The Evening Standard says Arsenal have urged their supporters to refrain from taunting Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Chelsea left-back has been the subject of anti-gay chants by Arsenal fans.
However Jens Lehmann has told Ashley Cole he deserves any abuse he will take from Arsenal fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and mocked his decision to write an autobiography at such a young age, says the the Irish News.
It emerges that only about 4,000 people have bought Ashley Cole’s book, anyway. Lehmann says: “I am not fancying books from players who are 24 or 25 who would like to tell me about their big experience. When I consider my age (37), I would have a lot to tell. It seems to be an English habit, to come out with books that nobody needs.”
However: “He was a vital member of our squad and we had big success with him, so he has to expect some negative emotions. To write his book while he’s young, he made some mistakes, but he is still a nice guy and a fantastic player.”
Johan Djourou has been passed fit for Stamford Bridge and is set to partner Philippe Senderos at centre back bringing the back four average age to 21. So a player with a hamstring issue partners a centre back with a problem against Drogba and it doesn’t bode well.
Kolo Toure is suspended while William Gallas’ recovery from a thigh injury is expected to take at least one more week.
Thierry Henry (neck?) and Tomas Rosicky (groin/hamstring) are unavailable while Abou Diaby (ankle – assaulted by Dan Smith) and Lauren (knee) remain longer-term absentees.
Squad: Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Senderos, Clichy, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Gilberto, Hleb, van Persie, Almunia, Walcott, Adebayor, Baptista, Hoyte, Song, Flamini.
Chelsea are 4-7 to beat Arsenal (Paddy Power) – odds which were unthinkable three years ago. But it proves money can help buy success in sport. A quick calculation of the squad transfer values (in) are roughly £234m v £39m. In fact the likely Arsenal first eleven cost just £8m more than a Chelsea substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips. And the Chelsea subs bench over three times the cost of the Arsenal first eleven. Still we are where we are.
There was a story in a London paper last week about the latest European Commission/Parliament moves for a 70% turnover cap. It would mean both clubs would have very roughly a £100m cap on transfers and wages. Currently, as things stand, that would have a limiting effect on Chelsea and little effect on Arsenal.
Chelsea have won 10 of their 11 home fixtures in all competitions this season. Arsenal have lost their last three away league fixtures, and are 50-1 in the title race.
Meanwhile the G14 group of clubs have refused to rule out a proposal by the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, for a summer football season from February to November.
David Dein, chair of the G14 said: “If it is for the good of the game to have summer football – we have to be convinced. This has got to be discussed with the clubs, television, coaches and players. Someone has to ask the players; this is a work in progress.”
Now with temperatures rising to extremes in the summer, it would not necessarily suit UK born players, who haven’t acclimatised to playing in high temeratures.
However, another UEFA source said: “The idea of organising the calendar differently is for the protection of the players. Having 38 matches in the league, 15 in one cup, 10 in another and six international games is unworkable.”
The G14 wants the African Nations Cup moved to every four years. And there is progress on an insurance mechanism that will be able to compensate clubs whose players are injured on international duty.
On to transfer talk and loan moves. The Herald says John Hughes, the Falkirk head coach, has urged Arsenal to resolve the future of striker Anthony Stokes, so he can devote more time to contract talks with other players. Falkirk are still waiting to hear from Arsenal as they seek to extend the teenager’s stay at the club beyond next month.
Harry Redknapp continues to try and replicate the old Arsenal defence by making a £2.5m bid for Birmingham City’s Matthew Upson when the January transfer window opens. Tony Adams is on the coaching staff and Sol Campbell is at the heart of the defence. Hughes and Kanu are also Portsmouth-Arsenal old boys.
Watford’s £3m rated Ashley Young says he’ll stay with The Hornets even if they are relegated.
And finally, the funniest quote of the week goes to Chris Kamara, who said, when Arsenal were 3-0 up against Spurs: “You can see the noise Arsenal fans are making.” Maybe he had one of the latest Sky techno-gadgets, a noiseometer, but most probably not.