Talking Double Dutch

The first time I saw a Dutch team at Highbury was the great Ajax side of 1970 in the Fairs Cup semi-final. Arsenal won 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away. That was the Ajax of Cruyff, Neeskens, and Krol. This PSV team is not Ajax.

‘Ah yes’ said cousin Clogholic, ‘but this Arsenal team does not have a John Radford to terrorise the defence in the air! For sure you have real quality, but scoring goals will be a problem for you.’

I asked Cloggy for his assessment of the present day Gunners. ‘We may be unlucky to come up against Toure and Gallas playing together. That hasn’t happened much this season, has it? You should make sure you don’t concede free-kicks around the box though because they cannot stop Farfan if he has a free shot.’

‘In midfield we are worried. Everybody knows the quality you have in Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby, and Denilson. We are pleased Rosicky is out. That means either Ljungberg or Diaby on the left. Ljungberg is shot, and Diaby is no winger.’

‘We are less worried about the attack. Henry is not what he was, and Adebayor is not the finished article yet. Unless you pose a threat from the midfield you will struggle to break us down.’

I point out that Arsenal are at their best when they know what they have to do. He reminds me the same can be said of the visitors. We are both nervous, sparring verbally for the confidence that eludes us both at the moment.

I am calmed slightly as he concedes Arsenal are the closest thing to the seventies Ajax he has ever seen. ‘If you are all fit and produce that total football, you will win’ he concedes.

It’s a stonking great ‘if’!