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 A star is born?
Jack Wilshere raises the roof
Well, that wasn’t too bad, was it? Two games, two wins, a nice piece of silver, (or bronze? I am colour blind, so forgive me), and two man of the match performances from the 17 year old Jack Wilshere. I thought that both Wilshere and Fran Merida had filled out since last term and there’s no reason why they can’t play a part this season. Many more performances like that from young Jack and we can expect the media to go into overdrive, especially as Fabio Capello was watching him today. (To be fair, this article will not help quell the inevitable furore, but this is an Arsenal blog). I’m looking forward to hearing commentators prefacing his name with his age for the next couple of years, as is the way with all precocious teenagers. The fact he’s left-footed won’t help, either, as left feet are invariably ‘cultured’. (As in bacterial?)
For the first time since its inception I gave the whole tournament a miss, preferring to spend the weekend on my settee flicking between the Ashes and the Emirates Cup, although yesterday’s deluge at Edgbaston meant that there was no competition when we kicked off against Atletico Madrid. Looking at the packed house and the rare Summer sun this afternoon I was almost rueful that I’d decided not to buy a ticket and then I remembered how skint I am and how much of that is due to the price of my season ticket. Anyway, returning to matters on the pitch, I don’t think we’re shaping up too badly as an attacking unit – Arshavin looks more and more magical with every game, (how did he manage to squeeze that second goal in yesterday?), Cesc looks sharp, Van Persie looks fit, as does Eduardo and the sight that I thought I’d never see came to pass: Tomas Rosicky in an Arsenal shirt. Add the aforementioned teenagers, Bendtner and Carlos Vela and we’re a match for anyone. We still need a central midfield presence, however, and a more adept outfit that Rangers would have made us pay for some characteristic sloppiness at the back today. I’ve been reading about the prospect of Patrick Vieira returning with increasing incredulity, as it goes against all of Wenger’s supposed principles. My line on any return is that if it as well as some new signings, preferably at centre half and centre midfield, then I’m all for it. He could almost be viewed as a new player-coach, assisting the manager in training and giving Cesc the benefit of his experience on the midfield. Maybe I’ve been watching too much cricket, but the notion of an old pro whispering valuable advice to the current skipper in trying situations, like a grey Winter’s day at the Reebok, seems like a welcome one. On the other hand if we’re signing him to prevent the spectacle of one of our all-time legends playing for Tottenham in the hope he can reprise his old role, it sends out a rather desperate message. (He’s hardly going to be able to play twice a week, is he? We don’t need a Ledley King figure at Ashburton Grove). For now, I’m remaining confident that Arsene has a plan and that all will be well come Saturday week. It is very un-Arsene Wenger to come out with statements such as the one reported in today’s Observer where he professes that he’ll make any signings sooner rather than later so that the squad will be ready to rock come Goodison Park on the 15th August. Finally, a quick word about Sir Bobby Robson. Unexpected Friday’s sad news may have been, but when you compare his values and passion for the game you start to sense what we are losing (have lost?) in this country – a pure, unadulterated joy in the game we all fell in love with, regardless of the greed, immorality and endless hoopla that is the modern English game. Rest In Peace, Bobby and thanks for those memories at Mexico ’86 and Italia ’90.
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Posted 2nd Aug 2009
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