They say that Russians as a race are as melancholy as much of their music, with a suicide rate among the highest in the world fuelled apparently by self-doubt, depression and copious quantities of Vodka.
To look at our little Russian is often to see that melancholy reflected in his chiseled features and some of his casual passes have suicide written all over them, and yet the title of little Mozart bestowed on him by admiring countryman and fans alike, speaks of a lighter joyous side far from the stereotypical Russian.
So does he care? Are his regular apparently destabilising utterances, so keenly cut and pasted from the Russian papers by our own sensation seeking hacks true, or does there indeed lurk within the little man a large slice of the national characteristic.
To see him run with and manipulate the ball, with such consummate skill one minute and the next to give it away carelessly, with a shrug of the shoulders and an indifferent expression on that red cheeked face, reminiscent of a teething child, leads one to wonder what exactly motivates this competitive enigma that is Andre Arshavin?
Was Arsène right in his original comments questioning Andrey’s suitability for the premier league? Did he really believe? Had his meticulous homework highlighted the character issues I am now questioning? Indeed was this just a reluctant last minute gamble, a sop to the fans, desperate for a named signing, that has had the added bonus of generating huge shirt sales.
Whatever the reasons, it undoubtedly succeeded short term, providing a degree of cover following our disastrous injury glut, and some memorable performances, his 4 goals against Liverpool and last nights Porto exhibition spring to mind. At the same time it has allowed our equally talented young players to train on and come through.
But can Wenger hold him in tune with the clubs oft stated collective ambition? Is his Russian heart, already perceived red at birth, able to embrace, serve and love this club in a foreign land, with the passion and loyalty such a love engenders and demands (Witness. TH14). Or is he, as many perceive, more likely, an itinerant mercenary seeking purely monitory rewards for the exquisite talent residing in that compact body and fast feet.
Perhaps this is the reason for his famous fast exit at game end, a reluctance to risk bonding with the faithful who pay homage to his skill, many of whom contribute large chunks of their disposable income to help finance the obscene salaries, demanded by today’s professional footballer. They surely are entitled to more respect in return from the man
Without doubt we need his wonderful talents. But am I alone in wondering exactly what goes on beneath that fair hair and does pulling on the famous shirt with its Cannon Crest excite him, or just remind him of the dark days his nation and forbears have endured through recent history? Thus determining that his family’s well being rather than personal ambition or trophies won, should be the main driving force in his chosen career, wherever that may take him. Or am I just being unfair.
By Guest Writer dandan
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Todays post is another offering from our prolific guest writer dandan. AA is my favourite player, so I can excuse his eccentricities because his moments of magic are awesome.
Dandan – excellent post and one I was thinking along similar lines of that already(you’ve nicked one of my ideas for a post I was going to do!) The Russian psyche does tend towards melancholia I put down a lot of his apparent shows of indifference to this, but I think he will remain an enigma(wrapped in a paradox, as all people are to an extent)and I’m taking the view I’ll just enjoy him for as long as we have him. He’s my current favourite player as I’ve always liked the mercurial, slightly erratic players. He’s mean, moody and magnificent.
Incidentally I always thought it was Rosciky who was known as “The little Mozart” – surely the Meerkat should be “The Little Prokofiev”?
Morning all
Look at him, he looks like such a bundle of joy and so talented. He can win a game for us in the blink of an eye with some of his sublimely magical skill…….but why is there this dark side to him that allows his negative utterances to be published?
Little Mozart is actually Rosicky’s nickname. Arshavin is called the little Tsar
Hi Peachy, as far as I know Arshavin is like the Beckham of Russia – there is tremendous interest in him and his family so he is hounded for quotes and interviews relentlessly. It doesn’t bother me that he sounds negative at times so much – all that matters is what he does on the pitch and if he’s doing well, how we can keep him with us.
As I said in my guest post at Le grove last summer, players talk too much and they should only speak about matters on the pitch, if they should at all. They are sportsmen/athletes – not philosophers or poets so what say/think doesn’t really matter to me.
