By Myles Palmer
A year ago the whisper was that Arsene Wenger fancied playing Lauren at right back, taking over from Lee Dixon.
Clearly, that did not work out during 2000/2001.
Now, a year down the line, Wenger played him at right back against Mallorca.
And Lauren was excellent.He was solid, steady, broke well with the ball and made one terrific tackle in the box.
I think Lauren is a tremendous player and I love him in midfield, but I know Wenger did not pick Lauren at right back for the amusement of Eurosport viewers or Austrian football fans.
We know that all managers experiment in pre-season.We also know that Wenger has been thinking about his right back spot for five years. He is still thinking about it. Vivas was not the answer. Nor was Luzhny.
So the first thing to look forin tonight’s team selection against Roma is whether Lauren is at right back again.
In the second half Jermaine Pennant looked lively and productive on the right wing.
Pennant is getting to the point where he should be in the 16 for Premiership games, or go out on loan.
He obviously has the ability to play Premiership football. Skilful, fast, quite two-footed, a good dribbler. And hes getting stronger all the time.
So it is not a question of ability. It’s a question of confidence and how much he wants it.
Surrounded by good role-models, Pennant is well-placed to make a major career in professional football. Whether he can, nobody knows. The next months or two will be important for him.
Every player is different and not everyone benefits from going out on loan. It’s a call only one man can make.
Wenger probably has offers from league clubs every week, asking for Pennant and other youngsters to come on loan. The manager has to decide what is best for Arsenal in the short term, and what is best for the player in the long term.
It’s a tricky one, and tonight’s game is just a friendly, not a real game.
It will be difficult to beat Roma, but Wenger won’t worry about the result too much if Lauren and Pennant play as well as they did on Monday night.
August 1st 2001.