Twente is not a friendly game.
Twente is not training. Twente might be a nervous night.
Twente beat Ajax in a play-off to get into a play-off for the Champions League. So Arsenal is their final eliminator in what I call the UCL3Q- the Third Qualifying Round
How will Twente handle the big beast, Adebayor?
Against Ajax, when both clubs played their strongest sides, Adebayor missed two sitters, and when Arsenal went 2-0 down, it looked as if they might lose 4-0.
But they played well in the second half and won 3-2, with Adebayor scoring twice. He also set up Bendtner for the third. Never mind that the ball was just out of play before Ade crossed it from the right side
Adebayor is that kind of player. He will always miss two sitters, then score a goal. Except when he misses three sitters. Everybody knows that. We have to live with that. Emmanuel Adebayor is not what you want, but he’s what you’ve got.
Without his power, Arsenal would not finish in the top four. If Togo had qualified last season, the African Nations would have messed him up, just as it messed up Toure, Drogba, Essien and others. So Togo not qualifying was a massive boost for Arsenal.
The 1-1 draw against Sevilla, which has been described in detail by Ian Grant, was a good effort by the boys. Some ragged play, lots of mistakes, and they rode their luck. But, overall, a decent effort and enough to win the tournament.
Nice to hear Martin Tyler’s voice again, as he is the only football commentator I’ve ever liked or respected. In the Algarve I know a little street where you can hear Martin’s commentary coming out of every bar.
Martin said that the team would fly home right after the Sevilla game. Only Wenger and Van Persie would remain. The manager has allowed RVP to spend a couple of days with his family before linking up again with the team, which will return to Holland on Tuesday.
Although he was average against Ajax, Van Persie is fit and happy at the moment. He has been raving about Jack Wilshere, how fearless the lad is, what a great talent he is.
Before the players came back to start pre-season training, Van Persie, Sagna and Walcott were working together in the gym the week before. Walcott and van Persie became close when both were injured and they did a lot of rehab work one summer.
The season is picking up pace now, Portsmouth play Manchester United today in the Community Shield, and Arsenal’s first serious game is three days away. Roll on, Twente and Steve McClaren.
Denilson has been holding the side together lately. He will be important against Twente. After the 3-2 victory over Ajax, Fabregas said, “For me, for Kolo, it’s our first game. We just want to get minutes in our legs.”
The fact that Toure and Fabregas have only played one game is a big concern for Arsene. All managers worry about things like that. But I don’t think he’ll go 4-5-1 on Wednesday night.
Arsene says he won’t sign anybody till after that game.
Really, as the first game gets nearer, the issues became clearer. Arsenal’s big players have to step up to the plate. And keep stepping up to the plate. And stay fit.
Adebayor is one of those, obviously. As I say, Adebayor is what you’ve got, even if he’s not what you want.
A week ago I explained my decision to update The Professor. That piece already seems a long time ago.