Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 09 February 2011 14:00

Panic over Gooners, our season can continue. Our fixtures no longer have to be cancelled because Johan Djourou only suffered from a scratched knee, or was it a bruise? His knee should be ready to take some more bruising from Karl Henry on the weekend.

Obviously Djourou isn't the only player holding our team together but the statistics prove that his presence has been important this season and he must take so much credit for that. He has had to wait for his chance has had to deal with injuries but he has grabbed his chance with both hands.

Personally I would save him and not risk him against Wolves. Even though the Squillaci and Koscielny partnership hasn't immediately proved to be a success, we should have more than enough to beat Wolves if we play to our full capability both offensive and defensively.

We have some tough games coming up and none gets much tougher than Barcelona on Wednesday. I don't expect Djourou to be troubled much against Barca so a nice easy game to bring him back into would be useful. *ahem*

Well here we are, back watching international friendlies. It is absolutely amazing that it has been squeezed into such an important part of the season but hey, when FIFA want to get paid then they will get paid regardless of how it affects the rest of the teams fighting for trophies or fighting to stay up.

I am so pleased that Van Persie is not playing for Holland, I am sure many Gooners have the exact same feeling when he disappears with the Dutch squad. We almost expect him not to return in one piece. Hopefully Wenger has him in a straight jacket, locked up in a padded cell. At least he has Cesc for company so while they are rolling around trying to stand up they can at least discuss tactics.

Speaking of Cesc, did you read a Barcelona director saying that the Cesc interest was dead as they could not afford him, well I would certainly welcome those types of comments. When looking at the fee Liverpool received for Fernando Torres you would have to laugh yourself silly if they came back with another derisory bid for our captain.

Anyway I really should not be talking about this right now as his immediate future is very much at Arsenal and we have some big trophies to aim for. Judging by his current location while Spain are playing a friendly kind of tells you where his head is right now and that can only be good for us. I also question the timing of these type of comments. Is it a coincidence that we are due to play them in a matter of days? Cesc is strong mentally so whatever they say will probably disappear into the Emirates air.

Nicklas Bendtner on the other hand is kicking his heals on the sidelines, to be fair, at the time of writing this I haven't confirmed that his words haven't been twisted but I will take it as accurate until I hear any different.

He explains that he loves the club and wants to be a success but he does not want to sit on the bench any longer. If he hasn't established himself as a first team starter then he could look elsewhere.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I fully understand both sides of the story. He is still young, he needs to be patient and fight for his chance. Clichy was behind Cole, yet worked his way into a first choice left back. Alex Song a young kid down the pecking order is now a fundamental part of our midfield. The most recent example of patience paying off is that of Johan Djourou who has been replaced time and time again by the likes of Kolo Toure even when he has performed in the red and white.

Looking at the situation from Nicklas Bendtner's view point, he is playing out of position on the right, he wants to play as a central striker but everyone in the world perhaps apart from Bendtner would say that he has a long way to go before he can contribute what his Dutch colleague can. He is the main man for his country, he is a very important player to Denmark and he needs weekly football at this age to improve.

Samir Nasri joined us at 21 and has been a permanent fixture in the Arsenal team which has allowed him to reach the levels he is at today. If he was on the bench behind Rosicky for example then he would never ever be the magician we are watching.. or were watching before his hamstring snapped.

I have had the feeling that Nicklas Bendtner will look to leave Arsenal because I do not see him replacing Van Persie as our number one forward. Currently you would say that he is number two in the pecking order but is that only because Chamakh is out of form?

Would Bendtner get in the team ahead of Chamakh in the first part of the season? I don't think so.

I like Bendtner, and I think he is a talent who has qualities that we do not have in our squad. If he had a season in the 'A team' then he would grow into a fantastic all round goal scorer but if he wants to leave the club to get that guarantee then I certainly will not be upset with him. He has been at the club from 16 years old, he has been loyal and has given his all so as long as it is with the boss' blessing then I would virtually shake his hand and wish him good luck for the future.

I am sure Arsene has his list of striking targets to replace him in the squad unless someone like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas made huge strides and would take his place.

