Just when the Arsenal were clicking into form and inviting the likes of Philippe Senderos and Gael Clichy back into the fold we have yet another International break through which to fret about the fitness of our players.William Gallas was barely fit the other day but performed admirably alongside Kolo Toure in central defence to earn Arsenal a hard fought victory at the Valley. He may now be called upon to do the same for France and further risk proper injury at a time when the Arsenal back four is beginning to settle.
Looking back to the summer, Senderos suffered an injury with the Swiss that has kept him out of the team so far this season. As David Dein said yesterday, there must be some recompense for the club losing such an important player for long stretches of his employer's season.
With nearly the entire squad being involved in either full or under 21 international squads, we can only expect grim news of injury.
However, even the most vicious crtitic of international footbal would find it difficult to argue against the development of Manu Eboue in playing for Ivory Coast in the African's Cup last season. He had yet to start a Premiership match for the club but his development in playing for his country was so rapid that only a couple of months later he was placing the likes of Zinadine Zidane into his pocket while bombing forward and causing chaos in opposition boxes.
The same can be said for Senderos. His involvement in the Swiss side has seen him grow in confidence and stature. The experience of having to play Ireland and be absolutely immense in a playoff situation can only have long term benefit for the Arsenal. Surely those tense Swiss matches left him in good stead for the later stages of the Champions League last season.
There is also Theo Walcott to consider. And while I feel the media hype around his involvement in the team did the player no favours, it must be noted that training with the likes of Gerrard and Terry can only have helped his development. Indeed, as a 17 year old Ronaldinho also went to the World Cup to taste the flavour of the competition rather contributor to the cause. And things have worked out ok for him.
Just get these matches over with and get back to the important football of the Premiership and Champions League.
Good to be a GOONAH!!
2 comments:
i do not agree with the seemingly accepted wisdom that its the african cup of nations that made Eboue the player that he is. he has always impressed since the first game for arsenal, albeit with a couple of mistakes, which he still makes but he seems to be learning.
saying that he is the player he is currently is due to the african cup of nations is utterly simplistic.
Lase, you forget how quickly Eboue has developed to be vital in the Arsenal side... he had not YET started a match for the Arsenal in the Premiership when he returned from the Ivory Coast side... that is not simplistic... that is FACT
Post a Comment