By Ian Grant
£25,000 for ‘no personality’; £22,500 for racial abuse: Is the FA a laughing stock
On the day that Patrick Vieira gets singled out, fined £25,000 and banned for two matches for claiming a referee has “no personality’, linked organisation UEFA ups the fine for PSV Eindhoven’s fans’ racial abuse of Thierry Henry to £22,500.
What does this tell you about the values of the FA?
Meanwhile here is a weekly news review:
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Mark Schwarzer said he was flattered that Manchester United and Arsenal have him in their sights and is open to offers.
He said he’s under contract, “But I wouldn’t rule out anything, I’d be mad to. It’s every player’s dream to play for one of the really big clubs and the chance to play on bigger stage of Europe’s Champions League.”
Middlesbrough’s Steve McClaren has denied preparing a big bid for Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers.
Nottingham Forest teenager, Michael Dawson says he’s cool about interest from Leeds and Arsenal.
Djurgardens young midfielder Kim Kallstrom is a target for Aston Villa, Arsenal and Parma, according to the local Birmingham press.
TEAM
“Arsenal’s back four were getting turned more than I can remember in a long time.” said Ron Atkinson. He said it was down to Radzinski running wide.
Wayne Rooney’s strike was worth £1500 – a win bonus.
Wenger explained: “When I was quoted as saying we could go through the season unbeaten, what I really wanted was for us to improve on last season. We only lost three last time, so I was looking for two, one or even no defeats. Now the aim is to not lose again, to start again and maintain another run. I know we have the character to do that.”
Arsenal lead Spurs in games without a 0-0 at 49 to 47.
Bookies didn’t revise Arsenal’s title odds that much following their defeat. Arsenal are 8-11 to be champions come May, with the Liverpool 2-1 shots.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Prior to the Auxerre match, their manager Guy Roux said: “They (Arsenal) have troubles just like we do. They were unable to cope with the problem of players who had international duties last week.”
Germany defender Christoph Metzelder is set to miss the clash with Arsenal in the Champions League because of a broken nose, sustained in a match last week-end.
PLAYERS
George Graham insisted that David Seaman should carry on as England’s goalkeeper – because there is no-one good enough to take his place.
France Football lamented the Sylvain Wiltord’s diffidence with the press, but said his international colleagues eulogise about him. “He’s capable of strokes of genius,” enthuses Thierry Henry.
Zola and Shearer went ahead of Henry and Wiltord in the race for the golden boot (leading Premiership scorer).
Alex Ferguson, who thinks Roy Keane is being victimised, alluded to Patrick Vieira of Arsenal being let off unpunished last season after he had been implicated by television evidence of elbowing offences.
Arsenal players have put their hands in their own pockets and are helping the Arsenal Ladies team this year. “It’s great. We really appreciate it and it has given us a lot more publicity,” says player Jayne Ludlow.
Ludlow used to be a Liverpool supporter, but her experience at Arsenal has turned her into a committed Gooner.
Robert Pires said: “The seven months [out injured] have done me good actually. Because injury is part of a footballer’s life and also because the break allowed me to see how much I meant to some people. It has made me stronger.”
Lauren said: “When you have Zidane, Raul, Figo and Ronaldo in your team it’s difficult to balance the defence with the attack. Perhaps that’s why Arsenal is more solid and better balanced than Real Madrid.”
Thierry Henry is rated as the best Premiership player this season in the Independent’s index with 7.8 average mark.
MISCELLANEOUS
Arsenal 5 West Brom 2 remains the highest aggregate score this season in the Premiership.
OLD BOYS
Tony Adams is to be patron of the young writers festival at the Royal Court Theatre.