Finally, I forgot to mention the Miyaichi debut in yesterday's blog. Impressive stuff from the young lad. Given the fact that he was playing in Europe for the first time, playing in a much higher level than he is used to and the fact that he actually started the game kind of bodes well for his future. Ok, he wasn't playing against Barcelona but he is still a teenager.

I am a sucker for pace and skill so I certainly will be keeping my eye open for his performances. He is a good looking chap as well so I am sure he will be a big thing in Japan if he continues to progress. With the reported interest in Eden Hazard from Arsene and the signing of Wellington now on loan at Levante and who is struggling to get pitch time. You have to wonder where all these wide players are going to fit in, but as always I am somewhat jumping the gun and thinking too far ahead for no good reason.

Right, here is to a healthy return to the squad after these Internationals from our players and for some knocks to our rival players. I am also hoping that Wilshere and Walcott can have a good game tonight.

Back tomorrow.

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Comments (15)

• 09-Feb-2011 14:41 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Miyaichi looks pretty fearless which is also a quality I love. Especially in a winger.
  
  If he does come good he will offer us something that we don't really have right now - a genuine winger who can go on the inside or the outside.
  
  Walcott has kind of been moulded to fit this role but is essentially a right-forward/striker but Miyaichi is a completely different prospect. Excellent with both feet, technical and loves taking on a player or three. A new type of threat that could provide the perfect anititode to our over-passing of the ball.

• 09-Feb-2011 15:24 | | wisy  - wisdom4alpple@yahoo.com
  

  Can Bendtner bench RVP if so let him be our main striker no problem. we are 100% ready to have him in our proposal

• 09-Feb-2011 17:42 | | Slice  - "bendtner has given his all!"
  

  Don't make me laugh!! He would have been held up by the throat if he swanned around laughing at each air shot like he does now. He would have been given the same up against the wall treatment Anelka got from Adams

• 09-Feb-2011 18:19 | | Adams  - Anxious wait
  

  Teriffic news about Djourou. Does anyone know how long Song is out for?
  
  Am a bit worried about tonight... I have a horrible feeling that we are going to see both Walcott and Wilshere pick up daft injuries in the daftest of friendlies.

• 09-Feb-2011 23:37 | | HR  - I want Bendtner at Arsenal for life
  

  I think he all the skills to be a top quality striker.
  When he got the run in our team l, he was actually carrying us by himself.
  He played well for Denmark toddy and I would hate to see him elsewhere.
  For all of his arrogance - he performs when he needs to.
  Remember the goal in Barcelona that would have taken us through if it wasn't for messi?
  Its a conundrum, a player like him deserves to be playing but I want him to stay at arsenal

• 10-Feb-2011 00:45 | | luis zelaya
  

  anyone know how frimpong is doing? i know he was supposedly out for almost all season, but it'd be nice having him now that song is out

• 10-Feb-2011 06:13 | | richie  - Coruption
  

  In England we like to think of ourselves above all that.
  We even make excuses saying a certain ref supports a certain team.
  In Arsenal's case we say the ref, the establishment, the media are anti French anti foreigner etc etc.
  
  But actual coruption isn't something that ever seriously mentioned. Oh yeah people will shout the ref's bent. How much are you paying them sir Alex? They must've taken a bung etc. etc.
  
  But actual money filled envelopes annonymously stuffed into lockers or left conveniantly for collection ain't something we really take seriously, but I dare say these things weren't credible in France and Italy until people ended up in prison and teams were demoted.
  
  Until arguably the biggest team in France Marseille had their director Bernard Tappet imprisoned for bribing ref's most of France thought the game was clean. Next up the grand old lady Juv again one of Italy's biggest falls for the same offence. And arrogantly we say yeah of couse what do you expect all Italians are Mafia linked only in Italy could that happen.
  
  Now many people myself included thought the World Cup bid was anything but transparent, (this is not a Chelski knock) and with Abromovitch in the mix would anyone be surprised if it eventually surfaces that officials were paid? If thats the case is it really a bridge to far to think that with the paltry amounts paid to refs, and the hugh amounts being paid to the other 22 on the field right under their noses that some refs could be tempted?
  
