I really thought Arsenal would beat Aston Villa 2-1.
But it was a 0-0 draw.
Arsenal are third and will finish third.
So it’s third place, no trophies again, buy more kids, get Chamakh on a free. Chamakh might be good with Arshavin, if Arshavin is still around.
Vermaelen has a suspected broken leg. A scan will be done today.
Eduardo is out with a hamstring.
The long-heralded return of cocky Nicklas Bendtner, the 3-goal hero from Denmark, went softly phut last night as NB52 bottled a left-foot shot and miscontrolled a vital ball. Rusty? You could say that.
When sub Sol Campbell chased the rampaging Richard Dunn, he grabbed his Dunn’s arm, and brought him down, but the ref waved play on. The bigger club got that decision, as the big clubs mainly do.
The churlish Wenger seemed concussed after the game, seemed to be on autopilot, very depressed. He accused Villa of “a very long-ball game.”
Not so, monsieur.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen said Sol is now well short of what’s needed to be an Arsenal player. “His next three games are Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – all the best !”
Meaning : good luck Sol, you’re gonna need it.
Defender Chris Smalling, 21, is an Arsenal fan, but has signed for Manchester United, who will allow him to play at Fulham for the rest of the season. No mystery why he prefers to go north. Manchester United win trophies and have British players he can talk to.
Manchester United? Will write about them tomorrow.
I’ve Sky+ed Mad Men, our favourite show, but can’t watch it tonight as I’m out.
Also Sky+ed the extended Arsenal-Villa highlights from Football First. Do I feel like watching those highlights now?
Not really. This morning at 8.30 I’m watching Andy Murray, the greatest British tennis player of all time. Those two sets against Nadal were good tennis with very good rallies. His record against Croatian Marin Cilic is good. His record against Federer is pretty good too.
I fancy Murray to win his first grand slam in Melbourne. The kid from Dunblane done good so far.