Morning AA addicts
Superb, thought provoking post Dandan. There is one thing up there I hadn’t realised: does Arshavin disappear quickly at the end of every game? I’ve never noticed this.
Thankyou oskar – it seems our Meerkat might have a few nicknames……
Morning chary – I love it “what they say/think doesn’t really matter to me”
Of course you’re right 😉
Morning Chary
Can you give us bit more information on this one “The Little Prokofiev” my Russian is not what it used to be.
Hi London – it’s just the name of a Russian composer, as a counterpart to Mozart. He had a very classical style of composition despite his actual era being more post-romantic era, I think.
London – Arsh always rushes off down the tunnel and doesn’t stick around to applaud the fans – mind you now that we have ‘The Invicible Huddle’ he may have to act differently……you wouldn’t want to say no to Sol would you…….
In Russia his nickname is ‘Shava’ meaning little dog but the site I found that on says hes 5’8″……
It would have been more obvious for me to say “The Little Tchaikovski” but I don’t like going for the obvious choice.
What is Arshavin’s optimum position, prior to Van Persie’s injury he was playing wide left to which it was generally said that he was wasted, then after Van Percie’s injury he played number nine and again it was generally said that he was wasted, now he is back out on the wing and I don’t know what we are supposed to think.
Morning all.
I had to miss yesterday’s fun as I was travelling but enjoyed the post and some great comments. What a fabulous night at the Emirates, I was hoarse by the end.
I think AA is a bit misunderstood. Not everyone is outgoing and gregarious, doesn’t necessarily mean his is disengaged or doesn’t care. I met Mika Hakkinen once and he was so quiet and miserable looking that you’d think he would rather be anywhere than at an F1 race. But remember when he cried after putting his car off the track – in reality he was the most committed person in the race. I’m not saying AA is exactly the same but he is human, he’s probably a bit homesick, a bit frustrated at times and doesn’t get a lot out of huddles and pumping his chest.
People say he isn’t so fit and maybe he is not the same level of natural athlete as some of them, but he can turn it on when he needs to.
Morning Alfa
Maybe the huddles and the beating of the chest is what is missing; he should perhaps try joining in, he may get not only more from Arsenal but more from life.
London – I always thought Arshavin’s best position was a number 10, as a support striker. I’d imagine he would be behind an out & out striker with a slightly freer role to roam where he could find space to weave his magic.
Chary
Do you think the role of a number 10 exists in a 4.3.3 formation?
London – I reckon it would be more of a 4-3-2-1 (or a 4-4-1-1 at a pinch)to suit Arshavin, but that would be in an ideal set up for Arshavin. Wenger would probably pick the formation based on who he has available.
I wonder why Wenger has seemingly abandoned the 4-4-2 after all these years.
There are some on here who are far more knowledgeable than me and also have the opportunity to watch the players “literally in the flesh”.
I have always had my doubts about Arshavin’s real intentions in the long ter. Before he came to us, he was touted as wanting to go to barcelona and even Spurs,though there is no doubt he has this fantastic intelligence on the field.Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
The Russian mentallity has changed enormously since the break up of the Soviet union and there is an inbred resolution to be successful for the limited few that get that opportunity.
I always look at body language but with him I really don’t know.Russians are generally mentally hard, and in his case he is not getting any younger and my gut feeling is that within a year or two he will go back to Russia, can’t see him playing in italy or Spain.
As dandan wrote today, does he really do himself any favours by just walking off the pitch, as he did on Tuesday and several times he doesn’t join in when others score.Does he want to become an idol to the fans, or is he not bothered.
Can’t get into his mind, but as long as he is with us, I will enjoy his immense skills.
I think AA’s optimum position is wherever the hell he wants to go 😛
Actually he is very effective out wide, although, with 2 good feet and a potent shot, he should be best suited to the bergkamp role – but that’s often the more advanced central position that Cesc has been inhabiting this season.
