Bolton at home ideal for Sol, Eastmond’s impressive debut & A Spanish warning
When feasible, Wenger has made changes in every position except in central defence. But the partnership of Gallas and Vermaelen has only been broken up for Carling cup matches and that match against Olympiakos.
Amidst all the talk about this being our worst season in terms of injuries, we have been extremely fortunate that Vermaelen and more importantly Gallas have remained fit enough to play as often as they have. It is evident though at some point Gallas will require rest. At 32, he cannot maintain his intensity on a quantitative basis. After all this is the guy who missed the last part of our season last year, including a Champions League semi final. Largely resolute this season, however at times, he has been physically outmuscled. Against Everton, Cahill made Sol Gallas his victim and the Toffees nearly scored.
This is where for me, Sol should come in. There have been murmurings that Sol could start against Stoke. But wouldn’t it be better for him to mark his return against Bolton at home? The Trotters’ success came from exploiting the gap from Traore’s flank. With Clichy back, Traore will almost certainly not start. Which means, Coyle’s Bolton will most likely opt for the tried and tested ‘lump it up for Kevin Davies and hope for the best’. If Sol starts, Davies will not find it easy to make his mark on the game.
Eastmond’s impressive debut
Eastmond's passes in 65 minutes
His name on the team sheet made me a little apprehensive but not as much as when he was withdrawn for Merida 65 minutes later. Later Arsene revealed that fatigue was the reason why Eastmond was substituted. With age, he will improve on his physical attributes along with the mental and technical attributes. He didn’t look intimidated at Bolton, maintained positional discipline and kept it simple. All this at 19, in arguably the most important position on the pitch.* I’d like him to be involved again on Wednesday but with Denilson’s return this seems unlikely doesn’t it? Still if Eastmond could impress at Bolton, he can definitely repeat that in more comfortable surroundings.
A Spanish warning
It was fitting that Fabregas was the first to congraluate Merida when he scored our second goal. Merida might be frustrated at not getting games and talk has surfaced that he might ditch us for Atletico Madrid. If he does, he only needs to look at the career of one Jose Antonio Reyes. Reyes is slowly emerging from the doldrums. Yes he won a title at Real Madrid but it has been a bit quiet since then hasn’t it? I watched him against Sporting Gijon and he was impressive. But who knows what he could have achieved had he stayed at Arsenal. It would be in Merida’s best interests to stay and learn from the likes of Cesc, Rosicky and Arshavin.
DENILSON SHOULD NOT PLAY AS HE’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.WE HAVE CREATIVE PLAYERS IN THE MIDFIELD ALREADY.WHAT WE NEED IS SOMEONE WHO WILL MAKE TACKLES AND BREAK THINGS UP.FOR ME DENILSON CANT DO THAT.I SAY PLAY EASTMOND IN THE SONG ROLE AGIAN.
Oh dear, 1st comment and you still write in block capitals bruv?
Do you watch Arsenal shayne? Denilson is hardly considered a creative player in the side. He is more considered a player that does make tackles and breaks things up.
>Largely resolute this season, however at times, he has been physically >outmuscled. Against Everton, Cahill made Sol his victim and the Toffees nearly >scored”
You mean Gallas not Sol.
>But wouldn’t it be better for him to mark his return against Bolton at home?
NO! This is a very important game in our season, to allow a 35 year old defender who has already stated he is not match fit, hasn’t played a serious game since May, based on this alone how does he even merit consideration for a spot on the bench let alone start?
>If Sol starts, Davies will not find it easy to make his mark on the game.
He would find it easier playing against Sol than Gallas and if you suggest otherwise I would like to know what your basing that on as Gallas is been in great form, granted at 32 he may need a rest but against Stoke at the weekend he can have the game off not against Bolton.
Davies came into direct contact with the Verminator in that game, Coyle might be cute and make him work on Clichy (we all know how Davies loves French Left backs i.e Evra lol) but if wants to hang out of the left flank that leaves Klansic by himself.
Lets not forget Sol has been out muscled by alot of players in his “peak” and I am sure most of us fans remember a certain evening when Sol was out muscled by Bobby Zamora who was playing for West Ham at the time and was playing very poorly that season (low on confidence I’m sure). Then at half time he fled the stadium citing personal problems as the reason for the performance.
The pro’s and con’s of Sol Campbell being at the club can be argued but the key fact is, right now, Sol is not ready to play 90 minutes of premiership football.
This is an important game but so are the next few after it.
Bolton will not cause as much problems on our ground than Stoke would when we play them away. Besides I think we have a good chance of winning the FA Cup so I would rather see Gallas get stuck for that game.
Sol has been outmuscled and that is one example you’ve pointed out, which everyone knows. I didn’t say he should play 90 minutes but he can surely play the first 60 minutes like Eastmond did. I also don’t think that Klasnic would start at the Emirates, Bolton were overun in midfield at times so Coyle will pack 5 men in the middle.
EASTMOND IS GOOD, however jay emmanuel is a better option in that position, i think wenger should give the boy a chance
I dont think its the right time for Sol to play. Too much pressure. Im sure wenger will play him when the time is right. I hope this will be one of those games where we score lots of goals. 4-1 anyone?
want to see denilson in this game and Iam sure he will prove all of you wrong!
Bolton will be child’s play for Sol. There is nothing that unpredictable about their game so I agree it would be an easy game for him to start with.
If Merida wants to leave, it would be his loss. Going to Atletico where things aren’t exactly stable won’t help his development one bit.