Arsene says Nasri could be back against newly-promoted West Brom tomorrow.
That might improve Arsenal’s bantamweight midfield. It could mean that Walcott was back on the right flank, his best position. But the manager might keep Eboue on the right and have Walcott on the bench.
Samir Nasri is a talented French lad who will take a minimum of four months to settle in : September, October, November, December. He takes too many touches and hasn’t yet adjusted to the pace of Arsenal’s passing. He’s come from a league that is 30% slower.
Therefore he won’t begin to look like a £12million midfielder till after Xmas. Remember, he is a kid. Before Euro 2008, I said Nasri wouldn’t play much for France in the tournament. And he didn’t.
Before the Twente game I thought Theo Walcott would play well and probably score. He had looked stronger, chunkier, bouncier, more powerful in pre-season games. That turned out to be misplaced optimism, a naive comment. Walcott went missing in the first half and didn’t help Clichy, didn’t cover his left back.
As a left winger, Walcott might cut it if he was playing with Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira, Manu Petit and Ray Parlour. It doesn’t matter that Walcott is not left-footed. Overmars and Pires were not left-footed. Ljungberg wasn’t – and Nasri isn’t. This manager always signs right-footed left wingers, apart from Reyes, who was signed for his pace and aggression. He wants his left wingers to come inside and pass or shoot, rather than go outside and cross.
Since Nasri is Arsenal’s main signing of 2008, and since he cost £12 million, it’s important that he makes it. He will need time. The Arsenal crowd, who are among the most tolerant supporters in England, will give him time. Nasri will come good, and score goals, but it’s unlikely to be this week or next month. I’m sure the fans will be realistic and patient.
This week has shown what we knew already : Arsenal can’t play without Fabregas. But they can win without Fabregas.
And now their job on the first day of the new Premier League season is to beat West Brom without Fabregas.
I reckon Chelsea will beat Portsmouth by one goal. Manchester United will smash Newcastle on Sunday, as Rooney will be back.
The most interesting clash is Sunderland-Liverpool.
Andy Gray says Liverpool CAN make a genuine challenge for the league this time, as long as Rafa doesn’t tinker too much.
But I think Rafa will switch, chop and change. He is a tactical tinkerer who sees every game as a different challenge to the one before. In the past Rafa has not taken the league seriously but we are now told that the fans demand their first title since 1990. On Wednesday, Liverpool were lucky to draw 0-0 in Belgium, where Standard Liege missed a penalty. Stevie G came on for Robbie Keane in 66. That could be a hint that Torres, Keane and Gerrard will not start many games together.
Arsene says he will sign one player before the FC Twente second leg.