Morning kelsey,
I think that as long as AA’s performances are up to scratch (he created 3 of the goals on tuesday), his motivation should not be the issue. Similarly with Gallas – if he is a ‘mercenary’, so what, he’s doing a bloody good job. We love it when ex-players like Henry and Pires say that Arsenal is in their hearts and always will be, but not everyone is that emotional towards their employer.
Thanks for the comments folks, sorry I got the nickname wrong.
He is indeed a great player, but somehow I cannot lose the feeling that his tenure is viewed as short term by both sides, we shall see what the world cup brings, there temptation lies for all players, as tapping up is endemic
Morning all.. the only thing I dislike about AA is his damn haircut.. get a stylist will ya 😉
Great post Dandan
I’m with you on that Raspers – it’s how well they do on the pitch that is all important. While it’s nice when you hear kind words from players towards the club/fans, it’s not vital. I suspect a russian characteristic Arshavin has is that he doesn’t enjoy big crowds and team-binding gestures. Maybe he can grow into that vibe, a la Sol’s post match huddles and the like – but I’d rather he does/acts how he wants to maximise those moments of sublime skill where time slows around him and he performs like DB10 did in his pomp.
Dandan – he won’t be going to the World Cup –so you’d think he won’t be any more likely to be angling for a move because of the World Cup than normal.
That’s good news Chary, the down side is of course should he still want away his value wont be enhanced, Bugger it some times you just cant win LOL
London, you’ve got a point. Can you slip him some coffee at half time? 😉
It’s hard to see how AA, Cesc and Nasri could all play in their ideal positions in the same team. So what?
Nice post Dandan but there is only ONE Little Mozart and he happens to be my favourite Arsenal player from the current crop – a gem.
AA23 is awesome though. Its a cliche but he can do what most other players only dream of. How many times has he done something and the commentator has said “just genius?”
I was so excited when he signed. I don’t think he has any particular “pride” in playing for Arsenal, he signed to better himself and play on a bigger stage. He chose the EPL more than Arsenal in my opinion but it doesn’t matter as long as he sticks with us for a few years and gives his all. Did Bergkamp know how much he would love Arsenal by the time it came to his retirement?
Livers,
He can borrow some of mine (hair) 😉
Only if it’s brown and curly Kelsey 🙂
Hiya Maire – good point about DB10 – he was a boyhood fan of the Spuds, and we all now know what a leg-end he is for the club, so maybe in time Arshavin will become more like Pres and DB210 in that way. I also think he will stay as at his age I don’t think he’d want to up root his family again to play in another league.
Exactly Chary – everyone is different. Sometimes AA talks too much but everyone can’t please us all the time. I mean, Cesc always says the right things and the fans don’t believe him so in the end, its on the field that counts.
I don’t know the stats off-hand but I do know since he came last season he has scored goals and created many more.
I also see Cesc has scored 17 this season and assisted 19, that is brilliant, brilliant.
IrishGunner – Just to pick up on a point you made.
i don’t think anyone signs for us because they love us, but do believe they learn to love us like no other once they have played. How many players leave and realise the grass isn’t always greener… Even Sir Bob bought one of the Highbury flats 🙂
Morning all, thank you Dan Dan for this insight, its not something I’ve thought about before or even noticed, but I’ll be looking out for it on Saturday; I did however notice his fish impression the other night.
As long as he celebrates his goals/ assists and gets involved in the huddle I’m happy. I do think he is playing in his optimum position already for this system. I can’t moan about him really, with him on the pitch something can always happen out of nothing.