  Are we sure that under pressure club officials couldn't be tempted into offering a backhander? With the hugh amounts of money in our league are we really sure compared to France and Italy our own house is clean?

• 10-Feb-2011 07:11 | | goonergerry  - Bendtner - the truth
  

  Bendtner talks a lot- to the media-but if he had real confidence in his own ability he would stay at Arsenal and fight for his place. He flirts with the idea of moving elsewhere without realising he will never find a coach who is more likely to help him to become successful than Wenger. If he decides to leave- to any top club-in Italy, Spain or even Germany where more technical football is played he simply will not be first choice until he improves his first touch and movement and ball retention.
  His problem seems to be that he thinks he is playing better than he is. Sure he can score goals if he is given room but both Chamakh and RVP are well ahead of him in ball retention and movement. AW has given him more than a fair go.

• 10-Feb-2011 07:37 | | goonerboy  - Corruption- more likely incompetence
  

  Richie
  Unless you have evidence of corruption, you cant go around accusing people- not unless you want to invite legal action against you . However if you are saying that we should keep an open mind about the possibility of corruption then I agree totally. Corruption has deep roots in English football- the match fixing scandals of the early 60s that saw 3 England players imprisoned- George Graham in 1995 was found to have received a huge illegal payment are only a few proven examples. I , like you think it is entirely possible that referees are being bribed- but I think it is more likely that they just are incompetent- unable to decide what is and what isn't a foul tackle when standing only five yards away.

• 10-Feb-2011 10:52 | | MARLON Zizou  - Bendtner should stay.
  

  I Think Bendtner is a world class striker he is capable of doing anything when he is on form ,i think Wenger need to trust him a little bit more than Chamakh coz he is sharp and more of a goal scoler than chamakh. Bendtner is just unlucky playing in the same position as V.PERSIE.

• 10-Feb-2011 22:24 | | luis zelaya
  

  well goonerboy the problem with that logic are statistics, and those don't lie. how many times has manure gotten a penalty against us when we have travelled to old trafford? 4 out of 7? 7 out of 10? is it refereing incompetence? if you look at any other matchup between any other two teams in this league, or dare i say any other league in the world you won't find such an outstanding percentage of penalties awarded to the home team every time they play. (around 70%)
  
  dowd for his part, in the 4 games he has ref'd with us involved, has awarded 4 penalties against us, (1 per game) and 2 red cards.
  in the remaining 17 games he ref'd he gave 3 penalties and 5 red cards. it probably means nothing.
  
  incompetence perhaps?

• 11-Feb-2011 03:23 | | richie  - Fly on the wall if only
  

  Obviously reading my post you'll know I don't have evidence how could I? As you rightly observe I'm saying we should keep an open mind but I'm also saying we should think the unthinkable. You know there's no smoke without fire. When we see an incompetant ref we sholudn't automatically think incompetance, we should have inquiring minds and keep looking into it. Manu'er get so many decisions in their favour is it chance or a pattern? Believe me I've seen referee's arrive at a game with an agenda, and impliment it. GG always took his cut on transfers in those days everyone did. He just got caught. 'Arry the twitcher was always a wheeler dealer, isn't he still under investigation for some deals?

• 11-Feb-2011 03:31 | | richie  - Precisely my thoughts LZ
  

  Exactly I don't believe in coinsidence. You might meet your Ex in the street outside your house once. But if she turns up twice check the doors and windows.

• 11-Feb-2011 03:33 | | richie
  

  If those stats are right LZ thats reason enough to investigate.

• 11-Feb-2011 13:20 | | richie  - Quick note
  

  I love Sugar on the Apprentice but his plea of unfairness on behalf of the Tiny Totts was magnificent! Like one of Sugar's projects he gives out the Tiny Totts board misread the market they were pitching to. Their pitch was they didn't want the stadium all they wanted was the site and infastructure, and they didn't take into account that they were biding for "The Olyimpic Stadium". It quickly became evident that they'd wrong footed themselves and to hear Sir Alan complaining that the Tiny Totts hadn't been given a fair chance was priceless. If it had been in his show, the team leader Levy would of been given the finger followed your "your Fired"!
  What a Shame!

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