Interesting article in Building magazine, by season ticket holder, local resident, architect and fan Amanda Levete.
She thinks the atmposphere is better, more exaggerated than Highbury. But complains that coats get caught in the seats. People stand up when the ball comes near the goal. And she can’t get a drink at half-time.
On the plus side – she says Arsenal have built a fantastic refuse plant where you can recycle almost anything and afterwards you are handed a damp towel to clean your hands just like you are in a five-star cloakroom.
On the stadium design: “a melange of borrowed elements that don’t hang together with any conviction. It is even ugly in its massing, resembling an over-risen souffle by day.”
And inside: “Inside, the homage to corporations is rampant.”
Leverte adds: “the best bit is the teams’ changing rooms. Arsenal has a wonderfully spacious horse shoe arrangement, uncluttered by columns so that no player is out of Arsene’s view at any time. By contrast the away team has a somewhat cramped L-shaped layout with plenty of scope for dissent and sulking.”
The Standard says Roberto Carlos say he was first choice left back, not Cole – but things didn’t work out between him Chelsea and Real.
On to more serious matters and Gael Clichy could be back for the Watford game, after appearing for a half at the 2-1 win at West Ham Reserves.
In that game Aliadiere was in superb form, beating several players and slotting home before half time. Arsenal won from a deflected shot via Joe O’ Cearuill.
Fran Merida delivered some good left foot crosses, but over-elaborated at times, giving possession away.
Arsene Wenger has said Fabregas, Kolo Toure and Senderos have the capabilities to Arsenal captain’s of the future. He said Henry, Lehmann and Gilberto are experienced captains of the current generation.
Rui Fonte, 16, the Portugal Under-17 international has signed a three-year deal with Arsenal after impressing on trial. He came through the Sporting youth ranks but he had yet to sign a professional contract.
Fonte, who made his Arsenal debut in their academy side’s 4-3 win at Southampton.
Congratulations to David Dein on becoming chairman of the G14. See the Newsnight allegations didn’t stick. And unlikely that Chelsea will gain admitance, in the short term, anyway.
Congratulations to Thierry Henry on topping the poll for the Premiership’s Greatest Foreign Players. It involved 1.6 million fans and conducted for Sky One.
Four Arsenal players figured in the top 20: Dennis Bergkamp was sixth, Patrick Vieira seventh, and Robert Pires 17th.