I don’t think his place in the first 11 is concrete though, for me Rosicky is doing very well and can do much the same job but on the right, he helps out a lot more defensively though. Song for me has to be the first name on the team sheet, he is unbelievable this season and soon is going to be the best in the world in his position, he is so comfortable in those tight situations. Not bad after all of those doubters of two years ago tried their damndest to ruin his career before it even started. All those NIkki B “slaggeroffas” are going to eat their words when he becomes the new Drogba and 2 finger salutes in Adebarndoors general. Who says he’s going to be a Bergkamp or an Henry? He’s only 22 give him time, how good were any of the aforementioned at 22!
Anyway I seem to be “Thursday Ranting” so I’ll stop now. I love this “Polite” site… Do we continue in the summer?
Hiya Livers – Its not even a “love” but a respect that you are moving to a big English club. The third most successful in the domestic league.
I think if you are a Arsenal fan you probably would only move to the club because you’d “love” us.
Personally I think Wenger, our style of play and the status of the club are the 3 main reasons players come to us, its not got to do with “love” but we’ve seen over the years a lot have left loving and supporting the club.
Morning tommy – don’t scare me with thoughts of finding posts for the summer, although we have got the World Cup so there’ll be an Arsenal player watch even if England don’t get as far as we’d like.
Hi Irish – Rosexy was a bit of a star the other night – although I was surprised he started ahead of Theo.
We should have called the blog ‘Rant With Us’ 😉
There is a post there: Does loyalty exist in the modern day footballer or something like that, you get the idea. I have played around with this one but have not been able to write it so if it inspires anyone, please take it up.
Morning Peaches – Yep he did his usual shift of working hard and linking well. I’m getting a bit impatient waiting for one of his trademark screamers though.
I should be around more in the summer so I can help with the posts if you like?
London -I reckon you should make Franchise do that post. He owes us a post doesn’t he?
Your summer or ours, Maire? 😉
LOL Chary “yours” our summer is over, it was a cool 22c here today 😉
AA is a charismatic player
I bet if he hadn’t played out of the position this season he would have become the same figure for fans as Cesc is.
My only concern is if we win both CL and EPL this year (why not indeed?) AA would very likely lose the motivation for the next season.
So lets enjoy him now as this year can be Arsh’ ‘swan song’ considering his age.
Cmon gunners
Alright folks I must be off again, good to catch up with ye. Chat soon.
Chary
I would love to read a post by Franchise, he has strong and interesting views that I would like to have a better understanding. Head line posts are the only way you can really get to grips with what someone wants to say.
Good point Vitus about this year being Arshavins ‘swansong’ – hes no spring chicken is he?
as long as we can pull another 2 seasons out of arshavin… the long term solution in wilshere is waiting in the wings.
the beauty of british players… is that you are never worrying about them looking to go abroad.
lets take ramsey as an example.. he won’t ever leave us.. and if the likes of lampard gerrard giggs et al have seen out there careers at one of the big 4 clubs… so will ramsey, wilshere, gibbs, theo, jet and co.
@peachesgooner
no, i would call him senior ugly ducklin ;))
Hello Vitus
I would love the opportunity to see if you are right; that’s to say, that if we win the EPL and the CL Arshavin would lose motivation.
Morning SFH
Some good points there that make a lot of sense.
btw – sunu scored a nice little goals from just outside the box for derby last night… nice technique with the outside of an outstretched boot.
Morning SH – spot on with that comment. I reckon Theo is being groomed to be the face of Arsenal – and rather a nice face I have to say, he’s featured in at least every third home programme with a 4/5 page spread. The same will be true of Ramsey, Gibbs and LJ I reckon – all very photogenic 😉
morning london
At the moment Arshavin is 28 (and 285 days, turns 29 on the 29th of May this year) – I think we’ll get two to three more seasons out of him, best case scenario.
Its not about being photogenic, thats very shallow of me but there will be a core of British players that will want to stay at Arsenal for ever.
Arshavin is a lazy legend in the making
Morning guys
morning peaches
was in waterstones yesterday.. and theo’s face is all over all manner of annual football books and memorabillia
when he finally kicks into gear, he will become a huge face in this country… he has the ideal makeup for somebody marketable.
being of mixed heritage also helps him appeal to thr wider market.
young theo will retire a filthy rich man.
