Matty, Robin, Ralph, And Them!

Some interesting news stories broke yesterday so the last instalment of our previous clashes with United can go on the back burner until we draw them in the FA Cup!

Talking of the United game Le Boss strongly hinted that Matty Flamini would get the nod to replace the suspended Gilberto on Sunday. That makes good sense. The Frenchman has shown some similar qualities to Bert this season, including a willingness to get forward on occasion and provide the extra body in the opposition box.

Robin Van Persie was out of contention, then possibly available. That will keep Fergie guessing who will partner, or play behind, Thierry Henry, and can only be a good thing. I think a fully fit Robin would probably have got the nod, but Adebayor may now get the opportunity to add to his Old Trafford winner earlier in the season. I’m comfortable with either.

The key to the outcome may well be how well we can support the young full-backs in their handling of Ronaldo and Giggs. Hleb and Rosicky will need to show considerable discipline, of which they are eminently capable.

Talking of full-backs, it was sad to see Lauren move to Portsmouth Ex-Gunners yesterday. His comeback will have been assessed by the staff and one could assume that they believe he is unlikely to regain his pre-injury levels. I would prefer to think he knew at thirty that he would only be offered a one year deal by Arsenal in the summer and took the opportunity to grab the extra security of a thirty-month offer from Pompey. The truth may be a combination of the two, but Arsenal have certainly acted in the best interests of the player. Thanks for the one hundred percent you gave us fella, we’ll miss you.

That just leaves the unseemly little squabble over Carling Cup tickets for the Tottenham matches. Neither club has covered itself in glory as this little spat has rumbled on. The upshot is we have fewer tickets for the away leg at the dive, but more for the home leg. Sadly those home tickets will cost the fans more as Tottenham’s determination to fleece even their own fans means the match will be a cat B fixture. I suspect, having picked up the tab for the damage at the league fixture at the Emirates, the Tottenham board are not sorry that they will not have nine thousand fans at the Grove. Equally they will be delighted to restrict our allocation at the Lane to just three thousand.

My, how football has changed!