Written by Mean Lean on Friday, 11 March 2011 14:32
I have had the strangest of days so far, I hope my day can see a bit of normality now. After my dishwasher breaking down and then half ruining my electric cooker by leaving the milk to boil over almost all over the whole top of it. I later found myself being questioned about my life at the bus stop by two old women. I thought they were friends until one of them told me that the other one was her daughter. The mother told me that the world was set to end in 2012. Her grandson told her that and she saw it on the news of course. They followed me around the bus until I was forced to get off too soon just to escape their voices. This meant that I missed my train and had to wait for another half an hour *sigh*
However, I am up for taking all this punishment if lady luck shines down on the Arsenal from now until May. I think it's only fair don't you think? Although I think one of two of the readers should step forward and take some of the work load off my shoulders.
Lady luck needs to get on with it though, clearly she is having a day off as our young keeper Szczesny has been ruled out for six weeks following his dislocated finger at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Depending on Manuel Almunia's performances from now until those six weeks then it could be the end of the younger Pole's season.
If Almunia takes confidence from his Barcelona display and the defence continues to do well then I don't see Arsene rushing Szczesny back into the team unless he really needs to. I doubt that will be a popular thing to say but it would make sense.
I don't imagine many other clubs would have a goalkeeper with such experience at third choice. If he can replicate his pre West Brom form then we more than have a keeper good enough for the run in, much depends on self belief I would imagine.
I am obviously pleased that we can get an emergency keeper but I think the rule is a little silly really. Why are clubs allowed to get a new keeper outside of the window? You have a squad, including reserves and youths and you should have to use those players and deal with whatever problems come your way. I also think that managers should be allowed to play whatever team they want, a squad is a squad and the manager should use his squad as he wishes. Anyway, that is just my thoughts on the matter.
In yesterday's blog I said that I think Arsene will rotate his squad around and play the fresh players against Manchester United but today I am not so sure. Losing at Old Trafford after our recent defeats would not be good for our health. Our as in the team but yes, the supporters also. We need to get back on the bike and quick because the next 14 or so possible games. But having said that, playing players on the edge physically after a gruelling midweek game is a risk, a risk in a competition that although important, is not as important as the league.
The boss will have to weigh up the pros and cons and send out a team fit, fresh and talented enough to beat our nearest rivals.
It will also be interesting to see what Fergie does as he has an important Champions League game a few days later. His team have not been playing very well of late which has seen them lose their last two games. Will he want his side to gain a psychological advantage over us or fine tune his players for the more important game three days later? A similar position to Arsene Wenger but instead of having just played a game, he has one coming up.
I am going to have to miss the game, my first of the season I think and that makes me a little sad. It is the Grandad in-law's 90th surprise birthday so I will have a headphone stuck in my ear on the sly me thinks.
You may or may not have noticed a few minor changes around the site in the last few days. I have a few little ideas that I want to implement in the future so I shall keep you posted.
If you have any ideas or thoughts about the site, likes or dislikes then please let me know if you find a spare minute or so, that would be great.
Apologies to those who leave comments on the site to myself directly and I do not reply immediately, I often have to write and run but I do my best to respond when I can. There are any great Gooners who drop by in the comments so pull up a seat and mingle.
Right, happy Friday and stuff.
Back tomorrow with a pre Manc article.
Fancy writing your own articles for fellow Gooners to read? Click Your Vision section.
Copyright © 2012 Arsenal Vision. All Rights Reserved.
Arsenal News 24/7
Comments (6)