I think that Arshavin has only just found the motivation to play – the business end of the season is obviously more his cup of tea – the end is in sight 😉
Guys Im lazy too and too spontaneous to put my words together in a post
it would have been easy to have a rant of a post but Im all good now 🙂
what do I talk about?
I will have to work that one out
aa23’s attitude to playing at hull this saturday will disclose much.
he was appalling when he came on at stoke in the cup, and if he was eboue.. he would have been strung out to dry by the fans.
Morning Franchise – don’t want to scare you away but if you read back a few comments London and chary were discussing how they’d love you to write a post….. 😉
😳 you found it all by yourself 😳
Come on Fran – we’ll even let you write under your preferred nom de plume: Myles Palmer.:)
ok guys give me a week 😀
its funny, I normally have a lot to say but I cant write a post
Hi Franchise,
You could just write a short paragraph for ‘Rant Friday’. We currently have 2 for this week and I think we can go up to 3 without being too long winded. I know there are things you like to get off your chest 😛
Hey Folks, have we got any latest injury news for Saturday?
Did anyone read the blog on our young polish keeper he sounds like he’s destined for great things!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2010/03/the_answer_to_arsenals_goalkee.html
Ill definitely try and put something together Rasputin. I promised so I have to deliver. I dont want to be known as ‘promiscuous’ 😀
Did anyone else see this, Perry Groves protecting his Arsenal Credibility
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/8558164.stm
Yes Dan Dan that mans a star… Gooner til he dies!
TommyStout
Yeah I read it, there’s also an article on the BBC 606 Brentford site about him.
Someone called 5live (a Bees fan) after we lost 2-1 to Porto saying Chesney (Hawkes) is the best keeper he’s seen down there for 30 years. God knows who their keeper was then but they really really rate him.
He looked very accomplished when he played against WBA and made 2 difficult saves look relatively easy. by all accounts his kicking isn’t up to much but that can be worked on..
I don’t think Mannone will ever be out number 1 and Fabianski needs to get more consistancy in his game to give the defenders confidence as well as himself….Sadly, Almunia won’t improve that much in my eyes but we’ll see..
Yeah Livers, thanks for that, i agree about mannone and almunia.
I still have hopes for Fabianski, but that poor guys confidence must be shattered.. how does one come back from that!
Maybe ask eboue! or get some bendtner style self belief!
Bendtner should be giving confidence boosting sessions at London Colney 🙂
Apparently Fabregas is out and Sagna and Campbell doubtful for Hull…
Sagna, ankle injury and Sol they are waiting to see how he has reacted since Tuesday. Apparently he had cramp….he did look like he’d eaten a springbok during the game. Were they specially made shorts ?
I hope Campbell is fit though and we don’t see fish head any time soon. Eboue can fill in for Sagna noooo problem
Cesc probably out of the Hull game with Sol and Sagna doubtful, with cramp and an ankle problem respectively. Looks like we’ll be seeing Fish head then.
Livers – you just beat me to it !
Oh no, tweety in front of flappy 😦 – my worst nightmare … we’ll just have to outscore them…..
Sorry mate 🙂
Alright then for Hull:-
Almunia
Eboue Song Vermaelan Clichy
Diaby Denilson Nasri
Walcott Bendtner AA
Im giving Rosicky a rest or i’d start him for walcott for sure!
Won’t this be the last game of Songs ban ? a 2 game ban I think..
Other than that I’d hope Sol is back but not even fish head can do badly against Hull surely… minus the penalty he conceded at home 😉
to be fair a diabolical decision
Oh damn forgot about the ban, we need song for this one, oh god sol sort your cramp out man
he looked a little fatty boomsticks on Tues… still better than Fish Head though..cmon Sol
lol, fat sam has just come out and stated for the record “i don’t like rafa benitez”
i note manure will be handed another 3 passes points when they visit blackburn in april.
is it any coincidence that the three most detested managers in this league.. red nose, fat same and honest arry.. have all been subject of undercover BBC filming to exploot dodgy dealings?
filth the lot of them.. they use a form of xenophobia to encourage general hatred towards foreign managers.
its clear to see.
