These pundits simply have no idea the stress they put on an Arsenal fan. Day after day, to tease me to desperation with hints of Schwarzer, glimpses of Marchetti, and now whispers of Given, is simply too cruel for words. I find myself at an interesting crisis of morality, as I now lend these probably false publications an air of credence by blogging about them.
Regardless, the latest is that Given wants out of Man City and fancies a move to Arsenal. Joe Hart has started every single preseason game for the Saudi money laundering front that is City and it seems that Given has finally caught on; he won't be starting for them. Has everyone taken leave of their minds? There are two clear problems with Given to Arsenal. One, Shay Given is clearly a superior keeper to Joe Hart. Hart may be the future of England and have a beautiful blond head of hair, but Given is currently the best keeper in the premier league and the captain of his national side to boot. Furthermore, Arsenal are in direct competition with City for a Champions League birth. They will also view us as their primary competitor for a top four spot (assuming that Tottenham will never again get as many lucky breaks as last year). I can't see even an ass as big as Mancini seeing a benefit to strengthening Arsenal. Regardless, Given came out yesterday and basically said he fancies a move to the Emirates should he not be City's number one.
I haven't joined City to sit on the bench or whatever. I've gone there to play. If that's not the case, I suppose I'll sit down on Monday with the club and see where to go after that. You don't want to miss any football so, for me, it's very important that I play. Link.
However, the rumors about Schwarzer still persist. Even though it's been widely published that Wenger wants him for 2 mil and Hughes values him at 4, the latest scoop is that Brad Friedel will head to Fulham to replace the Aussie after his move to the Emirates. Supposedly, this is also the straw that broke Martin O'Neill's back. Though I must say, it's damnedly hard to buy and sell players without a manager so don't expect Friedel to move anywhere until O'Neill's replacement is on hand.
In other news, Samir Nasri has been speaking out on his goals for the season. He's been clearly our finest player in preseason, although to be fair he's also been our only good player (bar Vermaelen) playing in any of the games. He's come out and explained what's currently grinding his gears:
I missed football for two-and-a-half months. I had a lot of time to rest and ask myself questions. I am not hungry now, I am starving. I'm not fighting Cesc for one position. We'll prove Evra wrong, no men v boys this season. Link
Another article had an interesting piece on him where he says that the reason he and Benzema weren't picked for the France squad is because Domenech thinks of them as 'troublemakers'. You would have thought old Raymond might see that as a plus in his picks, judging from the hellish squad and captain he chose for this year's Cup. Have people really forgotten that not 18 months ago, Patrice Evra started a fight with the Chelsea groundsmen during a post-match stretch? Of course that didn't stop old Uncle Larry from singing his praises. You can't make a blind man see, or so they say.
Anyways, I'll continue to make predictions about the Anfield game on Sunday as the international friendlies finish up and we find out what's what with our injured and recovering players. The season hasn't started yet, and Denilson, Diaby, Song, and Bendtner are all injured plus the gaffer claims neither Robin nor Cesc will see the field. Vela will undoubtedly delay his return for a week or so, which leaves me with the following lineup for Liverpool.
Almunia
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Clichy
Frimpong
Nasri - Wilshere
Arshavin - Chamakh - Rosicky
Of course it wouldn't be Arsenal though without an injury or two during the internationals. Let me say this, if Wilshere or Vermaelen or Nasri get injured on Wednesday playing for their respective countries, we are well and truly scuppered. Honestly, we won't stand a chance. Fernando Torres, little Stevie Gerrard, and Joe Cole are all fit and looking to play. Don't discount Joe Cole, he's a damn good player on his day and I'd expect a recall to the England side coming soon.
We must have new signings to compete in the Prem this season, but as of right now, none look too likely. A small positive though, Rosicky pledged his future to the club so that's something. Albeit a weak, sickly, injury prone future. Regardless, at the moment Anfield looks a daunting task in the face of an understaffed Arsenal side.
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