birthday to Le Boss yesterday. A belated congratulations from me, however there was no time for celebrating the big ‘six-zero’, Mr. Wenger was hard at work with the AGM to attend.

As it was his 60th, he was presented a book and Peter Hill-Wood led a chorus of ‘happy birthday to you’ with the couple of hundred shareholders present. Sadly Ivan Gazidis’ stroppy demand for the piece of cake with Arsene’s head on it left a sour note on the occasion, but things were soon in good spirits again when a chaotic version of musical chairs hit the AGM floor.

I guess the main headline from yesterday was Wenger’s insistence that this year will be our year. He knows how long it has been since we’ve added to our trophy cabinet but truly believes we will put an end to that drought come May:

“I know that we haven’t won a trophy for four years, but we have been very close and I believe that this year the team will do it. When I say that, it is not to please you, it is because I am really convinced of it.

This season we are ready to go for it in the Premier League, the Champions League and of course both the cups as well.

We are in October and we know it will be very tight – it will come down to how resilient, consistent, intelligent and united we are until the end. There will be periods when it will be difficult, but we have to show our strengths that has always made this club special.”

It’s early days yet but we’re on the right course so far, we’ve lost two games but they were against two of the top sides so that’s ok. We’ve got a game in hand over the rest of the top four, win that and we’re currently one point off the pace, so it’s looking alright so far. As for the Champions League, we’re in a strong position in our group – but the real test will be the knockout rounds.

Arsene was also asked about the current goalkeeper situation. He was asked whether we have enough quality in Almunia, Fabianski and Mannone to be considered a world-class side and he was adamant we do. All three of those ‘keepers are capable of making great saves and winning games but I don’t ever see any of them pushing to get a world player of the year nomination, if you know what I mean. Every great side has a great goalkeeper between their posts but I don’t think we can call any of ours ‘great’ yet.

At least Mannone and Fabianski have time on their side, they both have the potential to become great ‘keepers but at Almunia’s age I don’t think we can expect a whole lot more from him. He’s back from his ‘illness’ now but hasn’t got back in the team yet. Vito Mannone is over the moon he’s kept his place and the return of Fabianski will put even more pressure on Almunia to get back in the side. It’s not a great time for the Spaniard but if he puts the hard work in and shows Wenger in training what he’s missing I expect Manuel to earn his place as no.1 back.

Who knows who will be in goal on Sunday at Upton Park? Fabinski is unlikely to be involved after playing for the reserves on Tuesday night so it looks like a straight choice between Mannone and Almunia. As for the rest of the team news for the weekend, well we’ll find out more in this afternoon’s press conference but the early news is this: Eduardo’s back, Rosicky and Bendtner are 50:50, Walcott is out and Nasri and Fabianski are unlikely to be included. However wait until later today to get the full picture.

We’ve also got an update on Denilson and Djourou, the former is four weeks away but the Swiss defender will be out until March. It’s a terrible shame for him because this was supposed to be an important season for him. He was established as our third choice central defender in August and now he will miss most of the season through injury. Hopefully it won’t matter too much to the side as a whole and Vermaelen and Gallas can stay fit.

Oh and quickly as I’ve just mentioned them, Wenger thinks we will concede a lot less this season with those two at the back. Hasn’t particularly been the case so far but he reckons in the long run we will become much tighter in defence. So far it’s been a case of just out-scoring the opposition but hopefully we won’t have to do that for much longer.

Right then I best leave it there, it’s getting a bit long. West Ham preview tomorrow, until then.