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A couple of stories today heading into a massive weekend:
Arsene Wenger has hit back over Barcelona chairman Sandra Rosell’s comments that Arsenal’s behavior was “immoral.” Wenger responded that:
You forget that this boy is English. He has an English passport, his mother is from England, and hopefully he will join us in the summer. We have players who leave us for other professional clubs in England. We have done what just is legal.
I love Barcelona, I love Catalonia. I have nothing against them, but when a player who is half English and Spanish wants to join us, why should we turn him down if it’s all legal? If we have done something illegal, I will say, “Sorry, my boy, we cannot do it.” Plenty of players leave us under exactly the same rule.
I do not want to go further on that front because it is very difficult. If you go in the academy of Barcelona and you look where all the players come from, come back to me and we can talk about it.”
BOOM. And that’s it, really, isn’t it? Like I said the other day, these things do make me a little uneasy, because I think clubs who develop a player from childhood to the age of 16 deserve some protection from big clubs swooping in and signing their players. But the bottom line is that is not against the rules and Arsenal are hardly the only club doing it. Although I think it may be a stretch to claim that he is English because he has an English mother. But all reports are that he’s never made a secret out of his desire to play in England
And, as Wenger points out, as much credit as Barcelona gets, look at how often they go abroad and sign young players from all over the world. In fact, they made a very aggressive pitch over the summer to Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke, two 16 year olds in the Arsenal academy. So yes, it makes me a little uneasy, but until the governing bodies do something to settle this issue, this is going to continue, and Barcelona has absolutely no moral high ground on this issue.
Wenger also gave an injury update. Cesc and Wenger Walcott are both out, as thought. But Cesc’s personal trainer apparently said yesterday that Cesc could play on Sunday. No offense to him, but I’m glad Arsenal trusted the opinions of its physios instead. Wenger also said Cesc would miss one or two matches. Assuming that one of those matches is the one on Sunday, that seems to mean that Cesc will be back next weekend to play against Sunderland. I think it’s excellent news considering it’s a hamstring injury, which are usually 2-3 weeks minimum.
Wenger said Theo was doubtful to play against Barcelona, so it sounds like he will be out a while. It’s a big loss — Theo has been excellent for us this year, and he is particularly useful and effective against a team like Barcelona that keeps the ball so much and plays such a high line, because his pace poses a lethal counterattacking threat and keeps the fullback from getting forward too much. Other than that, though, there’s no new injuries.
Wenger has also announced that van Persie will captain the side tomorrow Sunday. I don’t know that I’ve ever really gotten the “leader of men” vibe from van Persie, but he’s been with the team a long time and has been through a lot, and it’s a nice and well-deserved reward for him, and I think it’s probably the right move. He’ll be excited to lead the team out on the pitch, no doubt.
And that’s about it. Birmingham match preview coming up tomorrow. Until then.
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Some Related Stories:Wenger Gives Injury Update; Cesc Says Team Lacks “Winning Mentality”Jack Picks the Right Role Models; van Persie Tug of War Continues; Players Return from InjuryInternational Round-Up + Injury UpdateSpecial 1 TV Returns; Rooney to Leave United in January?; Eastmond Arrested; Brum Highlights VideoArsenal Deal With Injury Woes While Competing On Four Fronts
Category: Arsenal News, Injury Report
Tags: Arsenal News, Injury ReportTweet « Arsenal Deal With Injury Woes While Competing On Four Fronts | Home | GeezersayNothing will please me more than to knock Barcuntlona out of the CL & look at the face of the spanish boylovin midget Xavi as he gazed lustfully at Cesc while trying to smear his DNA all over our Captain.Pete"Cesc and Wenger are both out."
Cesc is definately a loss, but Wenger?
"van Persie will captain the side tomorrow"
Today is Friday - who are we playing tomorrow, and why 2 games in a weekend?Homey_MillsPoor Martin.blog comments powered by Disqus
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