Is there a little rant coming up S H 😉
This week’s ‘Rant Friday’ is now fully beefed, but you’re more than welcome to add a rant for next week SH, although I know you have your own quality blogsite 😉
lol, i’m always ranting 😆
thanks for the offer Rasp, i may take it up in the weeks to come.
we any further down the line with the Fantasy Punters League?
fantasy punters league, ey up, whats this please… spill the beans
well… it’s just a small idea we mooted the other day.
regular bloggers on here join the league, the tech guys put up a table and bets on the side of the site.. we all get an imaginary 100 betting points or something..
we then all place some points on a football/sporting bet every game day.. and prove the odds available by linking oddschecker or another site..
the winner at the end of the season.. gets… nowt.
Nowt is what I usually win… sounds promising
sounds triffic to me!
Uh-oh – Rosicky also a doubt for Hull. Cos-bloody-mic.
On the up side Sol looks more likely to make it, according to Wengers post-training session update.
Walcott will play then instead.. No biggy I don’t think against Hull.
Let’s hope the players aren’t as complacent as I am 😉
At the present moment I reckon it should be:
Tapas Waiter; Eboue, Sol, Verminator, Clichy; Theo, Diaby, Nasri; Arshavin, Bendy, Eduardo
But I think Wenger will play Denilson instead of Eduardo as Theo will get pushed up front.
I hope you are taking the players complacency away from them Livers – one would think they are beyond complacency by now.
I’m sure they all read the blog charybdis1966 😉
Especially when it’s one of my posts Livers! I’ll bet Tomas is a fan of 18th century german poetry too.
Aren’t we all 🙂
Liebst du um Schönheit,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe die Sonne,
Sie trägt ein gold’nes Haar!
Liebst du um Jugend,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe den Frühling,
Der jung ist jedes Jahr!
Ooh, that’s good stuff !
Ummmm…
yeah
So do we think Sol will probably be ready for Saturday – bearing in mind it’s a 5.30pm kick off and we played on Tuesday.
The reason given for his possible exclusion from the squad was “fatigue” but he must have rested up by now? He’s 35 not 55 for goodness sake.
oooh that is so sweet Chary!
Dandan. Another fine post. I enjoyed this sentence “Is his Russian heart, already perceived red at birth”. Don’t get language like that on the average football blog….. And the reason why A2 is such a great blog.
And where else would one find a Ruckert poem? (sorry no umlauts on my keyboard)
I think Sol will be ok… cramp from Tuesday… sheesh I get cramp doing the….. ahem
I’m fine by the morning 😉
True Chary re: Sol.
Is it my imagination or has Sol spread across the Beam? He is enormous.
Thats hilarious
Come on Livers don’t you know any 18th century German poetry? Here is the translation.
We love you Arsenal
We do
We love you Arsenal
we do
We love you Arsenal
We do
Ooooh Arsenal we love you
Well stop Livers, or take some iron/salt tablets. Otherwise it could result in a loss of optical ability
We’re all pretty much in an upbeat loved up mood after recent performances Radders. I may well quote some Sanskrit for my next post, when/if it happens.
I think because we’re so used to seeing slight, waif like players in our team Radders that when a beefy specimen like Sol returns he looks even bigger than we remembered him as.
Silvestre is going to play, get used to it guys.
——–Almunia
Eboue,Vermaelen,Silvestre,Clichy
-Denilson,Nasri,Diaby
Walcott,Bendtner,Arshavin
If Rosicky plays instead of Walcott then that’s fine.
