Captain Gilberto

In the fallout of the very painful defeat to West Ham United (where Alan Pardew decided to do a graceless jig within the Arsenal techical area), I wrote a tub thumping piece about how a little Canadian justice should be handed out to West Ham's (former) gaffer. The view was simple. Respond robustly to this variety of angtonism and it will not ever repeat.

Harken back to that afternoon. Harewood scored that late goal all hell broke lose on the touchline as an unusually agitated Arsene Wenger responded to the Pardew nonsense and squared up to mete out a little Canadian justice himself.

But what did our captain do? Our captain wrapped his arm around Arsenal hate figure Teddy Sheringham and attempted to calm him(?!) down buddy buddy style as they both left the pitch. I wrote an immediate match report after the game and reading it back this afternoon offers interesting context....today we looked tired. Really tired. Im not sure I've ever seen Fabregas so short of energy as in the match today. And Thierry Henry was appalling. While Rosicky, Van Persie and Hleb were moving mountains in midfield, Henry looked uninterested and off the pace.

In sharp contrast, well known Henry-mate (who isn't) Didier Drogba got sharp response from (unofficially) new Arsenal captain Gilbero for his statements about Arsenal being out of the running for the league without Thierry Henry.

Captain Gilberto said...

So Drogba said we're already out of the title race, did he? Well, let's wait and see what happens. What I do know is last season Chelsea spent a fortune on new signings and still couldn't beat Arsenal once in the league. They didn't defend their title either, so I think Drogba is talking a little bit too much.

Translation = keep talking and I'll smack your mouth, mate.

While Thierry might choose to drape his arms all over Terry or Drogba, the NEW generation of Gunners would prefer to grab Lampard by the throat (Fabregas) or kick Terry in the head (Diaby). Sky Sports tended to promote the myth last season that the Arsenal were soft and easily beaten up North. One might consider the performance (sans Henry) against Manchester United at Sold Trafford where in spite of missing a penalty, Gilberto captained the Arsenal to a stunning victory where they played them off their own park. It's grim up North? Not when we are in that sort of form.

So all hail captain Gilberto. A new... more aggressive era... begins.