By Ian Grant
PLAYERS
The received wisdom is that Patrick Vieira may get away with the incidents at Leeds, despite being found guilty by the English FA’s video panel. The FA have the option of overriding the panel’s decision or the FA Disciplinary Committee might let him off.
The Telegraph pointed to Arsenal’s problems: missing injured David Seaman; Oleg Luzhny is more of a squad player than a regular right-back; Robert Pires must improve his defensive duties while Sylvain Wiltord and Nwankwo Kanu desperately need a goal.
The Guardian points to Freddie Ljungberg’s habit of drifting inside instead of providing a reliable outlet on the right. “While on the opposite flank Robert Pires is determined to hold on to the ball longer than the now departed Marc Overmars.”
The People points to a job at Arsenal for Graham Rix.
Patrick Mboma, the Parma and Cameroon forward, won the African footballer of the year award, with his international teammate, Lauren in second place. Last year’s winner Kanu of Nigeria, was fifth.
Adams expects his Sporting Chance Clinic to be approved by the Charity Commission on 12 December.
The refuge for alcoholics has been broadened to include other sports in order to comply with the commission’s requirements. The priority now is finding a site and the money to pay for it, with a health club to be built in conjunction.
He says:”There will be a physiologist in there to keep people fit so if a club sends me someone, we can send them back with a clear head but also fit to play. We are also going to deal with ex-pros because a lot of them have problems when they finish and have nothing to replace the buzz.”
The Arsenal chairman said: “What would worry me is if I thought we had seriously dirty players but we don’t. Patrick is a very dignified and sensible young man, although sometimes he gets wound up and things happen. Our manager is also a very sensible and sound person.”
Among the items available to the highest bidder at the Ingrave Johnstone School Association’s ‘Sealed Bid Auction’ are a pair of gloves signed by Arsenal and England keeper David Seaman, and
Tony Adams’ Arsenal shirt, signed by the whole team.
On new signing Svard, Liam Brady said: “He’ll play in the youth team but mostly for the reserves.”
Tony Adams said on Dennis Bergkamp’s tackle: “It was the first tackle I have seen from Dennis since I came here. We must be getting a response if he is getting vicious.”
Arsene Wenger said:”Arsenal are ‘no good in the air and have to play it along the ground.’ We have no time, with their Champions’ League commitments, to practise headers. We have tall players. But they are not good in the air.”
ARSENAL LADIES
Angela Banks, of Arsenal Ladies, scored five goals as they beat Liverpool, the bottom club, 11-0 to remain four points clear at the top of the table.
EUROPE
Following the 4-1 defeat of Arsenal, Spartak Moscow thrashed French side Vichy 11-1, prior to meeting Lyon. They were amateurs.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich had not met before in European competition.
Arsene Wenger and Uli Hoeness, the managing director of Bayern, confer with each other often, and according to one paper, Wenger inspected Bayern’s training set up and “tailored the basic blueprint to his club’s needs”.
Stefan Effenberg said:”I have great memories of Highbury. It’s a rather beautiful stadium, with a positive atmosphere generated by the fans. I remember leaving London with the feeling that being the home team in a pure football stadium like Highbury must be a wonderful feeling.”
According to the Indy on Sunday, ” On Wednesday, Arsenal should fancy their chances [against Bayern].”
One paper says ex-Arsenal forward, Tony Woodcock is now the Alan Hansen of German TV.
Prior to midweek,Victor Chandler quoted Manchester United as 7-2 favourites for the Champions League, with Madrid 4-1, AC Milan 7-1 and four teams bracketed on the 9-1 mark – Deportivo La Coruna, Bayern Munich, Valencia, and Arsenal. Arsenal have now drifted out to 14/1.
TRANSFERS
According to the Sunday Mirror, Barcelona are prepared to listen to offers for former Gunners duo Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit just four months after splashing out £30m to sign them.
Guillaume Norbert has left Arsenal for Reading on a month’s loan.
MONEY
According to Marketing Magazine, Arsenal’s deals with Nike and Sega are worth £10m.
According to Granada Media’s financial report, Arsenal has one million fans in London alone. “In 2001 we will complete the first phase of development with a comprehensive website relaunch and begin to roll-out the businesses into international markets.”
MISCLELLANEOUS
One paper said, after days of internal agonising at Soho Square, a decision on the video panel’s view that there is a case to answer. [Haven’t they got anything better to do with their time?]
Alan Green in The Belfast newsletter said:”Vieira is ‘innocent’… I don’t believe he meant to kick Olivier Dacourt in the throat. Instead, if I was on the FA disciplinary panel, I’d be far more concerned that Arsenal ‘won’ the bookings count by 7 to 1 when Leeds committed just as many fouls in the game and both Lee Bowyer and Dacourt were guilty of shameful acting after fair challenges.”
“Fulham are as good as Arsenal and Everton,” said Dave Moyes after Preston’s 1-1 draw.
The Telegraph said that Saturday’s goal against Southampton was one for the ‘worst goal of the month’.
The Indy said, preference for the rapier over the broadsword leaves Wenger short of an attacking alternative.
The team scoring most in the last quarter is Manchester United, who have found the net 12 times in the final 22 minutes this season, compared to Arsenal’s 10. Three of those Arsenal goals have warrented five points.
Glenn Hoddle said: “I still believe they [Arsenal] can challenge Manchester United.”