Beefy specimen like Sol – be still my beating heart 😳
From the tone of the latest Wenger press conference I think Sol will be ready for Hull London, although I agree we will see Fish head on a number of occasions for the rest of the season.
I know I know I’m just not his type 😦
It’ll be good for Denilson if Silvestre features for the rest of the season – take the pressure off, its boring slagging off the same player all the time 🙂
Amazing headline Rasputin, much better than mine 😆
AW prefers to play TV with a right footed CB , so Sol will get the nod if fit.
Odd, because he never talks about two right footed CB’s in the same way.
I actually passed German GCSE……..still didn’t have a clue…
saying that my French has gone down to Poulet, Poisson et al
I’m trying to understand what happens to this blog from 11 – 3
There’s a flurry of fun first thing then quietens til about 3.30 then whoosh…
I know we have a few posters from others parts of the world, but what of the rest ? Pretending to do some work ?
Livers. School prevents me from mid-day posting. I wish it were otherwise
Do you work in a school ?
Yes, he’s a dinner lady 😆
😉
a dinner lady with an umlaut 😉
Are you impugning my profession Rasp?
And it is better than my last job – the pavements of Leicester Sq can be a demoralising place to ply one’s trade
oh you kids hey..
laters all
I thought it was Shepherds Market 😉
Leicester Sq, Damm Raddy I knew we had met,what happened to my change.
Spent it on Heroin Dandan. Otherwise I may have wasted it on food.
Kelsey I started on Shepherds Market but got moved on – Mr Big told me it was your pitch.
Oh,oh i don’t like the way this is heading.,Though I must say I am straight.
Where else would you find an Arsenal blog like this;)
Coming back to AA. I think he will be with us for a couple of years.
The man is just such a wonderful player. The way he leans into the defender using his lower body strength is superb and unlike any player I have seen before.
I hope yopu are right. Watching nasri the last two games he reminds me of a mixture of Hleb and cesc.
Great spot…a mixture between Hleb and Cesc….I like it.
shepeards market… lol
that takes me back… some right naughty young ladies frequent that part of london.
Nas will be better than Hleb – actually he already is. Though I have rarely seen a player who could beat a man with such ease.
SH,
are you also a norf london lad ?
no kelsey… i’m from the right side of the river 😉
Right side of the river – surely not 🙄
SH – Alfa has some ideas about the Fantasy Betting Shop and hes going to email you – is that ok?
peaches – we have exchanged mails on the idea already.
it’s going to be a marvellous addition to the blog.
Don’t worry about Arsh, he is a maverick type of player, the kind that all great teams have to have when the going gets tough. He hasn’t quite settled on these shores yet, but you can see that he is embracing the Arsenal spirit which hopefully will never leave him.
The number 10 slot is definitely his best, but with our interchanging style of play no one has that position for themselves, he is the most two footed player we have and therefore gets swapped about a bit.
He will be invaluable in the run in and get us out of some tight spots, I love him!
Great comment Benwell.
Good morning all. Up watching the cricket,Going OK.
Unlike Liverpool this morning, a club in turmoil if ever I have seen one, Will Rafa survive.
Morning dandan,
another early riser.
If it wouldn’t be for the alleged 20 million pay out rafa would be gone and on top of that they have to find 100 million quick.my gut feeling is that he will go in the Summer, back to Spain.
He has a good European record with Liverpool and I think he would be better suited in his home land.The expectancy at Liverpool for the PL title is becoming an obsession which he can’t handle, though to be fair without extra funds another manager might not do better.
peaches.rasp do you want a preview post for tomorrow,or is it covered. ?
This retirement is the best job I have ever had. Kelsey. I choose my own hours LOL Unless we have grandkids here
Peiterson looks in better nick today.
Morning dandan and kelsey,
The new post will go up at 9 – hope you’re still around.
kelsey, I think Raddy was prepared to do a pre-match post but we eagerly await your maiden article on this site. I’ll get peaches to clarify the situation.
Kelsey….. you have mail.
New Post
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