Seven Ominous Days

A hell of a lot happened in Gunnerworld in the past seven days. A hell of a lot that may have huge, huge impact on the season ahead.


Let’s try to see how.


Firstly, Cesc Fabregas. He appeared before very anxious fans to lead the rest of the players out on Members’ Day at the Emirates. Smiling, relaxed and free as a spirit. Twenty-four hours later, he committed himself to remaining at Arsenal; laying to rest all the season-long rumours, antics, remarks and underhand tactics from Barcelona. Not for him any denial or play on our collective intelligence.


He came out like a man and confessed that going back to Barca was quite tempting and he was tempted; but he is choosing to stay and lead the team with the responsibility entrusted on him by so many. Wise words indeed.


Two days later, Arsenal rounded up their pre-season with a game against Legia in Warsaw. It was supposedly part of the deal that brought Lukasz Fabianski from there. Almost naturally, Lukasz started the game in goal. And almost naturally still, he flapped his way to a disastrous three-goal deficit by half-time. The look on Wenger’s face as the cameras zoomed in while the goals rained in probably said it all – Lukasz won’t make it here. Not now. Not in the future. Probably not ever. Though Arsenal eventually overpowered the Poles 6-5, the No 1 thought on the minds of all Gunners watching was a message to Wenger; Buy a goalie – fast!


Later that evening, Jack and Kieran earned their first call-ups to the England national side. And how they have earned it! Nice one guys. Keep the Arsenal flag flying.


On Tuesday afternoon, August 10, Ulsterman Martin O’Neill threw in the towel and walked out on Aston Villa, just four days to the start of the Premier League. Despite finishing sixth and running both Tottenham and Man City close for the Champions League fourth spot, O’Neill deemed Aston Villa not ambitious enough to match his own lofty heights.


Arsenal haven’t beaten Villa at Villa Park since 2007 when a Flamini scorcher helped us to a 2-1 win. Since then, O’Neill has splurged his American benefactor’s cash to break into the top four and earn himself some much-needed respect. He even hung onto Arsenal’s coattails for so long in season 2008-2009 before we finally shook them off and nicked fourth place.

Oh no, not another horror show!!

Now the Americans are tightening the purse strings and O’Neill can’t handle it. From all indications, Villa’s season is imploding before the first ball has been kicked. One less thing for Wenger to worry about, it seems.

Wednesday night, England beat Hungary 2-1 in their first game since the World Cup debacle. All the Arsenal lads did well and acquitted themselves respectably. All the Arsenal lads, including consistently-inconsistent Theo Walcott. When was the last time Arsenal had three players on the pitch in an England game? You’ll have to go back more than ten years when late Bobby Robson was manager of England.

So, what a week it has been! A mixed bag surely, but there seemed to have been more cause for cheers than fears innit for all Gunners.

Hope springs ahead of the new season. Just as long as Wenger learnt the lessons of Warsaw and ships Lukasz out on loan somewhere. In a week where 18year-olds Kieran and Jack announced their arrivals on the international scene with relish, 22 year-old Lukasz rubber-stamped his mediocrity.

It’s a new season please Mr Wenger. Surely we can’t start with our hearts in our mouths yet again. We can’t afford the calamity that Lukasz has become, this season.